There Ain't No Good Guys; There Ain't No Bad Guys

College Football Week 12 – Buckeyes, Huskers and Badgers Face Tests

‘There ain’t no good guys,
There ain’t no bad guys’

There’s only you and me and we just disagree.

What year was it?

Snow fell in Melbourne, Florida, and for the first time ever in Miami. The King died, and the Motown diva and her partners disbanded. Devastating plane crashes took the lives of a basketball team and three members of a rock group. A soccer legend hung up his cleats. It was a year of computers, the Concorde and floods.

On the first day of the year, the first female Episcopal priest was ordained. Two days later Apple Computer Inc. was incorporated. At the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the Oakland Raiders beat the Minnesota Vikings, 32-14, to win the Super Bowl.

In mid-January, Bill Murray joined Saturday Night Live, replacing Chevy Chase. Gary Gilmore was executed by a firing squad in Utah. Scientists identified previously unknown bacterium as the cause of the mysterious legionnaire’s disease.

On January 19, snow fell for the first time in history in Miami. That same night, an individual attending the Harris (Composition Systems Division) Users Group meeting at the old Holiday Inn on U.S. 1 in Melbourne, Florida, entered the cocktail party yelling, “It’s snowing! It’s snowing!” Everyone rushed outside to see the snow.

The next day, the 39th President of the United States – Jimmy Carter – was inaugurated. Carter succeeded Gerald Ford. The day after the inauguration, President Carter pardoned the Vietnam War draft evaders.

Two days following the inauguration, Touchdown Tom and Swamp Mama were married in Temple Terrace, Florida. They honeymooned in Belleair Beach, Florida.

The television mini-series “Roots” began a phenomenally successful run on ABC; while a major Great Lakes blizzard hit upstate New York and southern Ontario.

On February 4, Fleetwood Mac introduced its album “Rumours.” A week later, a 44 lb. 9 oz. lobster – the largest ever – was caught off Nova Scotia.

Several rivers in the United States froze over in January and February as some cities recorded all-time low temperatures (Cincinnati -25° F., Miami Beach +25° F.) in the coldest winter on record.

Just a few days into March, an earthquake struck Bucharest, Romania, killing 1,500.

“Eight is Enough” and “Three’s Company” premiered on ABC TV, while NBC’s “Sanford and Son” and CBS’s “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” aired for the last time.

Spring arrived and that brought the start of football practice on the campuses of many colleges around the country. Football season couldn’t be far behind. In late March, a collision between a KLM 747 and Pan Am 747 on the runway of the Tenerife Airport in the Canary Islands killed 543. Marquette defeated North Carolina, 67-59, to win NCAA basketball championship.

Early in April, the Grundy, Virginia, area experienced a major flood that caused more than $15 million in damages. The Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners played their first-ever baseball games. The Blue Jays opened against the Chicago White Sox and the Mariners opened against the California Angels.

Tom Watson won the Masters, and “McCloud” and “McMillan & Wife” aired for the last time on television. Optical fiber was used for the first time to carry live telephone traffic; while Pink Floyd opened the North American leg of their “Animals” tour in Miami.

May was upon us and Seattle Slew won the Kentucky Derby. The Grateful Dead played Cornell University’s Barton Hall in Ithaca, New York, and scientists first used bacteria in a lab to make insulin. In late May, “Stars Wars” opened in movie theaters and became the then-highest grossing movie of all time.

The Beverly Hills Super Club in Southgate, Kentucky, was engulfed in a fire, killing 165 inside. A.J. Foyt won the Indianapolis 500 – his 4th win. Foyt became the first driver to win the race four times. The Montreal Canadiens beat the Boston Bruins 4-matches-to-0 to win the Stanley Cup.

June arrived and the first Apple II series computers went on sale. The Portland Trailblazers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 4-games-to-2 to win the NBA championship. Bill Walton was named MVP. Seattle Slew won the Belmont Stakes, capturing the Triple Crown.

Summer was underway and while not yet able to listen to the games on the radio, college football fans were listening to “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffet; “Sound and Vision” by David Bowie; “Slow Dancin’ Don’t Turn Me On” by The Addrisi Brothers; “Got To Give It Up (Part I)” by Marvin Gaye; “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac; “Whatcha Gonna Do” by Pablo Cruise; “On the Border” by Al Stewart; “Mainstreet” by Bob Seger; “Gonna Fly Now” (Theme From Rocky) by Maynard Ferguson, and “High School Dance” by The Sylvers.

Also, “Gonna Fly Now” by Bill Conti; “I Just Want To Be Your Everything” by Andy Gibb; “Jet Airliner” by The Steve Miller Band; “You and Me” by Alice Cooper; “Back Together Again” by Daryl Hall & John Oates; “You’re My World” by Helen Reddy; “Luckenbach, Texas” by Waylon Jennings; “It’s So Sad To Belong” by England Dan & John Ford Coley; “Looks Like We Made It” by Barry Manilow, and “(You’re Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher” by Rita Coolidge.

And, “On and On” by Stephen Bishop; “Life In the Fast Lane” by The Eagles; “Knowing Me, Knowing You” by ABBA; “All You Get From Love Is a Love Song” by The Carpenters; “Da Doo Ron Ron” by Shaun Cassidy; “My Heart Belongs To Me” by Barbra Streisand; “Barracuda” by Heart; “I’m In You” by Peter Frampton; “Just a Song Before You Go” by Crosby, Stills & Nash, and “Undercover Angel” by Alan O’Day.

The preseason college football magazines were rolling off the presses. In London, the Supremes performed their final concert together at the Drury Lane Theater. The singing group disbanded after the concert. Hubert Green won the U.S. Open Golf championship, and Spain held its first democratic elections after 41 years of rule under Franco.

Been away, haven’t seen you in a while. How’ve you been?
Have you changed your style and do you think
That we’ve grown up differently? Don’t seem the same.
Seems you’ve lost your feel for me.

Oracle Corporation was incorporated in Redwood Shore, California, as Software Development Laboratories (SDL). According to a Gallup poll, Kiss was the most popular band in the United States. It was late June and Elvis Presley performed his last ever concert at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. The Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) was dissolved.

In July, Virginia Wade and Bjorn Borg won the women’s and men’s singles titles at Wimbledon. As the summer air grew warmer and thicker, the DJs were playing and college football fans were listening to “The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II)” by Rod Stewart; “Telephone Man” by Meri Wilson; “You Made Me Believe In Magic” by The Bay City Rollers; “Give A Little Bit” by Supertramp; “Easy” by The Commodores; “Black Betty” by Ram Jam; “Best of My Love” by The Emotions; “Telephone Line” by Electric Light Orchestra, and “Slide” by Slave.

Also, “Smoke From a Distant Fire” by The Sanford-Townsend Band; “Handy Man” by James Taylor; “It Was Almost Like a Song” by Ronnie Milsap; “Livin’ In the Life” by The Isley Brothers; “Walk Right In” by Dr. Hook; “(Remember the Days of the) Old Schoolyard” by Cat Stevens; “Way Down” by Elvis Presley, and “Swayin’ To the Music (Slow Dancin’) by Johnny Rivers.

A blackout occurred in the greater New York City area, lasting 25 hours. Flooding in the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, area killed 75 people. July was coming to a close as Tom Watson won the British Open, and Led Zeppelin played their last U.S. concert in Oakland, California, at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The first oil through the Trans Alaska pipeline system reached Valdez, Alaska.

Before you knew it, August arrived and the Tandy Corporation TRS-80 Model I computer was introduced at a press conference. David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam, was captured in Yonkers, New York, after more than a year of murders in New York City. The NASA Space Shuttle Enterprise made its first test-free flight from the back of a Boeing 747.

Summer was coming to an end and football fans couldn’t wait for another season to begin. Oklahoma was the No. 1 team in the country at preseason. On the eve of the first kickoffs, college football fans were grillin’ and chillin’ to “Don’t Worry Baby” by B.J. Thomas; “Strawberry Letter 23” by The Brothers Johnson; “It’s a Crazy World” by Mac McAnally; “Sunflower” by Glen Campbell; “How Much Love” by Leo Sayer; “Float On” The Floaters; “Don’t Stop” by Fleetwood Mac; “Stars Wars Theme” by John Williams; “So You Win Again” by Hot Chocolate, and “Christine Sixteen” by Kiss.

Also, “Hard Rock Café” by Carole King; “Edge of the Universe” by The Bee Gees; “Cold As Ice” by Foreigner; “That’s Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Shaun Cassidy; “Nobody Does It Better” by Carly Simon; “Boogie Nights” by Heatwave; “The Greatest Love of All” by George Benson, and “Keep It Comin’ Love” by K.C. & The Sunshine Band.

Lanny Wadkins won the PGA championship, and Elvis Presley died at his home Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 42. The U.S. launched the Voyager 2 spacecraft.

Guillermo Villas and Chris Evert won the men’s and women’s singles titles at the U.S. Open. South African activist Steve Biko died in custody, and T Rex lead singer Marc Bolan was killed in a car crash in England.

Meanwhile, the college football season was underway and Michigan replaced Oklahoma as the No. 1 team in the country. Football fans were tailgating to “Indian Summer” by Poco; “Daytime Friends” by Kenny Rogers; “Jungle Love” by The Steve Miller Band; “I Believe You” by Dorothy Moore; “Help Is On Its Way” by The Little River Band; “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer; “Stars Wars Theme/Cantina Band” by Meco; “Cat Scratch Fever” by Ted Nugent; “Just Remember I Love You” by Firefall; “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle, and “It’s Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next To Me” by Barry White.

“Soap,” “CHiPs,” “Lou Grant” and “The Love Boat” made their premiers on TV. The U.S.’s Courageous skippered by Ted Turner swept Australia in the 24th America’s Cup. The Porsche 928 debuted at the Geneva Auto Show.

The median household income in the U.S. was $13,572. Unemployment was at 7.1 percent, and the cost of first class stamp was 13 cents.

Oklahoma retook the No. 1 spot and college football fans were celebrating their wins and mourning their losses to “Heaven On the 7th Floor” by Paul Nicholas; “Another Star” by Stevie Wonder; “Surfin’ USA” by Leif Garrett; “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) by Peter Frampton; “She Did It” by Eric Carmen; “Brick House” by The Commodores; “I Go Crazy” by Paul Davis; “My Fair Share” by Seals & Crofts; “Dusic” by Brick; “We Just Disagree” by Dave Mason, and “You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone.

In early October, Pele played his final professional soccer game as a member of the New York Cosmos, and Southern California became the No. 1 team in the country. On October 8, Alabama beat USC, 21-20. Three days later, Michigan moved back into the No. 1 spot.

The New York Yankees, led by Reggie Jackson, beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-games-to-2 to win the World Series. A few days later, we learned that three members of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd died in a charter plane crash outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi. The plane crash occurred just three days after the release of the band’s fifth album “Street Survivors.”

So let’s leave it alone, ’cause we can’t see eye to eye.
There ain’t no good guys, there ain’t no bad guys.
There’s only you and me and we just disagree.
Ooo - ooo - ooohoo oh - oh - o-whoa

On October 22, Minnesota upset Michigan, 16-0. Texas became the No. 1 team in the country. The Center for Disease Control announced that Smallpox was eradicated in the world.

At Halloween, college football fans were being tricked or treated, while listening to “I Just Want To Make Love To You” by Foghat; “The King is Gone” by Ronnie McDowell; “Blue Bayou” by Linda Ronstadt; “A Place In the Sun” by Pablo Cruise; “Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes” by Jimmy Buffet; “Do You Wanna Get Funky With Me” by Peter Brown; “We’re All Alone” by Rita Coolidge, and “You Can’t Turn Me Off (In the Middle of Turning Me On)” by High Energy.

Also, “Send In the Clowns” by Judy Collins; “Baby, What a Big Surprise” by Chicago; “Come Sail Away” by Styx; “How Deep Is Your Love” by The Bee Gees; “Fair Game” by Crosby, Stills & Nash; “Daybreak” by Barry Manilow; “Gone Too Far” by England Dan & John Ford Coley; “Your Smiling Face” by James Taylor, and “Baby Come Back” by Player.

On November 6, the Kelly Barnes Dam near Taccoa, Georgia, collapsed, killing 39 people. Later in the month, Egyptian president Anwar Sadat became the first Arab leader to make an official visit to Israel. On November 19, undefeated and untied Colgate lost its final game of the season to Delaware, 21-3.

British Airways launched regular London to New York supersonic Concorde service, and at Thanksgiving, college football fans were stuffing themselves on turkey and pumpkin pie, while listening to “She’s Not There” by Santana; “Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft” by The Carpenters; “Isn’t It Time” by The Babys; “It’s So Easy” by Linda Ronstadt; “You Make Lovin’ Fun” by Fleetwood Mac; “Swingtown” by The Steve Miller Band; “Sentimental Lady” by Bob Welch; “Here You Come Again” by Dolly Parton, and “Slip Slidin’ Away” by Paul Simon.

Also, “Falling” by Lenny LeBlanc; “The Way I Feel Tonight” by The Bay City Rollers; “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back In Love Again” by L.T.D.; “Money, Money, Money” by ABBA; “Draw the Line” by Aerosmith; “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions” by Queen; “Serpentine Fire” by Earth, Wind & Fire; “You’re In My Heart” by Rod Stewart, and “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” by Chic.

Texas finished the regular season undefeated, and at the end of the month, news and political commentator Eric Sevareid bade farewell on the “CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite,” after 48 years at CBS News.

November became December and the Nickelodeon Television Channel, a children’s cartoon channel, launched as the Pinwheel Network.

The consensus All-American first-team offense consisted of wide receiver John Jefferson – Arizona State, (6-1, 184) Dallas, TX; wide receiver Ozzie Newsome – Alabama, (6-4, 210) Leighton, AL; tight end Ken MacAfee – Notre Dame, (6-4, 250) Brockton, MA; tackle Chris Ward – Ohio State, (6-4, 272) Dayton, OH; tackle Dan Irons – Texas Tech, (6-7, 260) Lubbock, TX; guard Mark Donahue – Michigan, (6-3, 245) Oak Lawn, IL; guard Leotis Harris – Arkansas, (6-1, 254) Little Rock, AR; center Tom Brzoza – Pitt, (6-3, 240) New Castle, PA; quarterback Guy Benjamin – Stanford, (6-4, 202) Sepulveda, CA; running back Earl Campbell – Texas, (6-1, 220) Tyler, TX; running back Terry Miller – Oklahoma State, (6-0, 196) Colorado Springs, CO; running back Charles Alexander – LSU, (6-1, 215) Galveston, TX, and kicker Steve Little – Arkansas, (6-0, 179) Overland Park, KS.

Texas running back Earl Campbell won the Heisman Trophy. In the balloting, Campbell beat out Oklahoma State running back Terry Miller, Notre Dame tight end Ken MacAfee and Grambling quarterback Doug Williams.

College football’s other two most outstanding player trophies, the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award, went to Notre Dame defensive lineman Ross Browner and Notre Dame tight end Ken MacAfee respectively. Browner also won the Vince Lombardi Award as college football’s most outstanding lineman or linebacker. The Outland Trophy (most outstanding interior lineman) went to Texas defensive lineman Brad Shearer.

I’m going back to a place that’s far away. How ’bout you?
Have you got a place to stay? Why should I care?
When I’m just trying to get along. We were friends.
But now it’s the end of our love song...

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won their very first NFL game, beating the New Orleans Saints. Tampa Bay had lost its first 26 games. On December 13, a DC3 charter plane carrying the Evansville University basketball team crashed in rain and fog about 90 seconds after takeoff from Evansville Regional Airport. Twenty-nine people died including 14 members of the basketball team.

The best albums of the year were “Low” by David Bowie, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” by Jimmy Buffett, “Animals” by Pink Floyd, “Cheap Trick” by Cheap Trick, “Rumours” by Fleetwood Mac, “Tejas” by ZZ Top, “New Harvest – First Gathering” by Dolly Parton, “Next” by Journey, “Foreigner” by Foreigner, “The Idiot” by Iggy Pop, “Let There Be Rock” by AC/DC, “Lace and Whiskey” by Alice Cooper, “Even in the Quietist Moments” by Supertramp, and “A Period of Transition” by Van Morrison.

Also, “Book of Dreams” by the Steve Miller Band, “Indian Summer” by Poco, “Exodus” by Bob Marley & The Wailers, “Monkey Island” by the J. Geils Band, “Cat Scratch Fever” by Ted Nugent, “The Grand Illusion” by Styx, “My Aim is True” by Elvis Costello, “Livin’ on the Fault Line” by The Doobie Brothers, “Lust for Life” by Iggy Pop, “Beauty on a Back Street” by Hall & Oates, “In Color” by Cheap Trick, and “Talking Heads: 77” by Talking Heads.

And, “Love You Live” by the Rolling Stones, “The Stranger” by Billy Joel, “Aja” by Steely Dan, “Simple Dreams” by Linda Ronstadt, “Heroes” by David Bowie, “Street Survivors” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, “News of the World” by Queen, “Here You Come Again” by Dolly Parton, “Out of the Blue” by Electric Light Orchestra, “Plastic Letters” by Blondie, “Foot Loose and Fancy Free” by Rod Stewart, “Slowhand” by Eric Clapton, “Running on Empty” by Jackson Browne, and “Draw the Line” by Aerosmith.

With Christmas in the air and bowl games near, college football fans were doing their shopping to “As” by Stevie Wonder; “Breakdown” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers; “Getting’ Ready for Love” by Diana Ross; “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” by Santa Esmeralda; “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water” by Andy Gibb; “My Way” by Elvis Presley; “Point of Know Return” by Kansas; “Runaround Sue” by Leif Garrett, and “Hey Deanie” by Shaun Cassidy.

Also, “Short People” by Randy Newman; “Girls’ School” by Paul McCartney & Wings; “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration” by Donny & Marie Osmond; “Turn to Stone” by Electric Light Orchestra; “Peg” by Steely Dan; “More Than a Woman” by Tavares; “Emotion” by Samantha Sang, and “Sometimes When We Touch” by Dan Hill.

In the first bowl games of the season, Louisiana Tech beat Louisville, 24-14, in the Independence Bowl, and Nebraska won the Liberty Bowl, beating North Carolina, 21-17. It was Maryland 17, Minnesota 7 in the All-American Bowl, and Florida State beat Texas Tech, 40-17, in the Tangerine Bowl.

Some of the better movies of the year were “Star Wars,” “Rocky,” “Smokey and the Bandit,” “A Star Is Born,” “King Kong,” “The Deep,” “Silver Streak,” “The Enforcer,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “In Search of Noah’s Ark,” “A Bridge Too Far,” and “Annie Hall.”

Also, “The Cassandra Crossing,” “The Late Show,” “Looking For Mr. Goodbar,” “The Man Who Loved Women,” “Oh, God!,” “The Other Side of Midnight,” “Fun With Dick and Jane,” “The Goodbye Girl,” “Julia,” and “Turning Point.”

The better reads during the year were “Trinity” by Leon Uris, “Storm Warning” by Jack Higgins, “Raise the Titanic!” by Clive Cussler, “Roots” by Alex Haley, “Passages” by Gail Sheehy, “The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank” by Erma Bombeck, “Slapstick” by Kurt Vonnegut, “Sleeping Murder” by Agatha Christie, “The Users” by Joyce Haber, “Oliver’s Story” by Erich Segal, and “Falconer” by John Cheever.

Also, “The Chancellor Manuscript” by Robert Ludlum, “The Valhalla Exchange” by Harry Patterson, “Condominium” by John D. MacDonald, “The Thorn Birds” by Colleen McCullough, “A Book of Common Prayer” by Joan Didion, “All Things Wise and Wonderful” by James Herriot, “Full Disclosure” by William Safire, and “Coma” by Robin Cook.

And, “The Path Between the Seas” by David McCullough, “The Silmarillion” by J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Honourable Schoolboy” by John le Carre, “Daniel Martin” by John Fowles, “Dynasty” by Robert S. Elegant, “The Second Deadly Sin” by Lawrence Sanders, “The Immigrants” by Howard Fast, “The Amityville Horror” by Jay Anson, and “Beggarman Thief” by Irwin Shaw.

The consensus All-American first-team defense consisted of lineman Ross Browner – Notre Dame, (6-3, 247) Warren, OH; lineman Art Still – Kentucky, (6-8, 247) Camden, NJ; lineman Brad Shearer – Texas, (6-4, 255) Austin, TX; lineman Randy Holloway – Pitt, (6-6, 228) Sharon, PA; lineman Dee Hardison – North Carolina, (6-4, 252) Newton Grove, NC; linebacker Jerry Robinson – UCLA, (6-3, 208) Santa Rosa, CA; linebacker Tom Cousineau – Ohio State, (6-3, 228) Fairview Park, OH; linebacker Gary Spani – Kansas State, (6-2, 222) Manhattan, KS; back Dennis Thurman – USC, (5-11, 173) Santa Monica, CA; back Zac Henderson – Oklahoma, (6-1, 184) Burkburnett, TX; back Luther Bradley – Notre Dame, (6-2, 204) Muncie, IN, and back Bob Jury – Pitt, (6-0, 190) Library, PA.

Well-known people who were born during the year included A.J. Burnett, Orlando Bloom, Vince Carter, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Daunte Culpepper, Randy Moss, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Stephon Marbury, Ricky Williams, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Chandra Levy, Andruw Jones, Carlos Beltran, Kanye West, Kerry Wood, Liv Tyler, Tim Couch, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Tom Brady, Ludacris, Bode Miller, and John Mayer.

So let’s leave it alone, ’cause we can’t see eye to eye.
There ain’t no good guys, there ain’t no bad guys.
There’s only you and me and we just disagree.
Ooo - ooo - ooohoo oh - oh - o-whoa

Famous people who passed away during the year were Erroll Garner, Freddie Prinze, Anthony Eden, Peter Finch, Brett Halliday, Andy Devine, Ralph Graves, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Diana Hyland, Joan Crawford, Stephen Boyd, Roberto Rossellini, Alan Reed, Geraldine Brooks, Francis Gary Powers, and Alfred Lunt.

Also, Elvis Presley, Groucho Marx, Wernher von Braun, Sebastian Cabot, Jean Hagen, Mary Ford, Ethel Waters, Zero Mostel, Robert Lowell, Marc Bolan, Maria Callas, Bing Crosby, Cassie Gaines, Steve Gaines, Ronnie Van Zant, Guy Lombardo, Richard Carlson, Cyril Ritchard, Charlie Chaplin, Howard Hawks, and Adolph Rupp.

On Christmas Day, Penn State beat Arizona State, 42-30, in the Fiesta Bowl. Five days later, Pitt won the Gator Bowl, beating Clemson, 34-3.

The most popular TV shows of the year were “Laverne & Shirley,” “Happy Days,” “Three's Company,” “60 Minutes,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “All in the Family,” “Little House on the Prairie,” “Alice,” “M*A*S*H,” and “One Day at a Time.”

On New Year’s Eve, Stanford beat LSU in the Sun Bowl, 21-14, and USC won the Bluebonnet Bowl, beating Texas A&M, 47-28. N.C. State downed Iowa State, 24-14, in the Peach Bowl.

College football fans were dancing, drinking and singing on New Year’s Eve to “Desiree” by Neil Diamond; “Street Corner Serenade” by Wet Willie; “What’s Your Name” by Lynyrd Skynyrd; “Easy to Love” by Leo Sayer; “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers; “Long, Long, Way From Home” by Foreigner; “Stayin’ Alive” by The Bee Gees, and “I Love You” by Donna Summer.

Also, “Too Hot Ta Trot” by The Commodores; “Ffun” by Con Funk Shun; “Happy Anniversary” by The Little River Band; “Thunder Island” by Jay Ferguson; “Goodbye Girl” by David Gates; “Theme from Close Encounters of the Third Kind” by John Williams, and “The Name of the Game” by ABBA.

On January 2, Alabama beat Ohio State, 35-6, in the Sugar Bowl, and Arkansas won the Orange Bowl, beating Oklahoma, 31-6. Washington beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl, 27-20.

In the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Notre Dame beat undefeated and No. 1 ranked Texas, 38-10.

Notre Dame became the national champions, finishing first in the AP and UPI Polls. The Irish, coached by Dan Devine, finished the season at 11-1. Their only loss was a 20-13 defeat at the hands of Ole Miss in their second game of the season.

So let’s leave it alone, ’cause we can’t see eye to eye.
There ain’t no good guys, there ain’t no bad guys.
There’s only you and me and we just disagree.

“We Just Disagree” – by Dave Mason (written by Dave Mason)
The song entered the charts on September 3 and spent 19 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 throughout the football season, peaking at No. 12 in late November. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Mason was an original member of the band Traffic. He was also a member of Delaney & Bonnie and Fleetwood Mac for brief spells.

The year (and football season) was 1977.

Touchdown Tom
November 15, 2010


Weekend Review

Colorado fired football coach Dan Hawkins last Tuesday. Hawkins, in his fifth season with the Buffaloes, was 19-39, including 3-6 this year. Hawkins came to Colorado from Boise State where he had been a very successful coach. Long-time assistant coach Brian Cabral will serve as Colorado’s interim head coach for the remainder of the 2010 season.

In response to last week’s news about Big East expansion, TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte said he has little interest in placing his football program in one conference and his other varsity sports in another conference.

Amid all the Cam Newton brouhaha, I read where Georgia coach Mark Richt said he recruited Newton out of high school to be a tight end at Georgia and not a quarterback. Further evidence that Richt is brain damaged.

Hats off to Florida International. The Panthers had three runners rush for more than 100 yards each in their 52-35 upset of Troy on Saturday – Darriet Perry – 186 yards, T.Y. Hilton – 158 yards, and Darian Mallary – 118 yards.

Swamp Mama and Touchdown Tom spent a long weekend in the panhandle celebrating Gator Babe’s birthday. She was three on November 13.


GAME OF THE WEEK: Chicken supreme – South Carolina 36, Florida 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 30, South Carolina 22). At halftime, I said, “This reminds me of the Mississippi State game.” Little did I know at the time that it would end up worse than the Mississippi State game. Florida, a team that looked so complete a week before against Vanderbilt, looked so incomplete against South Carolina. That will teach us to get so excited about a big performance against Vandy. After all, Kentucky racked up 580 yards of offense against Vandy on Saturday. And beating Georgia was nothing either. Look what Auburn did to Georgia. Let’s face it, Florida’s offense remains a mess. The offensive line couldn’t open a hole in a wet paper bag. It couldn’t stop Betty White from sacking John Brantley. And speaking of Brantley, Nancy Pelosi would look better running the quarterback draw. Why did Brantley ever change his commitment to Texas? Heck, Mack Brown would love to have him right now. Brantley’s not an Urban Meyer quarterback. Urban doesn’t know what to do with him. Did you see Urban throw his headset on the ground during the game? And the defense isn’t any better. The Gator defense couldn’t stop a turtle. Hat’s off to Steve Spurrier and South Carolina. Marcus Lattimore, Stephen Garcia, the Gamecock’s offensive line and the entire South Carolina defense played one heck of a game. If Florida’s going to lose, you want them to lose to a fellow Gator – Spurrier. The Gamecocks are a strange team. One week they look like the best team in the country. The next week they look like the worst team in the country. South Carolina looked like the best team in the country against Florida. It was a strange season in the SEC East. A crowd of 90,885 attended the game in Gainesville.

RUNNER UP: No 401 in Columbus – Ohio State 38, Penn State 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 29, Penn State 19). Trailing 14-3 at the half, the Buckeyes exploded for 35 unanswered points in the second half. A crowd of 105,466 attended the game in Columbus.

REST OF THE BEST: Aztecs almost feasted on Legs – TCU 40, San Diego State 35 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 33, San Diego State 16). The Aztecs gave the Horned Frogs their first scare of the season. TCU’s defense held the Aztecs to 38 yards rushing. A crowd of 45,694 attended the game in San Diego.

The Tide is in – Alabama 30, Mississippi State 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 28, Mississippi State 16). Maybe the Bulldogs should have paid for Cam Newton. The Tide is warming up for Auburn. A crowd of 101,821 attended the game in Tuscaloosa.

Wildcats shoot some birds – Northwestern 21, Iowa 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa 30, Northwestern 27). You would have thought Iowa would have learned from the scare it got form Indiana last week. Maybe the Hawkeyes were looking ahead to Ohio State. Northwestern is always a problem for Iowa. A crowd of 47,130 attended the game in Evanston.

Tigers win the Cat fight – Missouri 38, Kansas State 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Missouri 26, Kansas State 23). After suffering back-to-back losses, Missouri bounces back. A crowd of 63,310 attended the game in Columbia.

Primrose Lane – USC 24, Arizona 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona 24, USC 17). The Wildcats suffer their second-straight Pac-10 loss and third conference loss of the season. A crowd of 54,722 attended the game in Tucson.

Sherman’s on the march – Texas A&M 42, Baylor 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 27, Texas A&M 26). Don’t look now, but the Aggies are an improving ball club. A crowd of 45,089 attended the game in Waco.

Duck scare – Oregon 15, California 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 32, California 20). Well, at least we know you can stop the Oregon offense. It’s just that when you do, you need to score on the Duck defense. Oregon held Cal to 69 yards passing. Speaking of the Duck, he got a rest from the pushups Saturday. A crowd of 65,963 attended the game in Berkeley.

Newton-gate – Auburn 49, Georgia 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Auburn 30, Georgia 26). I have to admit, it did make my heart feel good seeing Todd Grantham’s defense get plastered. Actually, at times, the game was a classless display of football – an embarrassment to the SEC. I still think an Auburn-Oregon national championship game would be interesting to see – a wild one. Meanwhile, all remains quiet in the Cam Newton investigation. Auburn fans have to be on pins and needles. A crowd of 87,451 attended the game in Auburn.

Hokies shear the Sheep – Virginia Tech 26, North Carolina 10 (Touchdown Tom said: North Carolina 24, Virginia Tech 22). The Hokies are like a bottle of red wine – they improve with age. North Carolina missed the services of Johnny White. A crowd of 60,000 attended the game in Chapel Hill.

With a little Luck – Stanford 17, Arizona State 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 36, Arizona State 23). Like fellow Pac-10 member Oregon, Stanford got a scare too. Andrew Luck passed for 292 yards. A crowd of 45,592 attended the game in Tempe.

Potatoes fried – Boise State 52, Idaho 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 39, Idaho 19). The Broncos are a complete team. A crowd of 16,453 attended the game in Moscow.

Noles tee-pee the Tigers – Florida State 16, Clemson 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 23, Clemson 20). After last week’s wide-right at the end of the game, it had to feel sweet winning this one on a 55-yard field goal as time expired. FSU was quarterbacked by E.J. Manuel. The Noles are still in the thick of the Atlantic Division race. A crowd of 72,228 attended the game in Tallahassee.

Wolves take the Hill – Nevada 35, Fresno State 34 (Touchdown Tom said: Nevada 35, Fresno State 27). Both teams still have to play Boise State. A crowd of 37,116 attended the game in Fresno.

Dud – Northern Illinois 65, Toledo 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Northern Illinois 29, Toledo 27). NIU racked up 584 yards of offense, mostly on the ground. The Huskies improve to 8-2. A crowd of 18,472 attended the game in DeKalb.

Irish pub the Utes – Notre Dame 28, Utah 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Utah 28, Notre Dame 27). Utah was obviously the most overrated team in the country. The Utes have been blown out two weeks in a row. The Irish defense held the Utes to 71 yards rushing. A crowd of 80,795 attended the game in South Bend.

Nothing like being home – Oklahoma 45, Texas Tech 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 35, Texas Tech 25). Oklahoma always plays well at home. Landry Jones passed for 317 yards. A crowd of 85,116 attended the game in Norman.

Bevo plays like Elsie – Oklahoma State 33, Texas 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 29, Texas 27). This is the year to beat Texas. You might as well take advantage of it, even though Nebraska didn’t. A crowd of 100,659 attended the game in Austin.

Rusty armor – Southern Miss 31, UCF 21 (Touchdown Tom said: UCF 32, Southern Miss 20). Typical George O’Leary – He can’t keep a good thing going. UCF gets ranked in the Top 25 for the first time and the Knights can’t handle success. A crowd of 40,358 attended the game in Orlando.


AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

Dogs lick the Cats – Connecticut 30, Pitt 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Pitt 25, Connecticut 16). Pitt suffers its first loss in Big East play. A crowd of 35,391 attended the game in East Hartford.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Bearcats get jugged – West Virginia 37, Cincinnati 10 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 30, Cincinnati 18). Coming into the game, WVU hadn’t scored a touchdown in the second half in its three previous games. Saturday, the Eers only scored once in the second half. Why does Jeff Mullen’s offense quit at halftime? What is the problem? WVU defense did hold Cincy to 60 yards on the ground. Bill Stewart still needs to be fired. A crowd of 56,593 attended the game in Morgantown.

Herbie bales the Jayhawks – Nebraska 20, Kansas 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 38, Kansas 9). Now this is too obvious. The Huskers had to be playing kind to Turner Gill. A crowd of 85,587 attended the game in Lincoln.

Devils get beaned – Boston College 21, Duke 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 25, Boston College 22). Just when you think the Dookies have it turned around, they can’t pull out three wins in a row. Not that Sean Renfree wasn’t trying. He passed for 285 yards. But the Dookies only rushed for four yards. A crowd of 21,420 attended the game in Durham.

Michigan 27, Purdue 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 36, Purdue 27). You know Purdue is bad if the Boilers can only muster 16 points against Michigan’s defense. A crowd of 50,268 attended the game in West Lafayette.

Comment: A tough week at 16-9, brings my season prediction total to 191-77 (71.3 percent).


AROUND FLORIDA:

Miami downed Georgia Tech, 35-10. A crowd of 47,425 attended the game in Atlanta…. South Florida slipped by Louisville, 24-21 in overtime. A crowd of 43,887 attended the game in Louisville…. Florida Atlantic edged Louisiana-Lafayette, 24-23. A crowd of 12,044 attended the game in Fort Lauderdale…. Florida International surprised Troy, 52-35. A crowd of 20,243 attended the game in Troy.

Florida A&M beat Hampton, 17-12. A crowd of 10,306 attended the game in Tallahassee…. Bethune-Cookman slapped Howard, 35-20. A crowd of 5,431 attended the game in Daytona Beach…. Jacksonville U. thumped Campbell, 31-24. A crowd of 5,160 attended the game in Jacksonville.


Superlatives

Impressive Passers: UAB’s Bryan Ellis – 31-49-1 for 418 yards; Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden – 29-43-1 for 409; Central Michigan’s Ryan Radcliff – 36-58-0 for 394; Arizona’s Nick Foles – 32-48-0 for 353; Western Michigan’s Alex Carder – 17-21-0 for 349; East Carolina’s Dominique Davis – 26-41-0 for 331; San Jose State’s Jordan La Secla – 19-37-1 for 331, and Tennessee’s Tyler Bray – 18-34-0 for 323.

Also, Northwestern’s Dan Persa – 32-43-1 for 318 yards; Oklahoma’s Landry Jones – 22-29-0 for 317; Tulane’s Ryan Griffin – 21-34-0 for 314; Arkansas State’s Ryan Aplin – 27-39-2 for 306; N.C. State’s Russell Wilson – 24-35-1 for 300; Troy’s Corey Robinson – 28-47-2 for 299; Stanford’s Andrew Luck – 33-41-1 for 292, and Colorado State’s Pete Thomas – 28-42-2 for 292.

Also, Maryland’s Danny O’Brien – 17-28-0 for 289 yards; Duke’s Sean Renfree – 35-49-0 for 285; Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill – 27-38-0 for 280; Georgia’s Aaron Murray – 15-28-0 for 273; Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi – 23-41-1 for 270; Colorado’s Cody Hawkins – 16-24-0 for 266; Virginia’s Marc Verica – 25-43-2 for 265, and Southern Miss’ Austin Davis – 21-34-0 for 264.


Impressive Rushers: North Texas’ Lance Dunbar – 226 yards; Connecticut’s Jordan Todman – 222 yards; Fresno State’s Robbie Rouse – 217 yards; South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore – 212 yards; Navy’s Kriss Proctor – 201 yards; Ohio State’s Daniel Herron – 190 yards; Tulsa’s G.J. Kinne – 190 yards; Florida International’s Darriet Perry – 186 yards, and Arkansas’ Knile Davis – 182 yards.

Also, Kentucky’s Randall Cobb – 170 yards; Baylor’s Jay Finley – 169 yards; Wisconsin’s Montee Ball – 167 yards; Rutgers’ Jeremy Deering – 166 yards; USC’s Marc Tyler – 160 yards; Eastern Michigan’s Alex Gillett – 159 yards; Florida International’s T.Y. Hilton – 158 yards; Western Kentucky’s Bobby Rainey – 154 yards, and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick – 153 yards.

Also, Toledo’s Adonis Thomas – 152 yards; Auburn’s Cam Newton – 151 yards; Northern Illinois’ Chandler Harnish – 149 yards; Wisconsin’s James White –144 yards; Florida Atlantic’s Alfred Morris – 143 yards; Clemson’s Jamie Harper – 143 yards; Kansas State’s Collin Klein – 141 yards; Illinois’ Mikel Leshoure – 141 yards; Louisville’s Bilal Powell – 140 yards, and Texas A&M’s Cyrus Gray – 137 yards.


Quotes of the Week

“This is a character assassination attempt. I think there’s a group of people who have a hidden agenda and don’t want to see him (Cam Newton) as a Heisman nominee, let alone a winner,” Cecil Newton, father of Cam, on the allegations against his son.

“It’s my hope that people will reserve judgment on this or any matter until the facts are known,” SEC Commissioner Mike Slive, on the Cam Newton allegations.

“Just when you thought Tebow left town, he showed up again in another jersey,” Georgia coach Mark Richt, on Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.

“What I do care about is coming to the defense of not only a great football player but a great human being who comes from a great family,” Auburn coach Gene Chizik, on Cam Newton.

“Don’t be sad, Florida fans, be happy. The Gators may not have won the game Saturday night for the right to play for the SEC Championship, but a Gator – the ultimate Gator – still won. And, admit it, there’s a little piece of you that is happy about it. If you’re going to lose your chance to win a championship, aren’t you glad the Eastern Division title is staying in the family?,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“We’re just not very good,” Florida coach Urban Meyer, after the loss to South Carolina.

“God has smiled on the Gamecocks,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, after the win over Florida.


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

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Ohio State (9-1) at Iowa (7-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – This had the makings of a good game until the last couple of weeks. The Hawkeyes have looked flat. They are going to have to come up with one heck of an effort to take the Buckeyes. The Hawkeyes play good at home, but I don’t know if they are good enough – home or not. Buckeyes scramble the Eggs – Ohio State 28, Iowa 23.

RUNNER UP: 2. Nebraska (9-1) at Texas A&M (7-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – The Huskers need to make up for the loss to Texas by beating the Aggies. It won’t be easy. Both teams want to hand the other a loss as a farewell present. Aggies can’t harvest the Corn – Nebraska 28, Texas A&M 25.

REST OF THE BEST: 3. Wisconsin (9-1) at Michigan (7-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – The Badgers are headed towards the Rose Bowl and don’t want to be derailed by the Wolverines. If Wisconsin can put up 83 on Indiana, how many points can the Badgers pin on Michigan? No holes in the Cheese – Wisconsin 38, Michigan 26.

4. Arkansas (8-2) at Mississippi State (7-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) – The Hogs are playing at their best right now. Too good for the Bulldogs. Hogs put the Dogs in the pound – Arkansas 28, Mississippi State 16.

5. Virginia Tech (8-2) at Miami (Florida) (7-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – The Hokies have won eight straight. Can the Canes stop them? Not likely. Gobblers knob the Ibis – Virginia Tech 27, Miami 20.

6. Oklahoma (8-2) at Baylor (7-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – Uh oh…the Sooners are on the road. They are not the same team on the road they are at home. Baylor doesn’t have much of a defense. Bear skins – Oklahoma 45, Baylor 27.

7. Florida State (7-3) at Maryland (7-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – Is Maryland’s 7-3 as strong as FSU’s 7-3? We’ll soon know. Noles feast on Turtle steaks – Florida State 29, Maryland 26.

8. Fresno State (6-3) at Boise State (9-0) – (WAC vs. WAC) – Now, it’s Fresno State’s turn to try and knock off the Broncos. They have as good a chance as anybody. About like winning the lottery. Broncos trample the Dogs – Boise State 39, Fresno State 20.

9. N.C. State (7-3) at North Carolina (6-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – The Wolfpack better rush for more yards against the Tar Heels than they did last week. N.C. State won last week, but only had 59 yards rushing. I know Russell Wilson can pass, but the Wolfpack needs to have a more balanced attack. Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s clothing – N.C. State 28, North Carolina 24.

10. Ohio (7-3) at Temple (8-2) – (MAC vs. MAC) – Although Miami may have a say-so, this one most likely is for the MAC East title. Home field favors the Owls. All Hoots – Temple 29, Ohio 25.

11. Utah (8-2) at San Diego State (7-3) – (MWC vs. MWC) – The Aztecs want to let the country know that their close game against TCU wasn’t a fluke. The Utes have hit the skids. Utes get sacrificed – San Diego State 30, Utah 28.

12. Stanford (9-1) at California (5-5) – (Pac-10 vs. Pac-10) – The Cardinal better watch out. Cal is a different team at home – much different. The Bears put the skids on Oregon, but can they stop Andrew Luck? And can Cal find a passing game? Stanford 28, California 21.

13. Ole Miss (4-6) at LSU (9-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – If the cards fall right (like they did in 2007) LSU could find themselves in the championship game. But the Tigers can’t stumble. Tigers snag a Black Bear – LSU 30, Ole Miss 18.

14. Pitt (5-4) at South Florida (6-3) – (Big East vs. Big East) – Pitt suffered its first Big East loss last week. The Bulls intend to make it two. USF can play some defense. Bulls gore the Panthers – South Florida 19, Pitt 17.

15. UTEP (6-5) at Tulsa (7-3) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – Tulsa is looking good to win the C-USA West. But they have to beat UTEP. Miners get swept – Tulsa 34, UTEP 17.

16. Connecticut (5-4) at Syracuse (7-3) – (Big East vs. Big East) – UConn’s on a roll. The Huskies have won two-straight. But the Orange have the Dogs in the Dome. Orange juice the Dogs – Syracuse 23, Connecticut 22.

17. West Virginia (6-3) at Louisville (5-5) – (Big East vs. Big East) – Wonder how many points WVU will score in the second half this week? The Mounties better score more than seven if they want to beat the Cardinals. Mounties deck the Cards – West Virginia 27, Louisville 17.

18. Northwestern (7-3) vs. Illinois (5-5) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – Ron Zook was looking pretty good until he lost his last two to Michigan and Minnesota. Nobody loses to Minnesota. Not even Purdue. But the Wildcats may be caught still celebrating the win over Iowa. Wildcats put Zook on thin ice – Northwestern 35, Illinois 31.

19. USC (7-3) at Oregon State (4-5) – (Pac-10 vs. Pac-10) – All of a sudden, Oregon State has become a bad team. The Beavers have self-destructed. But they always pose a problem for the Trojans in Corvallis. Kiffin gets a pelt – USC 30, Oregon State 22.

20. Missouri (8-2) at Iowa State (5-6) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – Mizzou has a shot at finishing strong. But he Tigers can’t stumble in Ames. Tigers stripe the Birds – Missouri 34, Iowa State 18.


AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

21. Notre Dame (5-5) vs. Army (6-4) – (Ind. vs. Ind.) – The Irish have already lost to Navy. They don’t want to lose to Army. But the Cadets are back. They are playing tough. They hit you on the ground. Irish disband the Army – Notre Dame 31, Army 26.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Appalachian State (9-1) at Florida (6-4) – (Southern vs. SEC) – Remember who knocked off Michigan a few years ago? Yeah, it’s the same Appalachian State. The Mountaineers are catching Florida at a good time too. The Gators will still be stewing over the loss to South Carolina, while looking ahead to Florida State – while along comes Jones…I mean…Appy State. Albert avoids the Gator trap – Florida 30, Appalachian State 17.

Duke (3-7) at Georgia Tech (5-5) – (ACC vs. ACC) – I have a feeling the Dookies will win. Why? Because I picked them to lose. And Tech really is pretty bad. Jackets hit the Devils with a Buzz saw – Georgia Tech 20, Duke 19.

Purdue (4-6) at Michigan State (9-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – After a week off, the Spartans return to action and should get a win in preparation for their final game against Penn State. Should MSU manage to finish 11-1, there could be good things in the Spartans’ future. Boilers turn green – Michigan State 34, Purdue 17.

Florida Atlantic (4-5) at Texas (4-6) – (Sun Belt vs. Big 12) – Now here is a team Texas can beat. But will they? Horned Owls – Texas 27, Florida Atlantic 14.


Comment: Big and fun week – two key games in the Big Ten (Ohio State at Iowa and Wisconsin at Michigan), two key games in the Big 12 (Nebraska at Texas A&M and Oklahoma at Baylor), two key games in the SEC (Arkansas at Mississippi State and Ole Miss at LSU), and two key games in the ACC (Virginia Tech at Miami and Florida State at Maryland). Plus throw in Stanford at Cal and it’s quite a weekend.


AROUND FLORIDA:

UCF (7-3) visits Tulane (4-6)…. Florida International (4-5) travels to Louisiana-Lafayette (2-8)…. Florida A&M (7-3) vs. Bethune-Cookman (10-0) in Orlando…. Jacksonville U. has finished its season at (10-1).


Tuesday’s Television Schedule – November 16

Ohio at Temple – 8:00 p.m. ET – ESPN2


Wednesday’s Television Schedule – November 17

Miami (Ohio) at Akron – 6:00 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Bowling Green at Toledo – 8:00 p.m. ET – ESPN2


Thursday’s Television Schedule – November 18

Georgia State at Alabama – 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPNU
UCLA at Washington – 8:00 p.m. ET – ESPN
Air Force at UNLV – 10:00 p.m. ET – CBS-CSN


Friday’s Television Schedule – November 19

Fresno State at Boise State – 9:30 p.m. ET – ESPN2


Saturday’s Television Schedule – November 20

Wisconsin at Michigan – 12:00 noon ET – ESPN
Yale at Harvard – 12:00 noon ET – Versus
N.C. State at North Carolina – 12 noon ET – ACC Game of the Week
Pitt at South Florida – 12 noon ET – ESPN2
Virginia at Boston College – 12 noon ET – ESPNU
West Virginia at Louisville – 12 noon ET – Big East Game of the Week
Oklahoma State at Kansas – 12 noon ET – Fox Sports Network
Troy at South Carolina – 12:20 p.m. ET – SEC Game of the Week
Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M – 2:30 p.m. ET – ESPN Classic
Arkansas State at Navy – 3:30 p.m. ET – CBS-CSN
Illinois vs. Northwestern – 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Ohio State at Iowa – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC
Ole Miss at LSU – 3:30 p.m. ET – CBS
Stanford at California – 3:30 p.m. ET – Fox Sports Network
Virginia Tech at Miami (Florida) – 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPN/ABC
Arkansas at Mississippi State – 7:00 p.m. ET – ESPN
Connecticut at Syracuse – 7:00 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Missouri at Iowa State – 7:00 p.m. ET – Fox Sports Network
Notre Dame vs. Army – 7:00 p.m. ET – NBC
Florida State at Maryland – 8:00 p.m. ET – ABC
USC at Oregon State – 8:00 p.m. ET – ABC
Houston at Southern Miss – 8:00 p.m. ET – CBS-CSN
Nebraska at Texas A&M 8:00 p.m. ET – ABC
Oklahoma at Baylor – 8:00 p.m. ET – ESPN2


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Texas-San Antonio is joining the Western Athletic Conference in 2012. UTSA is starting a football program in 2011 and will compete at the Division I-A level. Also, joining the WAC are Texas State and Denver. Texas State will elevate its football program from Division I-AA to I-A. Denver, who is leaving the Sun Belt Conference, is joining the WAC for all varsity sports except football. The three schools are replacing Boise State, Fresno State and Nevada who are leaving the conference over the next two years. Montana, a potential fourth new member of the WAC, announced it will remain in the Big Sky Conference at the Division I-AA level…. Colorado State and UTEP have scheduled a home-and-home series to be played in 2011 and 2018.


Extra Points

Two games are being played in Major League Baseball stadiums this week. The Notre Dame-Army game at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx, and the Illinois-Northwestern game at Wrigley Field in Chicago.


AP Poll – 1. Oregon, 2. Auburn, 3. Boise State, 4. TCU, 5. LSU, 6. Wisconsin

Coaches Poll – 1. Oregon, 2. Auburn, 3. Boise State 4. TCU, 5. Wisconsin, 6. LSU

TT’s Poll – 1. Auburn, 2. Oregon, 3. Boise State, 4. TCU, 5. Stanford, 6. Nebraska

BCS Rank – 1. Oregon, 2. Auburn, 3. TCU, 4. Boise State, 5. LSU, 6. Stanford


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.”

This is the week of “The Game” – Yale-Harvard, and the “Big Game” – Stanford-California.

Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and Touchdown Tom will be in Gainesville this weekend for the Appalachian State-Florida game. We’re staying at our favorite bed & breakfast – the Laurel Oak Inn (www.laureloakinn.com). We’re looking forward to seeing our friends Monta and Peggy Burt.

Touchdown Tom


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but on a sad note, there were three passings of mention last week – Dino De Laurentiis, Dave Niehaus and Wes Santee.

Dino De Laurentiis, the high-flying Italian film producer and entrepreneur whose movies ranged from some of Federico Fellini’s earliest works to “Serpico,” “Death wish” and the 1976 remake of “King Kong,” died last week at his home in Beverly Hills, California. He was 91. Agostino De Laurentiis was born in Torre Annunziata, a town in the province of Naples, Italy, on August 8, 1919, the third in a family of seven brothers and sisters. Among his many grandchildren is the chef and Food TV Network host Giada De Laurentiis.

Dave Niehaus, the Hall of Fame broadcaster who called Seattle Mariners games from the team’s first season in 1977 through this year, died last week at his home in Bellevue, Washington. He was 75. Niehaus was born February 19, 1935, and got into broadcasting as a student at Indiana University. He worked for the Armed Forces Network in Los Angeles and New York before anchoring himself in the Los Angeles market in the late 1960s and early 1970s, calling games for the California Angels and UCLA football.

Wes Santee, a record-setting track star for the University of Kansas who never ran the sub-four-minute mile expected of him and whose running career was ended by a suspension for accepting too much expense money, died yesterday at his home in Eureka, Kansas. He was 78. David Wesley Santee was born March 25, 1932, in Ashland, Kansas, and was raised there on a ranch with no running water or electricity. He ran five miles to school and five miles back. In 1949, he received an athletic scholarship to Kansas. After he earned a degree in physical education, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. In later years, he owned an insurance agency in Lawrence, Kansas, and gave clinics and lectures at high schools.