It's the Year of the Underdog.

What can I say? I thought I was dreaming at first. How could it be true? We all thought they were just a bunch of losers - smart losers - but losers none the less.

Think back to the beginning of the football season. If someone asked you who would be going to the Rose Bowl, you would have said.....Ohio? Sure. Michigan? Of course. Illinois (my husband's alma mater)? Maybe. But, Northwestern? Never. But, now here it is the end of collegiate football and Northwestern is going to the Rose Bowl.

Just think, the Fighting Dentists are going to the Rose Bowl! OK, I know that their nickname is the Wildcats, but somehow the Fighting Dentists seems more appropriate. Besides, it's what our friend, Bob, calls them.

You have to understand, I grew up in the middle of Big Ten county. The Big Ten was a big deal. I mean, you had all these powerhouse teams and, then, there was Northwestern. Big teams. Strong teams. Teams that produced Heisman Trophy winners, not Nobel Prize winners. Players that knew how to put points on the board, not be chairman of the board. Teams known for their brawn, not their brains. All this meant that, Big Ten teams were always assured of at least one interconference win - Northwestern. And, now here they are going to the Rose Bowl.

Northwestern has been the whipping boy of the Big Ten for as long as I can remember. When Penn State was added to the Big Ten making it eleven teams, the joke was that they didn't have to change the name of the conference. Why? Because now, there really were ten teams (and Northwestern).

You know, none of the losses or jokes seemed to bother Northwestern. They knew they were destined for greatness. Legend has it that in the visiting team's locker room at Northwestern hangs a sign that warns "You may beat us today, but you will work for us tomorrow!".

I'm thrilled for them. My husband and I like to see David give Goliath a good whack every now and then. It's what keeps life interesting.

For my husband, rooting for the underdog comes naturally. He's a Cubs fan. When it became apparent that Northwestern could really go all the way, he even went so far as to publicly root for Michigan (their victory over Ohio would put Northwestern over the top). I purposely don't use his Christian name here for fear that he will be expelled from the Illini Alumni Association for such a treasonous act.

By the time you read this column, Northwestern's fate at the Rose Bowl will be sealed. They will either win or lose. Either way, they will have inspired us all. In their honor, I respectfully submit the following Football Munchies for your review. Who knows, make them for the Super Bowl and maybe the Buffalo Bills will win.

Pigs in a Blanket #1
Makes 32 pieces.

1 package refrigerator crescent rolls
8 polish sausages
8 slices cheddar cheese
hot mustard
mayonnaise

Heat polish sausages until very warm. Place one polish sausage and one slice of cheddar cheese at the wide end of the crescent roll and roll forward. Place on a baking sheet. Brush with a light coating of hot mustard. Bake according to the directions on the crescent roll packaging. Cut into 4ths and serve with a dipping sauce of 1 part hot mustard and 1 part mayonnaise.

Quick Chili Cheese Dip
1 can chili con carne - no beans
8 ounces cream cheese

In a double boiler, melt cream cheese. Stir in chili con carne. Serve with tortilla chips.

NOTES : If you can't find chili con carne without beans, use what you can find. However, you will need to run it through a blender or food process so that the beans are finely chopped.

Spinach Balls
Makes about 2 dozen.

2 packages frozen spinach -- chopped
2 eggs -- beaten
1/3 cup onion -- finely chopped
1 clove garlic -- finely chopped
1/2 cup parmesan cheese -- grated
bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt -- to taste
pepper -- to taste
olive oil

Defrost spinach and squeeze out liquid. Sauté onion and garlic in a small amount of olive oil until the onions become translucent. Mix spinach, eggs, parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce. Add sautéed onion and garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add bread crumbs until the mixture can molded with your hands. Form into 1 inch balls. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until done (about 15 minutes). Serve with a light tomato sauce.