College Football Week 8 – Cocks-Gators, Wildcats-Eers, Ducks-Devils
‘Whoa, we’re half way there,
Whoa-oh, we’re livin’ on a prayer’
Halfway through the season, that’s what you could say about the 12 teams who are still undefeated.  They are halfway there and they are livin’ on a prayer.  Well, all that is except for maybe Alabama (6-0).  Up to now, the Tide hasn’t needed any prayers.  But that all could be about to change.  Alabama is entering the tougher part of its schedule.  The Tide may need a prayer or two.

Oregon (6-0) was off Saturday, so no prayers were needed.  But this week the Ducks pay a visit to Tempe to play an improving Arizona State (5-1).  Kansas State (6-0) had to fight off a feisty Iowa State Saturday, before beating the Cyclones, 27-21.  Next up for K-State – West Virginia (5-1) in Morgantown.

Florida (6-0) had a few dicey moments, but pretty much had its way against Vanderbilt.  The Gators beat the Commodores, 31-17.  But Florida only had a 7-point lead on Vanderbilt until about 2 minutes left in the game.  This week the Gators play South Carolina (6-1).  Talk about livin’ on a prayer, Notre Dame (6-0) was taken to overtime Saturday before the Irish could subdue Stanford, 20-13.  This week Notre Dame hosts BYU (4-3).

No one thought Ohio State (7-0) was going to need any prayers Saturday.  The Buckeyes played lowly Indiana.  But Ohio State barely escaped Bloomington, edging the Hoosiers, 52-49.  Coming up this week for the Bucks – Purdue (3-3).  Someone must have been praying for Oregon State (5-0) Saturday.  The Beavers played BYU on the road in Provo without their starting quarterback.  Sean Mannion suffered a season-ending injury last week.  Enter Cody Vaz who led Oregon State to a 42-24 win over BYU.  Next up for the Beavers – Utah (2-4).

Louisville (6-0) was trailing Pitt, 21-17, at halftime Saturday.  But the Cardinals came back in the second half to down the Panthers, 45-35.  This week Louisville plays South Florida (2-4).  Mississippi State (6-0) has been livin’ on a prayer.  Saturday, the Bulldogs beat Tennessee, 41-31.  But until 9 seconds left in the game, Mississippi State was only leading the Vols by 3 points.  Coming up this week for the Bulldogs – Middle Tennessee (4-2).

Rutgers (6-0) had a few tense moments before subduing Syracuse, 23-15.  This week the Scarlet Knights are on the road at a potentially dangerous Temple (3-2).  Among the undefeated teams, Cincinnati (6-0) had the easiest time of it Saturday.  The Bearcats scratched Fordham, 49-17.  But that all changes this week for Cincinnati.  The Bearcats pay a daunting visit to Toledo (6-1).  The 12th and last undefeated team, Ohio (7-0) was up against a sticky wicket Saturday.  The Bobcats outlasted Akron, 34-28.  Ohio is off this week.

Oh, and Alabama, the team who hasn’t needed any prayers so far.  This week the Tide visits Knoxville to take on Tennessee (3-3).  The Vols are like a wounded animal – dangerous.  They are desperate for a win.  Emotions will be high.

Of the 12 undefeated teams, five are from two states – Ohio (3) and Oregon (2).  The three from Ohio – Cincinnati, Ohio State and Ohio.  The two from Oregon – Oregon and Oregon State.  Eight of the 12 are from three conferences – the SEC (3), the Big East (3) and Pac-12 (2).  From the SEC are Alabama, Florida and Mississippi State.  From the Big East are Cincinnati, Rutgers and Louisville, and from the Pac-12 – Oregon and Oregon State.  The Big Ten (Ohio State), Big 12 (Kansas State), MAC (Ohio) each have one undefeated team.  The Independents are represented by Notre Dame.   

Four teams are no longer livin’ on a prayer.  They lost for the first time on Saturday.  South Carolina was edged by LSU, 23-21; West Virginia was hammered by Texas Tech, 49-14; Louisiana Tech lost a heartbreaker to Texas A&M, 59-57, and FBS newcomer Texas-San Antonio was drilled by Rice, 34-14.

At the other end of the spectrum, Tulane won for the first time this season.  The Green Wave scored with 35 seconds remaining in the game and kicked the extra point to beat SMU, 27-26.  Unfortunately, three teams are still looking for their first victory.  Eastern Michigan, Massachusetts and Southern Miss remain winless.

Halfway through the season and no head coaches have been fired – yet.  But several are livin’ on a prayer.  Stay tuned.  However, that said, it has been a dangerous season for coordinators and assistant coaches.  Last week, Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson fired his defensive coordinator Al Groh.  Groh was in his third season as the DC for the Yellow Jackets.

Much earlier in the season, Houston offensive coordinator Mike Nesbitt was fired after only one game.  And Wisconsin offensive line coach Mike Markuson was fired after three games.  
 
Halfway through the season, CBSSports.com writer Tony Barnhart is touting Penn State coach Bill O’Brien as the Big Ten “Coach of the Year.”  Looking around the Big Ten, I would say that Barnhart is spot on, with O’Brien’s only competition being Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald.  And Penn State beat Northwestern.

Coming out of the NCAA athletic directors meeting last week in Dallas, Missouri AD Mike Alden said to expect more conference expansion within the next 24 months.  However, other athletic directors said, with the possible exception of the Big 12, they didn’t foresee any more conference expansion for at least another four or five years.   

Halfway through the season, Kansas coach Charlie Weis is already under fire – again.  This time by the student newspaper at Kansas – the University Daily Kansan.  In his one and only year as offensive coordinator at Florida last season, Weis became the brunt of jokes, some quite vicious, by Gator students and fans before the season was over.  And while Weis was at Notre Dame, he came under attack from the South Bend Tribune.      

Don’t be surprised if the SEC has four new coaches next season.  Suspects for removal are Tennessee’s Derek Dooley, Arkansas’ John L. Smith, Auburn’s Gene Chizik and Kentucky’s Joker Phillips.  The Auburn rumors have Chizik being replaced by Bobby Petrino.  Talk about a soap opera, I can just picture it now – Petrino riding into Auburn on a motorcycle with a volleyball in his hand.   

And more recently we learn that Skip Holtz is in trouble at South Florida.  Stay tuned!

Speaking of someone who lives on a prayer, Rockledge Gator got carded at the Goodwill store last week.  He went there to find a favorite shirt of his that Bootsie had given to Goodwill.  He couldn’t find the shirt.  He did find a couple other things and decided to buy them.  At the counter, he asked for the senior discount.  That’s when he got carded.  He not only felt good about being carded, but also he got 19 cents off his purchase.   

“Whoa, we’re half way there,
Whoa-oh, we’re livin’ on a prayer”

Touchdown Tom
October 15, 2012
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


Week Seven Review

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Chicken Little – LSU 23, South Carolina 21 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 16, LSU 14).  LSU’s defense and the Tigers’ ground game were too much for the Gamecocks.  The LSU defense held South Carolina to a mere 211 yards of offense – only 34 yards rushing.  Marcus Lattimore was held to 35 yards.  Meanwhile, the Tigers’ offense totaled 406 yards, with a powerful 258 yards rushing.  Neither teams’ passing game was effective.  A crowd of 92,734 attended the game in Baton Rouge.

RUNNER UP:  WVU may have messed with Texas, but the Eers were a mess in Lubbock – Texas Tech 49, West Virginia 14 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 42, Texas Tech 29).  Would someone please tell Dana Holgorsen how to spell defense?  Or maybe someone needs to tell Dana what the word “defense” means.  No better than the WVU defense has been playing, this was bound to happen – sooner or later.  It happened sooner.  The question is:  Will it happen again?  You would have thought the WVU defense would be showing some improvement.  Instead of improving, it may be getting worse.  No matter how good your offense is, you have to have a good defense to keep you in games – because, your offense is always going to have an off game or two.  WVU would have been better off to have left its defense at home.  It would have saved some traveling money.  Their bodies may have been in Lubbock, but their minds were somewhere else.  And so you wonder, is this the problem of a young, inexperienced and lacking in talent defense?  Or is this the problem of two bad co-defensive coordinators – Joe DeForest and Keith Patterson?  Or is it a mixture of both?  A crowd of 57,328 attended the game in Lubbock.

REST OF THE BEST:  Cardinal sin – Notre Dame 20, Stanford 13 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 30, Stanford 18).  Rain, turnovers, not much offense, poor passing, more rain and a controversial ending all describe the game.  Did Stanford’s Stepfan Taylor get the ball across the goal line in the overtime?  We’ll never know.  A crowd of 80,795 attended the game in South Bend.

What a castration! – Oklahoma 63, Texas 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 29, Texas 27).  I don’t know how Oklahoma could have humiliated Texas any worse than it did.  OU had 30 first downs to 13 for Texas.  OU had 677 total yards to 289 for Texas.  OU had 343 yards rushing to 74 for Texas.  And the score was 63-15 up until the final second.  Texas scored as time expired.  On the sideline, Mack Brown looked and acted like the imp-like creature in Rumpelstiltskin.  I thought Brown was going to drive his foot into the ground.  Texas fans probably wish Brown would disappear – never to return again.  A crowd of 92,500 attended the game in Dallas.

Purple rain, purple rain – Kansas State 27, Iowa State 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 27, Iowa State 14).  The Cyclones gave the Wildcats a scare.  But Collin Klein kept the Cats from being scared too much.  A crowd of 56,800 attended the game in Ames.

We don’t need no Casey Pachall – TCU 49, Baylor 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 34, TCU 26).  Baylor suffered from six turnovers.  Four were interceptions thrown by Nick Florence.  Trevone Boykin seems to be settling in well as TCU’s new quarterback.  A crowd of 42,524 attended the game in Waco.

Huskies seeing Redd – USC 24, Washington 14 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 30, Washington 22).  Silas Redd rushed for 155 yards, as the Trojans built up a 24-7 halftime lead and held off the Huskies in the second half.  A crowd of 66,202 attended the game in Seattle.

Midnight madness – Texas A&M 59, Louisiana Tech 57 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisiana Tech 25, Texas A&M 22).  The Aggies won the first half – 39-16.  La Tech won the second half – 41-20.  The Bulldogs scored with 0:38 remaining, but failed on their two-point conversion which would have tied the game.  A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel passed for 395 yards and rushed for another 181.  The two teams combined for 1,293 yards of offense.  A crowd of 40,453 attended the game in Shreveport.

Leave it to the Beavers – Oregon State 42, BYU 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon State 18, BYU 12).  Cody Vaz stepped into the quarterback job like a pro for the Beavers.  He started his first game for the injured Sean Mannion.  A crowd of 63,489 attended the game in Provo.

Driskel is a pistol – Florida 31, Vanderbilt 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 27, Vanderbilt 15).  I don’t think there is any doubt that Will Muschamp made the right decision on which quarterback to go with at the beginning of the season.  Jeff Driskel has been improving every game – not that he wasn’t good to start with.  But he is getting better, playing a steady game.  Driskel rushed for 177 yards against Vandy.  James Franklin is a good coach, but I never have understood some of his play calling.  A crowd of 40,350 attended the game in Nashville.

The Tide takes Mo for a ride – Alabama 42, Missouri 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 28, Missouri 13).  The Bama defense held Mizzou to 129 total yards – just 3 yards rushing.  Bama had two backs rush for more than 100 yards each – Eddie Lacy (177) and T.J. Yeldon (144).  Mizzou remains winless in SEC play.  A crowd of 71,004 attended the game in Columbia.

Hip-hoppin’ away – Mississippi State 41, Tennessee 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Mississippi State 26, Tennessee 17).  A tight game throughout, Miss State didn’t put it away until the Bulldogs scored a touchdown with 0:09 left on the clock.  Derek Dooley had hip surgery on Monday and coached from the press box.  Did Vols fans miss the orange pants on the sidelines?  A crowd of 57,831 attended the game in Starkville.

Birds spit Pitt – Louisville 45, Pitt 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisville 27, Pitt 19).  Pitt led throughout most of the first half, holding a 21-17 halftime lead.  But the Cardinals scored 21 unanswered points in the third quarter.  Louisville held Pitt to 93 yards rushing.  A crowd of 42,432 attended the game in Pittsburgh.

More purple rain – Northwestern 21, Minnesota 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Northwestern 26, Minnesota 23).  A first-half ballgame, all but three of the points (a Minnesota field goal) were scored in the first two quarters.  The Wildcats became bowl eligible with the win.  A crowd of 49,651 attended the game in Minneapolis.

Boise State 20, Fresno State 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 31, Fresno State 17).  It seems apparent that Boise State, in its first and only season in the MWC, will win the conference championship.  Last year the Broncos were in the WAC.  Next season, they will be in the Big East.  Boise State held the Bulldogs to 56 yards rushing.  A crowd of 35,742 attended the game in Boise.

Hope-less – Wisconsin 38, Purdue 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 28, Purdue 23).  It’s apparent that Purdue coach Danny Hope is a hopeless case.  No improvement in his fourth year at Purdue.  Wisconsin had 30 first downs to 11 for Purdue.  Wisconsin had 645 total yards to 252 yards for Purdue.  Montee Ball rushed for 247 yards and James White ran for 124.  A crowd of 46,007 attended the game in West Lafayette.

Candy Canes – North Carolina 18, Miami (Florida) 14 (Touchdown Tom said: North Carolina 34, Miami 32).  The two teams combined for 901 yards of offense, but you couldn’t tell it from the scoreboard.  Giovani Bernard rushed for 177 yards.  A crowd of 58,954 attended the game in Miami Gardens.

Utah State 49, San Jose State 27 (Touchdown Tom said: San Jose State 20, Utah State 16).  Utah State built up a 28-3 lead early in the second quarter.  Then San Jose State scored 17 unanswered points and closed the gap to 28-20 at the half.  The Aggies scored the first 14 points of the second half and it was all over for the Spartans.  The Aggies held the Spartans to 4 yards rushing.  The Spartans David Fales passed for 467 yards.  A crowd of 15,168 attended the game in San Jose.

Hokies make a Duchess out of the Duke – Virginia Tech 41, Duke 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 32, Duke 21).  Twelve minutes into the game, the Dookies led 20-0.  Then they went off to celebrate.  The Hokies scored the next 41 points.  Tech held Duke to 22 yards rushing.  The Dookies also suffered from four turnovers.  A crowd of 65,632 attended the game in Blacksburg.

Aubie has bad Genes – Ole Miss 41, Auburn 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Ole Miss 20, Auburn 18).  This is the second time this season that Gene Chizik has had a long ride home after a game in Mississippi.  A tight game through three quarters (Ole Miss led 24-20), the Tigers fell apart in the fourth quarter.  Auburn only managed 213 total yards.  A crowd of 57,068 attended the game in Oxford.


AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

Cardinals harness the Horses – Ball State 30, Western Michigan 24 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Western Michigan 32, Ball State 28).  The game was about as evenly matched as you can get, but the Cardinals got the job done in the overtime.  A crowd of 14,192 attended the game in Muncie.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Nebraska and Georgia had the week off.


Week 7 Picks:    15 Correct,     6 Wrong   (71.4 percent)
On the Season:  119 Correct,   42 Wrong   (73.9 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Florida State dumped Boston College, 51-7.  A crowd of 81,075 attended the game in Tallahassee….  UCF edged Southern Miss, 38-31 (2OT).  A crowd of 34,514 attended the game in Orlando….  Florida Atlantic fell to Louisiana-Monroe, 35-14.  A crowd of 16,782 attended the game in Monroe.

Florida International lost to Middle Tennessee, 34-30.  A crowd of 15,234 attended the game in Miami….  Florida A&M thumped Savannah State, 44-3….  Jacksonville U. downed Davidson, 34-24.  A crowd of 1,924 attended the game in Davidson.
  

Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Texas Tech’s Seth Doege – 32-42-1-504 yards; San Jose State’s David Fales – 38-50-0-467; Louisiana Tech’s Colby Cameron – 44-58-0-450; Florida State’s E.J. Manuel – 27-34-2-439; Toledo’s Terrance Owens – 21-32-2-401 yards, and Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel – 24-40-1-395.

Also, Florida International’s Jake Medlock – 24-38-0-380 yards; Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson – 23-31-0-372; Houston’s David Piland – 32-44-0-363; Syracuse’s Ryan Nassib – 25-42-2-356; Oregon State’s Cody Vaz – 20-32-0-332; Oklahoma’s Landry Jones – 21-37-1-321; Washington State’s Jeff Tuel – 30-53-0-320; Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly – 20-28-0-308, and East Carolina’s Shane Carden – 25-33-0-308.

Also, Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater – 17-26-0-304 yards; Tulane’s Ryan Griffin – 17-32-0-302; Eastern Michigan’s Tyler Benz – 18-27-1-301; Akron’s Dalton Williams – 32-53-2-298; West Virginia’s Geno Smith – 29-55-0-295; Connecticut’s Chandler Whitmer – 22-39-0-293; Mississippi State’s Tyler Russell – 23-37-0-291, and Pitt’s Tino Sunseri – 28-37-0-287.


Impressive Rushers:  Eastern Michigan’s Bronson Hill – 283 yards; Wisconsin’s Montee Ball – 247 yards; Middle Tennessee’s Benjamin Cunningham – 230 yards; Kent State’s Dri Archer – 222 yards; Toledo’s David Fluellen – 188 yards; Nevada’s Stefphon Jefferson – 185 yards; Virginia Tech’s J.C. Coleman – 183 yards; Northwestern’s Venric Mark – 182 yards, and Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel – 181 yards.

Also, Florida’s Jeff Driskel – 177 yards; Alabama’s Eddie Lacy – 177 yards; North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard – 177 yards; Akron’s Jawon Chisholm – 177 yards; SMU’s Zach Line – 177 yards; Utah State’s Kerwynn Williams – 176 yards; Bowling Green’s Anthon Samuel – 171 yards; Oklahoma’s Damien Williams – 167 yards; New Mexico’s Kasey Carrier – 161 yards; Ohio State’s Carlos Hyde – 156 yards, and USC’s Silas Redd – 155 yards.      


Quotes of Last Week

“Al Groh was a mistake.  He was Paul Johnson’s mistake.  It took about two and a half years for the Georgia Tech head coach to realize that,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz, on the firing of Georgia Tech’s defensive coordinator.

“The only thing predictable about college football is unpredictable,” Alabama coach Nick Saban.

“I think, and other people would probably agree with this: We haven’t seen the end of conference realignment.  This ain’t over.  There’s more coming.  I believe that,” Missouri athletic director Mike Alden, at the NCAA athletic directors meeting in Dallas.

“I just think there are going to continue to be schools that are going to attempt to align themselves with what they perceive to be ‘like’ schools, looking for increased revenue distribution with continued escalation of media contracts.  Is that going to happen tomorrow?  No, I don’t think tomorrow.  But I would think in the next couple years – and I don’t mean three to five years.  I’m talking about the next two years, we’re going to see even more shifts,” Missouri athletic director Mike Alden.

“He was one of a kind.  There never was and never will be another Beano.  His combination of humor, passion, love of college football and his engaging personality left an indelible mark on the sport and touched anyone who knew him,” ESPN executive chairman George Bodenheimer, on the passing of Beano Cook.

“R.I.P. to one of the only Pitt guys I like,” former West Virginia coach Don Nehlen, on the death of Beano Cook.

“Nothing like a call from Beano Cook to make you smile,” West Virginia grad and Auburn assistant athletic director Shelly Poe.

“In another attempt to provide a thoroughly enriching college football experience, Georgia State athletic director Cheryl Levick has brokered deals to throw her fledgling program’s abused slabs of meat into the center of the Roman Coliseum against Alabama and West Virginia next season and Oregon in 2015.  For these three sacrifices, Georgia State will make $2.15 million, less medical expenses that the HMO won’t cover.  The Panthers are 0-6 this season.  They’ve been outscored 236-71.  Two more routs and they qualify for FEMA funding,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz. 

“Five Missouri players were suspended for marijuana last week.  Gary Pinkel must be making recruiting in-roads in Georgia,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz. 

“Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson was in an accident last week.  But he was in a car, not on a motorcycle.  So when you think about it, the program is making tremendous progress,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz. 

“Auburn is a 6-point underdog to Ole Miss, triggering a clause in Gene Chizik’s contract that reads, ‘The locksmith will be arriving on Tuesday’,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz. 

 
The 20 Hottest and Most Intriguing Games of Week 8…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. South Carolina (6-1) at Florida (6-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – I’m sure Steve Spurrier has had mixed emotions about beating Florida.  But with Will Muschamp being a Georgia man, that takes the mix out of the emotions.  Spurrier loves to beat anything Georgia or Georgia related.  The Gators survived their first big test in The Swamp against LSU.  The Gamecocks are their second and last big test in The Swamp.  Gamecocks come in smarting from the loss in Baton Rouge.  Gators come in happy they survived the trip to Nashville.  In those boat tours through the swamps and bayous, don’t the tour guides feed chickens to the gators?  Spurrier gets the tour guide – South Carolina 23, Florida 20.

RUNNER UP:  2. Kansas State (6-0) at West Virginia (5-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Wonder what WVU’s defense will be doing in practice this week?  K-State’s offense is different than Baylor’s and Texas Tech’s.  The Cyclones are closer to Texas on offense.  Iowa State relies more on the ground game, with quarterback Collin Klein doing a lot of the running.  But after watching the Texas Tech debacle, maybe the Cyclones will pass more.  Eers should feel more comfortable in Morgantown than they did in Lubbock.  But have they learned to spell defense?  Another cardiac caper – West Virginia 38, Kansas State 33.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Oregon (6-0) at Arizona State (5-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN, 9 pm ET, Thursday) – The Ducks, 3-0 in the conference, haven’t been tested in Pac-12 play.  Washington State came the closest and that was a 25-point difference.  The Sun Devils seem to be getting better.  But are they better enough to give the Ducks a scare?  Maybe, but only for two or three quarters.  Ducks find water in the desert – Oregon 37, Arizona State 24.

4. LSU (6-1) at Texas A&M (5-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – After the emotional roller coaster of Florida and South Carolina, the Tigers could be on the down slope against the Aggies.  The Tiger defense will have its hands full trying to stop Johnny Manziel.  Tigers hand A&M another SEC initiation – LSU 27, Texas A&M 19.

5. Texas Tech (5-1) at TCU (5-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The potential exists here for a wild game.  Both teams can score and both teams play pretty good defense.  The Frogs croak on a tumble weed – Texas Tech 25, TCU 23.

6. Cincinnati (5-0) at Toledo (6-1) – (Big East vs. MAC) (TV: None, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Upset alert: This could be a trap game for the Bearcats.  Cincy has Louisville coming up next week.  Toledo is a dangerous, feisty team.  And the game is at Toledo.  Bearcats defuse the Rockets – Cincinnati 36, Toledo 32.

7. BYU (4-3) at Notre Dame (6-0) – (Ind. vs. Ind.) (TV: NBC, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Irish should have an easier time of it this week.  At best, BYU will be a mild threat – not a serious one.  Irish spike the Mormons’ drinks – Notre Dame 30, BYU 13.

8. Florida State (6-1) at Miami (Florida) (4-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ABC, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – FSU got its groove back against Boston College.  The Noles should stay in the groove against the Canes.  Still, it should be a fun game.  Seminoles feel at home near the Everglades – Florida State 27, Miami 16.

9. Nebraska (4-2) at Northwestern (6-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Northwestern can score, but I can’t see the Wildcats’ defense stopping the Huskers.  Then again, I may have said that last year – and look what happened.  So Herbie has some kind of incentive this year.  How ‘bout a purple-people eater?  The revenge of the Corn – Nebraska 33, Northwestern 25.

10. Middle Tennessee (4-2) at Mississippi State (6-0) – (Sun Belt vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN2, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Didn’t Middle Tennessee beat Georgia Tech?  And Miss State has Alabama next week.  Just sayin’.  Bully better not take the Blue Raiders for granted.  But he can take them – Mississippi State 35, Middle Tennessee 21.

11. North Carolina (5-2) at Duke (5-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – The Dookies had us fooled last week, leading Virginia Tech 20-0 and in the first quarter no less.  Yeah, they had us fooled alright.  Giovani makes a pizza out of the Dookies – North Carolina 34, Duke 25.

12. Alabama (6-0) at Tennessee (3-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Wonder if the orange pants will be back on the sidelines this week?  It’s so much more colorful when they are.  Something tells me that Bama is coming to Knoxville to kick butt and take names.  The Vols will be sporting a losing record when it’s over – Alabama 38, Tennessee 17.

13. Purdue (3-3) at Ohio State (7-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Okay, the Buckeyes had a close game against one Indiana team last week.  No way can it happen two weeks in a row.  This one may not be pretty.  Well, that is if you aren’t a Buckeye fan – Ohio State 39, Purdue 17.

14. Virginia Tech (4-3) at Clemson (5-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Last year, the Hokies lost to Clemson not once, but twice.  Will this be the third time?  Me thinks so – Clemson 30, Virginia Tech 20.

15. Louisiana-Monroe (4-2) at Western Kentucky (5-1) – (Sun Belt vs. Sun Belt) (TV: None, 4 pm ET, Saturday) – Both teams are undefeated in the Sun Belt.  And we know what ULM can do.  Just ask Arkansas.  We know what WKU can do.  Just ask Kentucky.  This one could be fun.  Warhawks use Bowling Green as a bombing range – Louisiana-Monroe 34, Western Kentucky 32. 

16. Michigan State (4-3) at Michigan (4-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Spartans play good defense, but they don’t have an offense.  The Wolverines play good offense, but they don’t have a defense.  It all makes for fun times in Ann Arbor.  But more fun for the Wolverines – Michigan 24, Michigan State 19.

17. Penn State (4-2) at Iowa (4-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – Just when we thought Iowa had rolled over and played dead this year, the Hawkeyes have come to life of late.  The Nitts have had a similar experience.  One of them has to roll over again this week.  The Eyes have it – Iowa 17, Penn State 14.

18. Utah (2-4) at Oregon State (5-0) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN2, 10:30 pm ET, Saturday) – My, what a fun year it has been for the Beavers.  And this is homecoming weekend in Corvallis.  Mike Riley has to be enjoying it all.  He enjoys another one this week – Oregon State 32, Utah 18.

19. Baylor (3-2) at Texas (4-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – At one time, we thought Baylor and Texas were both better than they are.  Both teams have lost their last two games.  After Saturday, one will have lost its last three games.  Mack the Knife – Texas 37, Baylor 34.

20. Iowa State (4-2) at Oklahoma State (3-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FX, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – We’re not real sure about either of these teams just yet.  But we think that Iowa State is better than they were supposed to be, while the Pokes are worse than they were supposed to be.  We’ll know more Saturday.  Cyclones make jokes out of the Pokes – Iowa State 29, Oklahoma State 25.


AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

21. Stanford (4-2) at California (3-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Fox, 3 pm ET, Saturday) – Cal has been playing better of late.  The Bears are capable of surprising the Trees.  And this is a big rivalry game.  It’s the Big Game.  Bears can’t climb these Trees – Stanford 28, California 26.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Georgia (5-1) at Kentucky (1-6) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: FSN, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – After the spanking the Dawgs got from South Carolina, they deserve a breather – two breathers.  Last week the Dawgs were off and this week playing Kentucky is like having the week off.  Aaron Murphy won’t be Error Murphy against the Wildcats – Georgia 46, Kentucky 9.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

UCF (4-2) travels to Memphis (1-5) (TV: Cable, 8 pm ET, Saturday)….  South Florida (2-4) visits Louisville (6-0) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday)….  Florida Atlantic (1-5) plays at South Alabama (1-5) (TV: None, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday)….  Florida International (1-6) is at Troy (3-3) (TV: SUN, 1 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida A&M (3-4) hosts South Carolina State (2-5) (TV: None, 7 pm ET, Saturday)….  Bethune-Cookman (4-2) entertains Norfolk State (2-5) (TV: None, 4 pm ET, Saturday)….  Jacksonville U. (6-1) welcomes San Diego (3-3) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday).


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Ohio State and Texas have announced a two-game, home-and-home series to be played in 2022 and 2023….  BYU and Wisconsin have announced a two-game, home-and-home series to be played in 2017 and 2018.

Touchdown Tom
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but on a sad comment, there were five passings of note last week – Alex Karras, Beano Cook, Tom Coyle, Gary Collins and Arlen Specter.

Alex Karras, an All-Pro lineman for the Detroit Lions who had a second career as an actor on television and in the movies, died last week at his home in Los Angeles.  He was 77.  Karras made his film debut in 1968 in “Paper Lion.”  He had several appearances on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” and in the 1970s, he played numerous guest roles on television shows like “McMillan & Wife,” “Love American Style,” “M*A*S*H” and “The Odd Couple.”  Karras played Mongo in the movie “Blazing Saddles.”  From 1983 to 1989, he and his wife Susan Clark starred together in the television show “Webster.”  In the NFL, Karras anchored the defensive line for the Lions from 1958 to 1970.  George Alexander Karras was born on July 5, 1935, in Gary, Indiana.  He played college football at the University of Iowa, where in 1957 he won the Outland Trophy as the outstanding interior lineman in college football.  In 1958 Karras was drafted in the first round by the Lions.  His other movie credits include “Porky’s,” “Against All Odds” and “Victor/Victoria.”  Karras spent three seasons working with Howard Cosell and Frank Gifford on “Monday Night Football.”  

Beano Cook, a long time college football staple and an ESPN college football studio commentator since 1986, died last week at his home in Pittsburgh.  He was 81.  Cook, a 1954 graduate of Pitt, began his career as a sports publicist at the school from 1956 to 1966.  He was a studio commentator for ABC from 1982 to 1985.  Cook also worked for the St. Petersburg Times, the Miami Dolphins and CBS Sports.  His knowledge of the history of college football earned him the moniker – “Cardinal of College Football.”  Carroll Hoff Cook was born on September 1, 1931, in Boston, Massachusetts.  His family moved from Boston to Pittsburgh when he was seven.  His friends gave him the nickname “Beano” because he was from Boston. 

Tom Coyle, co-captain of Michigan’s 1972 football team, died last week at his home in Tampa, Florida.  He was 62.  Coyle played right guard for the Wolverines who went 30-3 during the three seasons he played for them – 1970-1972.  Coyle started in 32 games during the span.

Gary Collins, an actor, a television host and master of ceremonies for the Miss America Pageant, died Saturday in Mississippi.  He was 74 and lived in Biloxi.  In a career that spanned more than four decades, Collins made guest appearances on dozens of television shows, including “The Virginian,” “Love American Style,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “JAG.”  In 1974, he starred in a short-lived television version of “Born Free.”  In the 1980s, he was the host of the afternoon talk show “Hour Magazine” and the Miss America Pageant.  Collins was born in Venice, California, in 1938.  His first acting break came in 1965 when he had a supporting role in the NBC television series “The Wackiest Ship in the Army.”  In 1967, Collins married Mary Ann Mobley, Miss America of 1959.  

Arlen Specter, a former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, died Sunday.  He was 82.  A Republican for 44 years, Specter became a Democrat in 2009.  Arlen Specter was born on February 12, 1930, in Wichita, Kansas.  When Specter was 5, his family moved to Russell, Kansas, coincidentally, the hometown of another person who would become a prominent Republican senator – Bob Dole.  The Specters later moved to Philadelphia.  Arlen graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, served in the Air Force and got a law degree from Yale.