Here We Go Loop de Loop
“Here we go loop de lie
Here we go loop de loopAll on a Saturday night”
And a Thursday night, and a Saturday afternoon, etc. etc.
The wait is over. Let the parties begin. The college football season is here. It doesn’t get any better than this.
Not only does the season begin, but it begins in a big way with five-straight days of football – Thursday to Monday. This year, the Louisville Cardinals have the honor of kicking-off the FBS season. Louisville hosts Murray State in a 6 p.m. ET start on Thursday. Before the night is over, 14 games involving FBS teams will have been played.
More action takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The opening weekend concludes Monday – Labor Day night – with an ACC tilt between Miami (Florida) and Maryland at College Park, Maryland. When it’s all over, 118 of the 120 FBS teams will have played their opening games of the 2011 season. Nevada abd UAB are the only teams not playing this weekend. The Wolf Pack open their season the following week – September 10 – at Oregon. UAB next week against Florida
The weekend’s two biggest games – LSU vs. Oregon and Boise State vs. Georgia – are both played on Saturday. And wouldn’t you know it. Both are on TV at the same time – LSU-Oregon on ABC and Boise State-Georgia on ESPN. The games have an 8 p.m. ET start.
Touchdown Tom and Swamp Mama kicked-off the season Saturday night, hosting their second annual college football kickoff party. Guests included, Deb and Dieter Gum (Florida Tech fans), Patti and Larry Maggiore (Florida fans), Jane and Tom Sharpe (Florida State fans), Karlene and John Tuttle (Kentucky fans), Betty “The Duchess of Indialantic” Pappas (Georgia/North Carolina fan), Karen Vitt (Florida fan), and of course Bootsie and Rockledge Gator (Auburn/Florida fans).
Not to be outdone by Bobby Flay, Bootsie and Touchdown Tom competed in a BBQ rib throw-down at the party. The other guests, not including respective spouses, voted on the best tasting ribs. And wouldn’t you know it – the vote was a 5-5 tie. Unlike college football, we had no OT to resolve the tie. Of course Bootsie can take pleasure in knowing that Touchdown Tom learned the recipe from her.
Rockledge Gator brought a football which everyone signed with a note, continuing a tradition that he started at last year’s party. Thanks to Patti and Larry Maggiore, the party goers had fun playing the Florida Gators Cornhole Bean Bag Toss. Jane Sharpe was voted the game’s MVP. There weren’t many rules at the party, but college football has six new rule changes that go into effect this season. Five of the rules were passed by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Committee during the recent off-season. A sixth rule change was actually passed prior to last season, but the implementation of the rule was delayed for a year to give coaches and players fair warning that it was coming.
This rule will allow officials to nullify a touchdown if any player on the offense is caught taunting opposing players or fans before the scoring player crosses a goal line. In addition to the loss of the touchdown, the offending team will be penalized from the spot of the foul.
The five more recently passed rule changes are:
1. If an offense commits a penalty in the last minute of a half, the penalty will include a 10-second run-off as well as the yardage. The rule brings college football in line with the NFL, where teams are discouraged from intentional penalties to stop the clock to stretch out a potential scoring drive.
2. Intentional grounding will be called only when no receiver is in the area of the pass. Last season, a receiver needed a “reasonable opportunity” to make the catch. Now, he needs only to be near where the ball lands. This gives quarterbacks more freedom to throw away the ball.
3. Teams can place monitors in the coaches’ booth, showing live broadcasts of the game. Assistants will now get a better view of close calls and can better help head coaches determine whether to challenge plays.
4. Offensive players lined up within seven yards of the center can block below the waist anywhere on the field. There is a caveat – backs and receivers only can block low if hitting the player straight ahead or toward the nearest sideline. The change should protect defensive players in the middle of the field.
5. Defenses on placekicks will be flagged if more than three defensive players gang up on a single blocker. Similar protections already exist for the long snapper on punts and placekicks.
Each college football season begins with a number of questions and 2011 is no exception. But certainly by the end of the season, we’ll have our answers. Looking around each of the conferences, I’ll pose a few questions.
In the SEC, Mark Richt has come under fire from many Georgia fans the past two seasons. Georgia has not won an SEC championship or an East Division title since 2005. Victories over Florida have been few and far between. Last season ended with a 6-7 record, culminating with the 10-6 Liberty Bowl loss to UCF. Question: Will Mark Richt still be coaching Georgia next season?
In the ACC, Virginia Tech has played in four of the six conference championship games, winning three of them. Florida State has played in two of six conference championship games, winning one of them. This year, both the Hokies and the Seminoles are heavily favored to walk through their respective divisions and meet for the championship in December. Questions: Can any team other than Virginia Tech win the Coastal Division, and can any team other than Florida State win the Atlantic Division in 2011?
In the Big Ten, Nebraska, a team that suffered three frustrating losses to Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma last season, along with a devastating and humiliating loss to Washington in the Holiday Bowl, plays its first season in the Big Ten. Question: Will the Huskers take out their frustration on the Big Ten teams in their inaugural season in the conference and play in the conference’s inaugural championship game?
In the Big 12, it is well-known that Texas A&M has been making noise about leaving the conference to join the SEC. Questions: Is this Texas A&M’s last season in the Big 12? And if it is, who will replace Texas A&M in the Big 12?
In the Big East, Dana Holgorsen replaced Bill Stewart as the coach at West Virginia one year sooner than planned, under interesting circumstances. In general, Mountaineer fans were happy with the change and are bubbling over with excitement of a high-powered offense that Holgorsen is expected to provide. Question: Will Mountaineer fans still be bubbling over with excitement in December?
In the Pac-10, Rick Neuheisel, a former UCLA quarterback, took over the Bruins’ program in 2008 with promises to return UCLA to respectability. Neuheisel’s performance to date has been less than spectacular – 15-22 in three years. Question: Is this Rick Neuheisel’s swan-song season in Westwood?
In the MWC, Boise State, who dominated the WAC the past several years, plays its inaugural season in the MWC. Question: Can anyone in the MWC beat Boise State in 2011?
In C-USA, no team has managed to become a BCS bowl buster like Utah and TCU from the MWC and Boise State from the WAC. 2011 has potential to be a breakout year for the conference. Question: Will a C-USA team become a BCS bowl buster in 2011?
In the WAC, the conference has already lost Boise State to the MWC. And next year, the WAC loses Fresno State, Hawaii and Nevada to the MWC. Question: Is this the last year of any respectability for the WAC?
In the MAC, it is extremely rare that a conference team finishes the season ranked in the Top 25. Question: Will a MAC team crack the Top 25 in 2011?
In the Sun Belt, Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schnellenberger announced that he is retiring at the end of the season. Schnellenberger has coached Miami (Florida), Louisville, Oklahoma and FAU in his career. Question: Will Howard Schnellenberger’s last season coaching college football be a losing one?
Among the Independents, BYU, having left the MWC, joins Army, Navy and Notre Dame as college football’s fourth Independent. Questions: How will BYU fare in its first season as an Independent? And will the Cougars be in the Big 12 Conference next year?
We’ll come back and check on those questions in December.
On opening weekend, it is common for so many of the big schools to play the “Little Sisters of the Poor.” Everybody that is except Ohio State, according to OSU president E. Gordon Gee. Let’s see, the Buckeyes are opening against Akron. Akron is slated to be the worst team in the Mid-American Conference and one of the worst, if not the worst, teams in all of FBS football this year.
Sometimes, I think it is safer to open against a weak FBS team than it is to open against a strong FCS team. Look what happened to Michigan four years ago when the Wolverines opened against Appalachian State. Look what happened last year to Ole Miss and Kansas. Ole Miss was shocked by Jacksonville State and the Jayhawks were surprised by North Dakota State. And although it wasn’t their opener, on the second weekend of play Virginia Tech fell to James Madison.
So I have put together my “Watch Out” list for openers this weekend – all games where an FBS school is hosting an FCS school. But a strong FCS school at that. There are 12 games on my “Watch Out” list. They are Eastern Washington at Washington, Appalachian State at Virginia Tech, William & Mary at Virginia, Delaware at Navy, Montana at Utah and Northern Iowa at Iowa State.
Also, New Hampshire at Toledo, Villanova at Temple, James Madison at North Carolina, Liberty at N.C. State, Richmond at Duke and McNeese State at Kansas. I predict that at least one of those 12 FCS teams will win this weekend – and possibly two.
Nebraska is opening against an FCS team this weekend – Chattanooga. But the Huskers have no chance of losing. Speaking of Nebraska, Dan Kleinbeck and friends will be rolling out the Big Red Meat Wagon Saturday for a rocking time of tailgating prior to the Huskers’ game against Chattanooga. Never a dull moment around the BRMW.
“We’re havin’ a party
Everybody’s havin’ a great timeAll the gang’s here and dancing
I’m looping with a baby of mine”
Speaking of bubbling over with excitement, you should see Rockledge Gator. He can’t wait for the season to begin. Bootsie says he’s been talking in his sleep, “Brantley to Hammond, oh my! Brantley to Hines, oh my! Brantley to Thompson, oh my! Brantley to Debose, oh my!”
Touchdown Tom
August 29, 2011“When it comes to college football boosters, you’re better off cheating with Ted Sarniak than Nevin Shapiro. Sarniak, the sugar daddy for Terrelle Pryor at Ohio State, doesn’t kiss and tell. Shapiro, the convicted Ponzi schemer at the heart of the University of Miami scandal, is the type to make a secret sex tape and sell it to TMZ. That glaring difference between Sarniak and Shapiro is why Ohio state may suffer only the collateral damage of Jim Tressel’s and Pryor’s departures and Miami is looking at a long sentence in NCAA prison,” Fox Sports writer Bruce Hooley.
“As I have indicated previously, we are working very deliberately to act in the best long-term interests of both Texas A&M and the State of Texas. This truly is a 100-year decision,” Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin, officially notifying the Big 12 that Texas A&M is exploring the possibility of joining another conference.
“The letter received today from Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin will be addressed by the Big 12 Conference Board of Directors. It remains our strong desire for Texas A&M to continue as a member of the Big 12 and we are working toward that end. However, if it is decided otherwise, the Conference is poised to move aggressively with other options,” Big 12 Conference commissioner Dan Beebe.
“This is not how I intended to spend my preseason. I wanted to spend it much more on football,” LSU coach Les Miles, after two Tiger players, including quarterback Jordan Jefferson, were arrested and suspended from school for their actions in a bar fight.
“Urban Meyer of ESPN says the Gators ‘are loaded’ this year. Translation: ‘Don’t blame me if Will Muschamp goes 7-5.’ Meyer is a great coach, but Ron Zook left Meyer a better team than Meyer left Muschamp,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.
“Former UCF athletic director Steve Orsini, now at SMU, has informed the Big 12 that SMU is ready to join. In related news, Bob, who plays ukulele in the local Holiday Inn house band, has informed U2 that, he too, is ready to join,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Oregon vs. LSU – (Pac-12 vs. SEC) – For the sake of Tiger fans, let’s hope the LSU players don’t stop off at a bar on their way to Cowboys Stadium. Else, Les Miles might have to put in the cheerleaders in order to have enough players. And for the sake of Duck fans, let’s hope Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas doesn’t fall asleep on the bus on the way to Cowboys Stadium. Else, the bus might have that funny smoke smell upon arrival, resulting in a delay of game while the police perform blood tests on the Oregon players. Oh well, just part of the anxiety prior to the big game. Ducks lose two in a row to the SEC – LSU 17, Oregon 14.
RUNNER UP: 2. Boise State vs. Georgia – (MWC vs. SEC) – If the Dawgs lose this game and with South Carolina up next, Georgia could be looking at an 0-2 start. That wouldn’t sit well with the Bulldog nation. Mark Richt’s seat would be so hot, he couldn’t sit down. All eyes will be on the two quarterbacks. Boise State’s Kellen Moore was a Heisman finalist last year. Georgia’s Aaron Murray was a real up-and-comer last year as a freshman. Murray raised many an eyebrow, building big expectations for 2011. The more experienced Moore against the less experienced Murray. Yes, if Georgia loses, Richt can start packing his bags. But the Dawgs don’t lose – Georgia 28, Boise State 25.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. South Florida at Notre Dame – (Big East vs. Ind.) – Ahhh, sweet memories for Skip Holtz. The South Florida coach returns to his father’s old stomping grounds. But Holtz may be doing all the stomping when the game is over. The visit could be frustrating. Granted the Bulls need a big win for their resume. But Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly needs the win too. Kelly got off to an okay but not good start last year – his first in South Bend. He needs to have a good season in 2011. After all, Urban Meyer is breathing down his back. Or is Meyer doing his breathing down a back in Columbus? I get confused. Both teams ended their seasons on a high note in 2010 – South Florida beat Clemson in the Meineke Car Care Bowl and Notre Dame beat Miami (Florida) in the Sun Bowl. Only the Irish open their season on a high note in 2011 – Notre Dame 24, South Florida 17.
4. SMU at Texas A&M – (C-USA vs. Big 12) – Former Hawaii coach June Jones is doing a good job returning SMU football to respectability. This, his fourth year in Dallas, could be his best at SMU. A win over the Aggies would be a feather in his cap. Both teams should be improved in 2011. The game offers a good quarterback duel between A&M’s Ryan Tannehill and SMU’s Kyle Padron. But in the end, the Aggies have too much depth and too much strength – Texas A&M 31, SMU 20.
5. TCU at Baylor – (MWC vs. Big 12) – This wasn’t a contest last year. TCU clobbered Baylor, 45-10. But that game was in Fort Worth. This one is in Waco. And TCU could be a little off this year, while Baylor could be a little better. Bears quarterback Robert Griffin definitely should be better. He’s already good – very good. TCU running back Ed Wesley will make it interesting for the Horned Frogs. Bears bearly….I mean….barely win – Baylor 24, TCU 23.
6. Miami (Florida) at Maryland – (ACC vs. ACC) – We’re not sure who may or may not be playing in this game for Miami. Nevin Shapiro probably knows. Things certainly are a mess down in Sha-la-la land. In fact, Donna might have to play backup quarterback. All I can say is Miami has dug itself into a hole and it may be a long time before the Canes come out. Both teams are playing for first-year coaches – Al Golden at Shapiro U….I mean….Miami, and Randy Edsall at Maryland. Yes, the same Edsall who used to be at Connecticut. Unlike the car Edzel, this Edsall is still working. That is as long as he wins at Maryland. Terrapin quarterback Danny O’Brien has a field day – Maryland 24, Miami 22.
7. Northwestern at Boston College – (Big Ten vs. ACC) – Boston College will be missing its star running back Montel Harris. Harris is recovering from surgery and should return next week. But that doesn’t help the Eagles’ situation any this week. Typically, Northwestern doesn’t play well on the road. As goes quarterback Dan Persa, so go the Wildcats. Persa goes well – Northwestern 27, Boston College 26.
8. East Carolina at South Carolina – (C-USA vs. SEC) – So quarterback Stephen Garcia and his quarterback coach G.A. Mangus are both back in the saddle again – back on the team after being suspended – Garcia for the fifth time. Let’s just hope Mangus doesn’t drink too much Gatorade during the game. I’d hate to see him urinating on the sidelines. After all, isn’t this game on TV? And won’t there be children in the stands? Oh that’s right. I forgot. Children under the age of 16 are not admitted to South Carolina football games. Hey, East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill lost a ton of weight during the offseason. He needed too. That may be the only good thing that can be said about the Pirates. Well, they do have a pretty good quarterback in Dominique Davis. Marcus Lattimore has a field day – South Carolina 36, East Carolina 14.
9. BYU at Ole Miss – (Ind. vs. SEC) – BYU’s first season and first game as an Independent. The Cougars are trying to become the Mormon Notre Dame. Let’s see: 1. Their own TV network? Check; 2. Touchdown Jesus? No; 3. Lots of Irish whiskey? I’m afraid not. Well, BYU has some work to do yet. Meanwhile, down in magnolia blossom land, things aren’t looking up for the Black Bears. That’s right. Remember they are the Ole Miss Black Bears now. No more Col. Sanders. After a hot start, Houston Nutt has fallen off a bit. But maybe Ole Miss will surprise this year. Ole Miss doesn’t have Irish whiskey, but they have Hotty Toddies – Ole Miss 30, BYU 28.
10. Minnesota at USC – (Big Ten vs. Pac-12) – The Trojans are playing for pride this season. No bowl games. No Pac-12 championships. No nothing. Just playing to win every game they can with no rewards at the end. Reggie Bush emptied the reward chest in Los Angeles. Minnesota has a new coach – Jerry Kill. But the Gophers aren’t going to kill anyone. Not this season at least. Matt Barkley has a field day – USC 33, Minnesota 13.
11. UCLA at Houston – (Pac-12 vs. C-USA) – It was in this game last year that Houston quarterback Case Keenum was lost for the season with a knee injury. UCLA won the game. That was in Los Angeles. Now it’s time for the rematch in Houston. And Keenum is back. He should have plenty of incentive. UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel is on the hot seat. He should have plenty of incentive. Houston is supposed to be good this year, but not that good – UCLA 34, Houston 32.
12. Marshall at West Virginia – (C-USA vs. Big East) – Marshall had this game won last year. But the Mountaineers scored two touchdowns in the closing minutes to tie the score. WVU went on to win in overtime. Marshall may never again get a chance like that to beat WVU. Currently, the two schools only have two more meetings scheduled – this year and next year. And both are in Morgantown. WVU has a new coach – Dana Holgorsen – and he’s big on offense. That’s what Mountaineer fans are expecting – a lot of offense. But WVU will have to play defense too. Marshall coach Doc Holliday will be pulling out all stops to beat the Eers. It won’t be a holiday for Holliday – West Virginia 34, Marshall 17.
13. Rice at Texas – (C-USA vs. Big 12) – After last season, Texas is looking to bounce back in 2011 – at least make it to a bowl game. These are hard times in Austin. And the Horns lost their defensive coordinator when Will Muschamp left to take the head coach job at Florida. So Mack Brown went out and hired Manny Diaz away from Mississippi State. That was a good hire. Texas had offensive problems last year. So Brown fired his offensive coordinator and hired Boise State offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin. That was a good hire. Harsin will share the offensive coordinator duties with Major Applewhite. Fortunately for Brown, Texas is opening against Rice. That should give Brown and his staff an opportunity to see what they have without losing the game. But the Owls won’t exactly fly away. They’ll give the Horns a fight. Fried Rice – Texas 33, Rice 19.
14. Troy at Clemson – (Sun Belt vs. ACC) – Clemson wins this game, but not without a struggle. Troy has one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football in Corey Robinson. If Robinson is on, he can give the Tigers fits. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney needs a good season. Dabo avoids the upset – Clemson 34, Troy 23.
15. Western Michigan at Michigan – (MAC vs. Big Ten) – The Brady Hoke era begins at Michigan. Will it last longer than the Rich Rodriguez era? Only time will tell. And how will quarterback Denard Robinson adapt to the new offense? We’ll soon know. Wolverines get off to a good start – Michigan 32, Western Michigan 16.
16. Fresno State at California – (WAC vs. Pac-12) – Cal is playing its home games in San Francisco this season, while its stadium goes through a major renovation. The football team needs to go through a renovation of its own. Jeff Tedford had the Bears playing so well a few years ago. But they have fallen onto hard times recently. Fresno State won’t be any pushover. In fact the Bulldogs may be favored. Cal wins, but the Bears don’t look Golden – California 26, Fresno State 25.
17. Appalachian State at Virginia Tech – (Southern vs. ACC) – Appy State probably won’t pull off a James Madison, but the Mountaineers are the No. 1 ranked FCS team at preseason. So the Hokies need to take heed. They don’t want another 0-2 start. Actually, some think Va Tech could run the table this year. The schedule is easy with no tough ACC games on the road. The Hokies may or may not finish 12-0, but they will start 1-0 – Virginia Tech 29, Appalachian State 14.
18. Colorado at Hawaii – (Big 12 vs. WAC) – New coach at Colorado. Jon Embree takes over the helm in Boulder. Hawaii on the road is not an easy contest for the first-year coach. The Warriors are supposed to be hot this season with quarterback Bryant Moniz. The Buffaloes are supposed to be cold this season. But if Rodney Stewart has a good day running, he can make Colorado hot. Stewart won’t be hot enough in Honolulu – Hawaii 40, Colorado 36.
19. Wake Forest at Syracuse – (ACC vs. Big East) – What happened to Wake Forest? Jim Grobe had the Deacons smelling like roses a few years ago. Lately, they have smelled like ramp weed. Doug Marrone has Syracuse on the up-and-up. The Orange won a bowl game last year. However, this could be a tougher season for the Cuse. But Wake won’t make it tougher – Syracuse 26, Wake Forest 20.
20. Eastern Washington at Washington – (Big Sky vs. Pac-12) – Washington is hot, coming off the Holiday Bowl victory over Nebraska. The Huskies hope to continue that momentum into the 2011 season. It should continue in the opener. But Eastern Washington won the FCS national championship last year. And the Eagles would love nothing more than to beat their big brothers from the west. They may make it interesting. But not interesting enough – Washington 30, Eastern Washington 16.
...AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 21. William & Mary at Virginia – (Colonial vs. ACC) – Keep an eye on this one, because two years ago William & Mary knocked off Virginia. And the Tribe could do it this year too. W&M is one of the top-ranked teams in FCS. Mike London is still building the Cavaliers. Granted Virginia will be improved this year over last. But how much. This could be a good one in Charlottesville – Virginia 24, William & Mary 20.
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: Florida Atlantic at Florida – (Sun Belt vs. SEC) – The mystery will soon be over and we’ll know what Florida has this year. That is if you can count Florida Atlantic as a test to determine what the Gators have – or don’t have. But hey, as long as Florida’s center can successfully snap the ball, that’s a big improvement over last year. This is Howard Schnellenberger’s swan-song season. He’s retiring in December. The Gators sing Schnellenberger a swan song – Florida 38, Florida Atlantic 10.
Chattanooga at Nebraska – (Southern vs. Big Ten) – Pardon me Herb, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo? Well, actually, Chattanooga isn’t the Choo Choo’s. They are the Moccasins. I’m not sure what type – the shoes or the snakes. Regardless, Nebraska will give Chattanooga a shine and choo-choo the Moccasins home – Nebraska 48, Chattanooga 6.
Middle Tennessee at Purdue – (Sun Belt vs. Big Ten) – Most say Purdue will be lousy this year. But some say the Boilermakers could be a surprise team. They better watch out or they could get surprised in their opener against Middle Tennessee. Chattanooga may not be the Choo Choo’s, but Purdue is. And the Boilers will steam the Blue out of the Raiders – Purdue 30, Middle Tennessee 20.
Richmond at Duke – (Colonial vs. ACC) – Duke, otherwise known in football as the Devils with a blue mess on. You would have thought that David Cutcliffe would have made better strides at Duke by now. And maybe he has been little-by-little. After all, the Dookies are not deemed the worst team in the ACC this year. Wake Forest has that honor. If quarterback Sean Renfree has a good year, the Dookies could open some eyes. Devils maneuver the Spider’s web – Duke 25, Richmond 14.
Comment: Three big battles in Texas on the opening week – Oregon-LSU, SMU-Texas A&M and TCU-Baylor. Throw in the tilt in Atlanta – Boise State-Georgia – and we have ourselves quite a weekend. Miami (Florida) at Maryland could be interesting too. Will Marshall-West Virginia be as exciting as last year? And there will be a Holtz back in South Bend on Saturday. Fasten your seat belts.
AROUND FLORIDA: Florida State opens at home against Louisiana-Monroe…. UCF has its opener, hosting Charleston Southern…. Florida International kicks off the season entertaining North Texas…. Florida A&M starts its season at home against Fort Valley state…. Bethune-Cookman opens in Orlando against Prairie View A&M…. while Jacksonville U. has its opener on the road at The Citadel.
Murray State at Louisville – 6 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Mississippi State at Memphis – 8 p.m. ET – Fox Sports NetworkMassachusetts at Holy Cross – 8 p.m. ET – CBS College Sports Network
UNLV at Wisconsin – 8 p.m. ET – ESPN
Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky – 9:15 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Friday’s Television Schedule – September 2
TCU at Baylor – 8 p.m. ET – ESPN
Akron at Ohio State – 12 noon ET – ESPN
Miami (Ohio) at Missouri – 12 noon ET – Fox Sports NetworkNorthwestern at Boston College – 12 noon ET – ESPNU
Utah State at Auburn – 12 noon ET – ESPN2
Kent State at Alabama – 12:20 p.m. ET – SEC Game of the Week
Appalachian State at Virginia Tech – 12:30 p.m. ET – ACC Game of the Week
Delaware at Navy – 3:30 p.m. ET – CBS College Sports Network
Louisiana-Monroe at Florida State – 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Minnesota at USC – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC/ESPN2
Western Michigan at Michigan – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC/ESPN2
South Florida at Notre Dame – 3:30 p.m. ET – NBC
UCLA at Houston – 3:30 p.m. ET – Fox Sports Network
BYU at Ole Miss – 4:45 p.m. ET – ESPN
East Carolina vs. South Carolina – 7 p.m. ET – Fox Sports Network
Florida Atlantic at Florida – 7 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Boise State vs. Georgia – 8 p.m. ET – ESPN
LSU vs. Oregon – 8 p.m. ET – ABC
Tulsa at Oklahoma – 8 p.m. ET – FX
Louisiana Tech at Southern Miss – 10 p.m. ET – Fox Sports Network
Colorado at Hawaii – 10:15 p.m. ET – ESPN2
Bethune-Cookman vs. Prairie View – 12 noon ET – ESPN
Marshall at West Virginia – 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPNSMU at Texas A&M – 7:30 p.m. ET – Fox Sports Network
Miami (Florida) at Maryland – 8 p.m. ET – ESPN
Elsewhere around college football . . . An athletics feasibility committee at Appalachian State has recommended the school move up to the FBS level. The Mountaineers are currently a FCS school in football. Appalachian State won three-straight FCS national titles from 2005 to 2007…. Iona Prep (New Rochelle, NY) cornerback Justin Combs, son of rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, has received scholarship offers from Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming and UCLA…. Houston and BYU have announced they will play a home-and-home series in 2013 and 2014…. Jerry Rice, Jr., son of the former San Francisco 49ers receiver, is a walk-on sophomore at UCLA.
On the Internet – College Football Week now has a Website and can be found at www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com.
The 2011 college football season is here. Gentlemen, start your quarterbacks!
Touchdown Tom
Not directly college football related, but as the Labor Day weekend approached and college football fans were stoked for the start of another great season, the number one song in the country…
…75 years ago this week in 1936 was “Did I Remember?” by Shep Fields
…70 years ago this week in 1941 was “Green Eyes (Aquellos Ojos Verdes)” by Jimmy Dorsey
…65 years ago this week in 1946 was “To Each His Own” by Freddy Martin
…60 years ago this week in 1951 was “Come On-a My House” by Rosemary Clooney
…55 years ago this week in 1956 was “Hound Dog/Don’t Be Cruel” by Elvis Presley
…50 years ago this week in 1961 was “Michael” by The Highwaymen
…45 years ago this week in 1966 was “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan
…40 years ago this week in 1971 was “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” by Paul & Linda McCartney
…35 years ago this week in 1976 was “You Should Be Dancing” by The Bee Gees
…30 years ago this week in 1981 was “Endless Love” by Diana Ross & Lionel Ritchie
…25 years ago this week in 1986 was “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood
…20 years ago this week in 1991 was “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” by Bryan Adams
Jerry Leiber, the lyricist, who with his partner, Mike Stoller, wrote some of the most enduring classics in the history of rock ’n’ roll, including “Hound Dog,” “Yakety Yak,” “Stand By Me,” “On Broadway,” died last week in Los Angeles. He was 78. The cause was cardio-pulmonary failure. Jerome Leiber was born on April 25, 1933 in Baltimore. When he was 12, he moved to Los Angeles with his mother. Other hits written by Leiber and Stoller include “Jailhouse Rock,” “Loving You,” “Spanish Harlem,” “Young Blood,” “Searchin’,” “Poison Ivy,” “Love Potion No. 9” and “Leader of the Pack.”
Nick Ashford, who with Valerie Simpson, his songwriting partner and later his wife, wrote some of Motown’s biggest hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” died last week in New York City. He was 70. The cause was throat cancer. Nickolas Ashford was born on May 4, 1941 in Fairfield, South Carolina, but grew up in Willow Run, Michigan. Ashford and Simpson also wrote “Your Precious Love” and “I’m Every Woman.”
Ross Barbour, the last surviving original member of the Four Freshmen, died last week. He was 82. The cause was lung cancer. The Four Freshman were in their heyday in the 1950s. Among their many hits was “Graduation day.” The group formed in 1947 when they were freshmen at Butler University in Indianapolis. Ross Edwin Barbour was born on December 31, 1928 in Columbus, Indiana.
Mike Flanagan, the Baltimore Oriole left-hander who won the 1979 Cy Young Award and who later worked as an Orioles executive, coach and broadcaster, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound last week. He was 59. Flanagan pitched for 15 seasons in two stints with the Orioles. He debuted with the Orioles in 1975 and pitched for the team until August 1987 when he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. After the 1990 season, Flanagan returned to the Orioles for two more seasons. In October 1991, he became the last Orioles player to throw a pitch at the team’s Memorial stadium before they moved to Camden Yards. Michael Kendall Flanagan was born on December 16, 1951 in Manchester, New Hampshire. He pitched in college for the University of Massachusetts.
Nick Ashford, who with Valerie Simpson, his songwriting partner and later his wife, wrote some of Motown’s biggest hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing,” died last week in New York City. He was 70. The cause was throat cancer. Nickolas Ashford was born on May 4, 1941 in Fairfield, South Carolina, but grew up in Willow Run, Michigan. Ashford and Simpson also wrote “Your Precious Love” and “I’m Every Woman.”
Ross Barbour, the last surviving original member of the Four Freshmen, died last week. He was 82. The cause was lung cancer. The Four Freshman were in their heyday in the 1950s. Among their many hits was “Graduation day.” The group formed in 1947 when they were freshmen at Butler University in Indianapolis. Ross Edwin Barbour was born on December 31, 1928 in Columbus, Indiana.
Mike Flanagan, the Baltimore Oriole left-hander who won the 1979 Cy Young Award and who later worked as an Orioles executive, coach and broadcaster, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound last week. He was 59. Flanagan pitched for 15 seasons in two stints with the Orioles. He debuted with the Orioles in 1975 and pitched for the team until August 1987 when he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. After the 1990 season, Flanagan returned to the Orioles for two more seasons. In October 1991, he became the last Orioles player to throw a pitch at the team’s Memorial stadium before they moved to Camden Yards. Michael Kendall Flanagan was born on December 16, 1951 in Manchester, New Hampshire. He pitched in college for the University of Massachusetts.
