DAILY DIRT: Should be an interesting day atop the college football rankings

Wait until you get to thought No. 2. You’ll learn about nanometers … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 1,083 of The Daily Dirt

1. It’s another Saturday beneath an autumnal sun, which means it’s time for college football.

Here’s a look at this week’s Daily Dirt top 10, along with some keen insight:

• 1. Texas (5-0): Longhorns may have trouble holding on to No. 1 in the national media polls if Ohio State wins AT Oregon today. If Texas defeats Oklahoma in their traditional bloodletting I say the Longhorns deserve to stay at No. 1, regardless of what happens beneath them.
• 2. Ohio State (5-0): Theoretically, the Buckeyes have the nation’s No. 1 receiving corps, No. 1 secondary and No. 1 offensive backfield. All three will need to make a statement today AT Oregon.
• 3. Georgia (4-1): Did you see those stories earlier this week implying Kirby Smart is going to take over the New York Jets? I just can’t see that happening. I’m pretty sure Kirby is a college lifer.
• 4. Oregon (5-0): If the Ducks take down Ohio State, all the ill will created by those first two lackluster efforts to open the season will be forgotten.
• 5. Penn State (5-0): Here’s where the week’s first upset might occur. The Nittany Lions travel to USC and as they’ve shown in the past, major marquee games often bring out the worst in Penn State.
• 6. Alabama (5-1): “The Alabama defense is an absolute sieve,” says NCAA football analyst Joel Klatt. If, for some strange reason, the Tide manage to lose to South Carolina on the heels of that Vanderbilt debacle, not even the ghost of Bear Bryant should be able to keep Alabama in the top 15.
• 7. Miami, Fla. (6-0): Quarterback Cam Ward has officially entered his name into the Heisman Trophy race. On a side note, it’s the second Saturday in October and Miami will have already played seven games after today’s joust with Louisville.
• 8. Tennessee (4-1): The Volunteers sorely need to rebuild their resume after that loss to Arkansas. They should be able to start today against Florida.
• 9. Iowa State (5-0): The Cyclones are no longer the nation’s best-kept secret. Matt Campbell might be the early front runner for coach of the year.
• 10. Ole Miss (5-1): Rebels can begin their ascent back up the rankings with a win today at LSU. Another loss, however, and they’ll be in the same debate with Alabama for the most disappointing team heading into the second half of the season.

On the bubble: Texas A&M (5-1), Clemson (4-1), LSU (4-1), BYU (5-0), Notre Dame (4-1), Utah (4-1), Oklahoma (4-1), Missouri (4-1), Pitt (5-0), Michigan (4-2).

2. Did you know (Part 149)

That human fingernails grow nanometer per second, which is one billionth of a meter. You’re welcome.

That Kraft mac-and-cheese is now available in jalapeno and ranch flavors.

That Frito-Lay’s remain the nation’s No. 1-selling potato chip, followed by Ruffles and Pringles.

That Americans average eating 350 pieces of pizza every second. The average American eats 40 pizzas per year

That Argentinians drink the most soda of any country in the world, averaging 155 liters per person per year. The United States is second at 154 liters.

3. Did anyone besides me spend a small fortune at the old neighborhood grocery buying the following treats during our formative years?

• Candy cigarettes
• Pixy Stix
• Candy necklaces
• Chiclets
• Starburst
• Razzles
• Big League Chew
• Bubble Yum
• Sugar Daddys
• Sugar Babies
• Pop Rocks
• Ring Pops
• Laffy Taffy
• Regal Sours
• Mallo Cups
• Sixlets
• Marathon Bars
• Turkish Taffy
• Charms Blow Pops
• Charleston Chew

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Out of all those items mentioned in Thought No. 3, I’d have to say Sugar Babies, which date to 1935, were my favorite … but I rarely see them anymore.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Sugar Babies tend to come out during Halloween, so Steve should be able to find them.