Disbelief & Disaster

The press-box announcer blurted: "We have a score on the Northwestern-Michigan game that seems unlikely. The report gives Northwestern 34 points in the second quarter. We are asking for confirmation." Confirmation came quickly: Michigan was taking the licking of its life.

In the past five seasons lowly Northwestern had won only four Big Ten conference games. Taking over three years ago, young (35) Coach Ara Parseghian, onetime Miami (Ohio) halfback, set out to rebuild manpower and morale. "You're just the patsies from Northwestern," he taunted his players. It worked. This year aroused Wildcats have won their first three games (Washington State, Stanford, Minnesota). On the first three plays Michigan backs were thrown for 17 yds. in losses. Northwestern scored a fantastic four touchdowns in a seven-minute stretch before Parseghian emptied his bench to temper the slaughter. Final score: Northwestern 55, Michigan 24.

Other surprising performances dotted last week's football landscape, and in the process scrambled the nation's ratings. TIME'S Top Ten:

1) Ohio State (4-0)--finally living up to pre-season billing after three so-so victories, pounded Indiana, 49-8.

2) Army (4-0)--downgraded from the No. 1 spot because, against sub-par Virginia, it stumbled through a fumble-filled first half before straightening out and rolling on to win 35-6.

3) Wisconsin (3-1)--upset by a scrapping Iowa team 20-9, but still rated above the Hawkeyes because Quarterback Dale Hackbart had a bad day, setting up two Iowa touchdowns with fumbles.

4) Iowa (3-0-1). 5) Oklahoma (3-1)--still rolling over minor football powers, dismembered Kansas 43-0.

6) Louisiana State (5-0)--Halfback Billy Cannon ran for 108 yds. and two touchdowns in a 32-7 romp over Kentucky.

7) Pittsburgh (4-1)--though wearied by a rough-and-tumble schedule, is still a solid all-round outfit, disposed of West Virginia 15-8.

8) Auburn (3-0-1)--flawed its 17-game winning streak when Georgia Tech threw up a stout defense and managed a late score to gain a 7-7 tie.

9) Notre Dame (3-1)--botched scoring chances, needed a third-quarter 23-yd. field goal for a 9-7 victory over Duke.

10) Michigan State (2-1-1)--recovered five fumbles, but could never find the trigger of its offense, made only 103 yds. all day in losing to Purdue 14-6.

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