College Football Week 4 – Okies go to Morgantown; Tigers to Tallahassee
Someone saved my job tonight

When I think of those stadium lights, muggy nights…..

I’m sure Will Muschamp was thinking about a lot of things Saturday night. He might have been thinking about whose coaching staff he was going to be on next year. For three overtimes, he had the look of a desperate man.

You almost had your hooks in me, didn’t you Stoops
You nearly had me roped and tied
Pink-slip bound, hypnotized

During preseason, I wrote about the two coaches entering the season on the hottest seat – Florida’s Will Muschamp and West Virginia’s Dana Holgorsen.

Will my problems work out right or wrong?

Fortunately, for Muschamp, his problems worked out right on Saturday night. Earlier that day, Holgorsen’s worked out right too. Someone saved their jobs, all right.

Florida entered the Kentucky game having beaten the Wildcats 27-straight years and 33 of the last 35 years. It was 1986 when Florida last lost to Kentucky and 1979 when the Gators last lost to the Wildcats in The Swamp. Saturday’s game was in The Swamp.

At the end of regulation, the game was tied 20-20. The heavily favored Gators were struggling and Kentucky seemed to have the momentum. Muschamp didn’t want to be the first Florida coach since Charley Pell to lose to Kentucky in The Swamp. Galen Hall, Steve Spurrier, Ron Zook and Urban Meyer never lost to Kentucky in The Swamp. In fact, Spurrier, Zook and Meyer never lost to Kentucky at all – anywhere.

In the first overtime, it looked grim for Muschamp. Kentucky scored first and led 27-20. Florida was down to a fourth-and-six. The play clock appeared to have expired before the Gators got off the snap. No call. Maybe the refs saved Muschamp’s job. On the play, Jeff Driskel connected with Demarcus Robinson for a touchdown.

In the second overtime, the Gators got the ball first and settled for a field goal. Florida was up 30-27. Just when Florida appeared to have Kentucky stopped, needing a long field goal attempt to tie the score, a face mask penalty was called on Florida. That moved the ball to the Florida 15 and gave the Wildcats a first down.

Muschamp was sweating bullets. A loss to Kentucky and Florida fans would have no mercy. But the Gators defense held the Wildcats and Kentucky was forced to kick a field goal – score tied 30-30.

In the third overtime, Kentucky seemed to have run out of momentum. The Wildcats missed a 41-yard field goal attempt. Then Matt Jones took over for the Gators. Jones carried the ball four-straight times, scoring a touchdown on the final run to give Florida a 36-30 (3OT) win. Maybe Jones saved Muschamp’s job.

Earlier Saturday, West Virginia jumped out to early leads over Maryland – 14-0 in the first quarter and 28-6 in the second quarter. But several turnovers and miscues by the Mountaineers gradually let Maryland back into the game.

One could imagine what the WVU fans were saying about Dana Holgorsen. One could imagine the frustration Holgorsen must have been feeling. Holgorsen needs a winning season this year to survive. And Maryland is one of those teams West Virginia needs to beat.

Late in the game, the score was tied 37-37. Following a Maryland punt, West Virginia got the ball, first-and-10 on the WVU five, with 2:38 left in the game. A pass here and a run there, the Mountaineers drove 65 yards in 13 plays to the Maryland 30. A timeout was called with 0:03 on the clock.

Enter field goal kicker Josh Lambert. Holgorsen must have been sweating bullets. But Lambert was cool as a cucumber. He connected on the 47-yard field goal as time expired to give West Virginia a 40-37 win. Lambert saved Holgorsen’s job.

But Muschamp and Holgorsen are jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. This week, Florida plays Alabama and West Virginia plays Oklahoma. Granted, the pressure to win those games won’t be as strong. But the pressure to keep the score respectable will be. Stay tuned.

Kentucky-Florida was one of two overtime games Saturday. The other contest that went beyond regulation involved a Kentucky team too. And this Kentucky team didn’t win either. Middle Tennessee downed Western Kentucky 50-47 in three overtimes. WKU forced the overtime when the Hilltoppers Garrett Schwettman kicked a 24-yard field goal with 0:20 left in the game. Schwettman’s field goal tied the score 34-34 at the end of regulation.

Saturday was full of exciting finishes. Nine other teams – Bowling Green, East Carolina, Georgia Tech, Indiana State, Iowa State, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Virginia and UCLA – scored in the final minutes or seconds to win their games.

In one of those MAC vs. Big Ten games, Bowling Green scored on a 2-yard touchdown pass with only 0:09 on the clock to beat Indiana, 45-42. In Blacksburg, Virginia, East Carolina scored a touchdown with 0:16 left in regulation to beat Virginia Tech, 28-21. The Pirates blew 21-0 first quarter lead on the Hokies.

In Atlanta, with 0:23 remaining in the game, Georgia Tech scored on a 13-yard touchdown pass to overtake Georgia Southern, 42-38. This after the Yellow Jackets blew a 35-10 second-quarter lead on the Eagles. FCS Indiana State scored a touchdown with 3:50 on the clock to upset Ball State, 27-20. This the same Ball State team that lost by only four points in the final 60 seconds to Iowa last week.

Speaking of Iowa, the Hawkeyes were in another barnburner this week. Only the outcome was different this time. Intrastate rival Iowa State kicked a 42-yard field goal as time expired to down Iowa, 20-17. In Piscataway, New Jersey, Penn State, trailing Rutgers 10-0 late in the third quarter, rallied to beat the Scarlet Knights, 13-10. The Nittany Lions scored their winning touchdown with 1:13 left in the game.

In Nashville, Vanderbilt, trailing Massachusetts 31-20 in the fourth quarter, scored two touchdowns in the final nine minutes to beat UMass, 34-31. The Commodores scored their final touchdown with 1:08 on the clock. And finally, in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, UCLA connected on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 3:00 remaining to beat Texas, 20-17.

Talk about turnarounds, last week USC beat Stanford, 13-10, while Boston College lost to Pitt, 30-20. Saturday, Boston College stunned USC, 37-31. In the game, USC led 17-6 early in the second quarter. BC then scored 24 unanswered points to take a 30-17 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Last week Virginia Tech beat Ohio State, 35-21, while East Carolina lost to South Carolina, 33-23. Saturday, East Carolina stunned Virginia Tech 28-21.

By the way, the longest annual-series losing streak in FBS is now 28 games – Kentucky losing to Florida. The longest opponent-vs.-opponent losing streak in FBS is 30 games – Temple losing to Penn State. The Owls and the Nittany Lions don’t play on an annual basis like Kentucky and Florida. Temple last beat Penn State in 1941.

I enjoyed exchanging messages with my ol’ Husker friend Don Haddix early Saturday afternoon. Don and his wife Justine live in California. Don was watching the West Virginia-Maryland game on the Big Ten Network. The previous night, Don and Justine celebrated the wedding of their son Alex – one of their three sons.

We had so much fun during the Virginia Tech-Ohio State game last week, Betty “The Duchess of Indialantic” Pappas, Russ and Sandy Grunewald and Swamp Mama and I got together again Saturday night to watch the Kentucky-Florida game. Much fun again over munchies and beverages.

A few seconds after Josh Lambert kicked the game-ending, 47-yard field goal to give West Virginia the win over Maryland, I got a text message.

“Whew!”

It was from Rockledge Gator.

I responded, “Whew is right!”

That night, a few seconds after Florida beat Kentucky in the third overtime, I sent Rockledge Gator a text message.

“Whew!”

He responded, “Whew is right!”

Then at some point, during the wee hours of the morning, I was exchanging messages with Kris Hansen. After Saturday’s games, especially the Kentucky-Florida ending, I couldn’t sleep. Kris said he needed a Xanax. We all needed something. It’s amazing who’s up late on a college football Saturday night.

Hey, I’m off to my 50th high school class reunion next weekend. It should be fun.

When I think of those stadium lights, muggy nights…..

Touchdown Tom
September 15, 2014
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

(My apologies to Elton John)


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK: Not ready for prime time – Oklahoma 34, Tennessee 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 29, Tennessee 19). No, Tennessee is not ready for prime time yet. Butch Jones is making progress in Knoxville, but he still has a way to go yet. But the Sooners are ready for prime time. Trevor Knight had his best passing game of the season – 308 yards. The Sooners defense is relentless. The game was marred by five turnovers – three by Tennessee and two by Oklahoma. Attendance: 85,622

RUNNER UP: Never underestimate the ‘Head Ball Coach’ – South Carolina 38, Georgia 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 32, South Carolina 26). Georgia’s only lead in the game came at 7:25 left in the first quarter when the Dawgs went up 10-7. Five minutes later, the Gamecocks retook the lead and never relinquished it for the rest of the game. South Carolina found a new runner in Brandon Wilds – 93 yards (6.6 per carry). Attendance: 84,232

REST OF THE BEST: A Frog day afternoon – TCU 30, Minnesota 7(Touchdown Tom said: TCU 33, Minnesota 23). The Frogs defense and the Gophers turnovers kept Minnesota from accomplishing anything. The Gophers had five turnovers – two fumbles and three interceptions. TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin passed for 258 yards and rushed for another 93. Attendance: 43,958

The Lions got their ‘picks’ in – Penn State 13, Rutgers 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Penn State 26, Rutgers 22). Rutgers jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the second quarter and held the 10 point-lead until 3:45 to go in the third quarter when the Lions kicked a field goal. Penn State kicked another field goal early in the fourth quarter and then won the game with a touchdown scored in the final 73 seconds. Five turnovers – all interceptions – killed the Scarlet Knights’ chances. The Lions’ Christian Hackenberg passed for 309 yards. Neither team had much of a running game. Attendance: 53,774

Muschamp was sweatin’ it – Florida 36, Kentucky 30 (3OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 30, Kentucky 15). Kentucky had no runnin game – only 81 yards – and the Wildcats were picked off three times. Still, they managed to take the Gators to three overtimes before Florida could finally subdue them. It was a strange night for the Gators who moved the ball through the air and on the ground, but only had 20 points at the end of regulation. Jeff Driskel passed for 295 yards and Matt Jones rushed for 156. Attendance: 88,334

Who let the refs out? – Washington 44, Illinois 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Washington 36, Illinois 25). After struggling to win in their first two games, the Huskies finally busted out in their third game. Washington’s defense shutdown Illinois on the ground, limiting the Banned Indians to 72 yards rushing. The game was marred by penalties. There were 19 flags thrown – 11 against Illinois for 110 yards. Attendance: 62,325

Mounties feast on the crab cakes – West Virginia 40, Maryland 37 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 27, Maryland 18). The Mounties led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and 28-6 halfway through the second quarter. Then the mistakes set in for the Eers – four turnovers let Maryland back in to the game. WVU’s Clint Trickett passed for 511 yards. WVU racked up 694 total yards. The Eers Kevin White had 13 receptions for 216 yards, while Mario Alford had 11 receptions for 131yards. Terp quarterback C.J. Brown rushed for 161 of Maryland’s 163 rushing yards. Attendance: 48,154

Another barnburner – Arizona 35, Nevada 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona 24, Nevada 22). For the second-straight week, Arizona escaped with a narrow win. Nevada’s Cody Fajardo passed for 321 yards, while the Wildcats Nick Wilson rushed for 171 yards. Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon completed 85% of his passes, throwing for 278 yards. He also added 60 yards on the ground. Attendance: 45,504

The Hokies were still stuffed on Buckeyes – East Carolina 28, Virginia Tech 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 29, East Carolina 23). The Pirates had a hot first quarter – up 21-0 – but were basically shutdown for the remainder of the game. All except for a final TD with 16 seconds on the clock. Neither team could muster much of a running game. Although most of the yards for both teams were through the air, neither quarterback played that well. Attendance: 63,267

The horses turned into mice – Missouri 38, UCF 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Missouri 30, UCF 22). The clock has struck midnight for last year’s Cinderella team. Four turnovers and the lack of a running game did the Knights in. It was a good game in the first half. Mizzou only led 14-10 at the break. Then it was all Tigers and no Knights in the second half. One of the SEC Network commentators said that Mizzou’s Maty Mauk may be the best quarterback in the country that nobody knows about. Attendance: 60,348

Surprise! Surprise! – Virginia 23, Louisville 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisville 27, Virginia 19). It was just a matter of time before the Cavs popped somebody. Virginia played UCLA tough before losing that encounter. The Cavs hung in there with the Cardinals. The game was primarily a defensive battle. Neither team had much of an offense, running or passing. The game was also marred by seven turnovers – four for Louisville and three for Virginia. The Cavs took the lead for the first time with 0:46 left in the first half. They held onto the lead until 7 minutes to go in the game when Louisville went up 21-20. A field goal with 3:42 remaining put Virginia back in the lead for good. Attendance: 34,816

Shaun the Devil – Duke 41, Kansas 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 35, Kansas 23). Another nail in Charlie Weis’ coffin. Duke’s Shaun Wilson – rushing for 245 yards – almost single handedly put down the Jayhawks. The Dookies held Kansas to only 95 yards passing. Attendance: 25,203

Neuheisel to the rescue – UCLA 20, Texas 17 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 34, Texas 17). UCLA out passed and out ran Texas, but the Bruins couldn’t put the Horns away until the end. It was nip-and-tuck throughout. The lead changed hands four times. UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley left the game in the first quarter with an injured arm. Backup quarterback Jerry Neuheisel – son of Rick Neuheisel – filled in admirably. Attendance: 60,479

All is not well in Lubbock – Arkansas 49, Texas Tech 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas Tech 33, Arkansas 24). Arkansas only had 61 yards passing and Texas Tech only had 101 yards rushing, but it was Arkansas’ 468 yards rushing that won the game for the Hogs. The Tech defense was no match for the running of Alex Collins (212 yards) and Jonathan Williams (145 yards). The game was close through three quarters. Arkansas led 35-28 at the start of the fourth. But it was all Razorbacks in the final period. Attendance: 60,277

Cowboys took the beep out of the Roadrunners – Oklahoma State 43, UTSA 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 31, UTSA 19). UTSA played well in its first two games, but the Roadrunners’ luck finally ran out in their third game. Okie State had 477 total yards to UTSA’s 206. The Pokes Daxx Garman passed for 315 yards. Attendance: 54,577


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

Huskies get muzzled – Boise State 38, Connecticut 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 35, Connecticut 16). A close game through three quarters, the Broncos only led 24-21 at the start of the fourth. Then Boise State poured it on in the final period. Neither team could run the ball – 52 yards for Boise State, 48 yards for UConn. Attendance: 30,098


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Huskers silo the Bulldogs – Nebraska 55, Fresno State 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 33, Fresno State 17). You can’t get any more balanced than the Huskers were – 282 yards passing, 280 yards rushing. The Bulldogs were never in the game. Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong passed for 260 yards and rushed for another 65 yards. Attendance: 41,031

Give that Golson a Molson – Notre Dame 30, Purdue 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 38, Purdue 17). A decent game at the half, Notre Dame led, 17-14. But it was all Irish in the second half. ND quarterback Everett Golson passed for 259 yards and ran for another 56 yards. Three turnovers hurt the Boilers. Attendance: 56,832

Week 3 Pick Results: 14 correct, 4 wrong (77.8 percent)
On the Season: 47 correct, 12 wrong (79.7 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Miami 41, Arkansas State 20 – Attendance: 41,519 …. NC State 49, South Florida 17 – Attendance: 27,269 …. Florida Atlantic 50, Tulsa 21 – Attendance: 14,112 …. Pitt 42, Florida International 25 – Attendance: 10,147

Bethune-Cookman 36, Grambling State 23 – Attendance: 9,423 …. Jacksonville U. 35, San Diego 18 – Attendance: 1,950 …. Mercer 49, Stetson 0 – Attendance: 3,660 …. Florida Tech 42, Ave Maria 6 – Attendance: 4,050


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:

Western Michigan’s Brandon Doughty – 43-66-1 for 593 yards; Washington State’s Connor Halliday – 41-62-2-544; West Virginia’s Clint Trickett – 37-49-1-511; Marshall’s Rakeem Cato – 17-29-1-425; Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson – 22-31-0-425; Cincinnati’s Gunner Kiel – 25-37-0-418; Baylor’s Bryce Petty – 23-34-0-416, and Georgia State’s Nick Arbuckle – 26-42-1-414.

UNLV’s Blake Decker – 24-42-1 for 397 yards; Bowling Green’s James Knapke – 46-73-1-395; Idaho’s Matt Linehan – 27-41-1-362; Indiana’s Nate Sudfeld – 31-41-0-347; Miami of Florida’s Brad Kaaya – 16-24-1-342; New Mexico State’s Tyler Rogers – 22-40-2-324; Toledo’s Logan Woodside – 27-40-0-322; Nevada’s Cody Fajardo – 29-39-0-321, and Florida Atlantic’s Jaquez Johnson – 15-20-0-318.

USC’s Cody Kessler – 31-41-0 for 317 yards; Ole Miss’ Bo Wallace – 23-28-1-316; Oklahoma State’s Daxx Garman – 16-30-0-315; Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett – 23-30-1-312; Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg – 25-44-1-309; Oklahoma’s Trevor Knight – 20-33-1-308; Houston’s John O’Korn – 30-52-2-307 yards, and Texas A&M’s Kenny Hill – 20-31-0-300.


Impressive Rushers:

Duke’s Shaun Wilson – 245 yards; Arkansas’ Alex Collins – 212 yards; Western Michigan’s Jarvion Franklin – 210 yards; Boston College’s Tyler Murphy – 191 yards, and Indiana’s Tevin Coleman – 190 yards.

Pitt’s James Connor – 177 yards; Arizona’s Nick Wilson – 171 yards; UTEP’s Aaron Jones – 168 yards; Maryland’s C.J. Brown – 161 yards; BYU’s Taysom Hill – 160 yards; Florida’s Matt Jones – 156 yards; Arizona State’s D.J. Foster – 147 yards, and Arkansas’ Jonathan Williams – 145 yards.


Quotes of the Week

“I talked to four former players yesterday, and we all said if they don’t want to do anything, just kill the program. It’s so frustrating for us to watch SMU become nothing but a laughingstock or almost nonexistent. It’s almost like it doesn’t exist. Either fix it or get rid of it,” former SMU running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, on the Mustangs program.

“If you ever hit a girl, you’re not going to play on our team. You’re finished. I don’t understand why every coach doesn’t have that rule and why every company doesn’t have that rule for their employees,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, reflecting on the Ray Rice situation.

“It’s going to be fun walking out with a victory and rubbing it in their faces,” Kentucky tailback Jojo Kemp, before the Florida game.

“Pray for Jojo,” Paul Finebaum.

“I think an on-campus stadium is like a front door to any university. And not just football, but it does a lot. The atmosphere you have on game days is just different on campus. Any college town you go around, it’s different. I don’t care what anyone says, it’s just different,” South Florida coach Willie Taggart, on the Bulls need for an on-campus stadium.

“South Carolina ain’t worth a poopy-flavored lollipop,” Georgia fan, calling into the Paul Finebaum Show.


Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
This Week’s 15 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Auburn (2-0) at Kansas State (2-0) – (SEC vs. Big 12) (TV: ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET, Thursday) – We didn’t have a good Thursday night game last week, but this one should make up for it. The Tigers and the Wildcats have the makings for a good cat fight – Gus Malzahn’s carefree approach vs. Bill Snyder’s methodical approach. Nick at night – Auburn 30, Kansas State 27.

RUNNER UP: 2. Florida (2-0) at Alabama (3-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday) – I know, Will Muschamp was really holding back against Kentucky to fool Alabama. There may be some truth to that, but if there is, he almost fooled himself. We know Muschamp can coach defense. He says this is the best offense he’s had since he’s been at Florida. Time to show it. Bama gives the Gators early Yule-Tide greetings – Alabama 28, Florida 17.

REST OF THE BEST: 3. Mississippi State (3-0) at LSU (3-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 7 p.m. ET, Saturday) – If Miss State has anything this year, it’s time to show it. It’s been a while since the Bulldogs have made a statement in the SEC West. And it’s going to be a while before they do – LSU 33, Mississippi State 26.

4. California (2-0) at Arizona (3-0) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: PAC12N, 10 p.m. ET, Saturday) – Cal is definitely better this year, but how much better. The Wildcats have had a couple of close encounters the past two weeks. ’Bout time for them to break one loose. This could be a close game or a blowout. Cal will have to grin and Bear it – Arizona 33, California 24.

5. Oklahoma (3-0) at West Virginia (2-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox, 7:30 p.m. ET, Saturday) – Two years ago, this game was a barnburner in Morgantown. It may be a burner this year, but it won’t be a couch burner – Oklahoma 29, West Virginia 23.

6. Georgia Tech (3-0) at Virginia Tech (2-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – So wonder which Virginia Tech team will show up this week. The one that beat Ohio State or the one that lost to East Carolina. No honey for the Bumble Bees in Blacksburg – Virginia Tech 27, Georgia Tech 21.

7. Miami (Florida) (2-1) at Nebraska (3-0) – (ACC vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET, Saturday) – Have the Canes found themselves since the opening loss to Louisville? The competition the past two weeks hasn’t been tough. Did the Huskers find themselves at Fresno State? You gotta figure that Miami will be the Huskers toughest opponent to date. But the Canes aren’t tough enough – Nebraska 34, Miami 24.

8. Iowa (2-1) at Pitt (3-0) – (Big Ten vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – This is an interesting matchup. After the loss to Iowa State, the Hawkeyes will come to town mad. The Panthers rely on the running of James Connor. No one has stopped him yet. But Iowa has the best defense the Panthers have faced. Panthers add to their feather collection – Pitt 19, Iowa 17.

9. Virginia (2-1) at BYU (3-0) – (ACC vs. Ind.) (TV: ESPN, 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday) – Virginia is getting better. But how much better? BYU is better than we thought. But how much better? Cougars get the best of the Cavs – BYU 28, Virginia 25.

10. Northern Illinois (3-0) at Arkansas (2-1) – (MAC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPNU, 7 p.m. ET, Saturday) – The Hogs looked tough against Texas Tech, especially the running attack. No way can the Huskies stop Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams. But the Huskies won’t just fall over either. Should be interesting for a while. Time to call the Hogs – Arkansas 32, Northern Illinois 25.

11. Indiana (1-1) at Missouri (3-0) – (Big Ten vs. SEC) (TV: SECN, 4 p.m. ET, Saturday) – Mizzou is good again this year. No doubt about it. Indiana’s offense scores points about as fast as its defense gives up points. The Hoosiers get taken on Maty’s wild ride – Missouri 36, Indiana 22.

12. North Carolina (2-0) at East Carolina (2-1) – (ACC vs. AAC) (TV: ESPNU, 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday) – It doesn’t get any easier for the Pirates. Are they up for the test? The Tar Heels can’t be any tougher than the Hokies. But the Heels are tough enough – North Carolina 24, East Carolina 23.

13. Utah (2-0) at Michigan (2-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday) – No one is sure about the Wolverines yet. But the Utes are somewhat of an unknown too. Utah is definitely untested. Not anymore – Michigan 26, Utah 22.

14. Clemson (1-1) at Florida State (2-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ABC, 8 p.m. ET, Saturday) – After Georgia demolished Clemson so badly, it’s hard to believe that the Tigers will show up for this game. This could be a bigger blowout than last year. But the Tigers may have a trick or two up their sleeve. The Noles have a lot of tricks – Florida State 33, Clemson 20.

15. Maryland (2-1) at Syracuse (2-0) – (Big Ten vs. ACC) (TV: ACCN, 12:30 p.m. ET, Saturday) – Syracuse is undefeated but untested. Maryland has been tested. The Orange survive this test – Syracuse 27, Maryland 24.


…AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

16. San Diego State (1-1) at Oregon State (2-0) – (MWC vs. Pac-12) (TV: FS1, 10:30 p.m. ET, Saturday) – San Diego State is not a bad team. The Aztecs could give the Beavers some problems. Both teams are still finding their way. The Aztecs get an eye opener – Oregon State 33, San Diego State 28.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Tulane (1-2) at Duke (3-0) – (AAC vs. ACC) (TV: FSN, 12:30 p.m. ET, Saturday) – The Dookies are looking good. Just as good as last year. They are on a roll and ain’t no way Tulane is going to stop them. The Dookies pull the plug on the Wave’s drain – Duke 39, Tulane 19.

Troy (0-3) at Georgia (1-1) – (Sun Belt vs. SEC) (TV: SECN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Uga can lick his wounds this week. Troy is candy. Cotton candy – Georgia 36, Troy 14.

Southern Illinois (3-0) at Purdue (1-2) – (Missouri Valley vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – I don’t know if Purdue can win this game or not. But I’ll pick them for my friends Kim and Steve. Surely the Boilers won’t lose this one. Boilers chase the Salukis – Purdue 27, Southern Illinois 19.

Texas (1-2) is off.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Bethune-Cookman (2-0) at UCF (0-2) – (MEAC vs. AAC) (TV: ) …. Connecticut (1-2) at South Florida (1-2) – (AAC vs. AAC) (TV: ) …. Florida Atlantic (1-2) at Wyoming (2-1) – (C-USA vs. MWC) (TV: Local, 4 p.m. ET, Saturday).

Louisville (2-1) at Florida International (1-2) – (ACC vs. C-USA) (TV: FS1, 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday) …. Coastal Carolina (3-0) at Florida A&M (0-2) – (Big South vs. MEAC) (TV: None, 5 p.m. ET, Saturday) …. Penn (0-0) at Jacksonville U. (1-1) – (Ivy League vs. Pioneer) (TV: None, 1 p.m. ET, Saturday).

Stetson (1-2) at Birmingham Southern (0-2) – (Pioneer vs. SAA) (TV: None, 2 p.m. ET, Saturday) …. Florida Tech (2-0) vs. Tarleton State (1-0) – (Gulf South vs. Lone Star) (TV: None, 6 p.m. ET, Saturday, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas).


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football … SMU coach June Jones resigned last week. Jones, the former Hawaii coach, was 36-43 in six years and two games with the Mustangs. SMU was off to an 0-2 start this season…. USC athletic director Pat Haden was fined $25,000 by the Pac-12 Conference for his sideline antics during the USC-Stanford game last week.

The NCAA lifted Penn State’s bowl ban and scholarship limitation sanctions that were handed down from the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Effective immediately, the Nittany Lions are no longer banned from bowl games and they can offer the full allotment of scholarships allowed by the NCAA.

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.
Not directly college football related, but sadly there were five passings of note last week – Jack Cristil, Marvin Barnes, Goose Gonsoulin, Bob Suter, and Bob Crewe.

Jack Cristil, the voice of the Mississippi State Bulldogs from 1953 to 2011, died last week. He was 88. Cristil’s final football broadcast was Mississippi State’s 52-14 win over Michigan in the 2011 Gator Bowl. He won the Mississippi Sportscaster of the Year Award 21 times. Cristil was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1925. He studied broadcast journalism at the University of Minnesota for two years in 1947-48. Prior to coming to Mississippi State, Cristil was a minor league baseball broadcaster in Jackson, Tennessee, Anniston, Alabama and Memphis.

Marvin Barnes, one of basketball’s most talented players, whose career dissolved in a haze of drugs and alcohol, died last week in Providence, Rhode Island. He was 62. A first-team All-American, Barnes led Providence College to Final Four of the NCAA tournament in 1973. Barnes went on to play two seasons in the ABA and four in the NBA. Marvin Jerome Barnes was born in North Kingston, Rhode Island, on July 27, 1952, and grew up in Providence.

Goose Gonsoulin, an original member of the Denver Broncos whose 11 interceptions in his rookie season set a team record that still stands today, died last week in Beaumont, Texas. He was 76. Gonsoulin played college ball at Baylor. He played seven seasons with the Broncos (1960-66) and finished his career with the San Francisco 49ers. Austin William Gonsoulin was born on June 7, 1938, in Port Arthur, Texas.

Bob Suter, a defenseman who helped the “Miracle on Ice” United States hockey team win the Olympic gold medal in 1980, died last week in Madison, Wisconsin. He was 57. Robert Allen Suter was born in Madison on May 16, 1957. He helped the University of Wisconsin win the national hockey title in 1977. Suter was the first member of the 1980 Olympic hockey team to die.

Bob Crewe, the songwriter and producer behind dozens of hits, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” which boosted Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons into pop posterity, died last week in Scarborough, Maine. He was 83. Crewe, a four-decade resident of Los Angeles, moved to Maine in 2011. He also wrote songs for Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, Bobby Darin, Lesley Gore and Oliver, among others. Most of his songwriting hits were in the 1960s. In the 1970s he and Kenny Nolan co-wrote “Lady Marmalade” for the group LaBelle. Crewe was born on November 12, 1930, in Newark, New Jersey and grew up in nearby Belleview.