Table of Contents

THE COLLEGES

8
THE PERILS OF PARITY
These days life is difficult not only for the game's traditional powers but also for pigskin prognosticators
BY JOHN UNDERWOOD

18
BACK TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE
After missing most of last season with an injury, Napoleon McCallum returns for an unprecedented fifth year at Navy
BY KENNY MOORE

28
INSIDE SLANT
Opinionated observations on everything from overrated and underrated rivalries to seemly and unseemly stadiums
BY RICK REILLY

34
SCOUTING REPORTS
Rundowns on the Top 20 teams as well as on the Division 1-A conferences, major independents and Divisions 1-AA, II and III

82
IT'S THE BARRY BANAL SHOW...
...with host Sid Saccharine. Barry and Sid's guest this week is Backwater U.'s star tailback, Obsequious Johnson
BY WILLIAM TAAFFE

84
A SEASON FOR SPREADING THE FAITH
While BYU was winning the national title, several of its future stars were scattered about the earth on Mormon missions
BY GARY SMITH

102
'...AND WIN JUST ONE FOR THE GIPPER'
Invoking the memory of dear, departed players is only one device resourceful coaches have used to inspire their teams
BY N. BROOKS CLARK

114
WAS HE THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME?
You would never get Red Grange himself to say it, but there's a strong case to be made for the Galloping Ghost
BY JOHN UNDERWOOD

THE PROS

136
THE BEST ATHLETES ON THE FIELD
Battling blockers, runners and receivers, the outside linebackers have some colossal job responsibilities
BY PAUL ZIMMERMAN

150
MR. SMOOTH RUSHES INTO THE RECORD
Meet Eric Dickerson, who, running with a unique, silent grace, outgained the great O.J. Simpson
BY WILLIAM NACK

166
EXTRA POINTS
A cross-country tour produces plenty of laughs, opinions and insights into the goings-on in the NFL
BY JILL LIEBER

170
SCOUTING REPORTS
The indefatigable Dr. Z analyzes the teams and gives his power ratings and his always precise predictions
BY PAUL ZIMMERMAN

194
LISTEN UP! THERE'S A NEW LINEUP
Don Criqui and Bob Trumpy will be a team on the NBC Radio Network for 37 games, including Monday nights
BY WILLIAM TAAFFE

196
YOU'VE GOT IT MADE, JOEMONTANA
The 49ers' quarterback won the championship and the girl all in the same super and unforgettable year
BY CURRY KIRKPATRICK

COVER PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN LANKER

ART DIRECTOR: RON CAMPBELL

PHOTO

ANDY HAYT