TWENTY-NINE days ago, most people around here were fixated on a pennant race.
It was Thursday, Sept. 25. The Mets defeated the Cubs, 7-6, at Shea, the Phillies were off, and the season’s last weekend – one Amazin’ fans would like to forget – was on the horizon.
But all the while, the landscape of college football was changing. At 12:25 a.m., early Friday, No. 1 Southern Cal stunningly was upset by Oregon State, 27-21, in Corvallis.
All of a sudden, everyone had a chance. The unbeatable was beaten, meaning another season of BCS disarray, debate and deliberation.
Fast forward a month, and what more do we know? Not much, other than USC isn’t the only of the nation’s Big Boys to be saddled with a loss. Florida, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma – all names now grouped with the Trojans. Others could follow.
But there they are, still breathing. Yes, Texas, Alabama and Penn State are on top now. But if you look to the fifth spot on this first BCS poll, you’ll find those three powerful, capital letters, that once-beaten team, that – believe it or not – has been out of the headlines lately: USC.
It’s about time the Trojans get back in them.
“Everywhere you look, they have great depth,” Arizona coach Mike Stoops said. “They’re a very complete football team with no real weakness.”
Stoops should know. He’s been breaking them down all week in preparation for his Wildcats’ homecoming game Saturday.
“We are working hard on our execution on both sides,” Stoops said. “They’re very explosive.”
The numbers, sans Oregon State, would agree . . . and then some. USC has won three straight since the loss, outscoring the opposition 141-10.
141-10.
Now Stoops has his Wildcats (5-2) turned around, make no mistake. Certainly a decent bowl awaits. And clearly, Arizona is better than Washington State and Arizona State, USC’s last two victims, and perhaps even Oregon, the first to get the post-upset treatment.
But the ‘Cats still are learning what it’s like to be a target. Don’t forget this is a team that lost to Stanford and New Mexico. We know Pete Carroll hasn’t, no matter what he says.
“Arizona has put themselves in a great spot in the Pac-10,” Carroll said. “This is a championship matchup. We are going to try to take the momentum to Tucson and see if we can get a win.”
We think they will. USC (-16) is the pick.
TONIGHT
Auburn (+3) over WEST VIRGINIA: Both teams are a tough watch. We’ll lean on the stronger defense and the stronger league.
SATURDAY
KANSAS (-11/2) over Texas Tech: Trap Watch. The BCS No. 8 is a ‘dog against a two-loss club?
NORTH CAROLINA (-3) over Boston College: Pivotal for Butch Davis, as the resurgent Heels can show the land last week’s upset at Virginia was a fluke.
FLORIDA (-241/2) over Kentucky: Too many injuries for the Wildcats, and Urban Meyer has three covers in four tries off a bye.
Oklahoma (-19) over KANSAS STATE: Spread value here, believe it or not, because of OU’s backdoor loss to Kansas last week. Take advantage.
PITT (-91/2) over Rutgers: The Panthers are surging, and the Knights – unlike last week – won’t be able to stack the line against a quality passing attack.
GEORGIA TECH (-12) over Virginia: Reality Game, perhaps, for Al Groh, whose club is better than we thought, but doesn’t like playing away from Charlottesville.
TEXAS (-121/2) over Oklahoma State: The ‘Horns Cover Train ran over Arkansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Missouri. We’re staying on it till they throw us off.
Georgia (+2) over LSU: The Bulldogs’ opportunity to make people forget about the Alabama loss. Baton Rouge is tough, but less tough when it’s a matinee.
Michigan State (-4) over MICHIGAN: Mark Dantonio remembers last season’s collapse in East Lansing. Revenge time.
FLORIDA STATE (-5) over Virginia Tech: An unpopular choice, but the Seminoles – overvalued vs. Wake and N.C. State – have a makeable putt here.
MISSOURI (-211/2) over Colorado: If the Tigers have anything left – we believe they do – they’ll show it at Homecoming.
Alabama (-61/2) over TENNESSEE: Lot of believers in the Phil Fulmer factor. Big game, big rival, at home, with his job on the line. The same was said when Florida was there. The Vols lost, 30-6.
OHIO STATE (+21/2) over Penn State: The Buckeyes are in The ‘Shoe, they’re healthy, and they’ve played the tougher slate.
OFF THE GRID
South Florida (-4) over LOUISVILLE: The Bulls are 3-0 on the road, winning all by at least seven.
CAL (-17) over Ucla: We’ll take the Bears on a bounce after being upset by aforementioned Arizona.
Last week: 10-5 Overall, 3-0 Best Bets, 1-0 Off The Grid.
Season: 66-50-3, 13-10-1, 7-7-1.
tsullivan@nypost.com