Football's Top Ten

October's first football Saturday produced few outright upsets, but gamblers' point spreads took a licking in most games involving the nation's leading teams. Many had to capitalize on breaks or come from behind with desperate last-quarter rallies. With the season three weeks old, TIME'S ranking of the nation's top ten:

1) Oklahoma--but only on sufferance, since they were outplayed and forced to capitalize on a fumble for a 6-0 victory over stubborn Oregon.

2) Army--with its new jazzed-up razzle-dazzle offense, featuring a "lonely man" spread so wide at end he doesn't even huddle with the team; it walloped highly regarded Penn State 26-0 and became the East's top team.

3) Notre Dame--powered by Fullback Nick Pietrosante and speedy sophomore Halfback Red Mack, it managed a 14-6 victory over tough Southern Methodist.

4) Ohio State -- even though its ground-gulping offense broke down and it needed a blocked punt for a fourth-quarter score to beat the Washington Huskies 12-7.

5) Michigan State -- lost face, but had the poise to manage two desperation marches late in the game for a 12-12 tie with underdog Michigan.

6) Wisconsin--still unscored upon, has Quarterback Dale Hackbart and a big, fast line; it smothered Marquette 50-0.

7) Southern Methodist--still winless in an impossibly tough early-season schedule, has probably the nation's best passer in Quarterback Don Meredith, who kept it respectably close against both Ohio State (20-23) and Notre Dame.

8) Pittsburgh -- unbeaten in rugged competition (U.C.L.A., Holy Cross), got two fourth-quarter scores to overtake Minnesota 13-7.

9) Auburn--so-so on offense but impregnable defensively, had trouble with little Chattanooga before winning 30-8.

10) Clemson -- produces just enough to win every week, squeaked by Maryland 8-0.

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