Walter Reeves says to plant bulbs the third week in October. I've also heard to wait until the ground in 50 degrees.
All I know is that it is way too hot to plant them now. :(

This is something I don't understand. What difference does it make if the ground isn't cool enough? After all, every summer after they're planted they'll be in a "hot ground". Does it affect the way they bloom the first year?

You wait for cool ground because you don't want them to sprout this time of year just because the ground is still warm.