College Football Week Five – Nebraska’s First Big Ten Game
It was déjà vu in the Big 12Or as Yogi Berra would have said, “It’s like déjà vu all over again in the Big 12.”
Two weeks ago, everyone was convinced the Big 12 was finished. Kaput. A gonner.
Texas A&M announced it was leaving the conference to join the SEC. The Aggies announced departure spawned reports that Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas and Texas Tech were soon to become members of the Pac-12, making it the Pac-16. Like Texas A&M, Missouri also would be off to the SEC, while Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas and Kansas State would become orphans, left on the doorstep. And the Big 12 would be no more.
Serious discussions began between Texas and Oklahoma and the Pac-12. Texas wanted entry into the Pac-12 on its terms, while the Pac-12 would only accept Texas on Pac-12 terms. Meanwhile, back in the heartland, presidents and athletic directors of the other Big 12 schools were working hard to keep the conference together.
Sound familiar? It should. Less than two years before, in 2010, the Big 12 went through a similar scenario. It began when Nebraska announced it was leaving the conference for the Big Ten. Nebraska’s announcement spawned reports that Colorado, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech would join the Pac-10, making it the Pac-16. Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State and Missouri would be left to wander in the desert. Again, the Big 12 would be no more. The conference was doomed.
But the Big 12 schools and the Pac-10 couldn’t come to an agreement on the terms of their membership. Meanwhile, back in the heartland, there was work going on behind the scenes to keep the Big 12 together. Of the five schools that were headed for the Pac-10, only Colorado agreed to join. Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas, Texas A&M and Texas Tech decided to stay home. The Pac-10 then reached out to Utah from the Mountain West Conference. With Colorado and Utah as new members, the Pac-10 became the Pac-12.
The Big 12, losing Nebraska and Colorado, became a 10-team conference, but decided to remain in name the Big 12.
Last week, we learned that Texas and the Pac-12 couldn’t come to terms again. And when the Big 12 schools mutually agreed to get rid of the conference’s commissioner Dan Beebe, we learned the Big 12 was saved, yet again. Only Texas A&M would leave, as originally scheduled, and the other nine members would remain together. A committee was formed to find a replacement for Texas A&M. Former Big Eight commissioner Chuck Neinas was named, on an interim basis, as Beebe’s replacement. So again last week, as in 2010, we learned the Big 12 would live to play another day. At least for awhile. Oh, what’s that you say, Mizzou? Stay tuned.
Speaking of the Big 12, one of Saturday’s most exciting games took place, in all places, in College Station, Texas, between Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. The Cowboys, trailing the Aggies 20-3 at halftime, scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter to take a 24-20 lead over Texas A&M.
Okie State added two field goals in the fourth quarter to increase its lead to 10 points – 30-20. Then the Aggies scored with 02:20 on the clock and pulled within three points – 30-27. As time expired, Texas A&M got a safety, but lost to the Cowboys, 30-29. The two quarterbacks – Okie State’s Brandon Weeden and A&M’s Ryan Tannehill – combined for 747 yards passing, but Tannehill threw three interceptions. Weeden completed 78 percent of his passes.
And speaking of déjà vu, last year Texas A&M led Okie State 21-7 at the half. Then the Cowboys came back in the second half, outscoring the Aggies 31-14 to win an exciting game, 38-35. This year’s game was “Déjà vu all over again,” as Yogi would say. By the way, at Saturday’s game, Oklahoma State fans attending the game in College Station were chanting “Big12, Big 12, Big 12,” as the final seconds ticked away.
The Oklahoma State-Texas A&M game Saturday was one of seven games pitting undefeated teams against each other. In Tuscaloosa, Alabama left no doubt who was boss, as the Tide beat Arkansas, 38-14. Another SEC team sent a message loud and clear. On the road in Morgantown, LSU used its offense, defense and special teams to wipe out West Virginia’s hopes of an upset. The Tigers beat the Mountaineers, 47-21.
South Carolina used its defense to put down Vanderbilt, 21-3. In a big affair in the ACC, Georgia Tech held off North Carolina, 35-28. Nebraska, slow at the start, knocked off Wyoming, 38-14. And in one more game involving unbeaten teams, Michigan put down San Diego State, 28-7.
Four other undefeated teams lost Saturday. USC was no contest for Arizona State in the fourth quarter. The Sun Devils beat the Trojans, 43-22. Also, in the Pac-12, California lost its first game. Washington beat the Golden Bears, 31-23. Ohio fell to Rutgers, 38-26, and Florida International was upset, losing its first game. Louisiana-Lafayette beat the Panthers, 36-31.
Twelve other teams remained undefeated. Clemson held on, in an exciting game, to beat Florida State, 35-30. Oklahoma subdued Missouri, 38-28. Florida ran rough-shod over Kentucky. The Gators beat the Wildcats, 48-10. Kansas State moved to 3-0, knocking off Miami (Florida), 28-24. Baylor upended Rice, 56-31. Boise State and Kellen Moore are still looking good. The Broncos blasted Tulsa, 41-21.
Virginia Tech spanked Marshall, 30-10. In the Southwest, Texas Tech scored in the closing seconds to beat Nevada, 35-34. South Florida downed UTEP, 52-24. In Champaign, Illinois rallied to beat Western Michigan, 23-20. Also in the Big Ten, Wisconsin pounded South Dakota, 59-10. And finally, Houston remained undefeated. The Cougars dumped Georgia State, 56-0.
Thursday night, Cincinnati shut down N.C. State. The Bearcats beat the Wolfpack, 44-14. The next night, BYU got by UCF, 24-17. Among a few other interesting games, Temple surprised Maryland, 38-7. Notre Dame slipped by Pitt, 15-12. In a strange game in the Carrier Dome, Syracuse beat Toledo in overtime, 33-30. But during regulation, the Orange were given the benefit of a bad call when a missed extra point kick was ruled good. After the game, the Big East apologized for the mistake.
In the Sun Belt Conference, Troy beat Middle Tennessee in an exciting game. The Trojans beat the Blue Raiders, 38-35. And finally, Georgia won and moved to 2-2 on the season. The Dawgs beat Ole Miss, 27-13.
Eleven undefeated teams lost Saturday, while 22 teams remain undefeated. Three undefeated teams, Iowa State, Stanford and Texas, had the week off. Texas and Iowa State meet this week in Ames.
Only four weeks into the season and already the first coach has been fired. New Mexico fired coach Mike Locksley. The Lobos are 0-4 and lost Saturday to FCS Sam Houston State, 48-45 in overtime. Locksley was 2-26 in less than three full seasons at New Mexico.
In addition to New Mexico, two other FBS teams lost to FCS teams Saturday. Minnesota lost to North Dakota State, 37-24, and UNLV fell to Southern Utah, 41-16.
Some reflections on Week 4: I’m beginning to think that coming into the season, Georgia Tech may have been the most underrated team. And I’m beginning to think that Alabama, LSU and Oklahoma belong in a league of their own. We’ll see.
LSU is now No. 1 in the Coaches Poll. The Tigers are followed by Oklahoma and Alabama. Oklahoma remains No. 1 in the AP Poll. The Sooners are followed by Alabama and LSU.
My favorite quarterbacks this week were: Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden, Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, Baylor’s Robert Griffin and Michigan’s Denard Robinson.
My favorite running backs were: Oregon’s LaMichael James, San Jose State’s Brandon Rutley, Nebraska’s Rex Burkhead, Cincinnati’s Isaiah Pead and Temple’s Bernard Pierce.
Sunday afternoon, Swamp Mama went to a place near Melbourne called the Funky Chicken Farm. Don’t ask me any questions. But doesn’t that sound like a place Rockledge Gator would visit.
Touchdown Tom
September 26, 2011 GAME OF THE WEEK: GameDazed – LSU 47, West Virginia 21 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 23, West Virginia 17). The Tigers were poised; the Mountaineers were dazed. Poor special teams play, poor defense, turnovers and an inconsistent offense plagued the Eers. Dana Holgorsen has a lot of work to do. The Mounties were not ready for prime time. A crowd of 62,056 attended the game in Morgantown.
RUNNER UP: Tide slops the Hogs – Alabama 38, Arkansas 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 28, Arkansas 26). Do you think Arkansas fans understand that the Razorbacks will always be an also ran in the SEC as long as Bobby Petrino is coach? A crowd of 101,821 attended the game in Tuscaloosa.
REST OF THE BEST: Take that, Aggies – Oklahoma State 30, Texas A&M 29 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 31, Oklahoma State 29). The Aggies dominated the first half (led 20-3); the Cowboys dominated the second half – outscored the Aggies, 27-9. Brandon Weeden was sensational; Ryan Tannehill was everything but. A crowd of 87,358 attended the game in College Station.
Dabo dabs Jimbo – Clemson 35, Florida State 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 26, Florida State 23). This contest was a classic battle of the quarterbacks – Clemson’s Tajh Boyd and FSU’s Clint Trickett. Both were good. It was a shame one had to lose. A crowd of 82,000 attended the game in Clemson.
Landry makes seafood out of the Tigers – Oklahoma 38, Missouri 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 29, Missouri 16). Landry Jones threw two interceptions, but passed for 448 yards, as the Sooners revenged last year’s loss to the Tigers. A crowd of 85,547 attended the game in Norman. Mizzou had its fair share of yards – 532.
The Devil made Kiffin lose it – Arizona State 43, USC 22 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona State 33, USC 30). This was a tight ballgame until the fourth quarter. USC suffered four turnovers. A crowd of 61,495 attended the game in Tempe.
Commodores are Chicken feed – South Carolina 21, Vanderbilt 3 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 26, Vanderbilt 15). The Gamecocks are still looking for an offense, but at least they found their defense. Vandy, no slouch this year, was held to 150 yards. A crowd of 77,015 attended the game in Columbia.
Stung in the Heel – Georgia Tech 35, North Carolina 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Tech 27, North Carolina 24). The Jackets couldn’t shake loose from the Heels. Giovani Bernard – 155 yards rushing – kept UNC hanging around. A crowd of 46,849 attended the game in Atlanta.
Moore of it – Boise State 41, Tulsa 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 42, Tulsa 17). Tulsa couldn’t stop Kellen Moore – 289 yards passing. A crowd of 34,019 attended the game in Boise.
LaDuck – Oregon 56, Arizona 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 30, Arizona 19). LaMichael James finally had the game every Duck fan has been waiting for this season – 288 yards rushing. Late in the second quarter, Oregon led, 35-3. A crowd of 56,096 attended the game in Tucson.
The Dempster – Florida 48, Kentucky 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 30, Kentucky 15). After playing in the shadows of Chris Rainey this season, Jeff Demps had his breakout game, rushing for 157 yards. Actually, Rainey didn’t exactly go away. He added 105 yards rushing. The Gators didn’t need to pass. They ran all over the Wildcats. A crowd of 65,134 attended the game in Lexington.
And here’s to you Mr. Robinson – Michigan 28, San Diego State 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 30, San Diego State 23). Brady Hoke beat his old team, as Denard Robinson ran for 200 yards. A crowd of 110,707 attended the game in Ann Arbor.
Huskies chew the stuffing out of the Teddy Bears – Washington 31, California 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Washington 30, California 26). The Huskies handed Cal its first loss of the young season, despite Zach Maynard passing for 349 yards. A crowd of 60,437 attended the game in Seattle.
Hokie high – Virginia Tech 30, Marshall 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 29, Marshall 14). The Hokies got through their four non-conference games unscathed. A crowd of 34,424 attended the game in Huntington.
Cougar Town – BYU 24, UCF 17 (Touchdown Tom said: BYU 26, UCF 22). The Knights had every chance to win the game, but turnovers killed their opportunities. A crowd of 59,874 attended the game in Provo.
Hot Seat Bowl – Georgia 27, Ole Miss 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 28, Ole Miss 14). Mark Richt won, while Houston Nutt lost the Hot Seat Bowl. Aaron Murray and Isaiah Crowell had a banner day for the Dawgs. Meanwhile, Nutt’s Black Bears looked everything but grizzly. They were hibernating during most of the game. A crowd of 58,042 attended the game in Oxford.
Irish give Pitt a fit – Notre Dame 15, Pitt 12 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 27, Pitt 19). Notre Dame has some talent, but neither team looked good. A crowd of 65,050 attended the game in Pittsburgh.
Meow! – Cincinnati 44, N.C. State 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Cincinnati 22, N.C. State 20). So the Wolfpack’s Mike Glennon can pass, but the team can’t run worth a darn – minus 26 yards rushing. No wonder the Pack has, not one but two, FCS teams on its schedule. N.C. State should stick to playing Liberty and South Alabama. A crowd of 28,431 attended the game in Cincinnati.
Robbed – Syracuse 33, Toledo 30 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Toledo 21, Syracuse 20). Syracuse actually lost the game 30-29 in regulation. But a shady Big East replay official ruled that an obviously missed extra point was good when the play was challenged by Toledo. The extra point attempt after Syracuse’s last touchdown in regulation sailed left, failing to pass through the uprights. Officials called the kick good. The replay official erroneously confirmed their call when the play was reviewed. After the game, the Big East apologized for the ruling. A crowd of 39,116 attended the game in Syracuse.
Austin powers – Southern Miss 30, Virginia 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia 30, Southern Miss 19). Just when we thought the Cavs were improving, they obviously aren’t. The Eagles Austin Davis passed for 313 yards. A crowd of 43,220 attended the game in Charlottesville.
Tuberville breathes a sigh of relief – Texas Tech 35, Nevada 34 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas Tech 35, Nevada 20). It was worth keeping an eye on this one. The Red Raiders, facing a 4th-and-three, with 44 seconds on the clock, scored on a 3-yard pass to win the game. A crowd of 55,664 attended the game in Lubbock.
Herbie raids Laramie – Nebraska 38, Wyoming 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 33, Wyoming 20). The Huskers were slow getting out of the starting gate, but once they got going, Wyoming couldn’t stop them. Rex Burkhead rushed for 170 yards. A crowd of 32,617 attended the game in Laramie.
Dookies do the Wave – Duke 48, Tulane 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 25, Tulane 24). Sean Renfree – 278 yards passing – had his second-consecutive big game for the Dookies. A crowd of 20,138 attended the game in Durham.
Comment: Maybe LSU should be No. 1. Regardless, the Tigers, Alabama and Oklahoma may be in a league of their own. Oklahoma State put on quite a rally and Florida State and Clemson put on quite a show. USC suffered its first loss.
I was 20-3 on my weekly picks, which brings my season total to 80-18 (81.6 percent).
Miami lost to Kansas State, 28-24. A crowd of 43,786 attended the game in Miami Gardens…. South Florida beat UTEP 52-24. A crowd of 39,628 attended the game in Tampa…. Florida Atlantic fell to Auburn, 30-14. A crowd of 82,249 attended the game in Auburn…. Florida International was upset by Louisiana-Lafayette, 36-31. A crowd of 16,780 attended the game in Miami.
Bethune-Cookman outlasted Hampton, 35-31. A crowd of 4,765 attended the game in Daytona-Beach…. Florida A&M downed Southern, 38-33. A crowd of 59,373 attended the game in Atlanta…. Jacksonville U. rattled Campbell, 57-21. A crowd of 3,752 attended the game in Buies Creek.
Impressive Passers: West Virginia’s Geno Smith – 38-65-2 for 463 yards; Oklahoma’s Landry Jones – 35-48-2-448; Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden – 47-60-0-438; Hawaii’s Bryant Moniz – 30-40-0-424; Houston’s Case Keenum – 29-34-0-415; Middle Tennessee’s Logan Kilgore – 28-48-1-415; Arizona’s Nick Foles – 34-57-0-398; Fresno State’s Derek Carr – 24-37-2-371; SMU’s J.J. McDermott – 28-44-1-357, and California’s Zach Maynard – 23-43-0-349.
Also, Troy’s Corey Robinson – 24-38-1 for 348 yards; Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson – 19-25-0-345; Clemson’s Tajh Boyd – 23-37-1-344; Ohio’s Tyler Tettleton – 23-36-0-339; Baylor’s Robert Griffin – 29-33-0-338; Florida State’s Clint Trickett – 24-38-1-336; N.C. State’s Mike Glennon – 25-36-2-334; Ball State’s Keith Wenning – 24-30-0-324; Southern Mississippi’s Austin Davis – 27-41-0-313; Western Michigan’s Alex Carder – 30-48-1-306, and Washington’s Keith Price – 19-25-0-292.
Also, Boise State’s Kellen Moore – 23-29-0 for 289 yards; New Mexico’s B.R. Holbrook – 19-30-0-289; Oregon State’s Sean Mannion – 24-40-1-287; Duke’s Sean Renfree – 21-30-1-278; Miami of Florida’s Jacory Harris – 21-31-1-272; UCF’s Jeff Godfrey – 17-25-1-272; Iowa’s James Vandenberg – 21-32-0-270; Georgia’s Aaron Murray – 17-26-1-268; Miami of Ohio’s Zac Dysert – 25-40-2-265; Cincinnati’s Zach Collaros – 25-34-1-263, and Rice’s Taylor McHargue – 23-38-1-260.
Also, Florida’s Jeff Demps – 157 yards; North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard – 155 yards; Temple’s Bernard Pierce – 149 yards; USC’s Marc Tyler – 149 yards; Air Force’s Asher Clark – 148 yards; Georgia’s Isaiah Crowell – 147 yards; Jasmin Hopkins – 143 yards, and Arizona State’s Cameron Marshall – 141 yards.
“I think we’re a team that is on the rise, but we’ll see,” Georgia coach Mark Richt.
“If I hear or read another college president try to use academics or education to cloak his shameless money grab known as conference realignment, I’m going to throw up in my mouth,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.
“So why don’t the university presidents just admit it instead of trying to act like education has anything to do with it? Why don’t they just say that this is about greed and TV money – period – and to hell with the tradition and rivalries, history and heritage that made college football what it is today? This has absolutely nothing to do with institutions of higher learning and everything to do with institutions of higher earning,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.
“If conference commissioners were the founding fathers of this country, we would have Guatemala, Uruguay and Argentina in the United States,” Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim, on the conference realignment brouhaha.
“The NBA announced on Friday that preseason games have been cancelled. Is that a threat or a promise?,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.
“Only at the ‘U’ could you read this headline: ‘Ex-rapper sues renegade booster’,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.
“Georgia at Ole Miss: Mark Richt should enjoy this game. It might be the only time this season he is opposed by a coach with less job security. Houston Nutt lost to Vanderbilt, 30-7. In most conferences, that’s considered a felony, even in the Big East, and they hardly have anybody left since the last time the ACC went shopping,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.
“We’re our own worst enemy,” Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, after the loss to Clemson.
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Nebraska (4-0) at Wisconsin (4-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – Aha! Nebraska’s initiation into the Big Ten has finally arrived. And what an initiation it is – Wisconsin. Not only Wisconsin, but in Madison. Nebraska must be saying, “Gee, thanks Big Ten. Why couldn’t it have been Minnesota? Or Indiana?” Oh well, if you are going to get initiated, you might as well get initiated by the best. And Wisconsin sure looks like the best team in the Big Ten. Actually, until Russell Wilson arrived on the scene in Madison, this might not have been such a tough game. But lo and behold, Wilson did arrive. And that changed the outlook for the Badgers. On a scale of 1-10, the Badgers went from a 6 or 7 to a 9 or 10. Anyway, this should be one hell of a contest. And College GameDay is in Madison. Not as much fun as Morgantown, but the next best thing. The Huskers will be out to firmly plant their Corn in the Big Ten. But the Badgers dig up that Corn – Wisconsin 26, Nebraska 22.
RUNNER UP: 2. Alabama (4-0) at Florida (4-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – Well, we know Alabama is for real. No one is second guessing the Tide. But how about the Gators? We thought Tennessee was going to be a good test for Florida. But no such thing. The Vols weren’t even good pretenders. Bama is beyond pretending. The Tide is the Real McCoy. So this will be a true test for the Gators. We’ll see what Mr. Weis has in store for the visitors from Tuscaloosa. Unfortunately for the Gators, the store is not well-stocked. Elephants drain The Swamp – Alabama 28, Florida 20.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. Clemson (4-0) at Virginia Tech (4-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – Wow! This is the third tough game in a row for the Tigers – Auburn, Florida State, Virginia Tech. And unlike Auburn and Florida State, this one is on the road in Blacksburg. That’s asking a lot of a team. Tigers run out of steam – Virginia Tech 27, Clemson 24.
4. Auburn (3-1) at South Carolina (4-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – Speaking of a tough row to hoe, The Gamecocks have been through Georgia, Navy and Vanderbilt. And now – Auburn. The Cocks’ defense may have found itself, but their offense is still struggling. It’s inconsistent. But Auburn doesn’t have much of a defense. Still, it should be another interesting day in Columbia. Garcia seasons the Chick Peas – South Carolina 26, Auburn 24.
5. Arkansas (3-1) vs. Texas A&M (2-1) – (SEC vs. Big 12) – Welcome to the SEC, Aggies. I know….it’s not a conference game yet. But for all practical purposes. If Ryan Tannehill throws another three INT’s this week, the Aggs are dead. But he doesn’t – Texas A&M 29, Arkansas 28.
6. Baylor (3-0) at Kansas State (3-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – Watch out for Baylor. Robert Griffin is a true Heisman candidate. But watch out for K-State too. Bill Snyder may be working his magic again in Manhattan. Snyder is one trick short of a magic act – Baylor 24, Kansas State 23.
7. Texas (3-0) at Iowa State (3-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – Who would have thunk it? Iowa State undefeated after three games. Well you don’t have to thunk anymore – Texas 27, Iowa State 26.
8. Michigan State (3-1) at Ohio State (3-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – Okay, this is the Spartans chance to tell us that the game against Notre Dame was a fluke. The Buckeyes aren’t your mother’s Buckeyes. Spartans make Fickell look fickle – Michigan State 24, Ohio State 22.
9. Washington (3-1) at Utah (2-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – This is Utah’s first official Pac-12 game. That contest against USC a couple weeks ago was just practice. Utes tame the Huskies – Utah 28, Washington 26.
10. Northwestern (2-1) at Illinois (4-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – No….they are not playing in Wrigley Field this year. The Wildcats and Banned Indians are back on a real football field. Somehow I just can’t see Ron Zook losing to a team that lost to Army. Nobody loses to Army. But somehow Northwestern did. The Wildcats lose again too – Illinois 25, Northwestern 22.
11. SMU (3-1) at TCU (3-1) – (C-USA vs. MWC) – A few seasons ago, SMU was the only team to beat TCU. And SMU was bad then too. No one could figure out how it happened. Well, SMU is better now, but so are the Frogs – TCU 33, SMU 28.
12. South Florida (4-0) at Pitt (2-2) – (Big East vs. Big East) – Some think South Florida is now the team to beat in the Big East. We’ll see. But Pitt won’t beat the Bulls – South Florida 24, Pitt 19.
13. Air Force (2-1) at Navy (2-1) – (MWC vs. Ind.) – Now this could be a conference game in a few years. That is if the Middies and the Falcons both end up in the Big East, as some predict. That is if the Big East still exists in a few years. But how did I digress. Back to the game. Air Force and Navy are definitely the class of the service academies. Army got stuck in a latrine somewhere along the way and still hasn’t dug itself out. This should be a dandy in Annapolis. The Middies take the Fly Boys out for a canoe ride – Navy 25, Air Force 24.
14. Nevada (1-2) at Boise State (3-0) – (WAC vs. MWC) – Hey, Nevada was the only team to beat the Broncos last year. And, the Wolf Pack almost beat Texas Tech last week. Kellen Moore won’t let Nevada win this year. Wolf trap – Boise State 39, Nevada 22.
15. Georgia Tech (4-0) at N.C. State (2-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – The Yellow Jackets are exceeding expectations. The Wolfpack are falling short of expectations. Expect the Buzz Boys to win – Georgia Tech 31, N.C. State 20.
16. Mississippi State (2-2) at Georgia (2-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – Looks who’s climbing back. After an 0-2 start, Georgia has won two straight. Granted, Miss State is going to be stronger than Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss. But the game is in Athens. The Dawgs need a good conference win at home for the coach. They woof well – Georgia 25, Mississippi State 19.
17. North Carolina (3-1) at East Carolina (1-2) – (ACC vs. C-USA) – The Tar Heels defense will get to the Pirates. UNC gets back on the winning track. Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of wine – North Carolina 34, East Carolina 23.
18. Arizona (1-3) at USC (3-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – This may be Mike Stoops last year coaching the Wildcats. Arizona’s season is not starting out on a positive note. And there will be nothing positive about the Wildcats’ play against the Trojans – USC 33, Arizona 14.
19. Toledo (1-3) at Temple (3-1) – (MAC vs. MAC) – Now what more can the officials do to Toledo this week. Surely the Rockets are due for some good luck. Should be a good one, but no luck for the Rockets in Philly – Temple 28, Toledo 21.
20. Minnesota (1-3) at Michigan (4-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – I’d say Rich Rodriguez left Brady Hoke a talented group of players. How else do you explain the Wolverines’ 4-0 start? Denard Robinson….that’s how you explain it. But the Gophers still have some explaining to do – Michigan 36, Minnesota 17.
21. Western Michigan (2-2) at Connecticut (2-2) – (MAC vs. Big East) – This one could be interesting. The Broncos almost beat Illinois. I like their quarterback – Alex Carder. He’s good. UConn has been struggling. But the Broncos will struggle in this one – Connecticut 25, Western Michigan 22.
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
AROUND FLORIDA:
Bethune-Cookman (2-1) travels to Miami (1-2)…. Florida Atlantic (0-3) visits Louisiana-Lafayette (3-1)…. Jacksonville U. (2-2) is at Marist (1-3).... Florida A&M (2-2) hosts Delaware State (2-2).... Florida State (2-2) and UCF (2-2) have the week off.
Texas Southern at Jackson State – 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Houston at UTEP – 8 p.m. ET – CBS College Sports NetworkSouth Florida at Pitt – 8 p.m. ET – ESPN
Utah State at BYU – 8 p.m. ET – ESPN
Air Force at Navy – 12 noon ET – CBS
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M – 12 noon ET – ESPN Northwestern at Illinois – 12 noon ET – ESPN2
Penn State at Indiana – 12 noon ET – ESPNU
Tulane at Army – 12 noon ET – CBS College Sports Network
Kentucky at LSU – 12:20 p.m. ET – SEC Game of the Week
Wake Forest at Boston College – 12:30 p.m. ET – ACC Game of the Week
Nevada at Boise State – 2:30 p.m. ET – Versus
Auburn at South Carolina – 3:30 p.m. ET – CBS
Baylor at Kansas State – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC
Bethune-Cookman at Miami (Florida) – 3:30 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Georgia Tech at N.C. State – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC/ESPN
Michigan State at Ohio State – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC/ESPN
SMU at TCU – 3:30 p.m. ET – CBS College Sports Network
Clemson at Virginia Tech – 6 p.m. ET – ESPN2
Duke at Florida International – 7 p.m. ET – EPSNU
Texas at Iowa State – 7 p.m. ET – FX
Nebraska at Wisconsin – 8 p.m. ET – ABC
Alabama at Florida – 8 p.m. ET – CBS
North Carolina at East Carolina – 8 p.m. ET – CBS College Sports Network
Notre Dame at Purdue – 8 p.m. ET – ESPN
Ole Miss at Fresno State – 9:15 p.m. ET – ESPN2
Elsewhere around college football . . . It’s now official. Texas A&M has been accepted into the SEC, effective July 1, 2012. Baylor dropped all legal barriers to the move.
On the Internet – College Football Week now has a Website and can be found at www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com.
Touchdown Tom
Not directly college football related, but at the end of September as the college football season was about to move into its second month, the number one song in the country…
…75 years ago this week in 1936 was “A Fine Romance” by Fred Astaire
…70 years ago this week in 1941 was “Blue Champagne” by Jimmy Dorsey
…65 years ago this week in 1946 was “Five Minutes More” by Frank Sinatra
…60 years ago this week in 1951 was “Because of You” by Tony Bennett
…55 years ago this week in 1956 was “Don’t Be Cruel/Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley
…50 years ago this week in 1961 was “Take Good Care of My Baby” by Bobby Vee
…45 years ago this week in 1966 was “Cherish” by The Association
…40 years ago this week in 1971 was “Maggie May/Reason to Believe” by Rod Stewart
…35 years ago this week in 1976 was “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry
…30 years ago this week in 1981 was “Endless Love” by Diana Ross & Lionel Ritchie
…25 years ago this week in 1985 was “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits
…20 years ago this week in 1990 was “I Adore Mi Amor” by Color Me Badd
Not directly college football related, but on a sad comment, there were four passings of note last week – Wilma Lee Cooper, Frances Bay, Dolores Hope and Orlando Brown.
Wilma Lee Cooper, a perennial favorite with the Grand Ole Opry and a member, with her husband, Stoney, of a popular tradition steeped country singing duo, died last week at her home in Sweetwater, Tennessee. She was 90. She and her husband had their highest-charting country hit – it reached No. 3 – with “There’s a Big Wheel,” a song written by Don Gibson. Another of the couple’s Top 10 hits came with a rollicking adaptation of “Midnight Special,” released under the title “Big Midnight Special” in 1959. Wilma Lee Leary was born February 7, 1921, in Valley Head, West Virginia.
Frances Bay, a character actress who late in life became a mainstay of television – playing roles from Arthur Fonzarelli’s grandmother on “Happy Days” to the woman who scraps with Jerry Seinfeld over a loaf of marble rye – died last week in Los Angeles. She was 92. The cause was complications from pneumonia. She made her movie debut in the Goldie Hawn-Chevy Chase film “Foul Play” (1978). She also played the grandmother to Adam Sandler’s title character in the film “Happy Gilmore.” She made more than 158 performances on television, including episodes of “Who’s the Boss?,” “Seinfeld,” “Happy Days,” “ER,” “Matlock” and “The X-Files.” Most recently, she appeared in a recurring role on the sitcom “The Middle.” Frances Goffman was born in Manville, Alberta, on January 23, 1919.
Dolores Hope, who gave up her singing career to spend 69 years at the side of her husband, Bob Hope, pursuing philanthropy and projecting with him the image of an enduring Hollywood marriage, died last week in the home she and her husband bought in 1940 in the Toluca Lake section of Los Angeles. She was 102. Dolores DeFina was born on May 27, 1909, in the Harlem section of New York City. She grew up in the Bronx and changed her last name to Reade when she began a career as a nightclub singer.
Orlando Brown, a bruising offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Colts who was once temporarily blinded in one eye by a referee’s errant penalty flag, was found dead in his apartment last week in Baltimore. He was 40. Orlando Claude Brown was born on December 12, 1970, in Washington, DC. He played college football for South Carolina State.
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