DAILY DIRT: We’re at the point in the college football season where the games are beginning to matter

Texas, Alabama, Ohio State lead this week’s rankings … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,078 of The Daily Dirt

1. We’re roughly a month into the college football season and the games are becoming more meaningful.

Here’s a look at today’s top attractions and The Daily Dirt’s weekly Top 10:

1. Texas (5-0): Longhorns still deserving of this No. 1 ranking, despite last week’s Alabama win over Georgia. Look for plenty of points today when Texas downs Oklahoma. This could easily be one of those 45-40 games.

2. Alabama (5-0): Yes, Vanderbilt (2-2) has played much better than originally anticipated. Yes, Alabama is bound to have some sort of letdown following last week’s win over Georgia. But there is still no way the Tide loses to Vandy, although the final score may be closer to 40-0 than 55-0.

3. Ohio State (4-0): Today’s game with Iowa (3-1) will likely be ugly. Really, really ugly. Whatever the “over” is, take it.

4. Georgia (3-1): Repeat the Ohio State comment, but substitute Auburn (2-3) for Iowa.

5. Tennessee (4-0): The Vols play Arkansas today, and the Razorbacks (3-2) are due for an upset victory. But it won’t come against Tennessee.

6. Oregon (4-0): Ducks should obliterate Michigan State in a warmup for their date with Ohio State on Oct. 12.

7. Michigan (4-1): I was wrong. Dead wrong. I thought the Wolverines were toast after those first couple of weeks. Michigan is at Washington today and should escape with a relatively easy win.

8. Miami, Fla. (5-0): Is it just me, or does it still sound rather strange to refer to California (3-1) — today’s Miami opponent — as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference?

9. Penn State (4-0): Did anyone else notice how the Nittany Lions had tweaked their uniforms last week? I hope they keep the changes to the uniform number font and the numbers on the helmet.

10. Missouri (5-0): Mizzou’s game of the year is its Oct. 26 date at Alabama, but it better not be looking past Texas A&M (4-1) today.

2. Did you know (Part 142)

• That cats spend 65 percent of their life asleep. (Like Steve.)
• That you burn more calories eating celery than it contains.
• That toilets use 35 percent of all indoor water use.
• That a giraffe can clean its ears with its 21-inch-long tongue. (Like Steve.)
• That the Grand Canyon could hold 900 trillion footballs.

3. This week’s birthday wishes go out to:

• NFL tight end and Taylor Swift boyfriend Travis Kelce, who turns 34 today.
• AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson, who is 77, also today.
• NBA player Bronny James, who celebrates No. 20 on Sunday.
• Singer Bruno Mars, who will be 39 on Tuesday.
• Actor Matt Damon, who turns 54, also on Tuesday.

Steve Thought O’ The Day – Do you know what the Dalmatian thought after he ate dinner? “Boy, that hit the spot.” (Thank you! Thank you! I’ll be here all week.)

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Great, now he is spreading rumors about people eating pets.