Rumors, an update and old friends bring together a great football week

College Football Week Six – Spartans-Wolverines; Tide-Gamecocks

Rumors, an update and old friends
bring together a great football week

Well, it was great until Florida played Alabama. But we’ll get to that later.

For several days now, there has been an interesting story on the grapevine out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The reports have New Mexico firing coach Mike Locksley as soon as October 10. According to the reports, former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach would be hired as the Lobos new coach.

Locksley is 1-14 at New Mexico and had the incident last season where he apparently slugged one of his assistant coaches in a team meeting. The Lobos – 0-5 this season – have been outscored by their opponents 263 to 61. Locksley, you may recall, was the running backs coach at Florida under Ron Zook. He followed Zook to Illinois where he became the offensive coordinator for four seasons before taking the job at New Mexico.

Also on the grapevine is another interesting story that TCU has had talks with the Big East about joining the Big East Conference. Apparently, TCU is a little disturbed over Utah and BYU pulling out of the Mountain West Conference after this academic school year – summer of 2011. Now that Fresno State, Boise State and Nevada are joining the MWC, TCU figures that traveling to Big East school locations is no worse than traveling to Fresno, California, Boise, Idaho, and Reno, Nevada.

Of course, the question that remains is what conference would TCU’s other sports be affiliated with. Outside of football, the Big East is already a 16-team conference. Meanwhile, the WAC, who is losing Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada to the MWC, is reportedly looking at adding Montana, Texas State and UT San Antonio. Montana and Texas State would have to upgrade from the FCS (Division I-AA) to the FBS (Division I-A). UT San Antonio is starting up a football program for the first time.

I have an update to last week’s story on the new mascot at Ole Miss. The mascot selection committee in Oxford has eliminated two of the five finalists – the Horse and the Lion. At least Ole Miss won’t be Horsey. And Ole Miss won’t roar – but we knew that anyway.

The three mascots remaining in the running are the Land Shark, the Bear and the Hotty Toddy. Ole Miss students, alumni, faculty, staff and season ticket holders are currently voting on the three finalists and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, October 6.

Just think, if Ole Miss becomes the Land Sharks, Jimmy Buffett can be the mascot. Or, if the school becomes the Bears, Sarah Palin can be the mascot. I understand if Ole Miss becomes the Hotty Toddies, there will be two mascots – Hotty and Toddy. Hotty will be – who else – an Ole Miss coed, and Toddy will be an Ole Miss male student. When Ole Miss scores a touchdown, Toddy will chase Hotty around the field. When he catches her, the fans will scream, “Gosh Almighty.”

Oh well, at least Ole Miss is getting a mascot. That’s better than Illinois where there are still no plans to replace Chief Thunderthud…I mean…Chief Illiniwek. Kawabonga! Illinois’ students remain as apathetic as ever. Just like the school’s athletic teams. Personally, I think Illinois should be the Galloping Ghosts.

Oklahoma State and Texas A&M tangled Thursday night and I should have had this game in my 20 Hottest Games of the Week. I don’t know how I missed it. Anyway, the Cowboys kicked a field goal as time expired to beat the Aggies, 38-35. Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson threw four interceptions in the game. Okie State scored 31 of its 38 points in the second half.

Friday night, Utah State ended a 10-game losing streak against BYU, beating the Cougars, 31-16. Friday night, Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and I took a stroll through old Eau Gallie, checking out the galleries, shops, entertainment, etc, participating in the town’s “Fall for the Arts” festivities. Rockledge Gator and I ran into our old friend Roger Shannon (and his wife Dee) who we hadn’t seen in years.

Earlier in the day Friday, I ran into another old friend, while reading the newspaper – Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, Alabama. Friday’s USA Today named the one best place to eat a hamburger in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The best hamburger in Alabama is at Callaghan’s. I can testify to that. I’ve had many good burgers (and Guinness beers) at Callaghan’s with my friends Steve Hall, Britt Pickett, Thomas Rooney and Owen Rucker of the Mobile Press-Register.

And speaking of friends, Patti Maggiore of Punta Gorda, Florida, e-mailed to say we shouldn’t be surprised by the exceptional play of Florida freshman Trey Burton. Patti and husband Larry have followed Burton since his high school days at Venice (Florida) High School. According to Patti, Burton was exceptional at Venice and he always wanted to be a Gator.

But unfortunately for Burton, his exceptional play ran out in Tuscaloosa Saturday night. In the first quarter, with a fourth-and-goal on the Alabama 1 and Florida trailing 3-0, Burton attempted the Tim Tebow trademark jump pass. It failed – failed badly. And Florida was never in the game after that play – mentally or physically. Alabama scored on its succeeding drive to go up 10-0 and the Tide went on to beat Florida, 31-6.

So for the rest of the week – maybe the rest of the season – Florida fans will argue whether Urban Meyer should have kicked a field goal or run a different play. Or would it have made a difference one way or the other? Regardless, at this point in the season, Alabama is the better team.

But remember this – Florida, though a young team, is a talented team. The Gators will get better. The Tide was coming in Saturday night. The Tide will be going out in December. Stay tuned!

The best and most exciting part of Saturday was late in the afternoon and early in the evening. It was five of the games that started at 3:30 ET and one at 2:30 ET. Five of the six were on TV. I have to tell you, I was changing channels so frequently on the remote control that my thumb was sore when I woke up Sunday morning. I have to tell you, I was so excited during these games that I thought I was going have a heart attack before the Florida-Alabama game. Maybe I should have.

The games I’m talking about were Tennessee-LSU, Wisconsin-Michigan State, Michigan-Indiana, Oklahoma-Texas, Navy-Air Force and Virginia Tech-N.C. State. All but the Hokies-Wolfpack were on TV. I was following Tech-State on my laptop.

Tennessee and LSU were tied 7-7 going into the fourth quarter. Late in the fourth quarter, the Vols led, 14-10. But with seconds remaining, LSU was on the Tennessee goal line. However, the Tigers blew play-after-play on the goal line. Time expired and Tennessee won 14-10. But wait a minute – penalty on the Vols. Tennessee had 13 men on the field on LSU’s last play – replay the down. The Tigers score and win, 16-14.

Simultaneously, Wisconsin and Michigan State were nip and tuck in East Lansing. The Spartans led 27-24 early in the fourth quarter. Then Michigan State scored with 2:43 remaining to win the game, 34-24 – all while the Spartans’ coach – Mark Dantonio – was coaching from his bed in a hospital room.

Simultaneously, Michigan and Indiana were in a shootout in Bloomington. The score was 21-21 at the half and 35-35 with 1:15 remaining. It was a one-on-one battle between Wolverine quarterback Denard Robinson (217 yards rushing; 277 yards passing) and Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell (480 yards passing). Robinson scored with 0:17 remaining and Michigan won, 42-35.

Simultaneously, Oklahoma and Texas were battling in the Cotton Bowl. Oklahoma led throughout, but the Sooners really couldn’t shake the Longhorns. OU led 21-10 at the end of the third quarter. The Sooners led 28-17 with 9:52 remaining in the fourth. Texas got a field goal, but the Sooners hung on to win, 28-20.

Simultaneously, N.C. State jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter and 17-7 halftime lead over Virginia Tech in Raleigh. But Tech cut into the lead and the Wolfpack only led, 27-21 at the end of the third quarter. The Hokies took the lead 28-27 early in the fourth. Then State kicked a field goal and led 30-28 with 4:42 remaining. With a two-point lead, the Wolfpack proceeded to fall apart. Tech scored twice in the waning minutes and won, 41-30.

Almost simultaneously (this was the 2:30 ET start), Air Force and Navy were sparring in Colorado Springs. The Falcons led 7-6 at the end of the third quarter. Air Force added a touchdown early in the fourth and hung on to beat Navy, 14-6.

Earlier in the day, Northwestern-Minnesota, Miami (Florida)-Clemson and Kentucky-Ole Miss provided some good and exciting entertainment. A nip-and-tuck game, Minnesota led Northwestern 28-20 with 12:15 remaining in the fourth. The Wildcats proceeded to score a touchdown and a field goal and led 29-28 with 2:07 remaining. The Gophers were driving in Northwestern territory as time was running down. The Wildcats intercepted a Minnesota pass and went on to win, 29-28.

Miami (Florida) and Clemson had a donnybrook going up in South Carolina. The Hurricanes led the Tigers 27-21 at the end of the third. Clemson blew an opportunity to score and Miami went on the win, 30-21. Kentucky and Ole Miss were involved in a shootout in Oxford. Ole Miss led 35-20 at the end of three quarters. But Kentucky rallied in the fourth, coming up short – Ole Miss won, 42-35.

Saturday night, while Alabama was beating Florida, Stanford jumped out to an early 21-3 lead over Oregon, only to lose to the Ducks, 52-31. Iowa put away Penn State, 24-3, and Notre Dame punished Boston College, 31-13.

Georgia dropped its fourth game in a row. The Dawgs fell to Colorado, 29-27. Texas Tech dropped its second-straight Big 12 game. The Red Raiders were raided by Iowa State, 52-38. Temple rallied to beat Army, 42-35, and Tulane upset Rutgers, 17-14.

In the ACC, Florida State downed Virginia, 34-14, and Georgia Tech rallied to nip Wake Forest, 24-20. Out west, there were a couple of thrillers in the Pac-10. Washington kicked a field goal as time expired to beat USC, 32-31. And, Oregon State held off Arizona State’s rally to beat the Sun Devils, 31-28.

After five weeks of play, there are still 18 undefeated teams – five in the Big 12, four in the Big Ten, three in the SEC and two each in the Pac-10, Mountain West and WAC. That number will be reduced to at least 16 teams after this week’s play. Conversely, there are six winless teams – two each in the Mid-American and Sun Belt, and one each in the MWC and WAC.

And, an update on rumors – Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh to Georgia, replacing Mark Richt.

Lady Gaga is coming to Orlando in April. Rockledge Gator is chomping at the bit. Bootsie is chomping at Rockledge Gator’s head. Stay tuned!

Touchdown Tom
October 4, 2010


Weekend Review

GAME OF THE WEEK: Not a sweet home for the Gators – Alabama 31, Florida 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 26, Florida 17). You can’t tell me that Mike Pouncey is the best center on Florida’s team. If he is, the second-team center must be pretty bad. I don’t know if Pouncey just plain can’t center the ball, or if the Alabama defense had him so rattled he couldn’t center the ball. Aside from the experienced offensive line, which remains a mystery, Florida has talent, but it is young and inexperienced talent. Let’s see how they grow from this loss. Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio isn’t winning the hearts of Gator fans. Alabama is hands down the No. 1 team in the country. A crowd of 101,821 attended the game in Tuscaloosa.

RUNNER UP: The Duck has the Luck – Oregon 52, Stanford 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 33, Stanford 28). In the first quarter, it looked like Stanford was going to win. The Trees scored all 31 of their points in the first half. Oregon scored 28 points in the second half. A crowd of 59,818 attended the game in Eugene.

REST OF THE BEST: Fried Bevo – Oklahoma 28, Texas 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 35, Texas 33). Fried butter, candy bars, etc. wasn’t the only fried food at the Texas State Fair on Saturday. The Sooners were serving up fried Bevo. OU got the jump on Texas and the Longhorns never could quite catch up – but they hung in there. A crowd of 96,009 attended the game in Dallas.

Hospital gowns the Badgers – Michigan State 34, Wisconsin 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 28, Michigan State 24). Mark Dantonio was in his hospital gown, coaching Michigan State from his hospital room – Spartans’ Anatomy. That would make a great TV show. Looks like this could be the year of Sparty. A crowd of 73,108 attended the game in East Lansing.

Paterno gets salmonella – Iowa 24, Penn State 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa 23, Penn State 19). Penn State has a fair defense, but absolutely no offense. Iowa has some good games coming up with Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State. All but Michigan are at home. A crowd of 70,585 attended the game in Iowa City.

Tigers blown away – Miami (Florida) 30, Clemson 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 26, Miami 23). Deep in Miami territory, midway through the fourth quarter and trailing 27-21, Clemson failed to convert on a 4th-and-1. Miami added a field goal as the Tiger defense failed to stop the Canes. Basically, Miami was in shape in the fourth quarter and Clemson wasn’t. A crowd of 81,500 attended the game in Clemson.

13 was an unlucky number for the Vols – LSU 16, Tennessee 14 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 27, Tennessee 13). It’s not over till it’s over. Time expired and the Vols won. But Tennessee had 13 men on the field on the final play. LSU won, but for the second time in two years Les Miles coaching in the waning seconds looked hokey. A crowd of 92,932 attended the game in Baton Rouge.

Denard delivers – Michigan 42, Indiana 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 36, Indiana 28). If only Indiana had a defense, the Hoosiers would be a Top 10 team. The Wolverines Denard Robinson had 494 yards of offense. A crowd of 52,929 attended the game in Bloomington.

Jake comes out of the Locker – Washington 32, USC 31 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 30, Washington 22). After being MIA during the Huskies’ first three games, Jake Locker finally made an appearance. Locker passed for 310 yards. A crowd of 82,796 attended the game in Los Angeles.

Wolf trap – Virginia Tech 41, N.C. State 30 (Touchdown Tom said: N.C. State 28, Virginia Tech 20). Russell Wilson’s three interceptions killed the Wolfpack. The Hokies are back. The Wolfpack aren’t for real. A crowd of 58,083 attended the game in Raleigh.

Mothballed – Air Force 14, Navy 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Air Force 34, Navy 29). Air Force is in the driver’s seat for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. A crowd of 47,565 attended the game in Colorado Springs.

Noles roll – Florida State 34, Virginia 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 27, Virginia 12). FSU wins its third-straight game and its second-straight ACC contest. Jimbo’s on a roll. A crowd of 47,096 attended the game in Charlottesville.

Devils flunk the Quizz – Oregon State 31, Arizona State 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon State 32, Arizona State 27). The Beavers’ Jacquizz Rodgers rushes for 145 yards. A crowd of 45,409 attended the game in Corvallis.

The Heels are pumped – North Carolina 42, East Carolina 17 (Touchdown Tom said: North Carolina 30, East Carolina 14). The Heels’ Johnny White and Shaun Draughn combined for 277 yards rushing. A crowd of 60,000 attended the game in Chapel Hill.

Bees wax the Deacons – Georgia Tech 24, Wake Forest 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Tech 29, Wake Forest 16). Trailing 17-6 at the end of the third quarter, Georgia Tech scored 18 points in the fourth to beat the Deacons. A crowd of 30,363 attended the game in Winston-Salem.

Irish bake the Beans – Notre Dame 31, Boston College 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Boston College 22, Notre Dame 20). BC has no offense whatsoever. The Irish found a team they can beat. A crowd of 44,500 attended the game in Chestnut Hill.

Gophers can’t find the hole – Northwestern 29, Minnesota 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Northwestern 32, Minnesota 23). With 0:25 left in the game, Minnesota had a 4th-and-11 on the Northwestern 40. Gopher quarterback Adam Weber threw an interception – game over. Minnesota has to be wondering why it ever hired Tim Brewster. A crowd of 49,228 attended the game in Minneapolis.

Commodores can’t sail on the Jordan – Connecticut 40, Vanderbilt 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Connecticut 26, Vanderbilt 22). The Huskies’ Jordan Todman rushed for 190 yards. A crowd of 40,000 attended the game in East Hartford.

Richt gets Buffaloed – Colorado 29, Georgia 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 25, Colorado 22). I have to tell you that Dan Hawkins is making quite a turnaround at Colorado. Mark Richt is making quite a turnaround too. A crowd of 52,855 attended the game in Boulder.

Ole Miss 42, Kentucky 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Kentucky 29, Ole Miss 26). Kentucky should send its Joker back to a deck of cards. I’m not convinced he can coach football. The Ole Miss offense seems to be coming together. The Ole Miss defense is as bad as ever. A crowd of 55,344 attended the game in Oxford.


AND ONE WORTH KEEPING AN EYE ON:

Bears have a picnic – Baylor 55, Kansas 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas 23, Baylor 20). What was I on when I picked Kansas? Jayhawk fans are going to have to be patient with Turner Gill. A crowd of 35,405 attended the game in Waco.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

No heat in these Devils – Maryland 21, Duke 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Maryland 38, Duke 25). Impressive loss for the Dookies. Unimpressive win for the Terps. Translation: Maryland won ugly; Duke lost pretty. A crowd of 39,106 attended the game in College Park.

Comment: A very sad 14-8 for the week, brings my season total to 92-29 (76.0 percent).


AROUND FLORIDA:

South Florida pounded Florida Atlantic, 31-3. A crowd of 38,434 attended the game in Tampa…. Florida International lost to Pitt, 44-17. A crowd of 45,207 attended the game in Pittsburgh…. Florida A&M fell to South Carolina State, 19-0. A crowd of 14,052 attended the game in Tallahassee.

Bethune-Cookman blasted Morgan State, 69-32. A crowd of 2,971 attended the game in Baltimore…. Jacksonville U. edged San Diego, 35-28. A crowd of 2,438 attended the game in Jacksonville.


Superlatives

Impressive Passers: Hawaii’s Bryant Moniz – 42-58-2 for 532 yards; Indiana’s Ben Chappell – 45-64-1 for 480; Baylor’s Robert Griffin – 26-36-0 for 380; Idaho’s Nathan Enderle – 30-49-2 for 380; Texas Tech’s Taylor Potts – 42-62-1 for 377; SMU’s Kyle Padron – 24-32-0 for 371; Duke’s Sean Renfree – 28-56-2 for 351, and Stanford’s Andrew Luck – 29-46-2 for 341.

Also, Washington State’s Jeff Tuel – 20-37-0 for 311 yards; Washington’s Jake Locker – 24-40-0 for 310; Louisiana-Lafayette’s Chris Mason – 18-32-0 for 310; Northwestern’s Dan Persa – 23-30-1 for 309; Louisville’s Adam Froman – 20-33-1 for 308; Kentucky’s Mike Hartline – 27-46-1 for 300; Miami of Ohio’s Zac Dysert – 31-46-0 for 294, and Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden – 28-42-2 for 284.

Also, Northern Illinois’ Chandler Harnish – 16-20-0 for 281 yards; Michigan’s Denard Robinson – 10-16-0 for 277; Rice’s Nick Fanuzzi – 27-43-2 for 276; Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins – 20-29-2 for 269; Texas’ Garrett Gilbert – 27-41-1 for 266; UTEP’s Trevor Vittatoe – 20-37-0 for 264, and Oregon State’s Ryan Katz – 19-29-0 for 260.


Impressive Rushers: Pitt’s Ray Graham – 277 yards; Oregon’s LaMichael James – 257 yards; Temple’s Matt Brown – 226 yards; USC’s Allen Bradford – 223 yards; Michigan’s Denard Robinson – 217 yards; UCLA’s Johnathan Franklin – 216 yards; Connecticut’s Jordan Todman – 190 yards, and Nevada’s Vai Taua – 188 yards.

Also, Virginia Tech’s Darren Evans – 160 yards; Louisville’s Bilal Powell – 157 yards; Colorado’s Rodney Stewart – 149 yards; Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers – 145 yards; North Texas’ Lance Dunbar – 141 yards; North Carolina’s Johnny White – 140 yards; North Carolina’s Shaun Draughn – 137 yards, and San Jose State’s Lamon Muldrow – 137 yards.


Quotes of Last Week

“Tim Tebow should be playing for the Florida Tuskers, not the Denver Broncos,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Before we get to this week’s big issues – can Georgia win a game, and is Oregon being replaced on future schedules by Catawba and the flag football team from Bob’s Catfish And Such – we have this important news update: A bear broke into a car this week in Colorado and went joy riding. According to a story broken by the BBC, because apparently there’s nothing interesting going on in England, the bear broke into the car when he saw a sandwich (maybe he just had a buzz), then knocked the gear shifter into neutral, causing the car to roll out of a driveway, down an embankment and into trees. Impressed by the element of surprise in this attack, Mark Richt immediately signed the bear as his new offensive coordinator. (I might have made up that last part.) This week, Georgia faces Colorado, which generally inflicts less damage than its Sprint Cup wannabe wildlife. Good news: The Trembling Chihuahuas are undefeated this season when they don’t play SEC teams! Athletic director Greg McGarity, sensing a problem, dropped a future home-and-home series with Oregon but added games against Charleston Southern and Georgia Southern. A move into the Sun Belt is still pending,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Morehead State at Georgia State: The first Homecoming week included the pageantry of a golf-cart parade through the concrete campus. It was a success – none of the carts got booted. This is what I know about Morehead State: They went 2-6-1 even with Phil Simms at quarterback,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“It’s hard not to like Derek Dooley. But when your team is going into overtime to beat UAB by a field goal at home, you’ve got problems,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“A new report ties an agent with a former Tar Heels assistant coach, John Blake, who resigned three weeks ago. I would say the NCAA is about to bring down the Tar Heels, but that would suggest Butch Davis ever did much to prop them up,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“I’m not saying attendance has reached a crisis point yet in Tallahassee, but a Seminole buddy of mine was at the mall the other day and parked his car with two FSU tickets sitting on the dashboard. When he came back out, his car had been broken into and there were four FSU tickets sitting on the dashboard,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“What’s this – Alberto Contador, yet another winner of cycling’s Tour de Farce, has tested positive for a banned drug? This might be the least-surprising news since Lindsay Lohan fell off the wagon,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

How bad was David Hasselhoff before he got eliminated on “Dancing with the Stars?” Well, let me put it this way: I haven’t seen such disjointed human motion since Jeff Bowden’s Florida State offense,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Was that a golf course they were playing on Friday at the Ryder Cup or Typhoon Lagoon?,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Memo to Mark Richt: Ron Zook got fired for losing to Mississippi State,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Alabama fans are living in Dreamland. Gators will upset Tide,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi, before the Florida-Alabama game.

“It was so bad that Tim Tebow, even though he’s now in Denver, is probably crying again,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi, after the Florida-Alabama game.

“You know it’s bad when Florida’s most spectacular play of the game was a punt,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi, after the Florida-Alabama game.


The 20 Hottest and Most Intriguing Games of the Week…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Michigan State (5-0) at Michigan (5-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – Let me tell you, this one should be fun. Both teams can score. Both teams can give up points. The key is how many points will the Spartans give up to Denard Robinson. And where will Mark Dantonio be coaching from this week – the hospital, the press box? Seems to me Joe Paterno had a pretty good run a couple of years ago, coaching from the press box. We don’t need no stinkin’ coach on the sideline – Michigan State 34, Michigan 32.

RUNNER UP: 2. Alabama (5-0) at South Carolina (3-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – I think South Carolina was hoping that Florida would wear down and wear out Alabama some before this game. But the Gators didn’t live up to their end of the bargain. The Gamecocks defensed Bama pretty good last year. They just couldn’t score against the Tide. Will it be any different this year? Tide puts the Chickens in their coop – Alabama 26, South Carolina 18.

REST OF THE BEST: 3. LSU (5-0) at Florida (4-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – It will be interesting to see how both of these teams respond after last week’s games. LSU almost got stunned and Florida was flattened. The Tigers have no offense whatsoever, but they do have an excellent defense. Word is that Louisiana Governor Bobby “Slumdog Millionaire” Jindal will be on the sidelines with the LSU cheerleaders. Jindal will be leading the LSU cheer, “Tarball Florida, Tarball Florida, Tarball Florida.” Albert frosts Mike’s flakes – Florida 27, LSU 13.

4. Nebraska (4-0) at Kansas State (4-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – Two undefeated teams meeting for the last time – at least as conference opponents. Both had the week off to prepare. Home field will help the Wildcats – but not enough. Herbie Corns the Cats – Nebraska 28, Kansas State 19.

5. Florida State (4-1) at Miami (Florida) (3-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – Both teams are playing well after each had the one stumble. This could be a high-scoring affair. Both teams pass well; neither run well. Noles lose the pow-wow – Miami 26, Florida State 23.

6. USC (4-1) at Stanford (4-1) – (Pac-10 vs. Pac-10) – Look for the Cardinal to bounce back after the loss to Oregon. Trees sway Kiffin – Stanford 34, USC 20.

7. Arkansas (3-1) vs. Texas A&M (3-1) – (SEC vs. Big 12) – Bobby Petrino needs the win after the Hogs’ loss to Alabama. Both coaches are struggling a bit. Pork rules – Arkansas 28, Texas A&M 25.

8. Indiana (3-1) at Ohio State (5-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – Terrelle Pryor will pick apart the Hoosier defense. Indiana’s Ben Chappell won’t find the Buckeye defense as porous as Michigan’s. Brutus does the mugging this week – Ohio State 35, Indiana 22.

9. Colorado (3-1) at Missouri (4-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – Colorado coach Dan Hawkins is living on the edge. He’ll take every win he can get. The Buffs are getting better, but not better enough. Tigers catch Ralphie grazing in the grass – Missouri 32, Colorado 22.

10. Oregon State (2-2) at Arizona (4-0) – (Pac-10 vs. Pac-10) – The Beavers are out to hand Arizona its first loss. It could happen – but not likely. Wildcats hang Beaver pelts – Arizona 24, Oregon State 18.

11. Pitt (2-2) at Notre Dame (2-3) – (Big East vs. Ind.) – Both coaches are experiencing frustrating seasons. Dave Wannstedt could be in some trouble if the Panthers lose. Notre Dame has the better quarterback. Irish eyes are smiling – Notre Dame 30, Pitt 19.

12. Auburn (5-0) at Kentucky (3-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – Kentucky upset the Tigers last year. It won’t happen this year. Cam Newton is too good. Aubie’s no pussycat – Auburn 33, Kentucky 19.

13. Boston College (2-2) at N.C. State (4-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – The Wolfpack should get back on the winning track this week. BC has no gas. Squawkless in Raleigh – N.C. State 30, Boston College 16.

14. Clemson (2-2) at North Carolina (2-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – Clemson comes in with back-to-back losses. That can’t set well with Tiger fans. Conversely, North Carolina comes in with back-to-back wins. Tigers pose as agents – Clemson 23, North Carolina 20.

15. Minnesota (1-4) at Wisconsin (4-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – Badgers should bounce back after the loss last week to Michigan State. Minnesota has no offense or defense. Gophers get Badgered – Wisconsin 30, Minnesota 17.

16. Toledo (3-2) at Boise State (4-0) – (MAC vs. WAC) – Kellen Moore and gang could have a field day. Rockets fizzle – Boise State 35, Toledo 19.

17. Arizona State (2-3) at Washington (2-2) – (Pac-10 vs. Pac-10) – Has Washington finally found itself? Arizona State is dangerous. The Sun Devils have lost so many close ones. Huskies mush the Devils – Washington 30, Arizona State 27.

18. Tennessee (2-3) at Georgia (1-4) – (SEC vs. SEC) – Well, I think we know who Vince and Barbara Dooley will be cheering for. Barbara will be at the game, but she won’t be wearing her red panties. Vince will be home, watching on TV. He doesn’t want Georgia fans see him cheering for Tennessee. Red panty raid in Athens – Tennessee 23, Georgia 22.

19. Virginia (2-2) at Georgia Tech (3-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – The Yellow Jackets aren’t that good. But Virginia is worse. Bees all the buzz – Georgia Tech 27, Virginia 17.

20. UCLA (3-2) at California (2-2) – (Pac-10 vs. Pac-10) – You could lose your mind trying to predict how these two teams will perform. They definitely aren’t consistent from week-to-week. Teddy paws Ricky – California 26, UCLA 24.


AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

21. Central Michigan (2-3) at Virginia Tech (3-2) – (MAC vs. ACC) – After the 0-2 start, the Hokies have won three in a row. It should be four after this week, but the Chippewas can be feisty. Hokies step on the Chipps – Virginia Tech 31, Central Michigan 16.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

UNLV (1-4) at West Virginia (3-1) – (MWC vs. Big East) – Mountaineers get their last non-conference test before jumping into Big East action. UNLV won’t be much of a test. Mounties have the Rebels runnin’ – West Virginia 42, UNLV 9.

Purdue (2-2) at Northwestern (5-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – Boilers lost their quarterback for the season – torn ACL. Wildcats want to stay undefeated. Wildcats ice the Boilers – Northwestern 32, Purdue 23.

Duke (1-4) and Texas (3-2) are off this week.

Comments: Battle of the undefeated in the Big Ten and Big 12 (Michigan State-Michigan and Nebraska-Kansas State), and two good contests in the SEC (Alabama-South Carolina and LSU-Florida). Throw in Florida State at Miami for fun.


AROUND FLORIDA:

South Florida (3-1) is hosting Syracuse (3-1)…. UCF (2-2) entertains UAB (1-3)…. Florida Atlantic (1-3) travels to Louisiana-Monroe (1-3)…. Florida International (0-4) hosts Western Kentucky (0-4)…. Bethune-Cookman (4-0) is home against Delaware State (0-4)…. Jacksonville U. (4-1) entertains Drake (3-2). Florida A&M (2-3) is off this week.


Tuesday’s Television Schedule – October 5

Troy at Middle Tennessee – 8:00 p.m. ET – ESPN2


Wednesday’s Television Schedule – October 6

UAB at UCF – 8:00 p.m. ET – ESPN


Thursday’s Television Schedule – October 7

Nebraska at Kansas State – 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
Prairie View A&M at Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPNU


Friday’s Television Schedule – October 8

Connecticut at Rutgers – 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
Oklahoma State at Louisiana-Lafayette – 9:00 p.m. ET – ESPN2


Saturday’s Television Schedule – October 9

Boston College at N.C. State – 12 noon ET – ACC game of the Week
Baylor vs. Texas Tech – 12:00 noon ET – Fox Sports Network
Central Michigan at Virginia Tech – 12:00 noon ET – ESPNU
Illinois at Penn State – 12:00 noon ET – ESPN2
Indiana at Ohio State – 12:00 noon ET – ESPN
Tennessee at Georgia – 12:20 p.m. ET – SEC Game of the Week
Alabama at South Carolina – 3:30 p.m. ET – CBS
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC
Clemson at North Carolina – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC/ESPN2
Michigan State at Michigan – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC/ESPN
Pitt at Notre Dame – 3:30 p.m. ET – NBC
UCLA at California – 3:30 p.m. ET – Fox Sports Network
Virginia at Georgia Tech – 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Wyoming at TCU – 3:30 p.m. ET – CBS-CSN
Colorado at Missouri – 7:00 p.m. ET – Fox Sports Network
Eastern Michigan at Vanderbilt – 7:00 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Oregon State at Arizona – 7:00 p.m. ET – Versus
LSU at Florida – 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
Auburn at Kentucky – 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN2
Florida State at Miami (Florida) – 8:00 p.m. ET – ABC
USC at Stanford – 8:00 p.m. ET – ABC
Mississippi State at Houston – 8:00 p.m. ET – CBS-CSN
San Jose State at Nevada – 10:30 p.m. ET – ESPNU


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Wake Forest and Notre Dame have scheduled a home-and-home series for 2011 and 2015. The Irish will play in Winston-Salem in 2011. The Deacons return the visit to South Bend in 2015. The two schools already have a game scheduled in South Bend for 2012…. Air Force and Notre Dame have scheduled a home-and-home series for 2011 and 2013. The 2011 game is in South Bend, with the 2013 game in Colorado Springs.

Wake Forest’s non-conference games in 2011 will be against Air Force, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt and Syracuse…. The Western Athletic Conference has expressed interest in Montana as an expansion candidate. The WAC is losing Boise State, Nevada and Fresno State to the Mountain West Conference…. Appalachian State announced that it is evaluating the possibility of stepping up from the FCS (Division I-AA) to the FBS (Division I-A).

Georgia has added Charleston Southern to its 2014 schedule and Georgia Southern to its 2016 schedule. Both games will be played in Athens…. Ole Miss has added Southeast Missouri to its 2013 schedule and South Alabama to its 2017 schedule. Both games will be played in Oxford…. Oklahoma has added Ball State to its 2011 schedule. The game will be played in Norman.


Extra Points

Hottest Ticket – According to Stubhub, the hottest ticket in college football last week was for the Oklahoma-Texas game. Rounding out the Top 5 were Florida-Alabama, Penn State-Iowa, Notre Dame-Boston College and Tennessee-LSU in that order.


AP Poll – 1. Alabama 2. Ohio State 3. Oregon 4. Boise State 5. TCU 6. Oklahoma

Coaches Poll – 1. Alabama 2. Ohio State 3. Oregon 4. Boise State 5. TCU 6. Nebraska

TT's Poll - 1. Alabama 2. Oregon 3. Ohio State 4. Boise State 5. TCU 6. Nebraska


On the Internet – College Football Week now has a Website and can be found at www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com.

On the Radio – Listen live to Touchdown Tom every Friday morning from 8:05 to 8:40 ET on the Bill Mick Live show, talking college football with Bill Mick on NEWS TALK 1240 and 1350 WMMB AM. The show streams on http://www.wmmbam.com/. To listen, go to the Web site and click on “Listen Live.”

Touchdown Tom


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but on a sad note, there were seven passings of note last week – George Blanda, Gloria Stuart, Buddy Collette, Arthur Penn, Tony Curtis, Joe Mantell and Stephen J. Cannell.

George Blanda, a quarterback and place-kicker who played professional football longer than anyone else and who retired having scored more points than anyone else, died last week. He was 83. Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981, Blanda played for 26 seasons and was one of only two men to have played in four separate decades. (Jeff Feagles, a recently retired punter, is the other.) Blanda began his career in 1949 with the Chicago Bears, playing for George Halas. He finished his career at age 48 in 1975, playing for the Oakland Raiders. George Frederick Blanda was born on September 17, 1927, in Youngwood, Pennsylvania. Blanda played college ball at the University of Kentucky, where his coach was Bear Bryant.

Gloria Stuart, a glamorous blond actress during Hollywood’s golden age who was largely forgotten until she made a memorable comeback in her 80s in the 1997 epic “Titanic,” died last week at her home in Los Angeles. She was 100. Her performance in “Titanic” earned her an Academy Award nomination, for best supporting actress. It was her only Oscar nomination, and she was the oldest person ever to receive one for acting. Stuart’s active years starring in movies were from 1932 to 1946. She gave up acting after 1946 and took up painting. Stuart made brief returns to film and television in the 1970s and 1980s. Gloria Frances Stewart was born in Santa Monica, California, on July 4, 1910, two years before the Titanic sank.

Buddy Collette, a jazz saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist and bandleader who blended his usually soothing, often pungent sounds with those of many jazz greats, died last week in Los Angeles. He was 89. Over the years he played with performers like Charles Mingus, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Thelonious Monk, Stan Kenton, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Nelson Riddle and Louie Bellson. William Marcel Collette was born on August 6, 1921, in the Watts district of Los Angeles.

Arthur Penn, the stage, television and motion picture director whose revolutionary treatment of sex and violence in the 1967 film “Bonnie and Clyde” transformed the American film industry, died last week at his home in New York City, the day after he turned 88. Arthur Penn was born on September 27, 1922, in Philadelphia. Among some of the other movies he directed were “Alice’s Restaurant” (1969), “Little Big Man” (1970) and “The Missouri Breaks” (1976).

Tony Curtis, a classically handsome movie star who came out of the Hollywood studio system in the 1950s to find both wide popularity and critical acclaim in dramatic and comic roles alike, from “The Defiant Ones” (1958) to “Some Like It Hot” (1959) died last week at his home in Henderson, Nevada. He was 85. He was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his role in “The Defiant Ones.” Tony Curtis was born Bernard Schwartz on June 3, 1925, in New York City. In 1951, Curtis married actress Janet Leigh. They divorced 11 years later in 1962. Jamie Lee Curtis is one of their two children. Curtis and Leigh divorced some years later. Among Curtis’ many movies were “The Black Shield of Falworth” (1954), “Trapeze” (1956), “The Vikings” (1958), “Operation Pettycoat” (1959), “Spartacus” (1960) and “The Great Race” (1965).

Joe Mantell, a character actor who appeared in the movies “Marty” and “Chinatown,” died last week in Tarzana, California. He was 94. Mantell was also a familiar figure on television beginning in the 1950s. He appeared in guest roles on numerous series, including “Alfred Hitchcock Presents,” “Wanted: Dead or Alive,” “The Twilight Zone,” “The Defenders,” “Mission: Impossible” and “Lou Grant”. Also in situation comedies like “My Three Sons,” “Maude” and “Barney Miller.” In the early 1960s he had a regular role on the comedy “Pete and Gladys.” In the late 1960s he had a recurring part on the detective drama “Mannix.” In addition to “Marty” and “Chinatown,” his other movies included “Onionhead,” “The Sad Sack” and “The Birds.” Mantell was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in “Marty.” Joseph Mantell was born in New York City on December 21, 1915.

Stephen J. Cannell, one of television’s most prolific writers and series creators, whose work included the “The Rockford Files,” “Wiseguy,” “The A Team” and “The Greatest American Hero,” died last week at his home in Pasadena, California. He was 69. Cannell was born February 5, 1941, in Los Angeles.