In 1952, Fred Zimmerman shot part of a Cowboy film entitled 'High Noon' at the Columbia Ranch in Burbank, Calif. The film's title quickly became a classic phrase used to describe showdowns between two powers.
Just such a meeting will take place next week, a mere 17 miles from the spot where the film was made.
The 16th-ranked University of Southern California Trojans, 6-0 in the Pac-10, will play host to the top-ranked University of Washington Huskies, 5-0 in the conference, with the winner almost guaranteed the Pac-10's Rose Bowl bid.
'We needed this one. It's one more step toward the Rose Bowl,' said USC linebacker Duane Bickett after Saturday's Trojan victory over Stanford. 'The Rose Bowl is right there for us to take.'
Southern California defeated the Cardinals, 20-11, but did not look sharp. The Trojans turned the ball over five times, three times in their own territory in the third quarter, and were just fortunate that Bickett and his defensive mates were up to the challenge.
USC did get an excellent performance out of junior tailback Fred Crutcher, who finished the day with 146 yards on a career-high 41 carries and two touchdowns.
While the Trojans were stumbling to a victory in Stanford, Calif., the Huskies were warming up their offense for Saturday's showdown by mauling the California Golden Bears, 44-14.
Washington tailback Jacque Robinson, who has been up and down all season, found his stride early against Cal and finished the day with 152 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns.
'I was just running like I always run,' Robinson said. 'The line was really getting after it today. Everybody was running harder, blocking harder.'
The USC-Washington clash is not the only showdown on tap in the West. In the neighboring Pacific Coast Athletic Association, undefeated Fullerton State will put its 10-0 record and 20th ranking on the line against once-beaten Nevada-Las Vegas.
Both teams have great quarterbacks, possibly the best on the West Coast this season. Fullerton is led by Damon Allen, the younger brother of Marcus Allen, who completed 16 of 30 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown in the Titans' 20-17 victory over Fresno State. UNLV is led by quarterback Randall Cunningham, brother of Sam 'Bam' Cunningham.
In a 30-14 victory over San Diego State on Saturday, Cunningham completed 16 of 26 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown. However, he also threw an uncharacteristic two interceptions.
Elsewhere, Oregon quarterback Chris Miller threw for two touchdowns and Matt MacLeod booted a 26-yard field goal to lead the Oregon Ducks to a 20-18 upset of UCLA, eliminating the Bruins from making a return trip to the Rose Bowl.
Florida State, ranked 14th in the country, outlasted Arizona State, 52-44, to put whatever bowl hopes the Wildcats had in real jeopardy. ASU kicker Luis Zendejas scored 12 points in the contest to pull with 15 points of Tony Dorsett's all-time NCAA career scoring mark.
Oregon State's defense held Washington State running back Reuben Mayes under 200 yards for the first time in three weeks but still lost to the red-hot Cougars, 20-13. Mayes, who set an NCAA single game rushing mark last week, rushed for 141 yards in the contest.
Sophomore wide receiver Jon Horton tied a school record with nine catches for 217 yards to lead Arizona to a non-conference 45-10 rout of PCAA doormat Utah State.
Long Beach State quarterback Doug Gaynor threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another to lead the 49ers to a 24-22 triumph over Pacific.
New Mexico State running back Kim Locklin scored on a 1-yard dive over the middle of the line with 20 seconds left in the game to lead the Aggies to a 31-24 non-conference triumph over Wichita State.
