Oklahoma has the United Press International Board of Coaches` preseason No. 1 ranking for the third straight year. The Sooners, losers of just two games the last two seasons, received 743 of a possible 750 points and 44 of 50 first-place votes. Fellow Big Eight member Nebraska, which finished second with 556 points, was the only other school mentioned on all 50 coaches`
ballots. Ohio State was ranked third, followed by No. 4 UCLA, No. 5 Auburn, No. 6 Michigan, No. 7 Penn State, No. 8 Arizona State and No. 9 Miami, with Texas A&M and Louisiana State tied at No. 10. Notre Dame is ranked 16th and Iowa 18th.
Here`s the update on injured Illinois running back Keith Jones, who suffered a stress fracture in his right foot Saturday: Doctors say Jones, released from the hospital Monday, just might be ready in time for the Big 10 opener Oct. 3 against Ohio State. But, they add, that`s very iffy. Jones, a 6-foot-2-inch, 209-pound junior from Webster Groves, Mo., was the Illini`s MVP last year, averaging 4 yards per carry and 26.5 yards per kickoff return. . . . The Southeastern Conference has made preliminary inquiries into whether Alabama junior tailback Bobby Humphrey has had dealings with a professional sports agent, a Tuscaloosa newspaper reported Monday. Last season, Humphrey rushed for 1,471 yards and 15 touchdowns, the best season ever by an Alabama running back. . . . Texas Christian running back Tony Jeffrey, who rushed for 343 yards in one game last season, has been cleared by the school of any wrongdoing in his association with Atlanta-based sports agent Gary Wilson. . . . The NCAA Division II football playoffs will be expanded from 8 to 16 teams in 1988.
Prosecutors in Miami dropped charges of kidnaping and sexual battery against Aaron Pryor, with the former junior-welterweight champion pleading no contest to two counts of aggravated assault as part of a plea bargain. In all, eight charges stemming from a Feb. 27 incident that led to Pryor`s arrest were dropped. Pryor also was fined $5,000, to be donated to the North Miami Beach Athletic Association.
Billy Cunningham has agreed to sever his ties with the new Miami Heat to become the top analyst for CBS` NBA telecasts, but only after being allowed to stay with the expansion team through its formative stages. CBS had asked Cunningham to immediately end his association with the Heat, but he said he convinced the network to accept a compromise that will let him offer the Heat his counsel for about one more year. That means Cunningham will have a say in the choosing of a coach and player-personnel director and in both the collegiate and dispersal draft for the franchise. ”That`s the most important time, the foundation of any franchise, and I`ll be there to help in any way I can,” he said. He will have to divest his financial interest and end any managerial chores with the Heat before the team plays its first game in the fall of 1988. . . . Guard Lancaster Gordon of the Los Angeles Clippers underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday. Said team physician Dr. Tony Daly: ”Lancaster will be at full strength when training camp opens in October.”
Former Alabama basketball star Bobby Lee Hurt was arrested in Huntsville, Ala., for allegedly failing to pay child support. Hurt, who played at Alabama in 1982-85, had recently signed to play for a professional team in Turkey. Bond was set Saturday at $5,000, but he was released the same day by a judge`s order.
The NCAA said it had reprimanded Southern Cal tennis coach Dick Leach and his son, player Rick Leach, for verbally abusing and threatening spectators during the Division I tennis championships. The NCAA also said it was withholding a portion of Southern Cal`s reimbursement for travel and per diem costs for an incident that occurred after Rick Leach lost a third-round singles match.
Paolo Rosola of Italy rode alone for the final 25 miles to claim the 13th stage of the Coors International Cycling Classic. Jeff Pierce maintained the overall lead.
Minnesota Strikers owner Joe Robbie, who requested a one-year leave of absence from the Major Indoor Soccer League last week, has called a Tuesday press conference to announce the team`s future. Strikers coach Alan Merrick believes the club will play the 1986-87 season, after all. ”My gut feeling is positive,” said Merrick. ”Over the weekend I thought it was tight, but we`ve raised nearly $350,000 of the $500,000 or so we felt necessary to continue.”
