What Now My Love, Now That It's Over

College Football Week 20 – It’s a Fond Farewell, Until August 15

What Now My Love, Now That It’s Over

Go Gators, Geaux Tigers, Go Gators, Roll Tide and War Eagle!

That reflects the past five BCS National Championships – all won by SEC schools. And prior to the past five, you can throw in a Rocky Top and another Geaux Tigers to boot – giving the SEC seven of the 13 BCS national titles.

Tennessee won the first BCS title, following the 1998 season. LSU grabbed its first BCS crown, following the 2003 season. Florida resumed the SEC reign, following the 2006 season and it has been all SEC ever since – LSU, Florida, Alabama and now Auburn. In fact, the SEC has never lost when it has been in the title game – 7-0.

The Big 12 has two championships – Oklahoma and Texas. The other four BCS conferences have one each – Florida State (ACC), Miami (Big East), Ohio State (Big Ten) and USC (Pac-10). Teams from the Big 12 have played in as many BCS title games (7) as have teams from the SEC, but the Big 12’s record in the game is 2-5. Each of the other four conferences stands at 1-2.

Oklahoma has lost the most BCS championship games – three. The Sooners are followed by Florida State and Ohio State at two losses each. Oklahoma has played in the most BCS titles games – four. The Sooners are followed by Florida State and Ohio State at three, and Florida, LSU, Miami (Florida), Texas and USC at two each.

Florida State hasn’t appeared in a championship game since the 2000 season, and Miami has not made an appearance since the 2002 season. USC’s last appearance was at the end of the 2005 season.

What now my love, now that you’ve left me
How can I live, through another day

So Auburn is the current champion, a title the Tigers will hold until January 2012 when it will fall into the hands of another team. With the loss of Cam Newton, Nick Fairley, Wes Byrum and others, don’t look for the Tigers to repeat – at least not next year.

But Auburn can relish in its current glory. The Tigers culminated a perfect season at 14-0, beating Oregon Monday night, 22-19. Granted, it came down to a 19-yard field goal as time expired, but Auburn shut down Oregon’s offense like no one else this season, with the exception of California who lost to the Ducks, 15-13.

Oregon came into the game averaging 49.3 points a game on offense. Auburn held the Ducks to 19 points. Oregon’s star running back LaMichael James came into the game averaging 140.2 yards per game rushing. Auburn held James to 49 yards.

In spite of the fact that the two teams accounted for a combined total of 968 yards of offense, it was the defenses from Auburn and Oregon that came to play. Only Mississippi State held Auburn to fewer than 22 points during the season. The Tigers came into the contest averaging 42.7 points a game. The score was a mere 16-11 (Auburn) at the half. Each team only scored two touchdowns all game.

Back in August, who in their wildest minds thought that either Auburn or Oregon would be playing for the national championship? In the preseason consensus Top 40, Oregon was 10 and Auburn was 23. According to the preseason polls, Alabama and Ohio State were supposed to have played for the championship. So much for preseason forecasts.

Fortunately, ESPN kept Lou Holtz and Mark May silent and out of sight once the game started. Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit provided the play-by-play broadcast, with Chris Fowler, Desmond Howard, Nick Saban and Urban Meyer doing the halftime analysis and commentary.

Auburn may have won the game, but Oregon sure won the battle of the cheerleaders. I don’t know what they are putting in the water in Oregon these days, but those Duck cheerleaders were something else. Auburn usually has pretty and cute gals, but the Tiger cheerleaders looked like dogs. They were ug-g-g-g-g-ly.

Watching my dreams, turning into ashes
And all my hopes, into bits of clay

Speaking of ugly, it won’t get ugly in Baton Rouge or Boise. Les Miles said no to Michigan. The six-year Tiger coach is staying at LSU. Miles has a 62-17 record in Baton Rouge, plus one BCS National Championship. With the talent and experience Miles has returning at LSU next season, I couldn’t imagine him leaving for Ann Arbor. At Michigan, he would have a year or two of unpredictability at best.

And, Chris Peterson said no to Stanford. Petersen is 61-5 in five seasons at Boise State, leading the Broncos to two BCS bowl wins and a 12-1 record this season. If Petersen is ever going to leave Boise, there must be only a couple schools out there he’d leave for. He’s had a number of opportunities to leave.

After being spurned by Miles, Michigan didn’t waste any time. The Wolverines hired San Diego State coach Brady Hoke. Hoke is not a Michigan man, he is a Ball State alumnus. But Hoke is a former defensive line coach at Michigan. In two seasons at San Diego State, Hoke was 13-12, including 9-4 this season and a Poinsettia Bowl win over Navy. Prior to San Diego State, Hoke was the head coach at Ball State.

Meanwhile, it now appears that Stanford may look at a couple of current assistant coaches who were on Jim Harbaugh’s staff. Stay tuned!

It didn’t take Pitt long to find a replacement for the fired Mike Haywood, who was a replacement for the fired Dave Wannstedt. The Panthers hired Tulsa coach Todd Graham. Graham was 36-17 in four seasons at Tulsa, including a 10-3 record this season that included at 28-27 win over Notre Dame. Graham was on Rich Rodriguez’s staff at West Virginia in 2001 and 2002, serving as co-defensive coordinator the second year. For Pitt’s sake, let’s hope Graham lasts longer than 16 days.

And it didn’t take San Diego State long to announce a replacement for Brady Hoke. The Aztecs’ defensive coordinator under Hoke – Rocky Long – was elevated to the head coach position. Prior to San Diego State, Long was the head coach at New Mexico.

Once I could see, once I could feel
Now I am numb, I’ve become unreal

Talk about party poopers, just 10 hours after Auburn won the national championship, Tiger coach Gene Chizik said the party is over. Chizik said it’s time to start all over again. Somehow, I have a feeling Auburn fans will be partying for days to come.

Stanford hired David Shaw as its new head coach. Shaw has been the offensive coordinator at Stanford under Jim Harbaugh.

Well, former Syracuse coach Paul “Passthebaloney” Pasqualoni was named the new coach at Connecticut. Most recently, Pasqualoni has been the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. That leaves Tulsa as the only Division I-A school still looking for a head coach. And it sounds like the Golden Hurricane may fill that vacancy later today.

Meanwhile, remember Tommy Bowden, Phillip Fulmer, Jim Leavitt and Mike Leach. All four said they want to get back into coaching. They’re still searching for the right match – maybe next year.

Speaking of new hires, twenty-two coaches completed their first year at their respective schools in 2010. Five of the head coaches had good seasons, the best of the bunch being Jimbo Fisher at Florida State (10-4). The other four with good records were Skip Holtz at South Florida (8-5), Brian Kelly at Notre Dame (8-5), Tommy Tuberville at Texas Tech (8-5) and Charlie Strong at Louisville (7-6).

Eight coaches had fair-to-midland inaugural seasons. They were Derek Dooley at Tennessee (6-7), Ruffin McNeil at East Carolina (6-7), Joker Phillips at Kentucky (6-7), Todd Berry at Louisiana-Monroe (5-7), Sonny Dykes at Louisiana Tech (5-7), Doc Holiday at Marshall (5-7), Brian Jones at Cincinnati (4-8) and Mike London at Virginia (4-8).

Nine of the first-year head coaches had bad to disastrous seasons. They were Dan Enos at Central Michigan (3-9), Turner Gill at Kansas (3-9), Robbie Caldwell at Vanderbilt (2-10), Jeff Quinn at Buffalo (2-10), Willie Taggart at Western Kentucky (2-10), Bobby Hauck at UNLV (2-11), Rob Ianello at Akron (1-11), Larry Porter at Memphis (1-11) and Mike MacIntyre at San Jose State (1-12). All but Vanderbilt’s Caldwell will be back for 2011.

I walk the night, without a goal
Stripped of my heart, stripped of my soul

And so we sadly say farewell and close the door on yet another college football season. 2010 will be remembered as:

…the season that Auburn, Connecticut, Florida International, Maryland, Miami (Ohio), Michigan State, Mississippi State, Nevada, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse and UCF surprised us.

…the season that Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami (Florida), Pitt, Texas and USC disappointed us.

…the season of suspensions

…Florida State’s first season in 34 years without Bobby Bowden

…Florida State’s first season with Jimbo Fisher as head coach

…the season James Madison beat Virginia Tech

…the inaugural season for Uga VIII

…the season of the Little Sisters of the Poor

…Utah and BYU’s last season in the Mountain West Conference

…Colorado and Nebraska’s last season in the Big 12

…Boise State’s last season in the WAC

…the season Ole Miss got a mascot

…the season Joe Paterno got his 400th win

What now my love, now that it’s over
I feel the world, closing in on me

…the season Michigan beat Illinois 67-65 (3OT)

…the season of Camgate

…the season Bo Pelini lost his temper

…the season Rich Rod got fired

…the season Joe Paterno said, “I’ll be back”

…the season that Urban Meyer resigned for real (we think)

…the season Missouri beat Oklahoma

…the season Marshall almost beat West Virginia

…the first and only season Robbie Caldwell coached Vanderbilt

…the season South Carolina won its first SEC East Division title

Here come the stars, tumbling around me
There’s the sky, where the sea should be

…the season Texas finished 5-7

…the season Georgia finished 6-7

…the season of Florida’s offense (what offense?)

…the season TCU and Auburn went undefeated

…the season Army, Navy and Air Force all went to bowl games

…the season “The Fridge” (Ralph Friedgen) said farewell to Maryland

…the season Florida finished unranked for the first time since 1989

…the season of Cam Newton

…the season of Auburn

…and finally, 2010 will be remembered as the season Florida’s offense caused four-letter words to spew from the mouth of Rockledge Gator.

What now my love
Now there is nothing
Only my last, my last goodbye

Touchdown Tom
January 14, 2010


Final Bowl Review

Cam feathers his laurels (in the National Championship Bowl) – Auburn 22, Oregon 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Auburn 34, Oregon 32). Auburn had 519 yards of offense to Oregon’s 449. But the big difference was Oregon only had 75 yards rushing. Auburn balanced its offense with 254 rushing and 265 passing. The teams were even in turnovers at two apiece. Cam Newton accounted for 329 yards – 265 passing and 64 rushing. The Tigers’ Michael Dyer rushed for 143 yards. The Ducks Darron Thomas passed for 363 yards. A crowd of 78,603 attended the game in Glendale.


One Last Look at the Bowls

Won/Lost Records of the Conferences

Mountain West: 4-1
Big East: 4-2
Independents: 2-1
Sun Belt: 2-1
SEC: 5-5
Mid-American: 2-2
Pac-10: 2-2
Western Athletic: 2-2
Atlantic Coast: 4-5
Big 12: 3-5
Big Ten: 3-5
Conference USA: 2-4


Bowl Game Attendance

Rose Bowl (TCU-Wisconsin) – 94,118
Cotton Bowl (LSU-Texas A&M) – 83,514
National Championship Bowl (Auburn-Oregon) – 78,603
Sugar Bowl (Ohio State-Arkansas) – 73,879
Chick-fil-A Bowl (Florida State-South Carolina) – 72,217
Music City Bowl (North Carolina-Tennessee) – 69,143
Gator Bowl (Mississippi State-Michigan) – 68,325
Texas Bowl (Illinois-Baylor) – 68,211
Fiesta Bowl (Oklahoma-Connecticut) – 67,232
Orange Bowl (Stanford-Virginia Tech) – 65,453
Capitol One Bowl (Alabama-Michigan State) – 61,519
Outback Bowl (Florida-Penn State) – 60,574
Holiday Bowl (Washington-Nebraska) – 57,921
Alamo Bowl (Oklahoma State-Arizona) – 57,593
Sun Bowl (Notre Dame-Miami) – 54,021
Insight Bowl (Iowa-Missouri) – 53,453
Liberty Bowl (UCF-Georgia) – 51,231
Champs Sports Bowl (N.C. State-West Virginia) – 48,962
Poinsettia Bowl (San Diego State-Navy) – 48,049
Las Vegas Bowl (Boise State-Utah) – 41,923
Compass Bowl (Pitt-Kentucky) – 41,207
Meineke Car Care Bowl (South Florida-Clemson) – 41,122
Hawaii Bowl (Tulsa-Hawaii) – 41,089
Fight Hunger Bowl (Nevada-Boston College) – 41,063
Ticket City Bowl (Texas Tech-Northwestern) – 40,121
Independence Bowl (Air Force-Georgia Tech) – 39,362
Pinstripe Bowl (Syracuse-Kansas State) – 38,274
Go Daddy Bowl (Miami-Middle Tennessee) – 38,168
Military Bowl (Maryland-East Carolina) – 38,062
Armed Forces Bowl (Army-SMU) – 36,742
Little Caesar’s Bowl (Florida International-Toledo) – 32,431
New Mexico Bowl (BYU-UTEP) – 32,424
New Orleans Bowl (Troy-Ohio) – 29,159
Humanitarian Bowl (Northern Illinois-Fresno State) – 25,449
St. Petersburg Bowl (Louisville-Southern Miss) – 20,017


Quotes of the Week

“Holy cow! Yesterday, where Mark Richt says, ‘I have been freed from administrative duties to spend more time on football.’ Then I quote him, he said, ‘The moves give me more time to study the game of football and be an expert and be on the cutting edge.’ What has he been doing for nine years? I have never heard any college, high school, professional coach say that he was not able to spend enough time on football,” Former Georgia football player Fran Tarkenton, on Mark Richt.

“Richt is a wonderful guy. He is a good Christian guy. He wants to be a missionary. He goes on missions. That is a wonderful thing. But do you know the religion of Nick Saban? Or Gus Malzahn? Or Chip Kelly? I don’t think we care what their religion is. We hire them to be football coaches. If we are hiring religious instructors, let’s go to the Candler School of Theology over here in Decatur and get some of their people to come and coach our football team,” Former Georgia football player Fran Tarkenton, on Mark Richt.

“Right now our program has had three years of regression, and I don’t see any way this thing is going to get out of the ditch. In the meantime Alabama and Auburn and Tennessee are working and kicking our butts and recruiting people and getting coaches that have spread offenses. I mean, can you imagine? We scored two field goals against Central Florida. I think the signs are that we have a program that is in big trouble,” Former Georgia football player Fran Tarkenton, on Mark Richt and the Georgia program.

“I’m really happy to be in the position I’ve been the last five years. I think Stanford is a very special place. I just thought it was worth having a conversation about, but that’s about as far as it went,” Boise State coach Chris Peterson, on remaining with the Broncos.

“I am pleased to announce that Les Miles will remain the head coach at LSU. Les has led this program to many great successes on the field and his players represent LSU well off the field. We look forward to many great years of LSU football under his leadership,” LSU athletic director Joe Alleva, on Miles decision to remain at LSU.

“We are pleased to announce the hiring of Brady. He is a terrific coach and will be a great ambassador and leader for our football program. We look forward to having him build a championship program on the field and in the classroom,” Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon, on the Wolverines new football coach Brady Hoke.

“We’ll be the most explosive team in the country,” new Pitt coach Todd Graham.

“They will definitely be utilized for the 2011 football season. It would be impossible to measure their sustainability without using them as they were intended to be used. But like any of our branding or marketing efforts, we will continuously review all aspects, conduct market research, and test sustainability,” Big Ten assistant commissioner Scott Chapman, on the status of the names – Leaders and Legends – of the conference’s two football divisions.


Looking Ahead to Next Season

Cam Newton is headed to the NFL, but the three runners-up for the Heisman Trophy will be back for the 2011 season – Stanford’s Andrew Luck, Oregon’s LaMichael James and Boise State’s Kellen Moore.

Then again, a new challenger for the Heisman could step forward in 2011 – someone like Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon, Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins, Auburn’s Michael Dyer, Baylor’s Robert Griffin, Oklahoma’s Landry Jones, Ohio State’s Terrell Pryor, Oregon’s Darron Thomas, Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden, Utah’s Jordan Wynn or someone else.

It’s not likely that Auburn will repeat as national champions. But Oregon could be contending for the crown again next season. And will the SEC make it six in a row? Alabama and LSU could be knocking on the door. But Oklahoma could spoil the SEC’s chances. Or maybe someone will step forward from the Big Ten. We’ll just have to wait and see. Stay tuned!

To begin with, at least 21 schools will have new head coaches in 2011. Perhaps 22 should Tulsa choose a head coach from another Division I-A school. Nine of the 11 conferences will have at least one new head coach. As it stands now, only the Big 12 and the WAC are returning all of their head coaches next season. The Mid-American Conference will have the most new head coaches with five. There are no new head coaches among the four Independents.

Some conferences will look different in 2011. The Pac-10 becomes the Pac-12 and splits into two divisions with the addition of Colorado and Utah. The Big Ten remains the Big Ten but picks up Nebraska and also splits into two divisions. The Mountain West loses BYU and Utah, but picks up Boise State from the WAC. The Big 12 remains the Big 12 but drops to 10 teams with the departures of Colorado and Nebraska.

Looking around the country, the SEC stands to be the strongest football conference again in 2011. Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi State, Auburn and Florida are all potential Top 25 teams. In the SEC East, South Carolina will be the favorite to win its second-consecutive division title. The Gamecocks should have most of their defense back, along with Stephen Garcia and Marcus Lattimore on offense.

Georgia should be the Gamecocks biggest threat in the East. The Dawgs lose A.J. Green to the NFL, but return much of their offense, including quarterback Aaron Murray. Almost all of the Georgia defense should be back. Florida is a big question mark. The Gators will have a new coach. Much of the Florida offense returns, but most of the defense is gone. And who will Charlie Weis choose for a quarterback?

Derek Dooley has to rebuild about half of his offense and defense at Tennessee, but he does have quarterback Tyler Bray returning. Kentucky should be stronger on defense, but has some rebuilding to do on offense. Vanderbilt has a new coach. The good news is the Commodores have almost their entire offense and defense returning. The bad news is its Vanderbilt.

Over in the SEC West, it should come down to LSU and Alabama. But watch out for Mississippi State. LSU has a good bit of its offense and defense returning. Alabama has some rebuilding to do on offense, but the Tide recruits well. Much of the Bama defense is back – minus Marcell Dareus. Miss State has the luxury of having most of its offense and defense returning.

Arkansas will be no slouch, especially on defense where most are back. The Hogs do have some rebuilding work on offense. But Tyler Wilson should be a good replacement for the departed Ryan Mallett. Auburn loses a lot on both offense and defense, but the Tigers are recruiting well. Ole Miss has its basic offense back, but lost its defense.

It could be crazy in the ACC Atlantic Division next season. All six teams have a lot of starters returning on both offense and defense. Florida State, with quarterback E.J. Manuel, appears to be the favorite, but Boston College, N.C. State, Maryland, Clemson and even Wake Forest are a threat. Maryland has a new coach, but a talented quarterback in Danny O’Brien. Clemson has a new offensive coordinator.

The Coastal Division of the ACC should be interesting too. Virginia Tech will most likely be favored, but the Hokies are losing Tyrod Taylor and their running backs Darren Evans and Ryan Williams. Virginia should be vastly improved with almost all returning. Miami has a new coach, but most of the 2010 starters are back.

Georgia Tech could have some concerns on defense. North Carolina will basically be a new team. And if David Cutcliffe is ever going to make a mark at Duke, 2011 should be the year. The Blue Devils have a lot of experience, including quarterback Sean Renfree, returning.

No more two divisions in the Big 12. It’s just one, big, happy group of 10 teams with everyone playing a round-robin schedule. Oklahoma has to be the clear cut favorite. The Sooners do lose DeMarco Murray, but have almost everyone else back, including quarterback Landry Jones.

Challenging the Sooners will be Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. The Aggies lose linebacker Von Miller, but otherwise, have everyone else back, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The Cowboys are looking good with the return of Brandon Weeden, Justin Blackmon and just about everybody else. But Okie State will have a new offensive coordinator.

Texas is a bit of a question mark, but you have to figure the Longhorns are going to be better than the 5-7 2010 team. For starters, there are new coordinators in Austin – offensive and defensive. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert returns as does most of the defense. The offensive line will have to be rebuilt. Missouri may be the next best of the bunch. The Tigers lost Blaine Gabbert, but have the rest of the offense back. Some rebuilding will have to be done on the defense.

Baylor is looking good on offense, but weak on defense. Kansas State and Iowa State should be stronger on defense, but need some work on offense. Kansas should be much improved on offense, but still potentially weak on defense. Texas Tech is in fair-to-midland shape.

The two new divisions in the Big Ten could be pretty evenly matched in 2011. And for a change, Ohio State may not be the conference favorite next season. Michigan State, Wisconsin or even Nebraska could claim that honor. But if not at the top, the Buckeyes will be breathing down the necks of those three teams.

In the Leaders Division Wisconsin is the likely favorite. The Badgers will be solid on defense, with some work to be done on offense. Penn State is going to be a monster on defense too. But the Nittany Lion offense is a question mark. Ohio State will be powerful on offense. The Buckeyes could have some weakness on defense.

Illinois and Purdue could be surprise teams in the Leaders Division. Both return almost their entire starters – offense and defense. Illinois does lose Mikel LeShoure, but has quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase back. Indiana has a new coach. The good news is he has almost everyone returning – offense and defense with the exception of Ben Chappell on offense. The bad news is Indiana is Indiana.

Michigan State looks like the preseason favorite in the Legends Division. The Spartans are looking good, especially with the return of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Nebraska is going to be solid on defense. The Huskers do have some work to do on offense, but quarterback Taylor Martinez is back.

The surprise teams in the Big Ten Legends could be Michigan and Northwestern. Both return almost everyone. The Wolverines do have a new coach, but that could be a good thing. Iowa has a lot of rebuilding work to do, but the Hawkeyes should be competitive. Minnesota, also with a new coach, will be weak on offense, but should be stronger on defense.

The Big East could be up for grabs in 2011 – similar to 2010. Perennial power West Virginia has most of its offense back, along with a new offensive coordinator. The Mounties do lose Noel Devine and Jock Sanders on offense. The WVU defense will be brand new. But one would think the players will want to send Bill Stewart out as a winner.

Pitt has a new explosive coach and West Virginia’s old offensive coordinator – Calvin Magee – the one who was at WVU under Rich Rodriguez and was with Rich Rod at Michigan. The Panthers lost some key players but also have a lot of material returning. Connecticut will have a new coach but he inherits a very experienced offense and defense. Rutgers is looking excellent on offense, but needs some work on defense.

Cincinnati has to rebuild its offense, but does return quarterback Zach Collaros. The Bearcats should be strong on defense. Louisville should be fair-to-midland, but one would think better under second-year coach Charlie Strong. South Florida has some rebuilding work to do on both offense and defense. But the Bulls do return quarterback B.J. Daniels. Syracuse, a surprise in 2010, loses a lot of material, especially on defense. But the Orange do have quarterback Ryan Nassib back.

Out on the Pacific Coast, the Pac-10 looks to be interesting in 2011 – very interesting. Of course, the odds-on-favorite is Oregon with Darron Thomas and LaMichael James back. But the Ducks do have some rebuilding work to do. With Andrew Luck returning at Stanford, the Cardinal is given a lot of credence. And they should be. Most of the defense is back, but some work needs to be done on the offensive line. And, of course, Stanford will have a new coach.

I think Arizona State could be the team to watch out for in the Pac-10. Dennis Erickson needs a good season and 2011 could be it. The Sun Devils return virtually their entire offense and defense. There could be a number of surprise teams in the Pac-10 next season – California, Oregon State, UCLA, USC, Washington and Washington State. Like Arizona State, UCLA and Washington State have virtually everybody returning. Washington has most of its team back, except for Jake Locker. Cal and USC will be solid on defense, as will Oregon State on offense.

Arizona will be tough again on defense, but the offense could be a question mark. New kids on the block Colorado and Utah will be competitive. Utah has a solid defense, plus Jordan Wynn on offense. Colorado should have a strong offense to go with its new coach.

The MWC no longer has BYU and Utah, but the conference has two of the stronger teams in the country in Boise State and TCU. The Broncos won’t be nearly as strong as they were in 2010, but they won’t be much weaker. Quarterback Kellen Moore will be back in Boise. TCU won’t be the team it was either in 2010. The Horned Frogs lost a fair amount of talent, especially on the offense. But TCU has reached the point under Gary Patterson where it reloads instead of rebuilds.

Wyoming and New Mexico should be the two most improved teams in the MWC. Both return almost their entire starting units. Both should be particularly strong on defense. Air Force has some work to do on offense and defense, but Troy Calhoun always has the Falcons competitive. San Diego State has a new coach with some work to do. But the good news is that Ronnie Hillman and Ryan Lindley are back. UNLV should be stronger offensively, but weaker on the defense. Colorado State has rebuilding to do on both sides of the line.

Three teams are looking to be improved in the Conference USA East Division – Southern Miss, East Carolina and Memphis. All three return virtually everyone. UCF and UAB are going to be much stronger on offense. But both need to do some work on defense. Conversely, Marshall will be much stronger on defense, but the Herd has to plug some holes on offense.

Out in the C-USA West, SMU and Tulsa are going to be powerful, and Tulane should be vastly improved. All three teams return their key players on offense and defense. Houston and UTEP should have improved defenses. Both teams show some weakness on offense. Rice is a big question mark. The Owls have work to be done on offense and defense.

With the departure of Boise State, the WAC won’t be the conference it used to be. And with the departure of Nevada, Fresno State and Hawaii after the 2011 season, the WAC may not even be a conference in 2012. Stay tuned! As crazy as the WAC is Utah State could be the surprise team in 2011. The Aggies have virtually everyone returning. It’s just a question of talent.

Nevada will be a better team on defense next season. But the Wolf Pack will be weaker on offense. New Mexico State could surprise as well. The Aggies should be vastly improved on offense. The defense could be so-so. Louisiana Tech and San Jose State should be better teams on defense. Tech’s offense may be satisfactory, but the Spartans will be hurting on offense.

Fresno State, Hawaii and Idaho all have some rebuilding to do. But it is usually easier for the Bulldogs and Warriors to rebuild than it is the Vandals.

Bowling Green and Ohio should be the two best teams in the MAC East Division next season. Both teams return most of their starters on offense and defense. Kent State and Temple should both be improved on offense. But the Golden Flashes and Owls will be under new coaches. Each needs some work on defense.

Miami will have a better defense in 2011, but the RedHawks offense may need some work. Both quarterbacks Zac Dysert and Austin Boucher return, which is a good thing for Miami. Buffalo and Akron could be the weaklings of the MAC East in 2011.

The MAC West is going to be interesting next season. Several teams will be improved. Western Michigan has virtually everyone returning; while Ball State has most of its starters back. The Cardinals do have a new coach. Toledo also has a solid squad returning on offense and defense.

Northern Illinois and Central Michigan will have powerful offenses. Both have some patching up to do on defense and the Huskies have a new coach as well. Eastern Michigan looks to be sitting at the bottom of the West in 2011.

Florida International, a surprise of the Sun Belt Conference in 2010, looks to be a powerhouse in 2011. FIU returns a lot of starters, especially on defense. A danger to FIU will be Louisiana-Monroe. The Warhawks are loaded on offense and defense in 2011. Troy is always a threat in the Sun Belt. The Trojans will be very strong on defense, but have some work to do on the offensive line. But the offense will be a threat with quarterback Corey Robinson returning.

North Texas has a new coach but he is walking into a good situation. The Mean Green have most of their starters back – offense and defense. Western Kentucky will be a better team in 2011, especially on defense. Middle Tennessee and Florida Atlantic will be threats on offense. But the Owls and Blue Raiders could suffer on defense. Conversely, Arkansas State should have a stingy defense, but the Red Wolves may be hurting on offense. With a new coach and not a lot of experience returning, Louisiana-Lafayette could be sitting in the basement of the Sun Belt in 2011.

BYU joins Army, Navy and Notre Dame as the fourth Independent in 2011. The Cougars and the Irish look to be rock solid on offense next season. BYU has virtually everyone back on offense and Notre Dame returns most of its offense and two good quarterbacks. The Cougars and Irish will have to plug some holes on defense.

This could be the year Army gets Navy. The Black Knights have about half of their offense and defense returning. And you know Army will continue to improve under Rich Ellerson. Navy has some of its offense back, but the Middies have to replace their entire defense.

The Orlando Sentinel has already released its preseason Top 25 for 2011. Topping the poll is none other than Oklahoma. The Sentinels Top 25 consists of (1) Oklahoma, (2) Oregon, (3) Alabama, (4) LSU, (5) Stanford, (6) Texas A&M, (7) Oklahoma State, (8) Michigan State, (9) Wisconsin, (10) Boise State, (11) Nebraska, (12) TCU, (13) Florida State, (14) South Carolina, (15) Ohio State, (16) Arkansas, (17) Notre Dame, (18) Georgia, (19) Mississippi State, (20) Michigan, (21) West Virginia, (22) Missouri, (23) Penn State, (24) Auburn, (25) UCF.

ESPN has released its 2011 preseason Top 25 as well. Oklahoma also tops the ESPN poll. ESPN’s Top 25 consists of (1) Oklahoma, (2) Alabama, (3) Oregon, (4) LSU, (5) Boise State, (6) Oklahoma State, (7) Florida State, (8) Arkansas, (9) Stanford, (10) Ohio State, (11) South Carolina, (12) Wisconsin, (13) Texas A&M, (14) Notre Dame, (15) Michigan State, (16) Missouri, (17) Auburn, (18) TCU, (19) Nebraska, (20) Virginia Tech, (21) Arizona State, (22) Texas, (23) Florida, (24) Mississippi State, (25) West Virginia.

And finally, Sports Illustrated has released its 2011 preseason Top 30, which also has Oklahoma at the top. SI’s Top 30 consists of (1) Oklahoma, (2) Oregon, (3) LSU, (4) Alabama, (5) Stanford, (6) Ohio State, (7) Texas A&M, (8) TCU, (9) South Carolina, (10) Florida State, (11) Boise State, (12) Nebraska, (13) Missouri, (14) Auburn, (15) Wisconsin, (16) Michigan State, (17) Arkansas, (18) Oklahoma State, (19) Virginia Tech, (20) West Virginia, (21) Georgia, (22) Mississippi State, (23) Arizona State, (24) Notre Dame, (25) Utah, (26) Texas, (27) Florida, (28) Connecticut, (29) UCF, (30) Penn State.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno (age 84) will begin his 46th season as the head coach of the Nittany Lions with 401 victories to his credit. Florida coach Will Muschamp (age 39) will begin his first season as the head coach of the Gators and as a head coach. Penn State opens its 2011 season on September 3 against Indiana State; while Florida opens its season on the same day against Florida Atlantic.

The 2011 season begins Thursday night, September 1 and the opening weekend games continue for five straight days to Monday, September 5 – Labor Day. Two interesting games on opening weekend include Boise State vs. Georgia at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, and LSU vs. Oregon at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Some other interesting contests early in the 2011 season include Alabama at Penn State, Arizona at Oklahoma State, BYU at Texas and Missouri at Arizona State on September 10. Also, Auburn at Clemson, Oklahoma at Florida State and Arizona State at Illinois on September 17. And, LSU at West Virginia on September 24.

The 2011 season will come to a close on January 9, 2012, with the BCS National Championship Bowl in New Orleans. The other four BCS bowls – Rose, Sugar, Orange and Fiesta will be played on January 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2012.

But meanwhile, we have 230 days to the first kickoff. That’s just one day short of 33 weeks.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . The American Football Coaches Association voted Oregon’s Chip Kelly the AFCA’s Coach of the Year…. Washington and Boise State have agreed to a two-game home-and-home series to be played in 2013 and 2015…. N.C. State running backs coach Jason Swepson was named the new head coach at Elon.

Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Jedd Fisch is the new offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach at Miami (Florida). Fish is a Florida graduate…. LSU offensive coordinator Gary Crowton resigned his position with the Tigers to become the offensive coordinator at Maryland under Randy Edsall.

And finally, those from the world of football who we lost during this past season included Johnny Bailey, 43 (college and NFL running back); Ron Kramer, 75 (tight end for Michigan and the Green Bay Packers); George Blanda, 83 (NFL player); Nick Bell, 20 (Mississippi State defensive end); Marvin Bass, 91 (South Carolina football coach), and Don Meredith, 72 (quarterback and Monday Night Football broadcaster).


Extra Points

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

So, that’s a wrap on College Football Week 2010. CFW will return on August 15 for its 17th season, reporting both the serious and fun side of college football, and then some. During the off-season, look for monthly reports on the blog site http://www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com/.

What now my love, now that it’s over
I feel the world, closing in on me

Take care, my friends.

Touchdown Tom


P.S.

And finally, not directly college football related, but in mid January as college football fans closed the lid on another great season and shifted their attention to college basketball, the number one song in the country…

…75 years ago this week in 1936 was “The Music Goes Round and Round” by The Reilly-Farley Orchestra

…70 years ago this week in 1941 was “Frenesi” by Artie Shaw

…65 years ago this week in 1946 was “I Can’t Begin To Tell You” by Bing Crosby with Carmen Cavallaro

…60 years ago this week in 1951 was “The Tennessee Waltz” by Patti Page

…55 years ago this week in 1956 was “Memories Are Made of This” by Dean Martin

…50 years ago this week in 1961 was “Wonderland by Night” by Bert Kaempfert

…45 years ago this week in 1966 was “The Sounds of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel

…40 years ago this week in 1971 was “Knock Three Times” by Dawn

…35 years ago this week in 1976 was “I Write the Songs” by Barry Manilow

…30 years ago this week in 1981 was “(Just Like) Starting Over by John Lennon

…25 years ago this week in 1986 was “That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne & Friends

…20 years ago this week in 1991 was “Love Will Never Do (Without You)” by Janet Jackson


Figures from other sports who left us during this past football season included Bobby Thomson, 86 (major league baseball player); Harold Connolly, 79 (Olympic gold medalist in the hammer throw); Laurent Fignon, 50 (French cyclist and Tour de France winner); Larry Siegfried, 71 (NBA basketball player); Roy Skinner, 80 (Vanderbilt basketball coach); Maurice Lucas, 58 (NBA basketball player); Bob Fulton, 89 (voice of the South Carolina Gamecocks); Andy Irons, 32 (surfing champion); Sparky Anderson, 76 (major league baseball manager), and Dave Niehaus, 75 (Seattle Mariners broadcaster).

Also, Wes Santee, 78 (Kansas track star); Pat Burns, 58 (NHL coach); Rob Lytle, 56 (running back at Michigan); Danny McDevitt, 78 (major league baseball pitcher); Gill McDougald, 82 (New York Yankees infielder); Ron Santo, 70 (Chicago Cubs third baseman and broadcaster); Hank Raymond, 86 (Marquette basketball coach); Bob Feller, 92 (Cleveland Indians pitcher); Walt Dropo, 87 (UConn and major league baseball player); Phil Cavarretta, 94 (Chicago Cubs player); Ryne Duren, 81 (major league baseball pitcher), and Cookie Gilchrist, 75 (Buffalo Bills (AFL) running back).


Those from the entertainment world who passed away during the past football season included David L. Wolper, 82 (television and movie producer); Richie Hayward, 64 (member of the band Little Feat); Abbey Lincoln, 80 (jazz singer); Paul Rudd, 70 (Broadway, Television and movie actor); George David Weiss, 89 (songwriter); Gloria Winters, 78 (Penny on “Sky King”); William P. Foster, 91 (founder and former director of Florida A&M’s Marching 100); Cammie King, 76 (played Bonnie Blue Butler in “Gone with the Wind”); Kevin McCarthy, 96 (Broadway, television and movie actor), and Harold Gould, 86 (television and movie actor).

Also, James Bacon, 96 (Hollywood reporter and columnist); Eddie Fisher, 82 (singer and entertainer); Leonard Skinner, 77 (Jacksonville High School teacher and inspiration for the name of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd); Gloria Stuart, 100 (actress); Buddy Collette, 89 (jazz musician and band leader); Arthur Penn, 88 (stage, television and motion picture director); Tony Curtis, 85 (movie actor); Joe Mantell, 94 (television and movie actor); Stephen J. Cannell, 69 (television writer and series creator); Norman Wisdom, 95 (cinematic clown); Solomon Burke, 70 (singer-songwriter); Joan Sutherland, 83 (opera singer), and Jerry Marshall, 91 (radio host).

And Simon MacCorkindale, 58 (actor); General Johnson, 69 (singer-songwriter); Barbara Billingsley, 94 (mother on “Leave It To Beaver”); Belva Plain, 95 (best-selling author); Tom Bosley, 83 (father on “Happy Days”); Johnny Sheffield, 79 (played Boy in the Tarzan movies of the 1930s and 1940s); Gregory Isaacs, 60 (reggae singer); James Phelps, 78 (R&B singer); Lisa Blount, 53 (movie and television actress); James MacArthur, 72 (television and movie actor); Charlie O’Donnell, 78 (off-camera voice on television); Jill Clayburgh, 66 (actress); Dino De Laurentiis, 91 (movie producer); William Self, 89 (producer of television shows), and Leslie Nielson, 84 (movie actor).

Also, Blake Edwards, 88 (television and movie writer and director); Don Van Vliet, 69 (Captain Beefheart); Steve Landesberg, 74, (actor and comedian); Marcia Lewis, 72 (actress); Fred Foy, 89 (“Lone Ranger” announcer and narrator); Clay Cole, 72 (television dance show host); Bud Greenspan, 84 (documentary film producer and director); Billy Taylor, 89 (jazz pianist); Bernie Wilson, 64 (baritone singer for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes); Anne Francis, 80 (movie and television actress); Pete Postlethwaite, 64 (movie actor); Gerry Rafferty, 63 (singer-songwriter); Jill Haworth, 65 (stage and movie actress); Peter Yates, 81 (movie director); Margaret Whiting, 86 (singer), and David Nelson, 74 (of “Ozzie & Harriet”).


And finally, well-known folks from other walks of life who departed us during the past football season included Ted Stevens, 86 (U.S. Senator from Alaska); Dan Rostenkowski, 82 (U.S. Senator from Illinois); James J. Kilpatrick, 89 (conservative newspaper editor and columnist); Bill Millin, 88 (Scottish bagpipe player at D-Day); David R. Franco, 26 (outstanding young man); Edwin Newman, 91 (NBC newsman); Wallace Turner, 89 (Pulitzer Prize winning reporter); Alex Anderson, 90 (“Rocky and Bullwinkle” artist); Theodore Sorensen, 82 (writer and counselor for John F. Kennedy); Charles McDowell, 84 (retired columnist and commentator); Elizabeth Edwards, 61 (wife of John Edwards); Richard Holbrooke, 69 (diplomat and international negotiator), and Richard Winters, 92 (World War II hero).


And last but not least, I leave you with some quotes from The Wisdom of Southern Football (Thanks to Sally Kirk Adkins):

“My golf game reminds me of Woody Hayes. Three yards and a cloud of dust,” Bill Dooley.

“Kickers are like golfers: 90 percent confidence, 9 percent technique and 1 percent ability,” Jimmy Johnson.

I never get tired of running. The ball ain’t that heavy,” Herschel Walker.

“Bad teams are creative. They always find a new way to lose,” Archie Manning.

“Everybody at LSU wants another great team like ’58. The only trouble is that our schedule is so tough, we could have a great year and never know it,” Charlie McClendon.

“I love the thrill of getting off a pass just before getting smashed,” George Blanda.

“Kids in Texas are not impressed by each other’s press clippings. They know each other too well, Jess Neely.

“In the football business, if you’re standing still, you’re losing ground,” Doug Dickey.

“You’ve got to be in a position for luck to happen. Luck doesn’t go around looking for a stumblebum,” Darrell Royal.

“They asked me about Johnny Mack Brown becoming a movie star. I told ’em the boy had to make a living somehow,” Wallace Wade.

“Outside the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, most Cajuns consider Billy Cannon’s run the greatest event in state history,” John Vaught.

“I’d rather have a good high school coaching job than a lousy pro coaching job,” Bum Phillips.

“Winning isn’t imperative, but getting tougher in the fourth quarter is,” Bear Bryant.

“Sometimes you have to bleed for the cause,” Erk Russell.

“When they run you out of town, make it look like you’re leading the parade,” Bill Battle.

“I retired for health reasons. The alumni got sick of me,” Frank Howard.

“As a coach, the alumni you have to worry about are the ones you never see,” Wally Butts.

“To err is human, to forgive is divine. But to forgive a football coach is unheard of,” Vince Dooley.

“I’d rather be on probation than get beat by Furman,” Clemson Bumper Sticker.

It's been a long time coming, but the wait is almost over

College Football Week 19 – Miles, Hoke main candidates for Michigan

It’s been a long time coming,
but the wait is almost over

After Auburn beat South Carolina and Oregon beat Oregon State we knew that the Tigers and the Ducks would meet for the national championship. But that was back on December 4 when those two victories occurred. That was eons ago. Cam Newton and LaMichael James may have gray hair by now.

Thirty-four bowls and 37 days later, we’re about to find out who the national champion is going to be. It’s been a long time waiting, but the big day is finally here. It all comes to a climax tonight in Glendale, Arizona.

Meantime, while we have been waiting, the coaching carousel and other bowl games have kept us entertained. The latest opening in the coaching carousel popped up late last week when Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh accepted an offer from the San Francisco 49ers.

Harbaugh, who had just coached Stanford to a 40-12 Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech, and who learned his star quarterback Andrew Luck would be returning for the 2011 season, had offers from the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos as well. But he chose to remain in the San Francisco area by going with the 49ers.

Harbaugh had another option too – Michigan. The Wolverines dumped their coach – Rich Rodriguez – last week, following Michigan’s 52-14 thrashing from Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl. But obviously, Harbaugh prefers the west coast to the rust belt.

Harbaugh caused a bit of a stir in Ann Arbor a couple years back when he commented on a statement made by Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany. Reacting to the SEC’s success over the Big Ten in big games, Delany insinuated that SEC schools had players who couldn’t get into Big Ten schools. To Delany’s comment, Harbaugh, a former Michigan quarterback, said that if Michigan wanted a player bad enough, the Wolverine athletic department always managed to get the player enrolled regardless of his qualifications.

Meanwhile, Rich Rodriguez says he is not interested in coaching at this time. He wants to spend 2011 with his family, with intentions of getting back into coaching in 2012. Stay tuned!

So, along with Stanford and Michigan, two more Division I-A schools are looking for a new coach. Connecticut and Pitt are the other two. Look for all four schools to have a new coach named by Friday. With recruiting so dear and national signing day so near, the schools can’t afford to take any longer.

We read that Stanford is interested in Boise State’s Chris Petersen and will interview the Bronco coach. Petersen is a native of Yuba City, California. Mike Bellotti, former Oregon coach, also has been mentioned as a Stanford candidate. And, we read that Michigan is interested in LSU coach Les Miles and will talk to the Tigers’ coach. Miles is a former Wolverine player. San Diego State coach Brady Hoke also is apparently on Michigan’s radar.

Meanwhile, Connecticut has hired a consulting firm – to the tune of $50,000 – to help it find a new coach. I always thought that was the job of the athletic director. One applicant for the UConn job is former Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni – often referred to by some Syracuse fans as Paul Passthebaloney, especially during his final couple of seasons with the Orange.

Of course, the Connecticut job became open when Randy Edsall left to become the coach at Maryland, replacing Ralph Friedgen. Assuming Connecticut, Pitt, Michigan, and Stanford or another NFL team doesn’t create more openings, there will be 19 new head coaches in Davison I-A college football next season. But look for another opening or two to be created.

Pitt, as we know, had a new coach, but Mike Haywood only lasted 16 days. Now the Panthers are on the prowl again, looking for a coach. And to make matters worse, Pitt alumni and fans want the school’s chancellor Mark Nordenberg to fire athletic director Steve Pederson. Just ask Nebraska fans what they think of Pederson. You won’t hear anything good.

So far, the five candidates most often mentioned for the Pitt job are Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley, Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, Tulsa coach Todd Graham, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster and Florida International coach Mario Cristobal.

Texas coach Mack Brown finally filled his defensive and offensive coordinator openings. Mississippi State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz is the new DC at Texas. Diaz is one of those young, up-and-comers who was a good defensive coordinator for Dan Mullen in Starkville. Bryan Harsin, the offensive coordinator at Boise State, is the new OC at Texas.

Don’t look for Mike Leach to get a head coaching job anytime soon. The NCAA has placed Texas Tech on two year’s probation for violations that occurred while Leach was coach of the Red Raiders. Texas Tech will have recruiting restrictions and scholarship reductions for the two-year period. Leach also is currently engaged in lawsuits against Texas Tech and ESPN.

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini must think a lot of himself. He put out a report that he wasn’t interested in the Michigan job. Of course Michigan never gave any indication that it was interested in him in the first place. Pelini pulled a similar stunt with the Miami (Florida) opening when all along the Hurricanes were never interested in him to begin with. Pelini is off to a good start at Nebraska but he hasn’t set the world on fire yet. Wonder of Pelini looks at himself in the mirror a lot?

After we got through the first 28 bowls by January 1, six more bowls kept us entertained from January 3-9. Stanford’s sideline at the Orange Bowl looked like a “who’s who” of celebrities – Jim Plunkett, John Elway and Condoleezza Rice, among others. And did you catch the drum major of the Stanford band? He was dressed as a Pilgrim. Get it?

The next night, Arkansas embarrassed the SEC, becoming the first conference team to lose to Ohio State in a bowl game. The Buckeyes beat the Razorbacks, 31-26. Oh well, we don’t really consider Arkansas a pure bred SEC team anyway. They’re half Big 12.

The following day, Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett said he was not coming back for his senior year. Mallet is entering the NFL draft. Heck, I don’t blame Mallett. If my receivers at Arkansas couldn’t catch the ball any better than they did, I wouldn’t bother to come back either. Just think, if Rich Rodriguez had never been hired at Michigan, Mallett could have just finished up his senior season in Ann Arbor.

And what was Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino doing wearing that hoodie during the Sugar Bowl? The game was being played indoors. Everyone else was in shirt-sleeves. Petrino looked like a stuffed pig in that hoodie.

Two nights later, we had to suffer through the Go Daddy Bowl. The only reason people watched was because they thought Danica Patrick was going to do a strip tease on the 50-yard line at halftime. What’s that, you say? You mean she did? And I missed it. Actually, it wasn’t a bad game. Miami (Ohio) beat Middle Tennessee, 35-21. But, I understand next year the Go Daddy Bowl will change its name to the Yo Mama Bowl.

Friday night, LSU beat Texas A&M, 41-24, before 84,000 fans at the Cotton Bowl in Cowboys Stadium. Do you think that was Les Miles final game, coaching the Tigers?

I missed the first half of the Cotton Bowl. Swamp Mama, Bootsie, Rockledge Gator and I were drinking Guinness and Harp Lager at Nolan’s Irish Pub in Cocoa Beach. We were listening to and singing along with Irish singer Michael Funge.

I used the occasion to tell Bootsie that I really do know the difference between an Oreo and an Oriole. I just must have been in a Baltimore frame of mind. Returning home, I caught the second half of LSU-Texas A&M.

The next day, Pitt, playing under an interim coach, beat Kentucky, playing under a Joker. The Panthers out-purred the Wildcats, 27-10. And finally last night, neither team could really get its offense going in the Fight Hunger Bowl. But Nevada got its offense going more than Boston College did, as the Wolf Pack beat the Eagles, 20-13. With one game to go, I’m 21-13 on my bowl picks.

You may have noticed during the bowl games that ESPN showed video of the players participating in events and activities sponsored by the bowl. Well, you could tell the bad bowl cities – Detroit, Memphis, Birmingham, Shreveport, etc. These were the ones where the featured activity and highlight of the week for the players was going bowling.

That brings us to tonight’s big game between Auburn and Oregon. I’m still sticking with my pick – Auburn 34, Oregon 32. By the way, Alabama coach Nick Saban and former Florida coach Urban Meyer will be providing commentary and analysis – pre-game, halftime and post-game. Anything’s better than Lou Holtz.

Touchdown Tom
January 10, 2011


Bowl Game Review (all but one)

Ty-died (in the Orange Bowl) – Stanford 40, Virginia Tech 12 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 23, Virginia Tech 20). This game was good for about two quarters. In fact, it was downright exciting. Stanford led 13-12. After that, it was all Stanford. The Cardinal came out in the second half and picked the Hokies to pieces – passing and running. VT was no match for the Cardinal. Tyrod was no A-Rod and Bud Foster could have used a Bud – several of them. Andrew Luck lived up to his billing, passing for 287 yards, completing 78 percent of his passes. A crowd of 65,453 attended the game in Miami Gardens.

Pryor huffed and puffed and blew the little Piggy’s house down (in the Sugar Bowl) – Ohio State 31, Arkansas 26 (Touchdown Tom said: Arkansas 33, Ohio State 31). Obviously, Arkansas felt the pressure and not Ohio State. The Hogs came out tight, nervous and jittery; while the Buckeyes were calm, cool and collected. Arkansas receivers dropped more passes than John Boehner has tear drops. Ryan Mallett had to be frustrated. Ohio State led at halftime, 28-10. But the Hogs seemed to pull it together in the second half, outscoring the Buckeyes, 16-3. Arkansas had three good chances to win the game in the closing minutes. The first chance was blown on another dropped pass. The second chance was blown when the blocked punt was not picked up and run into the end zone. The third chance ended on a Mallett interception. Mallett is no Andrew Luck. Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor was responsible for 336 yards – 221 passing and 115 running. A crowd of 73,879 attended the game in New Orleans.

RedHawks play Middle like a fiddle (in the Go Daddy Bowl) – Miami (Ohio) 35, Middle Tennessee 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Miami 28, Middle Tennessee 20). This was a good game until the fourth quarter when a combination of Miami’s superiority and Middle Tennessee’s mistakes began to make the difference. The RedHawks were playing under an interim coach and a freshman quarterback – Austin Boucher – who was filling in for the injured starting quarterback. Boucher passed for 289 yards. Miami went from 1-11 last season to 10-4 this season. A crowd of 38,168 attended the game in Mobile.

Aggies can’t see for Miles (in the Cotton Bowl) – LSU 41, Texas A&M 24 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 23, Texas A&M 21). Texas A&M jumped out to a 10-0 lead and led 17-14 midway through the second quarter. But it was all LSU after that. By the end of the third quarter, the Tigers led 35-17. Aggie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who turned around Texas A&M during the season, threw three interceptions. LSU completed its fourth-consecutive season with at least 11 wins. A crowd of 83,514 attended the game in Arlington.

Wildcats take a hit from Pitt (in the Compass Bowl) – Pitt 27, Kentucky 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Kentucky 25, Pitt 24). Pitt didn’t have to pass much – only 94 yards. The Panthers ran all over and through the Wildcats – 261 yards rushing. A crowd of 41,207 attended the game in Birmingham.

The Pack stack the Eagles (in the Fight Hunger Bowl) – Nevada 20, Boston College 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Nevada 29, Boston College 18). Surprisingly, this game ended up being a defensive battle. BC did a reasonable job containing the highly-touted Wolf Pack offense. Nevada, not known for good defense, contained BC. But then again, the Eagles never had an offense all season. Nevada held BC to 64 yards rushing. Nevada finishes its season at 13-1. A crowd of 41,063 attended the game in San Francisco.


Superlatives

Impressive Passers: Miami of Ohio’s Austin Boucher – 22-35-2 for 289; Stanford’s Andrew Luck – 18-23-1 for 287, and Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett – 24-47-1 for 277.


Impressive Rushers: Arkansas’ Knile Davis – 139 yards.


Weekend Review

Eastern Washington 20, Delaware 19 (Division I-AA Championship). A crowd of 13,027 attended the game in Frisco, Texas.


Quotes of Last Week

“Andrew Luck is the straw that stirs the drink around here,” Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, on his quarterback after the Orange Bowl win over Virginia Tech.

“Here’s all you need know about Charlie Weis: He turned Brady Quinn into a first-round draft pick. Good grief, if he can do that, he can turn John Brantley into John Unitas, Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Charlie Weis succeeding Steve Addazio? Are you kidding me? This is like William Faulkner succeeding Dr. Seuss. The Gator playbook just went from ‘Green Eggs and Ham’ to ‘The Sound and the Fury,’ Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Oh yeah, we’ve seen he’s got a lot of dirty plays, throwing people around after the play and things like that.” Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas, on Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley, prior to the BCS championship game.

“The way the Big Ten has been pounded in bowl games this season makes it even more laughable that conference officials wanted to name the expanded league’s new divisions ‘Legends’ and ‘Leaders.’ I’m thinking ‘Losers’ and ‘Loafers’ would be more appropriate,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“It’s a wonderful place. I love it here,” LSU coach Les Miles, when asked after the Cotton Bowl if he would be back at LSU for the 2011 season.

“Football coach Randy Edsall leaves Connecticut to take his ‘dream job’ at Maryland. Dream job – really? Seriously? Maryland is your dream job? Isn’t that sort of like an up-and-coming actress saying her dream gig is to play Frenchy in the Yeehaw Junction Dinner Theater production of ‘Grease?,’ ” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Tennessee’s non-conference schedule in 2011 consists of Montana, Cincinnati, Buffalo and Middle Tennessee…. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney hired Tulsa offensive coordinator Chad Morris as the new OC for the Tigers.


Extra Points

On the Internet – College Football Week now has a Website and can be read 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 www.wmmbam.com. To listen, go to the Web site and click on “Listen Live.”


The last College Football Week of the 2010 season will be posted this Friday, January 14.

Touchdown Tom


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but on a sad note, there were five passings of mention last week – Anne Francis, Pete Postlethwaite, Gerry Rafferty, Jill Haworth and Ryne Duren.

Anne Francis, who was best known for her roles in the 1950s science-fiction film “Forbidden Planet” and the 1960s television series “Honey West,” died last week in Santa Barbara, California. She was 80. Honey West lasted only one season, 1965-66, on ABC. But the character she played, a private detective who was sexy, stylish and as good with martial arts as she was with a gun (and who had a pet ocelot), made an impression. She was nominated for an Emmy and won a Golden Globe for the role. Anne Francis was born Ann Marvak on September 16, 1930, in Ossining, New York. In addition to “Forbidden Planet” she appeared in several other movies. In “Blackboard Jungle” (1955), she played the pregnant wife of an idealistic teacher (Glenn Ford). She was also in “Bad Day at Black Rock” (1955) with Spencer Tracy and Robert Ryan, “A Lion Is in the Streets” (1953) with James Cagney, and “Hook, Line and Sinker” (1969) with Jerry Lewis. She appeared in dozens of television shows, including “Mission: Impossible,” “Gunsmoke,” “The Twilight Zone,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “The Golden Girls.”

Pete Postlethwaite, a lanky, craggy-faced character actor whose range stretched from sweet sentimentality to acid menace and who was nominated for an Academy Award in 1994 for his role as the father of a man unjustly accused of terrorism in “In the Name of the Father,” died last week in Shrewsbury (Shropshire), England. He was 64 and lived on a farm near Bishop’s Castle, Shropshire. Postlethwaite was widely known in England as a stage and television actor before beginning a busy film career in the 1980s – his first significant role was in “A Private Function,” with Michael Palin and Maggie Smith, in 1984 – and in the 1990s he became familiar to American audiences in, among other films, “Alien 3,” “Waterland,” “The Last of the Mohicans” and “The Usual Suspects.” Peter William Postlethwaite was born on February 7, 1946, into a working-class family in Warrington, England, near Liverpool, where as a teenager he once booked the Beatles to appear at a village hall.

Gerry Rafferty, a Scottish singer and songwriter who combined a gift for melody, a distinctive voice and a fatalistic worldview to produce 1970s hits like “Stuck in the Middle With You” and “Baker Street,” died last week in Dorset, England. He was 63.  Rafferty’s 1978 album, “City to City,” reached No. 1 in the United States. One track, “Baker Street” made the Top 10 in both Britain and the United States. So did “Stuck in the Middle with You,” a song Rafferty and Joe Egan recorded with their group Stealers Wheel in 1972. In all, Rafferty sold more than 10 million albums over three decades. Rafferty was born in Paisley, Scotland, on April 16, 1947.

Jill Haworth, a British-born film ingénue in the 1960s who made her only Broadway appearance as the original Sally Bowles in “Cabaret,” died last week at her home in New York City. She was 65. A petite, strikingly pretty blonde (she wore a dark wig on Broadway), Haworth was just 14 when she was signed to appear, along with Paul Newman, Eva Marie Saint and Sal Mineo, as a displaced Jew in “Exodus” (1960), Otto Preminger’s grandiose adaptation of the Leon Uris novel about the birth of the state of Israel. She made two other films with Preminger, “The Cardinal” and “In Harm’s Way.” Valerie Jill Haworth was born in Sussex, England, on August 15, 1945.

Ryne Duren, the star relief pitcher for two New York Yankees World Series teams who stared down batters through thick-lensed eyeglasses and then delivered fastballs that might go just about anywhere, died last week at his home in Lake Wales, Florida. He was 81. Pitching for the Yankees from 1958 to 1961, the right-handed Duren would sometimes deliver at least one warm-up pitch high against the screen, presumably to intimidate the batter soon to face him. Duren led the American League in saves with 20 in 1958 and was named an All-Star three times. He pitched for the Yankees in the 1958 World Series against the Milwaukee Braves, striking out 14 batters in nine and a third innings, and in the 1960 Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Rinold George Duren Jr. was born in Cazenovia, Wisconsin, on February 22, 1929. He made his major league debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 1954 and also pitched for the Kansas City Athletics before being traded to the Yankees. He had a career record of 27-44 with 57 saves.

28 Bowls and What Do You Get, Another Day Older and Seven To Go Yet

College Football Week 18 – Edsall to Maryland, Weis to the Gators

28 bowls and what do you get
Another day older and 7 to go yet

St. Peter don’t you call me cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the Championship Bowl

My apologies to the late Tennessee Ernie Ford, but since his signature recording was the No. 1 song in the country 55 years ago today, I only thought it fitting to tamper with the lyrics.

As I see it, the two-week Holiday break officially began on Monday, December 20. The time of the day is debatable. But for me it began when I had my first one of Karlene Tuttle’s chocolate covered bourbon balls of the season. And one of Swamp Mama’s (via Bootsie) Chocolate covered Oreo truffles. Karlene’s bourbon balls have long been a seasonal addiction for me. The Oreo truffles are a new, but welcome, addiction this year.

If you’re getting the picture that I like things covered in chocolate (dark chocolate), you aren’t far from wrong. In fact, I’d say you’re right on the target. I pop those things like pills. Best medicine I ever had.

Somebody out in Austin, Texas, was popping something too – popping it to the point of being delusional. Reports out of Longhorn land had Texas coach Mack Brown signing Florida defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to the same position at Texas, replacing Will Muschamp. According to the reports, the deal was all signed and sealed. But it never got delivered.

Then it was reported that Tennessee defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox was going to be the new DC for the Longhorns. Ole Mackie Boy loves to raid the SEC for his defensive coordinators. When told about the latest Texas deal, Tennessee coach Derek Dooley said, “Not so fast my friend. Wilcox ain’t going nowhere.”

It turns out Dooley was right. Justin Wilcox going to Texas was as delusional as Teryl Austin going to Texas. Then to make matters crazier, the Longhorn grapevine had Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio becoming the offensive line coach at Texas. This latest delusion out of Longhorn land was doused when Addazio was named the new head coach at Temple, replacing the departed Al Golden.

I think those folks at Texas are on something stronger than bourbon balls and Oreo truffles. And I know the officials at Temple are. Who in their right mind would hire Addazio as a head coach? Those poor Owls.

On December 21, reports surfaced that had Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn going to Maryland, replacing the fired Ralph Friedgen. Malzahn had previously turned down Vanderbilt’s offer to become the Commodores’ head coach. Of course, other reports still have Mike Leach becoming the new coach at Maryland. Stay tuned!

Penn State coach Joe Paterno turned 84, and Oregon coach Chip Kelly was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year. Kelly seems to be garnering all of the coach-of-the-year awards.

After popping another bourbon ball and Oreo truffle, I sat back and watched the St. Petersburg Bowl. Louisville beat Southern Miss, 31-28. Watch out for these two teams next year.

Wednesday night, Florida coach Urban Meyer (He is still the coach, isn’t he?) made his debut as an analyst on ESPN. (What’s this talk about spending more time with the family?) Meyer worked the pre-game and halftime studio reporting and commentary with John Saunders and Trevor Matich, before and during the Las Vegas Bowl. During the halftime commentary, Saunders teased Matich that Meyer was out to get his job.

Speaking of Meyer, here is my theory on what he eventually will do. I believe Urban will stay out of coaching for a few years. He may even end up working for ESPN as an analyst/broadcaster. That would not surprise me. Ultimately, I think Urban will wait for Brian Kelly to wear out his welcome in South Bend. That may take a few years but that would fit into Urban’s plan. Then when Notre Dame pulls the plug on Kelly and gives him the boot, Urban will become the coach of Notre Dame, fulfilling his lifelong dream.

Oh yeah, back to the Las Vegas Bowl, Boise State beat Utah, 26-3. It was a two-bourbon ball and two-Oreo truffle game. The Broncos played their last bowl game as a member of the WAC and Utah played its last bowl game as a member of the Mountain West Conference.

On the morning of December 23, Swamp Mama and I departed Brevard County, driving north-northwest to Florida’s panhandle. We were headed to Princess Gator’s, Bama Gator’s, Gator Gabe’s and Gator Babe’s house for Christmas. The day before Christmas Eve was beautiful in central and north Florida – sunny with crystal-clear, blue skies. The temperature was a mild 63° when we arrived at our destination. And yes, I packed the bourbon balls and Oreo truffles for the trip.

Checking the news from college football, I learned that five Ohio State players, including Terrelle Pryor, will have to sit out the first five games of the 2011 season. The NCAA is penalizing the players for selling Big Ten championship rings, trophies, autographed jerseys, gold pants (gold pants?), etc. for money. The players also got free tattoos for autographing merchandise. Ohio State is appealing the penalties.

Terrelle Pryor never has been a class act. A few weeks ago, Pryor said if Jim Tressel ran the kind of offense at Ohio State that Auburn runs, he would have been the best player in college football this year and would have won the Heisman Trophy.

That night, San Diego State beat Navy, 35-14, in the Poinsettia Bowl. The fact that the game was played was a miracle, considering all the rain they had in southern California for several days prior to the contest.

Speaking of San Diego State, there is talk out there that the Aztecs’ coach Brady Hoke could be the next coach at Michigan. Yeah, there is still a cloud hanging over Rich Rodriguez’s head. But we won’t know until January 1 what Rich Rod’s fate will be. There also is still mention of Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh becoming the coach in Ann Arbor.

Christmas Eve and another beautiful day in the panhandle – clear, sunny skies, but a little cooler with an afternoon high of 59°. Along with the bourbon balls and Oreo truffles, I’ve now added cheese spreads, cheese balls and assorted cookies to my bowl-game menu. Fortunately, I left Rockledge Gator’s salami and anchovy-stuffed olives at home. I’m saving those for the after Christmas bowls.

Tulsa surprised the local team in the Hawaii Bowl. The Golden Hurricane beat Hawaii, 62-35 – football, not basketball.

So much for the good weather – Christmas Day was cloudy, rainy with a high in the low 50s. It was definitely getting colder – a good day to stay inside and eat bourbon balls and Oreo truffles.

Did I say it was getting colder? The day after Christmas the afternoon high was 40°. Earlier that morning, Bama Gator witnessed a few snow flurries as he headed out for some duck hunting. Not much news from the college football scene.

That night, Florida International, playing in its first bowl game, rallied to knock off Toledo, 34-32. FIU is one of six Florida schools playing in a bowl game, along with Florida, Florida State, Miami, South Florida and UCF. The only Division I-A Florida team not bowling this season is Florida Atlantic.

Monday morning, it was time for Swamp Mama and I to leave Jackson County and head back to the beaches of east-central Florida. With an early morning temperature of 23° we couldn’t leave soon enough. Saying our farewells to Princess Gator, Bama Gator, Gator Gabe and Gator Babe, we headed south. Like the drive up, the sky was sunny – crystal-clear and blue. But unlike the drive up, it was much colder.

Rumors were brewing that Joe Paterno was going to step down after the Nittany Lions Outback Bowl game against Florida on January 1 – supposedly for health reasons. But Paterno was scoffing at the rumors. “Ridiculous,” he said.

And there were rumors circulating that Jim Tressel was going to hang it up after Ohio State’s Sugar Bowl game against Arkansas. Supposedly Tressel was fed up and frustrated with all the problems and issues with the five Buckeye players. But there wasn’t a lot of credence to these rumors. There is pressure on Tressel to bench the players for the bowl game. The five players did apologize to their teammates for bartering their possessions for tattoos and money.

Air Force beat Georgia Tech, 14-7, in the Independence Bowl. Falcon coach Troy Calhoun is one of my favorite coaches in college football. He could be the coach of Tennessee, but turned down the offer last year after Lane Kiffin left.

December 28 and I’m getting a little concerned about the Gators. It’s been two weeks since Will Muschamp was named the new coach and he has yet to hire an offensive coordinator or defensive coordinator, let alone any assistant coaches. Speaking of Gator coaches, will it be “Sports Center is next” for Urban Meyer? The Florida coach said he is thinking about accepting a position with ESPN. Maybe they’ll ditch Lou Holtz. If only we could be so lucky.

Two Champs Sports Bowl tickets: $130
Parking permit for Lot B at the Citrus Bowl Stadium: $25
Food and beverages at the Citrus Bowl Stadium: $23
The Champs Sports Bowl game between West Virginia and N.C. State: WORTHLESS

Yes, Swamp Mama and I drove over to Orlando for the Champs Sports Bowl. All went well until the game began. Well, I guess I’m being a bit facetious. The score was 7-7 late in the second quarter. But the West Virginia offense, except for one passing play, was inept, sloppy and disorganized all night. The game was a typical Bill Stewart/Jeff Mullen production/direction – a Stewart/Mullen box office flop. N.C. State won 23-7. Even the West Virginia defense was bad. The WVU defense played its worst game of the season.

If any Mountaineer fans still had any doubts before the game why Mullen was fired, they shouldn’t have now. And if any Mountaineer fans still had any doubts before the game why Stewart was given only one more year to coach, they shouldn’t have now. West Virginia’s play in the Champs Sports Bowl was a typical Stewart/Mullen fiasco. Maybe they can become a songwriting team. We could use some good blues songs.

Ironically, earlier in the day, I spoke with my former N.C. State neighbor Brent Stancil. Brent and his family were back in town for Christmas and we visited and chatted for a few minutes. We talked about the game, but made no bets or predictions. Brent missed his chance. He could have won some money off me.

Later that same night, Iowa beat Missouri, 27-24, in the Insight Bowl. I watched the second half after Swamp Mama and I returned from Orlando. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is another one of my favorite coaches in college football.

The next day was a three-bowl game day. It was also a three-bourbon ball and Oreo truffle day for me. I might have had four. Unfortunately, all three bowls were routs. None of them were close. Maryland began the day, demoting East Carolina in the Military Bowl, 51-20. It was a fitting departure for Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, who was coaching the Terrapins for the last time.

Meanwhile, the search for Friedgen’s replacement is getting interesting. Apparently the job was offered to SMU coach June Jones, but Jones turned down Maryland. Now it appears that the job is Gus Malzahn’s if he wants it. Don’t know what happened to Mike Leach who originally was thought to be the No. 1 contender for the Maryland job. And maybe he’ll still surface yet. But Leach comes with a lot of baggage and that could be hurting his chances.

The day after the Champs Sports Bowl, we learn that West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith has been playing with a fractured bone in his foot. Smith will undergo surgery and will miss spring practice. That’s a blow to the WVU program. With Dana Holgorsen coming in as the new offensive coordinator, he’ll obviously be making changes to the offense. Smith needs to learn the new scheme and missing spring practice doesn’t help.

In the Texas Bowl, Illinois jumped out and messed with Baylor to the tune of 38-14. It was a great day for the Banned Indians. Ron Zook was a happy camper, winning his first bowl game at Illinois. Baylor ended the season losing four consecutive games.

And finally in the nightcap, Oklahoma State booted Arizona, 36-10, in the Alamo Bowl. That’s the second-straight year Arizona has been clobbered in a bowl game. You just wonder how much longer Wildcat fans are going to put up with Mike Stoops. The Wildcats ended the season losing five consecutive games.

Four games were on the docket December 30. Unlike the day before, these games were donnybrooks. Three went down to the wire and the fourth was a major upset. In the opener, Army held on to beat SMU in the Armed Forces Bowl, 16-14. The three service academies finish 2-1 in bowl games.

Meanwhile, the day after Maryland beat East Carolina in the Military Bowl the school conducted an interview with Mike Leach. Word is the interview went well and the next coach of Maryland will be either Leach or Gus Malzahn.

In a thriller in the Bronx, Syracuse beat Kansas State, 36-34, in the Pinstripe Bowl. A day or so before the game, conditions at Yankee Stadium were much like those at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego before the Poinsettia Bowl – only snow instead of rain. A couple feet of snow had to be removed from the field at Yankee Stadium.

In a bigger thriller in Nashville, North Carolina beat Tennessee, 30-27 (2OT) in the Music City Bowl. Every time Tennessee managed to struggle and take a lead, the Vols’ defense quit and just like that North Carolina retook the lead or tied it up. Against LSU earlier in the season, Derek Dooley lost a game on stupidity. He almost won this game on Butch Davis’ stupidity. But Davis had Les Miles’ luck.

And in a shocker in San Diego, Washington upset Nebraska, 19-7, in the Holiday Bowl. Remember, back in September, Nebraska beat Washington in Seattle, 56-21. Just because you beat a team once doesn’t necessarily mean you can beat them the second time. But when you beat them by 35 points….? Washington wanted this game; Nebraska didn’t.

And through all of that excitement, I still have some bourbon balls and Oreo truffles left. At the halfway point, I’m 11-7 on my bowl predictions. Seventeen bowls to go.

New Year’s Eve and I believe there are a few Nebraska fans out there who would like to have a new offensive coordinator. Apparently Nebraska’s offensive coordinator was a candidate for the Miami (Ohio) head coaching job. But bad news Husker fans, Miami (Ohio) announced that Michigan State offensive coordinator Don Treadwell is the new coach of the RedHawks.

The bowl action on New Year’s Eve began in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the Meineke Car Care Bowl, South Florida stunned Clemson, 31-26. Skip Holtz becomes the second coach in his first year at a Big East school to win a bowl game this year. Louisville’s Charlie Strong is the other coach.

Out in El Paso, Texas, Notre Dame dispatched Miami (Florida), 33-17, in the Sun Bowl. Miami is a mess. The Irish finished strong, winning four consecutive games to end the season at 8-5. After a rough start, it was a good finish for first-year coach Brian Kelly.

Just when I was still thinking that Will Muschamp is delinquent in hiring assistant coaches, word breaks that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator and former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis will be named the new offensive coordinator at Florida. What a shocker! Weis is a great OC, no doubt about it. But will he fit in at Florida? And why would he leave the Chiefs after only one season? Time will tell.

As the Liberty Bowl game between UCF and Georgia was beginning, I broke down and opened two of the salamis that Rockledge Gator gave me for Christmas – the peppered salami and the sopressata. I sliced the salami and sliced some Monterey Jack cheese to go with it. Yum! Yum!

Swamp Mama said, “After you eat that, all the Lipitor pills in the world aren’t going to unclog your arteries.”

I ate away.

She asked, “Is Rockledge Gator the beneficiary of one of your insurance policies?”

“No, why,” I responded.

“Because he’s trying to kill you.”

Swamp Mama just doesn’t appreciate good food. Now, to top it off, a bourbon ball as dessert to the salami and cheese.

Big surprise in the Liberty Bowl. In a defensive battle, UCF wins its first bowl game in four tries, beating Georgia, 10-6. The Dawgs finish the season with a losing record, 6-7. UCF finishes the season at 11-3. Where was Uga VIII when Georgia needed him? Home with a stomach virus – suffering from a lack of Gator meat in his belly.

After the game on ESPN, Lou Holtz said that Georgia should keep Mark Richt, but that Richt should change his offensive coordinator. Many Georgia fans have been yelling for Mike Bobo’s head. After much criticism from fans last year, Richt replaced his defensive coordinator, bringing in Todd Grantham at the end of the season. Wonder if he will replace Bobo? Stay tuned!

Bizarre news out of South Bend, Indiana. New Pitt coach Mike Haywood was arrested for domestic violence. The violence was directed at a woman with whom Haywood has a child. Haywood was just hired about two weeks ago as the new head coach at Pitt. He had been the coach of Miami (Ohio). He may not be the coach at Pitt much longer. Stay tuned!

In the nightcap on New Year’s Eve, Florida State beat South Carolina, 26-17, in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Poor Steve Spurrier, he just can’t beat FSU. And this time, it wasn’t a Bowden who beat him. With the Gamecock loss, the SEC falls to 0-3 in bowl games. Seven SEC teams have yet to play. It was hard to tell the Florida State fans from the South Carolina fans – garnet here and garnet there. Isn’t garnet red neck for maroon?

Happy New Year college football fans! We still have 13 bowls to go, but in case you are wondering, it is 243 days to the start of the 2011 college football season. And in case you are wondering, I’m 12-10 on my bowl picks.

For me, New Year’s Day is a very sacred day. What’s more refreshing and stimulating than the first day of a new year, especially with six bowl games. And more bourbon balls, Oreo truffles and salami too.

So at the beginning of 2011, 15 of the 16 schools looking for new coaches have announced their picks. Only Maryland is still looking. And, will Pitt can its pick. Then there is Michigan. Will a change be made in Ann Arbor? And, if so, will that change cause Stanford or San Diego State to look for a new coach? Stay tuned!

Well, we didn’t have to wait long to hear from Pitt. The school fired new hire Mike Haywood for being arrested on a felonious domestic battery charge. I applaud Pitt for its decision. Haywood, who was hired on December 16, was on the job for only 16 days. That doesn’t beat George O’Leary’s brevity record at Notre Dame, but it does beat Mike Price’s at Alabama.

Coming into the day, the Big Ten was 2-0 in bowl games, following Iowa’s win over Missouri and Illinois’ win over Baylor – both Big 12 foes. But that was about to change. Five Big Ten teams played on January 1 and all five lost – three to SEC teams and one each to a Big 12 and Mountain West team.

Texas Tech held on to beat Northwestern, 45-38, in the Ticket City Bowl; Florida beat Penn State, 37-24, in the Outback Bowl; Mississippi State clobbered Michigan, 52-14, in the Gator Bowl; Alabama slaughtered Michigan State, 49-7, in the Capitol One Bowl, and TCU edged Wisconsin, 21-19, in the Rose Bowl.

I’m not sure why either Northwestern or Michigan State ever bother to go to a bowl game. They should just stay home and save their money. The Wildcats lost their eighth-consecutive bowl game and the Spartans lost their sixth-consecutive bowl contest. Michigan suffered its worst bowl loss in school history. You gotta figure Rich Rod is a goner. Only Wisconsin, of the five Big Ten teams, played decent in a loss.

Five of Florida’s six teams playing in bowls – FIU, USF, UCF, FSU and UF – won. Only one – Miami – lost. Nobody likes Miami, anyway.

Bootsie and Rockledge Gator called about five minutes before the Florida-Penn State game kicked-off. They were on their way home from Christmas in Alabama and Georgia. They only had a few miles to go. I knew they would be home for the game. And they knew to call before it started. Swamp Mama and I don’t answer the phone when Florida and West Virginia are playing. We learned it’s bad luck.

Betty “The Duchess of Indialantic” Pappas came over to watch the Gator-Nittany Lion game with us. She was back from Christmas with her children in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

During the day, I decided I needed some greens to go with the Salami so I opened the can of anchovy-stuffed olives that Rockledge Gator gave me. I also opened the third salami – Italian dry. And of course there were still some bourbon balls and Oreo truffles for dessert.

In the nightcap, Oklahoma beat Connecticut, 48-20, in the Fiesta Bowl. It was the Sooners first win in a BCS bowl since the 2002 season. OU had lost in its last five BCS bowl appearances.

Charlie Weis to Florida as offensive coordinator is confirmed. I guess I’ll have to start liking the elephant-tooshed Weis. He always was a good OC, just a bad head coach. Still no official word on the status of Rich Rod at Michigan. But there is one report, saying he is out and that Pitt may be interested in hiring him. How crazy does it get?

We do learn that neither Gus Malzahn nor Mike Leach will be going to Maryland. The Terps are set to hire Connecticut coach Randy Edsall. And the San Francisco 49er’s are trying real hard to get Stanford’s Jim Harbaugh.

And Will Muschamp’s staff starts to take shape at Florida since the naming of Weiss. Muschamp hired receivers coach Aubrey Hill and defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson. He also retained three current assistants.

Muschamp kept running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Stan Drayton, linebackers coach/special teams coach D.J. Durkin and tight ends coach Brian White. Muschamp already said he would retain strength and conditioning coordinator Mickey Marotti. Drayton, Durkin, White and Marotti will provide Florida continuity while making the transition from former coach Urban Meyer to Muschamp.

Hill, who played at Florida (1991-94), is returning to Gainesville after spending the last three years as the receivers coach at Miami (Florida). He also served as the Hurricanes’ recruiting coordinator last year and has ties to talent-rich South Florida. Robinson, a former Auburn standout and NFL defensive back, comes to the Gators after serving as Texas Tech’s secondary coach this past season.

The bowl action took a well-deserved rest on Sunday. Activity resumes tonight with the Orange Bowl between Stanford and Virginia Tech. I’m 17-11 on my picks.

Another day older and seven to go yet.

Happy New Year!

Touchdown Tom
January 3, 2011


Review of the Bowls (most of them)

Only the Strong survive (in the St. Petersburg Bowl) – Louisville 31, Southern Miss 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisville 27, Southern Miss 16). Finally, we get an exciting bowl game. The first three were duds, but this one was still in contention down to the end of the game. Nothing fancy from any quarterbacks or running backs, just sound football. Actually, Southern Miss quarterback Austin Davis did make a spectacular catch on a flea-flicker play in the second quarter that put the Eagles up 21-7. It was a better-than-expected first year for Louisville coach Charlie Strong. A crowd of 20,017 attended the game in St. Petersburg.

Utes busted (in the Las Vegas Bowl) – Boise State 26, Utah 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 31, Utah 28). Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore had a super game, passing for 339 yards. Without starting quarterback Jordan Wynn, Utah was hopeless. Wynn missed the game, nursing a shoulder injury. Boise State still would have won, but if Wynn had played, I think the game would have been closer. A crowd of 41,923 attended the game in Las Vegas.

Middies can’t float their boats (in the Poinsettia Bowl) – San Diego State 35, Navy 14 (Touchdown Tom said: San Diego State 33, Navy 25). The Aztecs’ Ronnie Hillman torpedoed through the Navy defense, rushing for 228 yards. Second-year San Diego State coach Brady Hoke has the Aztec program on the right track. But will he still be there next year? A crowd of 48,049 attended the game in San Diego.

Honolulu slammed by a Golden Hurricane (in the Hawaii Bowl) – Tulsa 62, Hawaii 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Hawaii 47, Tulsa 40). Tulsa receiver Damaris Johnson set an NCAA record for all-purpose yards. Johnson finished with 326 yards in the game to give him 7,796 yards total, an NCAA record. Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz threw four interceptions. Tulsa finished the season with seven consecutive wins. A crowd of 41,089 attended the game in Honolulu.

On the prowl (in the Little Caesar’s Bowl) – Florida International 34, Toledo 32 (Touchdown Tom said: Toledo 31, Florida International 29). FIU, trailing 21-7 at halftime and 24-7 in the third quarter, rallied to beat the Rockets on a 34-yard field goal as time expired. On the previous play, facing a 4th-and-17, the Panthers moved into field goal range on an amazing hook-and-ladder play. A crowd of 32,431 attended the game in Detroit.

Falcons raid the hive (in the Independence Bowl) – Air Force 14, Georgia Tech 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Air Force 29, Georgia Tech 27). This ended up being a defensive battle. With both teams running the triple option, the defenses were well prepared. The Falcons were plagued by dropped passes in the first half – one that was a certain touchdown had the receiver held onto the ball. Georgia Tech lost its sixth-straight bowl game. A crowd of 39,362 attended the game in Shreveport.

The moon didn’t shine for the Mounties (in the Champs Sports Bowl) – N.C. State 23, West Virginia 7 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 27, N.C. State 18). It was a sad night for the Mountaineers. For the WVU offense, it was similar to the way they played in the Connecticut game earlier in the season. For the WVU defense, it was the worst they played all season. N.C. State’s offensive line was impressive. They did an awesome job protecting quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson threw for 275 yards. A crowd of 48,962 attended the game in Orlando.

The Eyes have it (in the Insight Bowl) – Iowa 27, Missouri 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa 27, Missouri 24). This was the best and most exciting of the bowl games so far. Iowa, trailing 24-20, scored a touchdown with 5:32 remaining and then held on to beat the Tigers. Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert passed for 434 yards. But the Hawkeyes’ Marcus Coker rushed for 219 yards. A crowd of 53,453 attended the game in Tempe.

15 Turtles on a dead Pirates chest (in the Military Bowl) – Maryland 51, East Carolina 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Maryland 34, East Carolina 24). In Ralph Friedgen’s swan song at Maryland, the Terps clobbered the Pirates. East Carolina had the worst defense in Division I-A college football this season and it showed. The Terps’ Da’Rel Scott rushed for 200 yards. Maryland’s defense held ECU to 32 yards rushing. A crowd of 38,062 attended the game in Washington, DC.

The Zook can cook (in the Texas Bowl) – Illinois 38, Baylor 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 27, Illinois 25). The two teams combined for 970 yards of offense, but Baylor couldn’t get the ball into the end zone. Illinois’ Mikel LeShoure rushed for 184 yards and Baylor’s Robert Griffin passed for 306 yards. A crowd of 68,211 attended the game in Houston.

Pokes smoke the Wildcats (in the Alamo Bowl) – Oklahoma State 36, Arizona 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 31, Arizona 24). Okie State played sound, consistent football; while Arizona suffered from four turnovers. Cowboy receiver Justin Blackmon caught nine passes for 117 yards. A crowd of 57,593 attended the game in San Antonio.

Mules kick the Ponies (in the Armed Forces Bowl) – Army 16, SMU 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Army 26, SMU 20). Army jumped out to a quick 16-0 lead and held on for dear life to win. Both teams should be even better next year. A crowd of 36,742 attended the game in Dallas.

Orange zest the Wildcats (in the Pinstripe Bowl) – Syracuse 36, Kansas State 34 (Touchdown Tom said: Syracuse 18, Kansas State 17). This was a tight contest throughout – 7-7 at the end of the first quarter, 14-14 at the half. Syracuse led 27-21 at the end of the third quarter. K-State led 28-27 early in the fourth quarter. And so it went. The Wildcats scored with 1:13 remaining to pull within two. K-State receiver Adrian Hilburn, who scored the touchdown, then saluted the fans. Hilburn was penalized for excessive celebration. The ball was moved back 15 yards from the three to the 18 yard line. The Wildcats failed on their two-point conversion attempt. A crowd of 38,274 attended the game in the Bronx.

Heels lop Rocky Top (in the Music City Bowl) – North Carolina 30, Tennessee 27 (2OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Tennessee 24, North Carolina 20). Tennessee was lucky to hang in this game with the Tar Heels. North Carolina held the Vols to 27 yards rushing and UT quarterback Tyler Bray threw three interceptions. Ultimately, Tennessee’s defense blew this game for the Vols on North Carolina’s final drive in regulation. Stupid play and a dumb penalty by the Vols’ defense allowed the Tar Heels to move the ball down the field and kick a field goal as time expired. And the time expired twice. But just when the Vols thought they had won, two seconds were put back on the clock. A crowd of 69,143 attended the game in Nashville.

Huskies plant the Corn where the sun doesn’t shine (in the Holiday Bowl) – Washington 19, Nebraska 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 33, Washington 19). Let’s just say this: Washington’s defense held Nebraska to less than 100 yards rushing and less than 100 yards passing. Meanwhile, the Huskies’ Chris Polk rushed for 177 yards. A crowd of 57,921 attended the game in San Diego.

Dabo gored (in the Meineke Car Care Bowl) – South Florida 31, Clemson 26 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 22, South Florida 15). South Florida led 31-13 in the closing minutes of the game. But Clemson scored two touchdowns in the final 1:47 to close the gap. The Bulls held the Tigers to 50 yards rushing. Clemson fans can’t be happy with Dabo. A crowd of 41,122 attended the game in Charlotte.

Kelly’s heroes (in the Sun Bowl) – Notre Dame 33, Miami (Florida) 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Miami 24, Notre Dame 23). Miami’s Stephen Morris threw for 282 yards, but the hurricanes had four turnovers. Miami and Notre Dame were playing for the first time since 1990. Now, who will be the quarterback at Notre Dame next season – Dayne Crist or Tommy Rees? A crowd of 54,021 attended the game in El Paso.

Bobo needs to go, go (in the Liberty Bowl) – UCF 10, Georgia 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 30, UCF 22). The UCF defense held Georgia to 82 yards rushing. Watch out for the Knights in 2011. They should be good. And will the Big East take notice of UCF now? A crowd of 51,231 attended the game in Memphis.

DeMinted again (in the Chick-fil-A Bowl) – Florida State 26, South Carolina 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 33, South Carolina 26). Yeah, South Carolina football remains as demented as the state’s politicians. The Gamecocks committed five turnovers. And one thing’s for certain – South Carolina should stay away from the Georgia Dome. In a reversal of normal performance, Florida State had more yards rushing than passing. Was that a first this season? A crowd of 72,217 attended the game in Atlanta.

Raiders ticket the Wildcats (in the Ticket City Bowl) – Texas Tech 45, Northwestern 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas Tech 32, Northwestern 19). Texas Tech jumped out to a 31-9 third quarter lead on Northwestern, and then hung on to win. Tommy Tuberville became the first Red Raider coach to win a bowl game in his first season. Tech’s Taylor Potts passed for 369 yards, completing 77 percent of his lobs. A crowd of 40,121 attended the game in Dallas.

McGloin was McOff (in the Outback Bowl) – Florida 37, Penn State 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 27, Penn State 26). In a fairly tight contest, Florida’s Ahmad Black turned a pass interception into an 80-yard touchdown run with 0:55 remaining to seal the game for the Gators. Urban Meyer had to like that. Black was always one of his favorite players. Penn State quarterback Matt McGloin was a total disaster – throwing five interceptions. His poor play was the difference for Florida. The Gator offense still looked a bit discombobulated with its three-headed monster. It was a fitting climax to Meyer’s career at Florida. Meyer won 65 games in six seasons with the Gators. A crowd of 60,574 attended the game in Tampa.

Tide washes out the Spartans (in the Capital One Bowl) – Alabama 49, Michigan State 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 28, Michigan State 22). Alabama held Michigan State to -48 yards rushing and demolished the Spartans. Where was this Alabama team during a couple other games this season? The Tide had 546 yards of offense to the Spartans’ 171. A crowd of 61,519 attended the game in Orlando.

Bulldogs reel the Rod (in the Gator Bowl) – Mississippi State 52, Michigan 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Mississippi State 31, Michigan 30). I’d say Dan Mullen put a few feathers in his cap. He won’t be leaving Starkville this year, but he won’t be there for long. The game started out close – Michigan led 14-10 at the end of the first quarter. But it was all Miss State after that. A crowd of 68,325 attended the game in Jacksonville.

Purple Badger eaters (in the Rose Bowl) – TCU 21, Wisconsin 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 28, TCU 23). TCU linebacker Tank Carder knocked down Wisconsin’s pass for a two-point conversion and the Frogs began tooting their Horns. The Badgers scored a touchdown with 2:00 remaining to pull within two. But Carder saved the day for the Frogs. TCU quarterback Andy Dalton played a near-perfect game. The Frogs finish the season undefeated at 13-0. A crowd of 94,118 attended the game in Pasadena.

Landry cleans UConn’s laundry (in the Fiesta Bowl) – Oklahoma 48, Connecticut 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 29, Connecticut 16). Oklahoma built up a 34-10 lead in the third quarter and went on to win by 28 points. OU’s Landry Jones passed for 429 yards. A crowd of 67,232 attended the game in Glendale.


Superlatives

Impressive Passers: Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert – 41-57-2 for 434 yards; Oklahoma’s Landry Jones – 34-49-1 for 429; Texas Tech’s Taylor Potts – 43-56-1 for 369; Tulsa’s G.J. Kinne – 17-31-0 for 343; Boise State’s Kellen Moore – 28-38-1 for 339, and Baylor’s Robert Griffin – 30-41-0 for 306.

Also, SMU’s Kyle Padron – 23-34-2 for 302; Miami of Florida’s Stephen Morris – 22-33-1 for 282; Mississippi State’s Chris Relf – 18-23-1 for 281; San Diego State’s Ryan Lindley – 18-23-0 for 278; N.C. State’s Russell Wilson – 28-45-0 for 275, and East Carolina’s Dominique Davis – 35-57-2 for 268.


Impressive Rushers: San Diego State’s Ronnie Hillman – 228 yards; Iowa’s Marcus Coker – 219 yards; Maryland’s Da’Rel Scott – 200 yards; Syracuse’s Delone Carter – 198 yards, and Toledo’s Adonis Thomas – 193 yards.

Also, Illinois’ Mikel LeShoure – 184 yards; Washington’s Chris Polk – 177 yards; North Carolina’s Shaun Draughn – 160 yards; Florida State’s Chris Thompson – 147 yards, and Boise State’s Doug Martin – 147 yards.


Quotes of the Past Two Weeks

“I’m just assuming he’s going to stay at Stanford. He really likes it there. He loves those players, but you just have to see,” Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, when asked if his brother Jim was going to Michigan.

“I’ve waited a long time to be a head football coach. I’ve paid my dues in this business,” new Temple coach Steve Addazio.

“Who started the crazy rumors?,” Sue Paterno, on the rumors that her husband is retiring.

“If you have to go out, this is the best way to do it,” outgoing Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, after the Military Bowl.

“If I get the itch again, I think somebody will hire me,” outgoing Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, after the Military Bowl.

“We’ll have to re-evaluate a lot of things,” Arizona coach Mike Stoops, after the loss to Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl.

“Hate’s a strong word, so I don’t know if I’d say that. But we really, really, really don’t like him a lot,” Michigan State fan Bill Howard, on Alabama coach Nick Saban.

“I’m embarrassed,” Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, after the loss to Washington in the Holiday Bowl.

“We’re all disappointed. We didn’t want to finish with a loss. We didn’t want to finish with a losing record. There are reasons why we ended up the way we did. We’ve got to make a change,” Georgia coach Mark Richt, after the loss to UCF in the Liberty Bowl.

“Mark Richt has lost control of this program,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Georgia loses almost annually to Florida. Now it loses to Central Florida. Get ready for 2012: Florida Atlantic is on the schedule,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Does anybody believe Mark Richt can still get it done?,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“They’re not looking for him to leave. They don’t want him to leave, but he no longer wants to play at Penn State. He’s not happy at Penn State currently. If it was up to me, he definitely would leave, without a doubt. He’s definitely made it known that he does not want to be there anymore,” Robert Bolden, father of Penn State backup quarterback Rob Bolden


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Mel Tjeerdsma, who won three NCAA Division II national championships at Northwest Missouri State, announced his retirement. The 64-year-old Tjeerdsma is stepping down after 17 years /at the school, where he compiled a 183-32 record. Besides the three championships, his teams played in four other championship games…. Illinois State athletic director Sheahon Zenger has been hired as the new athletic director at Kansas.

Georgia and Ohio State have announced a two-game home-and-home series to be played in 2020 and 2021. Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity also has been working on future games against Notre Dame, Michigan and Penn State. Notre Dame and Michigan told McGarity they are not interested in playing Georgia. Penn State remains a possibility on future Georgia schedules…. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney fired his offensive coordinator Billy Napier and his running backs coach Andre Powell.


Extra Points

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.”


For auld lang syne

Touchdown Tom


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but with college football fans still hung over from the bowl games and New Year’s celebration, the number one song in the country…

…75 years ago this week in 1936 was “The Music Goes Round and Round” by Tommy Dorsey

…70 years ago this week in 1941 was “Frenesi” by Artie Shaw

…65 years ago this week in 1946 was “Symphony” by Freddy Martin

…60 years ago this week in 1951 was “The Tennessee Waltz” by Patti Page

…55 years ago this week in 1956 was “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford

…50 years ago this week in 1961 was “Wonderland by Night” by Bert Kaempfert

…45 years ago this week in 1966 was “We Can Work It Out” by The Beatles

…40 years ago this week in 1971 was “My Sweet Lord/Isn’t It a Pity” by George Harrison

…35 years ago this week in 1976 was “Saturday Night” by The Bay City Rollers

…30 years ago this week in 1981 was “(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon

…25 years ago this week in 1986 was “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Ritchie

…20 years ago this week in 1991 was “Justify My Love” by Madonna


Not directly college football related, but on a sad note, there were seven passings of mention in the last two weeks – Steve Landesberg, Marcia Lewis, Fred Foy, Clay Cole, Bud Greenspan, Billy Taylor and Bernie Wilson.

Steve Landesberg, an actor and comedian with a friendly and often deadpan manner who was best known for his role in the long-running sitcom “Barney Miller,” died two weeks ago in Los Angeles. He was 74. On “Barney Miller,” which ran on ABC from 1975 to 1982, Landesberg played Sgt. Arthur P. Dietrich, an intellectual detective with a quiet manner who seemed to have an unrivaled knowledge of practically any topic that arose, much to the bewilderment of his fellow detectives. Landesberg received three Emmy Award nominations for that role. Stephen Landesberg was born on November 23, 1936, in the New York City. He began his career as a stand-up comic in the late 1960s.

Marcia Lewis, an actress and singer known for bringing a comic brassiness to the Broadway revivals of “Grease” and “Chicago,” died two weeks ago in Nashville. She was 72. Marcia Bernice Lewis was born in Melrose, Massachusetts, outside of Boston, on August 18, 1938. She grew up mostly in Cincinnati, where she attended the University of Cincinnati and became a registered nurse. Lewis played Miss Hannigan in the original Broadway run of “Annie” and Golde in the 1990 revival of “Fiddler on the Roof.” On television, she appeared in “The Bob Newhart Show,” “Baretta,” “Happy Days,” “Kate and Allie,” “Mr. Belvedere,” “Goodtime Girls” and the mini-series “Rich Man, Poor Man.”

Fred Foy, the announcer and narrator of the “Lone Ranger” show, died two weeks ago at his home in Woburn, Massachusetts. He was 89. “A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust and a hearty Hi-Yo Silver.” Three times a week on the radio, those words and the voice behind them captivated generations of Americans. For a decade, first on the radio and then on television, Foy was the man who intoned those gallant lines. Foy became the announcer and narrator of the “Lone Ranger” radio show in 1948 and remained with the show until it went off the air in the mid-1950s. He provided the same services for the “Lone Ranger” TV show from its inception in 1949 to its demise in 1957. On the radio, Foy was also the announcer for “The Green Hornet” and “Sergeant Preston of the Yukon.” Fredrick William Foy was born and grew up in Detroit on March 27, 1921. After graduating from high school, he went to work for WMBC, a local radio station. In 1942, he joined WXYZ in Detroit. Serving in the Army during World War II, Foy was an announcer for Armed Forces Radio in Cairo, Egypt. He returned to WXYZ after the war.

Clay Cole, whose dance program “The Clay Cole Show” had a loyal following among adolescent television viewers in the New York area in the 1960s and gave many groups, including the Rolling Stones, early exposure on American television, died two weeks ago at his home on Oak Island, North Carolina. He was 72. From 1959 through 1967, Cole offered teenagers a concentrated dose of their own culture on his show, which was initially broadcast on Saturday nights on WNTA (Channel 13). After WNTA’s license was sold in 1963, the show moved to WPIX (Channel 11), where it was renamed “Clay Cole’s Diskotek” in October 1965. Like Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand,” which reached a national audience, “The Clay Cole Show,” taped before a studio audience, featured a regular cast of young dancers who moved to the latest Top 10 records and thrilled to the sight of pop stars lip-synching their hits. Cole’s show was one of the first to present Dion, the Four Seasons, Dionne Warwick, Richie Havens, Simon & Garfunkel, the Doors, Neil Diamond, the Young Rascals and the Who. Cole was born Albert Franklin Rucker Jr. on January 1, 1938, in Youngstown, Ohio, and grew up in nearby Hubbard, Ohio.

Bud Greenspan, who wrote, produced and directed uplifting documentaries about the Olympic and its athletes facing triumph and tragedy, died two weeks ago at his home in New York City. He was 84. From “16 Days of Glory” about the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, to the upcoming documentary about the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, his films consisted of profiles of athletes – some stars, some unknowns – bracketed by the opening and closing ceremonies. The athletes told their stories, accompanied by narration. Greenspan, whose given name was Jonah, was born on September 18, 1926 and grew up in New York City. He attended New York University while working at WMGM Radio (known at other times as WHN), served as an Army intelligence officer late in World War II and then returned to the station, where he became its sports director at age 21.

Billy Taylor, a jazz pianist and composer who was also an eloquent spokesman and advocate for jazz as well as a familiar presence for many years on television and radio, died on last week in New York City. He was 89 and lived in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Taylor probably had a higher profile on television than any other jazz musician of his generation. He had a long run as a cultural correspondent on the CBS News program “Sunday Morning” and was the musical director of David Frost’s syndicated nighttime talk show from 1969 to 1972. William Edward Taylor Jr. was born in Greenville, North Carolina, on July 24, 1921, and grew up in Washington, DC.

Bernie Wilson, who sang baritone for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, died last week in Voorhees, New Jersey. He was 64. Harold Melvin and the Blue notes had such hits as “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” and “The Love I Lost,” among others in the 1970s.