Monday, December 5, 2011

Spread and Choke? Only Time Will Tell

College Football Week 15 – Coaching merry-go-round gets wild

Spread and Choke? Only Time Will Tell

The week began with what we had known for some time – Urban Meyer was named the new football coach at Ohio State.  Meyer is returning to the state where he was born and raised (Ashtabula), where he went to college (Cincinnati), where he was first a graduate assistant coach (Ohio State) and where he was first a head coach (Bowling Green).

No sooner had Meyer been announced as the coach at Ohio State and several Buckeye fans and so-called college football pundits were saying the “spread” won’t work in the Big Ten – “You can’t be successful in the Big Ten running the spread offense.”

Well, let me tell you, that’s a bunch of nonsense.  That’s what several SEC and so-called college football pundits said when Meyer was named the coach at Florida – “You can’t be successful in the SEC running the spread offense.”  But during his six years at Florida, Meyer won three SEC East Division titles, two SEC championships and two national championships. 

As long as you have the players and the talent, you can be successful running the spread offense anywhere in the country.  But you do have to have a good defense to complement your spread.  There will be days when the other team’s defense slows down your spread.  On those days, your defense has to keep you in the game.

No doubt Meyer will be successful in Columbus.  He has been successful every where he has gone – Bowling Green, Utah, Florida.  The question is will Meyer be successful enough to win Big Ten Conference titles and national championships.  That’s what it will take to keep Buckeye fans happy.

Meyer will need to be a stricter disciplinarian in Columbus.  During his six years at Florida, 33 or so players were arrested.  Meyer initially blamed those problems on Ron Zook.  Of course it was mostly with Zook’s recruits that Meyer won his two national championships, especially the first one.

But the arrest problems continued in his last two years when there were no Zook recruits.  On his way out of Gainesville to North Alabama earlier this year, Gator defensive back Janoris Jenkins, who had been dismissed from the team by Will Muschamp, said he would not have been dismissed if Urban Meyer was still the coach.

Ohio State opens its 2012 Big Ten schedule on September 29 in East Lansing against Michigan State.  The following Saturday, the Buckeyes host Nebraska in Columbus.  Stay tuned!

Meyer has already expressed interest in Mike Stoops for his defensive coordinator.  And Luke Fickell, if he so decides, will remain on the Buckeyes staff.  However, Akron has shown interest in Fickell.

Speaking of coaches and vacancies, last week’s Sunday Bloody Sunday left a slew of openings around the country.  Eight coaches were fired in one day.  The eight firings, along with the five existing openings, made for 13 head coaching jobs looking to be filled.  New Mexico, Arizona and Ohio State having filled theirs already.

Washington State wasted no time.  Shortly after firing Paul Wulff, the school named former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach as its new head man.  Leach signed a five-year contract that will pay him $2 million a year.  He should make things very interesting in Pullman.    

No sooner had Washington State filled its opening and Texas A&M created yet another vacancy in the college football coaching ranks.  Yes, the Aggies fired Mike Sherman.  In four years at A&M, Sherman compiled a 25-25 record.  Obviously, the Aggies felt they needed a new coach to guide them into the SEC.     

As expected, names were flying all over the place as potential candidates to fill the many vacancies.  Perhaps the most interesting was Dan Mullen to Penn State.  The Mississippi State coach was being broadcast as the most likely next coach at Penn State.  But Mullen was saying, “Not so fast my friends.”  He denied the reports, saying there had been no contact from Penn State and that he was happy in Starkville.  Stay tuned!

Others names being listed as possibilities for the Penn State job were Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald, Louisville’s Charlie Strong and Virginia’s Mike London.  Strong is also considered a possibility for Texas A&M.  Reports had Boise State’s Chris Petersen as the No. 1 candidate to replace Rick Neuheisel at UCLA.  But Petersen soon dismissed those reports, saying he had no interest in the UCLA job.

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano was listed as a candidate for the Illinois job.  Ole Miss is supposedly keen on Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart.  But then, Southern Miss’ Larry Fedora and Arkansas State’s Hugh Freeze are also interested in the Ole Miss job.  Louisiana-Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth removed his name from consideration at Ole Miss.  Obviously, Hudspeth found out he wasn’t going to be selected.   

Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz wants the Arizona State job.  But Arizona State indicated strong interest in Houston’s Kevin Sumlin.  That is until Sumlin apparently terminated interest in Arizona State.  Sumlin may be more interested in Texas A&M or UCLA.  Miami (Florida) coach Al Golden is also on UCLA’s radar.  Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner expressed interest in the Memphis opening.   

Florida Atlantic may have found its coach.  Reports have Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini as the new coach at FAU.  Carl is the brother of Nebraska coach Bo Pelini.

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn’s on-again, off-again relationship with North Carolina is reported to be on-again in Chapel Hill.  Recently fired Kansas coach Turner Gill may be the new man at UAB.  And look for Eastern Michigan coach Ron English to pop up somewhere.

Kentucky’s not looking for a coach, but the school will have to fork over $50,000.  That’s the amount the SEC fined the school for letting its fans rush onto the field after the Wildcats win over Tennessee.  And it’s the fifth time Kentucky has been fined for the same violation since SEC invoked the rule in 2006.  But then again, it was the first time Kentucky had beat Tennessee since 1984.  I guess that’s worth $50,000.   

So much for the revival of Turner Gill, UAB hired Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee as its new coach.  Five down and 12 to go.  Reports have Ole Miss hiring Arkansas State coach Hugh Freeze and Arizona State talking to SMU coach June Jones.  Stay tuned! 

It was conference championship weekend and for the umpteenth time, the SEC championship game wasn’t exciting.  It seems like it never is.  LSU made dog meat out of Uga, beating Georgia, 42-10.  But then, none of the conference title games were exciting, except for the Big Ten.  Wisconsin and Michigan State gave us a splendid game.  You almost hated to see either team lose.  But in the end the Badgers pulled it out, 42-39.  Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson threw a touchdown pass for the 37th-straight game – a FBS record.

In Charlotte, Clemson repeated its earlier season victory over Virginia Tech.  The Tigers embarrassed the Hokies, 38-10, to take the ACC title.  In the battle for the Big 12’s BCS bowl spot, Oklahoma State obliterated Oklahoma, 44-10.  Then Poke fans proceeded to Occupy the Field at Boone Pickens Stadium.  In the C-USA championship game, Southern Miss shocked previously undefeated Houston, 49-28.  The loss prevents the Cougars from going to a BCS bowl – what would have been a first for a C-USA team.

West Virginia beat South Florida, 30-27, on a game-ending field goal, and Cincinnati beat Connecticut, 35-27, which set up a three-way tie for the Big East Conference crown – Cincinnati, Louisville and West Virginia.  The Mountaineers grab the conference’s BCS bowl bid on the basis of finishing higher than the other two in the final BCS standings. 

In addition to the Big Ten, there actually was one other exciting conference title game.  In the MAC, Northern Illinois kicked a field goal as time expired to beat Ohio, 23-20, for the Mid-American Conference championship. 

Reports Sunday, say that Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild has been fired.  Fairchild finished his fourth season with the Rams, losing to Wyoming on Saturday.  CSU was 3-9 this year and 16-33 overall under Fairchild.  And Fresno State fired Pat Hill.  No surprise, Hill has been collecting a welfare check in Fresno for some time now.

As expected, it will be a rematch in the BCS National Championship game on January 9 – LSU and Alabama.  The two schools finished one and two respectively in the final BCS poll.  No. 3 Oklahoma State will meet No. 4 Stanford in the Fiesta Bowl on January 2.  No. 5 Oregon takes on No. 10 Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl on January 2.  Michigan and Virginia Tech will tangle in the Sugar Bowl on January 3, and West Virginia and Clemson will face off in the Orange Bowl on January 4.

Florida has a date with Ohio State in the Gator Bowl.  That should be interesting.  Wonder if Urban Meyer will be there?  I doubt it.  Last week, I heard someone on the radio say they should pit West Virginia against Michigan in the Sugar Bowl with Rich Rodriguez doing the play-by-play.  I’ll have my annual CFW Bowl Game Preview out on Friday morning (December 9), previewing all 35 bowl games.

New Orleans Saints wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson has been named the new coach at Tulane.  Johnson, a native of New Orleans, is a former assistant coach at Miami (Florida).   

And finally, Florida Atlantic’s Howard Schnellenberger retired Saturday.  FAU lost to Louisiana-Monroe, 26-0.  Schnellenberger finished his final season at 1-11.  His career college football coaching record was 158-152-3. He was 6-0 in bowl games.

Swamp Mama and I, and Bootsie and Rockledge Gator got together at Coasters Friday night.  Over a few brews and some tasty food, we commiserated over the Gator season, taking our verbal frustrations out on Will Mustake…I mean….Muschamp and Charlie “Chaplin” Weis.  What’s with that cane?  We also talked about the success Tim Tebow is having.  Sitting a few tables away were our neighbors Deb and Dieter Gum.    

Touchdown Tom
December 5, 2011


Weekend Review

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Uga gets Honey Badgered – LSU 42, Georgia 10 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 27, Georgia 16).  The Bulldogs looked like Bulldogs in the first half.  Then they looked like Bullfrogs in the second half.  They croaked.  Georgia held LSU to an amazing 12 yards and no first downs in the first half.  Then LSU, mainly Tyrann Mathieu, held Uga to all bark and no bite in the second half.  The Tigers outscored the Dawgs 35-0 in the second half.  Interestingly, the Tigers only had 30 yards passing.  But then the Dawgs only had 78 yards rushing.  Georgia beat no one this season.  The Dawgs played three tough teams and lost to all three of them.  They beat 10 cupcakes.  Some without icing.  No one, other than Alabama, came close to beating LSU this season.  A crowd of 74,515 attended the game in Atlanta.

RUNNER UP:  Making a statement – Oklahoma State 44, Oklahoma 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 35, Oklahoma 34).  All that money T. Boone Pickens has been funneling into the Okie State athletic department, he obviously forgot to funnel some into post-game stadium security.  Apparently, the Big 12 doesn’t fine schools for rushing the field after games.  They may want to think about it now.  Oh yes, there was a ball game and Bob Stoops has sure lost his share of big ones in recent years.  Some Sooner boosters may be starting to take note of that.  OU had five turnovers.  Two were interceptions thrown by Landry Jones.  The Cowboys were fired up and the Sooners panicked.  Okie State could run and pass.  OU couldn’t do anything.  A crowd of 58,141 attended the game in Stillwater.

BEST OF THE REST:  Andre the Giant – Clemson 38, Virginia Tech 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 25, Clemson 16).  Virginia Tech only played two tough teams this season – Clemson and Clemson.  Clemson beat the Hokies the first time, in Blacksburg, 23-3.  The Tigers beat Virginia Tech the second time, in Charlotte, 38-10.  Average beating – 30-6.  They not only beat Virginia Tech the second time, but they held the Hokies to 56 yards rushing.  Clemson’s Andre Ellington rushed for 125 yards.  A crowd of 73,675 attended the game in Charlotte.

Thriller – Wisconsin 42, Michigan State 39 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 30, Michigan State 24).  Of all the conference championship games Saturday, this is the only one that lived up to its billing.  It was the only one that was exciting.  It was a thriller.  Every bit as exciting as the first meeting between these two during the season when the Spartans won, 37-31.  It all came down to a perfect pass thrown by Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson with a little less than four minutes left in the game.  On fourth-and-six, and scrambling, Wilson connected with Jeff Duckworth on a 36-yard pass that put the ball on the Michigan State seven.  Montee Ball ran in for a touchdown on the next play.  Wilson then connected with Jason Pedersen on the two-point conversion, to put the Badgers up 42-39.  A crowd of 64,152 attended the game in Indianapolis.

Hats off to Fedora – Southern Miss 49, Houston 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Houston 42, Southern Miss 26).  I’d say Kevin Sumlin spent too much time during the week focusing on a new job – Arizona State/Texas A&M/UCLA – instead of focusing on Southern Miss.  Houston played like a distracted team.  Obviously, the Cougars took the Eagles for granted and got surprised.  Southern Miss had a balanced attack of 279 yards passing and 207 rushing.  Houston was very unbalanced – only 55 yards rushing.  A crowd of 32,413 attended the game in Houston.

Cats get the Tweety Bird – Kansas State 30, Iowa State 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 23, Iowa State 14).  Kansas State scored with 3:29 remaining to break the tie and win the game.  The Wildcats culminate a sensational season finishing 10-2 and second in the Big 12.  A crowd of 47,392 attended the game in Manhattan.

Bears growl, Bevo moos – Baylor 48, Texas 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 34, Texas 33).  Texas quarterback Case McCoy threw four interceptions and the Longhorns had six turnovers in all.  Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin and running back Terrance Ganaway were too much for the Bovines.  Texas finished with a losing record in the Big 12 for the second-straight year.  A crowd of 46,543 attended the game in Waco.   

King James – Oregon 49, UCLA 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 40, UCLA 17).  UCLA found an offense, but the Bruins couldn’t stop Oregon’s LaMichael James.  James rushed for 219 yards. Rick Neuheisel coached his final game at UCLA.  A crowd of 59,376 attended the game in Eugene.

Mounties shoot the Bull – West Virginia 30, South Florida 27 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 30, South Florida 15).  The Mounties offense didn’t score a touchdown until 5:09 remaining in the fourth quarter.  WVU’s two touchdowns prior to that were scored on an interception return and a kickoff return.  Tyler Bitancurt’s 28-yard field goal as time expired gave the Eers the win.  A crowd of 41,743 attended the game in Tampa.

Cats lick the Dogs – Cincinnati 35, Connecticut 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Cincinnati 26, Connecticut 19).  The Bearcats held Connecticut to 18 yards rushing and hung on to beat the Huskies.  UConn outscored Cincinnati 21-7 in the second half.  The win gave Cincinnati a share of the Big East title.  A crowd of 27,930 attended the game in Cincinnati.

Huskies Bob the Cats – Northern Illinois 23, Ohio 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Northern Illinois 29, Ohio 24).  The first and second halves were like two different games.  Ohio led 20-0 at the half.  Then the Huskies woke up and scored 23 unanswered points in the second half.  NIU’s Mathew Sims kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired to give the Huskies the win.  A crowd of 13,052 attended the game in Detroit.

Cougars spoil the Pineapple – BYU 41, Hawaii 20 (Touchdown Tom said: BYU 36, Hawaii 23).  BYU’s Riley Nelson threw for 363 yards and the Cougars finished the season with a 9-3 record, their first as an Independent.  BYU held Hawaii to 17 yards rushing.  A crowd of 34,446 attended the game in Honolulu.

Big bad Wolf – Arkansas State 45, Troy 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Arkansas State 30, Troy 17).  Ryan Alpin threw for 356 yards and Arkansas State won the Sun Belt Conference title in its first year under Hugh Freeze.  The Red Wolves held Troy to 62 yards rushing.  A crowd of 14,156 attended the game in Jonesboro.

Panthers spit out the Seeds – Pitt 33, Syracuse 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Pitt 24, Syracuse 18).  In the battle to become bowl eligible, the Panthers came out victorious.  Sitting at 5-2 in late October, Syracuse proceeded to lose its last five games.  A crowd of 40,058 attended the game in Pittsburgh.

Cowboys feast on Lamb chops – Wyoming 22, Colorado State 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Wyoming 32, Colorado State 19).  Wyoming finished its season with an outstanding record at 8-4 and third place in the MWC behind TCU and Boise State.  The Cowboys are bowl-bound.  Now, will Colorado State coach Steve Fairchild keep his job?  A crowd of 17,207 attended the game in Fort Collins. 


AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

MWC over WAC – San Diego State 35, Fresno State 28 (Touchdown Tom said: San Diego State 28, Fresno State 19).  Ronnie Hillman ran for 178 yards and Ryan Lindley passed for 281 as the Aztecs beat the Bulldogs with a touchdown in the final two minutes of the game.  Fresno State’s Derek Carr passed for 336 yards.  A crowd of 32,790 attended the game in San Diego.


Comment: Houston blew its chance for a spot in a BCS bowl.

A very good 14-2 on my picks brings my season total to 230-89 (72.1 percent).


AROUND FLORIDA:

Florida Atlantic lost to Louisiana-Monroe, 26-0.  A crowd of 15,171 attended the game in Boca Raton.


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Houston’s Case Keenum – 41-67-2 for 373 yards; BYU’s Riley Nelson – 25-37-0-363; Arkansas State’s Ryan Alpin – 25-37-1-356; Nevada’s Tyler Lantrip – 24-31-0-340, and Fresno State’s Derek Carr – 19-35-1-336.

Also, Baylor’s Robert Griffin – 15-22-1 for 320 yards; Boise State’s Kellen Moore – 28-33-0-313; Troy’s Corey Robinson – 32-52-2-311; Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins – 22-30-1-281; San Diego State’s Ryan Lindley – 21-40-0-281, and Southern Miss’ Austin Davis – 17-33-1-279.  


Impressive Rushers:  North Texas’ Lance Dunbar – 313 yards; Oregon’s LaMichael James – 219 yards; San Diego State’s Ronnie Hillman; Colorado State’s Raymond Carter – 158 yards; Baylor’s Terrance Ganaway – 152 yards, and Oklahoma State’s Joseph Randle – 151 yards.


TT’s Annual Picks 

My choice for coach of the year from each of the FBS (Division I-A) Conferences.

ACC: Mike London – Virginia; Runner-up: Jim Grobe – Wake Forest
Big 12: Bill Snyder – Kansas State; Runner-up: Art Briles – Baylor
Big East: Charlie Strong – Louisville; Runner-up: Greg Schiano – Rutgers
Big Ten: Brady Hoke – Michigan; Runner-up: Danny Hope – Purdue
C-USA: Kevin Sumlin – Houston; Runner-up: Doc Holliday – Marshall
MAC: Dave Doeren – Northern Illinois; Runner-up: Ron English – Eastern Michigan
MWC: Dave Christensen – Wyoming; Runner-up: Gary Patterson – TCU
Pac-12: Lane Kiffin – USC; Runner-up: David Shaw – Stanford
SEC: James Franklin – Vanderbilt; Runner-up: Mark Richt – Georgia
Sun Belt: Hugh Freeze – Arkansas State; Runner-up: (tie) Willie Taggart – Western Kentucky and Mark Hudspeth – Louisiana-Lafayette
WAC: Sonny Dykes – Louisiana Tech; Runner-up: Gary Andersen – Utah State
Ind: Bronco Mendenhall – BYU; Runner-up: Brian Kelly – Notre Dame


If I had a vote for the Heisman, my ballot would be cast as follows:

1.      Andrew Luck (Stanford)
2.      Robert Griffin (Baylor)
3.      Trent Richardson (Alabama)


My choice for the most disappointing team of the year in each of the FBS (Division I-A) conferences:

ACC: (tie) North Carolina and Maryland
Big 12: Texas A&M
Big East: (tie) Pitt and South Florida
Big Ten: Iowa
C-USA: UCF
MAC: Miami (Ohio)
MWC: Air Force
Pac-12: (tie) Arizona State, Utah and Arizona
SEC: Mississippi State
Sun Belt: (tie) Troy and Florida International
WAC: (tie) Fresno State and Hawaii
Ind: Navy


Quotes of the Week

“One popular conspiracy theory:  Meyer left because he realized he had made some recruiting mistakes and the Gators would be mediocre this season.  That could’ve played a role.  But if Florida had been better in 2010, maybe he wouldn’t have seemed as worn down either,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz, on Urban Meyer’s departure from Florida after the 2010 season.

“The ‘I just want to spend my time with my family’ excuse never washed with anybody.  That’s not to say Meyer doesn’t love his wife and children but that never seemed the No. 1 motivating factor in him quitting,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Do u find it ironic that after firing one liar OSU hired another,” Twitter comment on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Website.  

“From Urban Meyer to Urban Liar,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“What was it those renowned football analysts – Fleetwood Mac – once sang about Urban Meyer?  ‘Tell me lies.  Tell me sweet little lies,’” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

Urban Meyer tells reporters in Columbus that he has reached the top of the mountain.  Ah, who will ever forget when Meyer was introduced as the new head coach at Florida seven years ago when he said that he had reached ‘the top of the mountain’ in college coaching,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“The Buckeyes have replaced one coach who couldn’t tell the truth with another,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.   

Meyer fled Florida a year ago for health and family reasons.  Then he got better, or his family got sick of him, and he decided to go coach Ohio state,” CBSSports.com columnist Ray Ratto.

Urban Meyer runs away from Nick Saban and Les Miles,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Ohio State was covered in slime when Luke Fickell took over.  The school has promised him a spot on Meyer’s staff.  That is the very least they could do for his fealty,” USA Today writer Reid Cherner. 

“Keeping Luke Fickell on Meyer’s staff might be the smartest thing Ohio State has done of late.  The guy showed he can dive into triage and clean up someone else’s mess,” USA Today writer Tom Weir.

“Georgia has one advantage in this game: Aaron Murray.  LSU is equal to or better than Georgia everywhere else.  The Tigers have won over ranked teams, won on the road, won in Tuscaloosa, won nine of their games by 46, 26, 28, 30, 31, 35, 33, 49 and 24.  Also, they conquered Belarus and are moving into Poland,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“The ACC keeps hoping for a Miami-Florida State title game.  It keeps getting Virginia Tech vs. somebody else.  Clemson is 1-3 since starting 8-0 and turning back into Clemson,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Fans have been warned: Don’t look Urban in the eye when he emerges for his pontiff wave from a luxury suite before kickoff.  Nice year for the Big Ten’s first title game.  Scandal at Ohio State.  Slime at Penn State.  Where’s next year’s game, Chernobyl?,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“One of the teams in the inaugural Pac-12 championship (UCLA) has already fired its coach (Rick Neuheisel).  Even Auburn never did that.  If UCLA wins, everybody might want to duck when Neuheisel gets his hands on the trophy,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz. 

“Carolina is still in Chapel Hill and USC is still in California,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, knocking South Carolina.

“By the way, Florida and Ohio State will likely be paired in the Gator Bowl.  And for the first time in history you will see Urban Decay and Urban Renewal on the same field,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“And did you see where the Magic are going to open the season on Christmas night in Oklahoma City?  The only thing worse than spending Christmas in Oklahoma City is spending spring break in Toledo,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Uga is really ugly.  That dog is ugly!,” ESPN GameDay analyst Lee Corso.


The One Hottest and Most Intriguing Game of the Week…and then none

Army (3-8) vs. Navy (4-7) – (Ind. vs. Ind.) – This year the game is in Landover, Maryland.  This year both teams are down and neither will be going to a bowl game, regardless who wins.  After several years of success, Navy was hurting this year.  After major improvement last year, Army went backward this year.  Army coach Rich Ellerson is 15-21 in his third year at Army.  Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo is 31-21 in his fourth year at Navy.  The Middies win again – Navy 25, Army 22.       


Saturday’s Television Schedule – December 10

Alabama A&M vs. Grambling – 1 p.m. ET – ESPNU
Army vs. Navy – 2:30 p.m. ET – CBS


In the Huddle


Elsewhere around college football … Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson announced he will retire in 2012….  Justin Combs, son of Sean “Diddy” Combs, has committed to play football for UCLA.  Combs is a 5-foot-9, 170 pound cornerback from New Rochelle, New York.

North Carolina’s non-conference schedule in 2012 consists of Elon, Louisville, East Carolina and Idaho….  Colorado State fired athletic director Steve Kowalczyk….  Tennessee coach Derek Dooley fired his receivers coach Charlie Baggett….  The ACC announced that its conference championship game will be staying in Charlotte for two more seasons – 2012 and 2013.

Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist is transferring.  Crist graduates this month so he will be eligible to play one year (next year) at a FBS (Division I-A) school….  Boston College’s Luke Kuechly won the Butkus Award as college football’s best linebacker….  Pitt coach Todd Graham fired three of his assistants – Tony Dews (tight ends), Tony Gibson (defensive backs) and Calvin Magee (offensive coordinator).


2011 Conference Champions

ACC: Clemson
Big 12: Oklahoma State
Big East: (tie) Cincinnati, Louisville, West Virginia
Big Ten: Wisconsin
C-USA: Southern Miss
MAC: Northern Illinois
MWC: TCU
Pac-12: Oregon
SEC: LSU
Sun Belt: Arkansas State
WAC: Louisiana Tech


Extra Points

Final BCS Standings: 1. LSU, 2. Alabama, 3. Oklahoma State, 4. Stanford, 5. Oregon,
6. Arkansas, 7. Boise State, 8. Kansas State, 9. South Carolina, 10. Wisconsin

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

Touchdown Tom


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but with the gray skies of early December upon us, the college football season was fading fast.  As the fans were talking about new coaches, bowl games and the Heisman Trophy, the number one song in the country…

…75 years ago this week in 1936 was “I’ll Sing You a Thousand Love Songs” by Eddy Duchin

…70 years ago this week in 1941 was “Chattanooga Choo Choo” by Glenn Miller

…65 years ago this week in 1946 was “Rumors Are Flying” by Frankie Carle

…60 years ago this week in 1951 was “Cold, Cold Heart” by Tony Bennett

…55 years ago this week in 1956 was “Singing the Blues” by Guy Mitchell

…50 years ago this week in 1961 was “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes

…45 years ago this week in 1966 was “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys

…40 years ago this week in 1971 was “Family Affair” by Sly & the Family Stone

…35 years ago this week in 1976 was “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” by Rod Stewart

…30 years ago this week in 1981 was “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John

…25 years ago this week in 1986 was “The Next Time I Fall” by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant

…20 years ago this week in 1991 was “Black or White” by Michael Jackson


Not directly college football related, but on a sad comment, there was one passing of note last week – Chester McGlockton.

Chester McGlockton, an assistant football coach at Stanford who was a four-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman, died last week.  He was 42.  A native of Whiteville, North Carolina, McGlockton played college football at Clemson.  He played 12 seasons in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos and New York Jets.


No comments:

Post a Comment