Rock on . . .

Games for the ages

All right, so maybe nobody else gets it. Or maybe we live in a bubble.

A ticket service called StubHub has listed its Top 25 College Football Rivalries for this year. And yes, Utah-BYU is in the mix. Just not as high as you might think. That rivalry comes in at No. 24, right behind Oklahoma State-Oklahoma and just ahead of Purdue-Indiana (Since when did Indiana field a football team?).

Curiously, Ohio State-Michigan — arguably the granddaddy of 'em all — is only rated No. 5. It is preceded by No. 1 USC vs. Notre Dame (after last Saturday, who's arguing?), UCLA-USC (ah, Hollywood), Michigan-Michigan State (I don't think so) and Oklahoma-Texas (Didn't they get the word? Oklahoma stinks).

Other top rivalries: Tennessee-Alabama (7), Miami-Florida State (8), Texas-Texas A&M (10), Alabama-Auburn (13), Florida State-Florida (19) and Oklahoma-Nebraska (20).

Oh, and don't forget the Utah State-BYU rivalry.

That rates just behind Arkansas State vs. Bye.

Driving force

Clothes may not make the man, but they do seem to impress David Stern.

The NBA commissioner announced Monday a dress code requiring players to wear business casual attire to and from games, on team flights and at public appearances.

You don't think this is a reaction to that video of Greg Ostertag in a Speedo, do you?

The power of words

Looks as though Ron McBride, Weber State's first-year coach, hasn't lost his fire.

In Saturday's win over Sacramento State, McBride delivered a profanity-laced tirade at halftime to charge up his team.

"It probably wasn't good for the missionaries," said Mac.

I wouldn't worry. It's doubtful he called them anything they didn't hear while knocking on doors.

Keeping the focus

Meanwhile, just down the road, first-year Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is having his problems.

The Utes have lost three straight and four of five. The frustration has climbed to the point Whittingham said Saturday if he didn't figure things out, "I'll find something else to do."

Figuring it out would be a good move, all right.

Before Utah fans find something else to do, too.

Ask the experts

The preseason polls are out, and it's not good news for BYU.

The media picked BYU to finish last in the Mountain West Conference men's basketball chase.

Said junior guard Austin Ainge: "I can guarantee you this, we will not finish last."

He may have a point.

Would that be the same media that picked TCU to finish sixth and Utah first in football?

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E-mail: rock@desnews.com