USC beat Warriors but not the spread

Southern Cal may have been proud of its 49-10 victory over the Hawaii Warriors, but it fell in Tuesday’s Associated Press poll from No. 1 to second place, because Alabama’s opener was an even more impressive 41-14 over Michigan, which was ranked ninth in the preseason poll.

USC was ahead of UH by 35 points at halftime but allowed UH to be outscored by a mere 3 points in the second half. As a result, ‘Bama jumped to the top in the AP poll and from runner-up to first in the USA Today coaches poll, while USC nudged its way from third to second, as preseason leader Louisiana dropped from first to third.

Perhaps the betting rankers were miffed that USC failed to beat the 42-point spread against Hawaii in its debut.

Can’t we all just arrive alive?

Let us celebrate the fact that fewer people have died while riding mo-peds so far this year than in the same period last year — five compared with six.

On the other hand, motorcyclist deaths are up by almost 100 percent, to 13 from seven, and pedestrian deaths are similarly much higher, up to 15 from nine.

What’s going on? The experts are unsure, but obviously, anyone in traffic these days needs to be extra careful if he or she expects to make it back home safely each day.

If you’re a pedestrian, watch for oncoming cars. Car drivers, watch out for pedestrians. If you’re riding a two-wheeled vehicle, never assume car drivers can see or hear you. Car drivers, always check for cyclists before turning or switching lanes.

Let’s arrive alive.