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.