College Football Week 7 – South Carolina at LSU
‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’
“Well, I said shake, rattle and roll.”

That’s exactly what we experienced Saturday.  It was as if someone had taken the Top 25 poll and given it a shake, a rattle and a roll.  It was as if we experienced an earthquake and the ground shook beneath us.  The poll was all shook up.

“Please don’t ask me what’s on my mind
I’m a little mixed up, but I’m feelin’ fine.”

Ten teams in the Top 25 lost Saturday.  Seven of those teams lost for the first time.  Three of those teams were Top 5 teams.  Six of those teams lost to other teams ranked in the Top 25.

Top 5-ranked LSU, Florida State and Georgia all lost.  LSU and Florida State were sadly lacking offenses in their losses.  The Tigers fell to Florida, 14-6, and the Seminoles were stunned by unranked NC State, 17-16.  Georgia was sadly lacking an offense and a defense in its 35-7 shellacking from South Carolina.

Outside the Top 10, Texas, TCU, Nebraska, Northwestern and Texas Tech all lost.  All five of those teams were lacking defenses in their losses.  Texas couldn’t keep up with West Virginia, losing to the Mountaineers, 48-45.  TCU, playing without its starting quarterback, was shaken by unranked Iowa State, 37-23. 

Nebraska couldn’t stop Braxton Miller.  The Huskers lost to Ohio State, 63-38.  Northwestern turned out to be a pretender.  The Wildcats fell to unranked Penn State, 39-28.  Texas Tech suffered its first loss of the season.  The Red Raiders were raided by Oklahoma, 41-20.

And finally, the remaining two Top 25 teams that lost Saturday were Washington and UCLA.  The Huskies were humiliated by Oregon, 52-21.  UCLA fell to California, 43-17.

Shakedown Saturday.  That’s what they call it.  Ten Top 25 teams got the shakedown.  And seven of the 23 undefeated teams lost for the first time.  That leaves 16 undefeated teams all feeling the pressure as Week 7 awaits their performance.
    
“My hands are shaky and my knees are weak
I can’t seem to stand on my own two feet.”

The pressure is off four teams who won for the first time Saturday.  In Week 6, Army, Idaho, Memphis and UAB each experienced their first win.  Four teams – Eastern Michigan, Massachusetts, Southern Miss and Tulane – remain winless.

The pressure also is off three teams who qualified for a bowl game Saturday.  Ohio, Oregon and South Carolina are all 6-0.  Ohio State is 6-0 as well, but the Buckeyes are on probation this season and banned from going to a bowl game. 

There were three overtime games Saturday – all settled in the first OT.  In perhaps the wildest of the three, Stanford, down 14 points to Arizona in the fourth quarter, scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes of regulation to tie the game at 48-48.

The Cardinal continued scoring in the first overtime and went on to beat Arizona, 54-48 (OT).  Nevada scored with 1:18 on the clock and held on to tie Wyoming, 28-28.  In the first overtime, the Wolf Pack scored and Wyoming didn’t.  Nevada won, 35-28 (OT).

In Colorado Springs, Navy, trailing Air Force, 21-13, scored with 6:35 remaining in the fourth quarter and was successful executing a two-point conversion to tie the Falcons, 21-21.  Neither team scored again in regulation and the game ended in a tie.  Navy scored in the first overtime, while Air Force didn’t.  The Middies won, 28-21 (OT).

The other service academy, Army, won its first game of the season.  The Cadets surprised Boston College, 34-31.  Army won the game, scoring on a 29-yard touchdown run with 0:45 left on the clock in the fourth quarter.

In a few other interesting games Saturday, Temple won its first ever Big East game.  The Owls stunned South Florida, 37-28.  Vanderbilt won its first SEC game of the season.  The Commodores shocked Missouri in Columbia, 19-14.  Newcomer Mizzou is still looking for its first SEC win.  And finally, Duke, yes Duke, won its second ACC game and moved to 5-1 on the season.  The Blue Devils burned Virginia, 42-17.

In perhaps the craziest stunt of the weekend, Georgia State dropped $10,000 in $5 bills from the rafters of the Georgia Dome during halftime of its game against New Hampshire.  Attendance has been down at Georgia State games this season.  The money drop was an inducement to get more people out to the game.  Now I’m wondering if “Something in the Air” and/or “Come and Get It” was playing over the public address system in the Georgia Dome while the money was dropping.

Earlier in the week, when I was reading about the scheduled money drop at the Georgia State game, I couldn’t help but think of the movie “The Magic Christian” with Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr.  There is a famous scene in the movie where an above-ground swimming pool (vat) is set up somewhere in the center of London.  The pool is then filled with animal blood, urine and feces.  Next, several thousand British pound-sterling bank notes are dropped into the pool.

Once the bank notes are dropped into the excrement, you begin to see people, who were passing by, climb into the pool to get at the money.  While this is happening, you hear “Something in the Air” by Thunderclap Newman and then “Come and Get It” by Badfinger, playing on the background soundtrack of the movie. 

By the way, Georgia State lost to New Hampshire, 44-21.  The Panthers are 0-6.  Attendance at the game was 9,531. 

Watching the LSU-Florida game Saturday, I had to scratch my head when I saw LSU coach Les Miles.  On a day when the temperature was listed at 86 at kickoff with about 80 percent humidity, Miles was standing on the sideline throughout the game with a long-sleeve jacket on.  Everyone else was in shirt-sleeves. 

Then I figured that Miles, a Michigan graduate, must have watched a Wolverine game in the recent past and noticed Michigan coach Brady Hoke on a hot day in his shirt-sleeves.  Believe me, Hoke in a wet shirt is not a pretty sight.         

The good news for Arkansas coach John L. Smith:  The Razorbacks beat Auburn, 24-7.  The bad news:  Smith’s debt rose from $25.7 million to $40.7 million.  Meanwhile, Louisville coach Charlie Strong remains everyone’s best guess as Smith’s replacement at Arkansas at the end of the season.  Stay tuned.    

“My hands are shaky and my knees are weak
I can’t seem to stand on my own two feet.”

I have to tell you that if the West Virginia games continue like they have been the past two weeks – WVU 70, Baylor 63 and WVU 48, Texas 45 – I may not make it through the season without suffering a heart attack or some kind of seizure. 

And finally, Rockledge Gator behaved last week.  I think Bootsie has him in a straight jacket.

Touchdown Tom
October 8, 2012
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


Week Six Review

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Georgia bows to Spurrier again – South Carolina 35, Georgia 7 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 26, Georgia 25).  Steve Spurrier always loves to beat Georgia and he generally gets his way.  Spurrier and the entire Gamecock team got their way.  The Cock defense kept the Dawgs muzzled throughout the contest.  Aaron Murray was a pathetic 11-for-31 passing.  And running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall were no shows.  As bad as the score was, it was worse.  The Dawgs’ lone touchdown came with 1:55 remaining in the game when the South Carolina cheerleaders were playing defense for the Gamecocks.  Mark Richt hasn’t won a big game in four years.  A crowd of 85,199 attended the game in Columbia.

RUNNER UP:  That’s Mus with a champ, not Mus with a take – Florida 14, LSU 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 23, LSU 21).  Yes, he’s no longer Will Mustake; he’s Will Muschamp.  For the third time out of four SEC games, the Gators trailed their opponents at the half, but came back to win the game in the second half.  We knew LSU didn’t have an offense.  Auburn showed us that.  And the Tigers still don’t have an offense – only eight first downs and 42 yards rushing against the Gators.  But the LSU defense was still something to respect.  And it still is.  However, Mike Gillislee’s 146 yards rushing and Jeff Driskel’s steady play were enough to give the Gators the edge.  A crowd of 90,824 attended the game in Gainesville.

REST OF THE BEST:  Bevo tasted good – West Virginia 48, Texas 45 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 38, Texas 37).  Well, I have to say, there was an 18-point improvement in the WVU defense.  Giving up 45 points to Texas in Austin is better than giving up 63 points to Baylor in Morgantown.  Texas came into the game averaging 48 points a game.  I’ll take it.  Oddly enough, there were times the defense actually looked good.  They kept the Horns scoreless in the fourth quarter, until the final 15 seconds.  Texas’ defense was the best the Mounties had faced this season.  WVU’s offense was certainly challenged at times, but in general the Mountie offense held up very well – especially when it had to on the final drive in the fourth quarter which gave WVU a 10-point lead.  Geno Smith’s numbers were good and he should remain the No. 1 candidate for the Heisman.  The star of the game for the Mounties was Andrew Buie – 207 yards rushing.  The lead in the game changed hands four times.  A record crowd of 101,851 attended the game in Austin.

We ain’t come to play school – Ohio State 63, Nebraska 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 25, Nebraska 23).  This was still a contest until halfway through the third quarter.  But after that, it was pretty much all Ohio State as the Huskers ran out of steam.  It definitely wasn’t one of Taylor Martinez’s better games – three interceptions.  And the Husker defense couldn’t contain the running of Braxton Miller or Carlos Hyde.  A crowd of 106,121 attended the game in Columbus.

Animal Quackers - Oregon 52, Washington 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 37, Washington 19).  Washington might have had a chance in this game if the Huskies didn’t have five turnovers.  It’s hard to come out on top when you have three fumbles and two interceptions.  Don’t know if anyone in the Pac-12 can stop Oregon, but the Ducks have some challenges coming up – Arizona State, USC, Cal, Stanford and Oregon State.  A crowd of 58,792 attended the game in Eugene.

Tommy Tumbleville – Oklahoma 41, Texas Tech 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas Tech 31, Oklahoma 29).  The Sooners were warming up for their encounter with Texas this week.  Texas Tech was the appetizer.  A crowd of 60,800 attended the game in Lubbock.

Gigged – Iowa State 37, TCU 23 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 23, Iowa State 12).  Obviously, without Casey Pachall, the Horned Frogs are a different team.  And what happened to the TCU defense?  Five turnovers killed the Frogs.  A crowd of 42,152 attended the game in Fort Worth.

Jimbo is Dumbo again – NC State 17, Florida State 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 37, NC State 26).  Jimbo Fisher is back to being Dumbo Fisher.  Actually, the Noles’ defense played good.  NC State only had 66 yards rushing.  But, except for the running of Chris Thompson (141 yards), the Noles’ offense was flat.  Trailing 16-10, State scored with 0:16 left on the clock to win the game.  Give the Wolfpack credit.  They have a knack for giving FSU headaches.  A crowd of 54,962 attended the game in Raleigh.

Who said Chicago is a windy city? – Notre Dame 41, Miami (Florida) 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 24, Miami 23).  The Hurricanes certainly didn’t generate any wind.  They couldn’t against the Irish defense.  Notre Dame’s defense has held its opponents to an average of 7.8 points a game this season.  The Irish offense, which had only been averaging 17 points a game in its last three encounters, found itself against Miami.  Notre Dame rushed for 376 yards.  A crowd of 62,871 attended the game in Chicago.

Trees grow over time – Stanford 54, Arizona 48 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 28, Arizona 23).  What a game.  The lead changed hands no less than nine times – five times alone in the third quarter.  The teams combined for 1,234 yards of offense – 851 passing.  A crowd of 48,204 attended the game in Palo Alto.

Trojans loot the Ute – USC 38, Utah 28 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 33, Utah 16).  This was still a game at the end of the third quarter – USC led 24-21.  Then the Trojans got two quick scores early in the fourth to put the game away.  Matt Barkley had a good game.  A crowd of 46,037 attended the game in Salt Lake City.

Tigers wax the Bees – Clemson 47, Georgia Tech 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 34, Georgia Tech 23).  The lead in this game changed hands six times.  It was pretty much anyone’s ballgame until late in the fourth quarter when Clemson put it away.  A crowd of 81,000 attended the game in Clemson.

Beavers paddle the Cougars – Oregon State 19, Washington State 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon State 32, Washington State 19).  Combined, the two teams had eight turnovers.  But five of them belonged to Washington State.  The Cougars also only had 20 yards rushing.  A crowd of 46,579 attended the game in Corvallis. 

Steamless in West Lafayette – Michigan 44, Purdue 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Purdue 27, Michigan 26).  Michigan scored the first 21 points and the final 13 points.  Denard Robinson rushed for 235 yards.  The Wolverine defense held the Boilers to 56 yards rushing.  Purdue also suffered four turnovers.  A crowd of 50,105 attended the game in West Lafayette.

Huskies in a Rut – Rutgers 19, Connecticut 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Rutgers 28, Connecticut 20).  UConn had five turnovers and was held to 53 yards rushing.  A crowd of 50,870 attended the game in Piscataway.

Mama mia Giovani – North Carolina 48, Virginia Tech 34 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 27, North Carolina 24).  The Hokies’ offense has suffered all season and they can no longer depend on their defense – not this year.  Tech only had 40 yards rushing, while Giovani Bernard rushed for 262 yards.  A crowd of 54,000 attended the game in Chapel Hill.

Nitters aren’t quitters – Penn State 39, Northwestern 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Northwestern 25, Penn State 24).  Trailing 28-17 early in the fourth quarter, the Nitts scored 22 unanswered points to win the game.  Penn State had 30 first downs to Northwestern’s 14.  A crowd of 95,969 attended the game in State College.

Southern missed – Boise State 40, Southern Miss 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 30, Southern Miss 19).  After suffering a close call to New Mexico last week, the Broncos got off to a big start against the Eagles.  Boise State led 30-0 early in the third quarter.  Southern Miss has yet to win a game.  A crowd of 25,337 attended the game in Hattiesburg.

Tedford Bears have a picnic – California 43, UCLA 17 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 32, California 19).  Combined, there were nine turnovers in the game – six by UCLA.  Cal’s C.J. Anderson rushed for 151 yards and Zach Maynard passed for 295 (25-30-1), which was a big boost for the Bears.  A crowd of 57,643 attended the game in Berkeley.

Oh what a Knight – UCF 40, East Carolina 20 (Touchdown Tom said: UCF 30, East Carolina 23).  Halfway through the third quarter, this was anybody’s ball game – UCF led 23-20.  Then the Knights scored 17 unanswered points.  UCF held the Pirates to only 64 yards rushing.  A crowd of 32,181 attended the game in Orlando.

AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

Soccer match? – BYU 6, Utah State 3 (Touchdown Tom said: BYU 32, Utah State 30).  All of the scoring, what little of it there was, took place in the first quarter.  BYU held the Aggies to 41 yards rushing.  A crowd of 63,086 attended the game in Provo.

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Dookies divide the Cavs in halves – Duke 42, Virginia 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 29, Virginia 27).  The Devils trailed 17-14 at the half and then scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.  The Dookies are 2-0 in ACC play and 5-1 overall.  Could a bowl game be on the horizon?  A crowd of 26,856 attended the game in Durham.

Week 6 Picks:    15 Correct,   7 Wrong   (68.2 percent)
On the Season:  104 Correct,   36 Wrong   (74.3 percent)

ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

South Florida fell to Temple, 37-28.  A crowd of 25,796 attended the game in Philadelphia….  Florida International lost to Arkansas State, 34-20.  A crowd of 13,612 attended the game in Miami.

Florida A&M fell to Howard, 17-10.  A crowd of 3,589 attended the game in Washington, DC….  Bethune-Cookman beat North Carolina A&T.   A crowd of 10,181 attended the game in Daytona Beach….  Jacksonville U. downed Morehead State, 38-17.  A crowd of 3,817 attended the game in Morehead.

Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Arizona’s Matt Scott – 45-69-1-491 yards; Ball State’s Keith Wenning – 42-71-2-434; Clemson’s Tajh Boyd – 26-41-2-397; Marshall’s Rakeem Cato – 31-44-1-391; Stanford’s Josh Nunes – 21-34-0-360; Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas – 26-49-1-354, and Central Michigan’s Ryan Radcliff – 28-44-2-327.

Also, Houston’s David Piland – 31-41-0-321 yards; Pitt’s Tino Sunseri – 25-33-0-319; Louisiana Tech’s Colby Cameron – 31-45-0-316; New Mexico State’s Andrew Manley – 28-45-2-309; Ole Miss’s Bo Wallace – 20-34-2-305; Idaho’s Dominique Blackman – 26-48-1-304, and USC’s Matt Barkley – 23-30-0-303.

Also, East Carolina’s Shane Carden – 23-36-1-298 yards; California’s Zach Maynard – 25-30-1-295; Michigan State’s Andrew Maxwell – 24-40-0-290; Louisiana-Monroe’s Kolton Browning – 26-38-1-285; Western Michigan’s Tyler Van Tubbergen – 23-28-1-283; Penn State’s Matt McGloin – 35-51-0-282, and Indiana’s Cameron Coffman – 33-48-0-282.

Impressive Rushers:  North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard – 262 yards; Michigan’s Denard Robinson – 235 yards; Houston’s Charles Sims – 210 yards; West Virginia’s Andrew Buie – 207 yards; Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch – 207, and Air Force’s Cody Getz – 202 yards.

Also, New Mexico’s Kasey Carrier – 191 yards; Boston College’s Andre Williams – 191 yards; Ohio State’s Braxton Miller – 185 yards; Army’s Raymond Maples – 184 yards; Buffalo’s Devin Campbell – 160 yards, and California’s C.J. Anderson – 151 yards.


Quotes of Last Week

“This is how things like Penn State get started,” The State sports columnist Ron Morris, on Steve Spurrier becoming too powerful for his own good.

“Georgia’s defense will be better than in the Tennessee game.  Aaron Murray will make plays in the fourth quarter.  Spurrier will blame a writer.  Then his head will explode,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz, on the Georgia-South Carolina game.

“A bankruptcy filing shows John L. Smith is $40.7 million in debt.  He should open a lemonade stand with Jim Donnan,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Brace yourself Florida fans because it’s not going to be pretty,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi, on the LSU-Florida game.

“Why should we have to go to class if we came here to play football?  We ain’t come to play school.  Classes are pointless,” Ohio State back-up quarterback Cardale Jones.

“This was Urban Meyer’s statement game and it wasn’t a very pleasant statement for Nebraska,” CBSSports.com writer Gregg Doyel, on the Nebraska-Ohio State game.

“Apparently, you can mess with Texas after all,” Charleston Gazette columnist Mitch Vingle, after the WVU-Texas game.

“The ‘N’ on Nebraska’s helmets stands for ‘no defense’,” ESPN analyst Rece Davis, after the Nebraska-Ohio State game.


The 20 Hottest and Most Intriguing Games of Week 7…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. South Carolina (6-0) at LSU (5-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – It will be interesting to see how these two respond to last week’s events – The Gamecocks blasted previously unbeaten Georgia, while the Tigers lost to Florida, their first loss of the season.  Will South Carolina continue on a roll?  Or will LSU bounce back?  Both play good defense.  The Cocks have the better offense.  Cocky spurs Mike – South Carolina 16, LSU 14.  

RUNNER UP:  2. West Virginia (5-0) at Texas Tech (4-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC/ESPN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – WVU’s last two games have all but given me a heart attack.  This contest has the potential of being another cardiac thriller.  When hot, Tech’s Seth Doege can put up the numbers through the air.  Throw in WVU’s offense and the game could easily become a turbulent airplane ride.  Interesting that WVU’s first three Big 12 games are against three Texas schools.  Mounties sage the brush – West Virginia 42, Texas Tech 29.  

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Stanford (4-1) at Notre Dame (5-0) – (Pac-12 vs.  Ind.) (TV: NBC, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Irish have been playing amazing defense.  But until the Miami game last week, they haven’t showed much offense.  Stanford has the potential to test the Irish defense.  Irish chop down the Trees – Notre Dame 30, Stanford 18.  

4. Texas (4-1) vs. Oklahoma (3-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – The Sooners warmed up for this game by disposing of Texas Tech.  The Horns lost to West Virginia.  Both teams can score.  OU may have the better defense.  But in this rivalry, throw out the stats.  Bevo gets bar-b-cued – Oklahoma 29, Texas 27.  

5. Kansas State (5-0) at Iowa State (4-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FX, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – K-State has been playing amazing football.  And Collin Klein is an amazing quarterback.  When the Wildcats have the ball, expect the unexpected.  Still, Iowa State is no slouch.  The Cyclones are competitive.  It all makes for an interesting game.  Wildcats shoot the Bird – Kansas State 27, Iowa State 14.  

6. TCU (4-1) at Baylor (3-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FSN, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Don’t know how long Casey Pachall will be suspended.  The Frogs missed him last week.  But TCU can win without him.  However, can the Frogs’ defense stop Baylor’s offense led by Nick Florence?  Not likely – Baylor 34, TCU 26.

7. USC (4-1) at Washington (3-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Fox, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – The Huskies can be a different team at home – much better.  They knocked off Stanford in Seattle a couple weeks back.  Now they have their shot at the Trojans.  Good luck.  Matt Barkley’s on a roll – USC 30, Washington 22.

8. Texas A&M (4-1) vs. Louisiana Tech (5-0) – (SEC vs. WAC) (TV: ESPNU, 9:15 pm ET, Saturday) – La Tech hit the Top 25 this week.  Beat Texas A&M and the Bulldogs will become a potential BCS bowl-buster.  An undefeated La Tech at the end of the season would most likely have the Bulldogs positioned high enough in the BCS poll to get into a BCS bowl.  A loss to A&M would kill any chances.  This game was originally scheduled for Labor Day weekend.  But Hurricane Isaac postponed it.  Bulldogs bust the Aggies – Louisiana Tech 25, Texas A&M 22.  

9. Oregon State (4-0) at BYU (4-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Ind.) (TV: ABC/ESPN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – BYU, normally a high-scoring team, has had some low-scoring games this season when up against stiff competition.  Oregon State has had a few low-scoring affairs too.  If Sean Mannion is on, the Beavers should win.  Beavers engineer a victory – Oregon State 18, BYU 12.  

10. Florida (5-0) at Vanderbilt (2-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPNU, 6 pm ET, Saturday) – After the big win over LSU, the Gators could easily go up to Nashville and have a letdown against the Dores.  Vandy is wedged between LSU and South Carolina on the Gator schedule.  That makes Vandy a potential trap game for Florida.  Mus remains a champ – Florida 27, Vanderbilt 15.  

11. Alabama (5-0) at Missouri (3-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – New in the SEC, Mizzou is off to an 0-3 start in conference play.  That means the Tigers should be out to prove something.  And what a better chance?  Top-ranked Alabama coming to Columbia.  Slim chance – Alabama 28, Missouri 13.

12. Tennessee (3-2) at Mississippi State (5-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN2, 9 pm ET, Saturday) – Miss State isn’t flashy, but the Bulldogs win games.  All of them so far this season.  Tennessee is having a tough time.  But the Vols are tough enough to give the Bulldogs some problems.  If not, Derek Dooley is going to have some problems.  Dooley may be like Chipper Jones.  This is his farewell tour around the SEC this season.  Bully says goodbye to Derek – Mississippi State 26, Tennessee 17.  

13. Louisville (5-0) at Pitt (2-3) – (Big East vs. Big East) (TV: ESPNU, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Pitt is 2-3, but the Panthers are 0-2 in Big East play.  Make it 0-3 – Louisville 27, Pitt 19.

14. Northwestern (5-1) at Minnesota (4-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – A couple weeks ago, both of these teams were undefeated.  The Gophers will have two losses after this game – Northwestern 26, Minnesota 23.

15. Fresno State (4-2) at Boise State (4-1) – (MWC vs. MWC) (TV: NBCSN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Boise State will most likely go through the MWC undefeated.  But Fresno State is one of those conference teams who could potentially knockoff the Broncos.  Potentially, but not likely – Boise State 31, Fresno State 17.  

16. Wisconsin (4-2) at Purdue (3-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – We thought the Boilers might have something this season.  But after the Michigan game, it looks like the Boilers are just pretenders – pretending to be good.  Still, Wisconsin isn’t all that great.  Boilers pretend again – Wisconsin 28, Purdue 23.  

17. North Carolina (4-2) at Miami (Florida) (4-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 2:30 pm ET, Saturday) – So, which one of these teams will show up Saturday.  If Giovani Bernard is on, the Heels will be tough.  If Stephen Morris is on, the Canes will be tough.  Should be interesting.  Heels squeeze the plantains – North Carolina 34, Miami 32.

18. Utah State (4-2) at San Jose State (4-1) – (WAC vs. WAC) (TV: Cable, 4 pm ET, Saturday) – San Jose State has been a surprise team of 2012.  The Spartans only loss was to Stanford by just three points.  The winner of this game will challenge Louisiana Tech for the WAC title.  Aggies don’t know the way to San Jose – San Jose State 20, Utah State 16.  

19. Duke (5-1) at Virginia Tech (3-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ACCN, 12:30 pm ET, Saturday) – I’m tempted to pick the Dookies again this week.  But Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.  I don’t think so.  But it could be a good one.  Then again, it might not be – Virginia Tech 32, Duke 21.  

20. Auburn (1-4) at Ole Miss (3-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: SECN, 12:20 pm ET, Saturday) – Talk about two teams having a tough season.  Neither has won a game in SEC play.  Well, that will change this week.  One has to win.  We don’t have ties anymore.  The Black Bear ties Aubie’s tail into a knot – Ole Miss 20, Auburn 18.  

AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

21. Western Michigan (3-3) at Ball State (3-3) – (MAC vs. MAC) (TV: None, 3 pm ET, Saturday) – So far, WMU has been a disappointment.  Ball State has been playing about as expected.  The winner will stay in the running for the MAC West Division title.  The loser is out of the race.  Horses have teeth; Birds don’t – Western Michigan 32, Ball State 28.  


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Nebraska (4-2) and Georgia (5-1) are off this week.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Florida State (5-1) is hosting Boston College (1-4) (TV: ESPN2, 5:30 pm ET, Saturday)….  UCF (3-2) is home against Southern Miss (0-5) (TV: CBSSN, 8 pm ET, Saturday)….  Florida Atlantic (1-4) is at Louisiana-Monroe (3-2) (TV: SUN, 8 pm ET, Saturday)….  Florida International (1-5) entertains Middle Tennessee (3-2) (TV: None, 7 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida A&M (2-4) hosts Savannah State (0-5) (TV: None, 6 pm ET, Saturday)….  Jacksonville U. (5-1) travels to Davidson (0-5) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday)….  South Florida (2-4) and Bethune-Cookman (4-2) are off. 


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Ohio State and TCU will play a home-and-home series in 2018 and 2019….  The ACC will keep an eight-game conference schedule when it expands to 14 teams next season.  Originally, the ACC had planned to play a nine-game conference schedule, starting in 2013.

Miami (Florida) athletic director Shawn Eichorst has been named the new athletic director at Nebraska.  Eichorst replaces Tom Osborne who had announced he is stepping down December 31….  The Ticket City Bowl in Dallas, Texas, has been renamed the Heart of Dallas Bowl. 

Touchdown Tom
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but in the autumn of October as the college football season approached its halfway point, the number one song in the country…

…70 years ago this week in 1942 was “(I’ve Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo” by Glenn Miller

…65 years ago this week in 1947 was “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” by Tex Williams

…60 years ago this week in 1952 was “You Belong to Me” by Jo Stafford

…55 years ago this week in 1957 was “That’ll Be the Day” by Buddy Holly and the Crickets

…50 years ago this week in 1962 was “Sherry” by The 4 Seasons

…45 years ago this week in 1967 was “The Letter” by The Box Tops

…40 years ago this week in 1972 was “Baby don’t Get Hooked on Me” by Mac Davis

…35 years ago this week in 1977 was “Stars Wars Theme/Cantina Band” by Meco

…30 years ago this week in 1982 was “Jack & Diane” by John Cougar

…25 years ago this week in 1987 was “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake

…20 years ago this week in 1992 was “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men


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

R.B. Greaves, an R&B singer whose 1969 hit “Take a Letter Maria” reached No. 2 on the Billboard pop chart, died last week in Los Angeles.  He was 68.  Greaves recorded “Take a Letter Maria” at the hit-making Muscle Shoals studio in Alabama.  He also wrote the song.  Greaves 1970 version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “Always Something There to Remind Me” reached No. 27 on the Billboard chart.  Ronald Bertram Aloysius Greaves was born on November 28, 1943, at an Air Force base in Georgetown in what was then British Guyana.  He grew up in California.  Greaves was the nephew of soul singer Sam Cooke.