Tennessee is on its twelfth Smokey. Eleven dogs died so a stadium could feel something. That's not a mascot, that's a religion.

Michigan beat Western Michigan on a call so bad that Sherrone Moore's postgame press conference was the first time in history a winning coach looked like he'd been robbed.

Tennessee introduced Smokey XII. Twelve hounds, one stadium, one job: be alive in Knoxville in August. Eleven predecessors have a monument. Danny White's contract doesn't.

Tennessee's new mascot is a 2-year-old coonhound. He's the twelfth. That's a cautionary tale about Neyland Stadium in August, told by a dog.

The Indy 500 was won by 0.02 seconds. Five hundred miles, 200 laps, and it came down to the width of a hot dog. That's Indiana: everything's a photo finish except the economy.

Tennessee introduced Smokey XII. Eleven hounds died so a stadium could feel something. That's not a mascot lineage, that's a religion with a leash.

Historic drought in Oregon. The state that won't let you pump your own gas now can't find water for the fire. Somebody's still going to be told to wait in the car.

Michigan plays a real opponent Saturday after needing a blown call to beat Western Michigan. Sherrone Moore's job is a betting line and the over is "through Ohio State."

Dan Lanning's Oregon nearly lost to Boise State. The Ducks are number 2. Boise's field is blue, the Ducks' faces were red, and Lanning's seat is the one color in between.

Oregon fans booed a 34-27 win. Dan Lanning makes $11 million a year. The fans booed a man they're paying more than their entire mortgage to lose to nobody. That's Eugene: the boos are organic and free-range.

Oregon's own fans booed a win. Nothing says "elite program" like a crowd that paid $200 to feel nothing.

Michigan beat Western Michigan on a call so bad the ref should face The Hague. Not for the call. For making 110,000 people sit through the first three quarters.

Number 2 Oregon nearly lost to Boise State. The Ducks are second in the nation and first in "we'll discuss it at the funeral of the season."

Sherrone Moore's Michigan needed a blown call to beat a MAC team. Jim Harbaugh watched from the Chargers and, for the first time, was glad he's the one who left.

Keenan Allen faces two misdemeanor charges over an alleged drunken driving incident. The Colts wide receiver caught more charges this week than passes. Indianapolis: where the only thing that runs reliably is the 500.

Michigan-Western Michigan. The Wolverines fumbled a snap, made a one-handed catch, and got the call. Somewhere Lane Kiffin is texting Sherrone "you're welcome" and nobody knows why.

Michigan needed a blown call to beat Western Michigan and plays a real team Saturday. Sherrone Moore's job is now a betting line and the over is "through Ohio State."

Western Michigan lost to Michigan by one whistle. Somewhere in Kalamazoo a booster just learned his check cleared for nothing.