What a factor, sports activities. It revels in throwing us knuckleballs after we least anticipate them. It snickers after we assume we are able to predict outcomes. It excels in dropping jaws.

North Carolina was ranked No. 1 in school basketball. This week and weekend, that amounted to diddly-squat. Former UNLV coach T.J. Otzelberger and Iowa State beat them anyway.

That’s after the Cyclones changed the workforce’s high two scorers, together with Texas factors chief Tyrese Hunter, whose Longhorns thumped No. 9 Arkansas in an exhibition sport by 30 and perennial out-of-weight-class puncher Gonzaga by 19.

In school soccer, Ohio State might be upended by Michigan for a second consecutive season regardless of being bedeviled by the Buckeyes for therefore lengthy. Scoring 45. In Columbus, no much less.

Sports is a spot the place 5-6 Texas A&M can journey up No. 6 LSU. Where TCU could cause traditionalists to squirm. Where Clemson, with a 40-game residence successful streak snapped, can start to really feel mortal. Where Tulane can beat its first AP-ranked opponent since Doug Flutie gained the Heisman Trophy.

Where Nick Saban — Nick Saban — has to plead Alabama’s College Football Playoff case.

“We lost two games on the road against two top-10 teams by four points,” Saban stated. “So we are a good football team and hopefully people will recognize that.”

Championship chasing stays a bottom-line enterprise. Wins do the speaking and arm-twisting. Saban looks like the final one who would want reminded of that.

Costa Rica, a rustic the dimensions of West Virginia, logged the primary World Cup victory amongst CONCACAF nations. Not Mexico. Not the United States.

Of course the plucky bunch gained, 1-0, with their solely shot on aim within the event. Of course it got here in opposition to Japan after that nation topped four-time world champion Germany. Of course it got here after being pummeled, 7-0 by Spain.

“We are not the best,” Costa Rican star Keysher Fuller stated in a Yahoo! Sports story, “but we are not the worst either.”

Poetry.

On the identical day, Morocco shocked world No. 2 Belgium. Saudi Arabia beating powerhouse Argentina wow’d us, however the event reminds us on the common that one other head-shaking day awaits.

What stunned extra, although? Those outcomes or the truth that Japanese followers, after a crushing loss, pulled out baggage to gather trash on the stadium? What level have we reached the place a easy act of cleansing up your mess positive aspects world acclaim?

Where are we, certainly, when Arkansas basketball coach Eric Musselman spews profanity at San Diego State followers after an additional time win within the Maui Invitational. Then, to take away all doubt about his maturity degree, uncorks an “L” for losers hand gesture?

“Whatever happened after the game is probably not in the best interest of anybody,” Aztecs coach Brian Dutcher told the Union-Tribune’s Mark Zeigler. “I think he probably realizes that. … I choose to ignore those people.”

Simple, proper? Or no less than it ought to have been. Musselman is hardly the primary coach to have followers chew on them. A extremely paid public determine, a supposed chief of younger males, an alleged grownup, performing the idiot on the seaside.

Speaking of conduct, did everybody see the correct cross Arizona State mascot Sparky the Sun Devil landed on Arizona’s Wilbur the Wildcat? No phrases had been exchanged, we hear.

USC is throwing soccer punches, as nicely. They’ve obtained an affordable path to a CFP berth. What within the identify of Matt Leinart and Charles White is happening? Caleb Williams is happening, to be exact.

The Trojans quarterback entered video-game mode in opposition to Notre Dame. He zigs. He zags. He stops with out warning. He modifications instructions as defenders tumble like bowling pins. Defensive coordinators dealing with him should order Maalox in bulk.

Mail the Heisman Trophy to Williams. No ceremony needed.

Surprises got here in all shapes and statistical sizes this weekend. The Aztecs had been held to minus-1 yard speeding by Air Force in a 13-3 loss Saturday. That’s about as gorgeous as numbers come for a program constructed block-by-block on the run.

It’s additionally a painful reminder of how far San Diego State’s offense wants to return to ascertain bankable, long-term dependability.

Is Aaron Judge nonetheless searching a job? And what a time to be chasing a shortstop. Carlos Correa, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts and Dansby Swanson are all accessible. The free agent ripples shall be fascinating.

Canada lastly gained a cup. No, not the Stanley Cup. They haven’t gained that trophy within the hockey-crazy nation since 1993. They gained the Davis Cup, in tennis.

Here come … the Cowboys? Is this lastly the time when the NFL backside doesn’t fall out? Nah. It’s the Cowboys.

The potentialities stay limitless, although, after a stirring week. Records meant little. History meant much less. Logic was entertainingly pretzeled.

Just think about, the Holiday Bowl truly is likely to be performed this 12 months.