College Football Week 9 – Irish-OU, Uga-Gators, Bulldogs-Bama
Geno Smith can forget the Heisman,
Dana Holgorsen has major problems
We have known since the first game of the season that West Virginia didn’t have a defense.  What we didn’t know, until the last two games, is that West Virginia doesn’t have an offense.  In just two short weeks, West Virginia has gone from one of the most prolific scoring offenses in the country to one of the most anemic offenses in the country.

The Mountaineers averaged 52 points a game through their first five encounters.  But in its last two outings, WVU has averaged only 14 points a game.  Two weeks ago against Texas Tech, the West Virginia offense sputtered in a 49-14 loss to the Red Raiders.  Saturday night the WVU offense ground to a halt in a 55-14 loss to Kansas State.

Seven of WVU’s 14 points against K-State were obtained on a kickoff return by Tavon Austin.  The West Virginia offense didn’t achieve a touchdown until halfway through the fourth quarter when the score was already 52-7. 

It’s apparent that opposing coaches have figured out how to stop Geno Smith.  They have figured out how to apply pressure.  And when Smith is under pressure, he doesn’t perform very well.  In fact, he fails to execute.  When conditions are hunky dory, Smith performs with near perfection.  He is smooth as silk.  But put pressure on the guy and he loses his composure.  He tends to get rattled.       

After the back-to-back hammerings from Texas Tech and Kansas State, Smith can forget about the Heisman.  But that might be a good thing.  With the Heisman pressure relieved, maybe Smith will get back into his groove. 

West Virginia’s offensive collapse in the last two weeks and the consistent lack of a defense all season is an indication that Dana Holgorsen has some major problems.  The question is: Can Holgorsen correct the problems before the season is over?

Opposing teams obviously have learned to adjust and fine tune their defenses to stop Holgorsen’s offense.  There has been a breakdown in West Virginia’s offensive line.  It has not been protecting Smith in recent games the way it did in earlier games.  In the last two games, WVU’s receivers are finding it tougher to get open.  The coverage on them is much tighter.  Holgorsen needs to make some adjustments on offense.

Then there is the biggest problem – the defense.  Or, I should say, the lack of a defense.  This has been a problem since the first of the season.  And sadly, it only seems to be getting worse.  You would have thought there would have been some improvements by now.  WVU’s defense is giving up 40 points a game. 

The only way an improvement can be made on the defense is for Holgorsen to fire Joe DeForest.  DeForest couldn’t read an opposing team’s offense if it was in 100-point type.  And the breakdown in the defensive backfield is appalling.  That was supposed to be DeForest’s area of expertise.

I questioned the hiring of DeForest from the get-go.  He didn’t have the credentials to be a defensive coordinator.  West Virginia’s defense makes every opposing quarterback look like a Heisman Trophy winner. 

When questioned about the problems after the loss to Kansas State Saturday night, Holgorsen said, “We’ll fix what’s wrong.  We’ll get it fixed.”  Well, he hasn’t fixed it yet, because DeForest hasn’t been fired.

Fortunately for WVU, the team is off this week.  That gives Holgorsen an extra week to stop the bleeding before the next game – TCU.  If Holgorsen doesn’t fix what’s wrong, I can’t see West Virginia winning another game this season.  It will be the team that began 5-0 and finished 0-7. 

The bleeding stopped for Eastern Michigan Saturday.  Winless in their first six games, the Eagles won their first game of the season, beating Army, 49-38.  That leaves Massachusetts and Southern Miss as the only two remaining winless teams.

Conversely, the bleeding began for Cincinnati.  The Bearcats lost their first game of the season, losing to Toledo, 29-23.  Eleven teams remain undefeated.

There were five overtime thrillers Saturday – the most exciting one occurring in Fort Worth, Texas.  Texas Tech beat TCU, 56-53 in three overtimes.  The Horned Frogs scored 10 points in the final two minutes of regulation to put the game into overtime, only to fall short in the third OT.  It took two overtimes for South Alabama to subdue Florida Atlantic, 37-34.  The Jaguars scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes of the fourth quarter to force the game into overtime.

Ohio State received a serious scare from Purdue.  The Buckeyes needed an overtime to down the Boilers, 29-22 (OT).  At the end of regulation, Ohio State scored a touchdown with 0:03 on the clock and then converted a two-point conversion to extend the game into overtime.

The remaining two overtime games were wild ones.  Louisiana-Monroe scored a touchdown with 0:31 remaining to put their game with Western Kentucky into overtime.  In the OT, the Warhawks won 43-42 when the Hilltoppers were not successful on a two-point conversion attempt.  In the MWC, San Diego State scored 10 points in the final four minutes of regulation – the last three points on a 35-yard field goal as time expired – to put their game with Nevada into overtime.  In the OT, the Aztecs won 39-38.

Auburn’s season became more frustrating and Gene Chizik’s job more precarious, as the Tigers fell to 1-6, losing to Vanderbilt, 17-13.  Duke became bowl eligible.  The Blue Devils held on to down North Carolina, 33-30.

Bill O’Brien continues to do an amazing coaching job at Penn State.  The Nittany Lions clobbered Iowa, 38-14.  Penn State has won 5 straight, since losing its first two games.  In two late contests Saturday night, Rich Rodriguez got his offense rolling.  Arizona downed Washington, 52-17.  And, also in the Pac-12, Oregon State remained undefeated.  The Beavers beat Utah, 21-7.  Mike Riley has to be a candidate for coach of the year.

After Florida’s big win over South Carolina, Rockledge Gator says, “Bring on Uga.  We ain’t scared of them Dawgs.” And he’s not talking about the Georgia cheerleaders. 

Touchdown Tom
October 22, 2012
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


Week Eight Review

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Trey Bon – Florida 44, South Carolina 11 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 23, Florida 20).  In spite of Florida’s 44 points, this game was a defensive battle.  The Gators only had 183 yards of offense.  South Carolina had more at 191 yards.  But Florida caused three Gamecock fumbles, all near the South Carolina goal line.  The Gators turned all three of those turnovers into touchdowns.  One of the fumbles was caused by Florida’s Trey Burton, who then fell on the ball after he knocked it out of the Gamecock player’s hands.  Burton was also busy running the wildcat formation on offense.  Trey Burton was Tres Bon on Saturday.  The thing that impresses me most about the Gators is that all season they have consistently gotten better and shown improvement each week.  In all, South Carolina suffered three turnovers – three fumbles and one interception.  A crowd of 90,833 attended the game in Gainesville.

RUNNER UP:  The bleeding continues – Kansas State 55, West Virginia 14 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 38, Kansas State 33).  This game was touted as the battle between the two Heisman contenders – Geno Smith and Collin Klein.  The way it played out, it reminded me of the first presidential debate – the one in Denver.  Collin Klein performed like Mitt Romney.  Geno Smith performed like Barack Obama.  Klein was electrified and fired up.  He dominated the action.  He executed.  He made an impact.  Smith, on the other hand, was flat and dull.  He played like he didn’t want to be on the field.  He showed no interest.  He was unimpressive.  Klein passed for 323 yards and three touchdowns.  He completed 90 percent of his passes and had none intercepted.  He rushed for 41 yards, scoring another four touchdowns on the ground.  Smith passed for 143 yards and one touchdown.  He completed 65 percent of his passes and threw two interceptions.  He rushed for only seven yards with no touchdowns rushing.  Klein was inspiring; Smith wasn’t.  A crowd of 60,101 attended the game in Morgantown.

REST OF THE BEST:  Sand Webs – Oregon 43, Arizona State 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 37, Arizona State 24).  Oregon led 43-7 at halftime.  I think the Ducks went home after two quarters.  After all, what could the Devils do?  Oregon ran the ball so well (406 yards) that the Ducks only passed for 48 yards.  Kenjon Barner and Marcus Mariota rushed for 143 and 135 yards respectively.  A crowd of 71,004 attended the game in Tempe.

Tigers rag the Aggies – LSU 24, Texas A&M 19 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 27, Texas A&M 19).  This game looked like it was going to be a win for the Aggies early on.  A&M led 12-0 late in the second quarter.  LSU scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the first half.  Then the Tigers just wore down the Aggies in the second half.  Johnny Manziel threw three interceptions and the Aggies had five turnovers in all.  A crowd of 87,429 attended the game in College Station.

Another Big 12 barnburner – Texas Tech 56, TCU 53 (3OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Texas Tech 25, TCU 23).  Texas Tech only had 71 yards rushing, but Set Doege passed for 318 yards.  TCU had three turnovers.  A crowd of 47,894 attended the game in Fort Worth.

Rockets scorch the Bearcats – Toledo 29, Cincinnati 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Cincinnati 36, Toledo 32).  With Louisville coming up next, this had the makings of a trap game for Cincinnati.  Munchie Legaux threw two interceptions.  A crowd of 24,124 attended the game in Toledo.

Cougars can’t get rid of Riddick – Notre Dame 17, BYU 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 30, BYU 13).  Notre Dame has been living on the edge in its last two games.  The Irish held BYU to 66 yards rushing.  Theo Riddick rushed for 143 yards and Andrew Hendrix ran for 114.  A crowd of 80,795 attended the game in South Bend.

Florida State 33, Miami (Florida) 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 27, Miami 16).  The Noles had a balanced attack rushing and passing.  Miami was held to 29 yards rushing.  A crowd of 73,328 attended the game in Miami Gardens.

Herbie shucks a Cat – Nebraska 29, Northwestern 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 33, Northwestern 25).  Trailing 28-16 halfway through the fourth quarter, the Huskers scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes of the game.  Nebraska won in spite of three turnovers – all fumbles.  Taylor Martinez passed for 342 yards.  A crowd of 47,330 attended the game in Evanston.

Raiders get Bullied – Mississippi State 45, Middle Tennessee 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Mississippi State 35, Middle Tennessee 21).  Miss State only led 10-3 at the half.  This was the Bulldogs’ breather prior to the Alabama game.  A crowd of 55,108 attended the game in Starkville.

Devils turn up the heat – Duke 33, North Carolina 30 (Touchdown Tom said: North Carolina 34, Duke 25).  Trailing 30-26, the Dookies scored on a 5-yard pass play with 13 seconds remaining to win the game.  Sean Renfree passed for 276 yards.  A crowd of 33,941 attended the game in Durham.

Orange Pants soiled – Alabama 44, Tennessee 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 38, Tennessee 17).  Bama racked up 539 yards of offense, as A.J. McCarron passed for 306 yards.  McCarron completed 77 percent of his passes.  A crowd of 102,455 attended the game in Knoxville.

No Hope – Ohio State 29, Purdue 22 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 39, Purdue 17).  Purdue should have won this game.  They lost because of the poor coaching of Danny Hope.  The Buckeyes suffered four turnovers.  A crowd of 105,290 attended the game in Columbus.

Three in a row – Clemson 38, Virginia Tech 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 30, Virginia Tech 20).  Four turnovers didn’t help the Hokies any.  A crowd of 81,500 attended the game in Clemson.

Another overtime for the Warhawks – Louisiana-Monroe 43, Western Kentucky 42 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Louisiana-Monroe 34, Western Kentucky 32).  Tough loss for WKU.  Both teams passed for 308 yards each.  A crowd of 22,323 attended the game in Bowling Green.

It’s been a while – Michigan 12, Michigan State 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 24, Michigan State 19).  The two teams were about as evenly matched as you can get.  Denard Robinson passed for 163 yards and rushed for 96.  A crowd of 113,833 attended the game in Ann Arbor.

Nitts shut the Eyes – Penn State 38, Iowa 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa 17, Penn State 14).  Penn State led 38-0 before Iowa even scored.  The Lions held the Hawkeyes to 20 yards rushing.  Matt McGloin passed for 289 yards.  A crowd of 70,585 attended the game in Iowa City.

Beaver believer – Oregon State 21, Utah 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon State 32, Utah 18).  Four turnovers didn’t help Utah any.  Oregon State only managed 53 yards rushing.  A crowd of 45,769 attended the game in Corvallis.

Yet, another Big 12 barnburner – Texas 56, Baylor 50 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 37, Baylor 34).  Baylor had much better stats in the game.  But the Bears had two turnovers to none for Texas.  Texas has been in some thrillers this year.  The Horns have also been in some blowouts.  A crowd of 101,353 attended the game in Austin.

Pokey’s revenge – Oklahoma State 31, Iowa State 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa State 29, Oklahoma State 25).  Okie State totaled 625 yards of offense.  J.W. Walsh passed for 415 yards.  Joseph Randle rushed for 151 yards.  The Cyclones scored early, but were shutout in the final three quarters.  A crowd of 57,019 attended the game in Stillwater.

AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

The Trees take root – Stanford 21, California 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 28, California 26).  All points were scored in the first half.  Stanford totally shutdown Cal’s running game, holding the Bears to 3 yards rushing.  Stepfan Taylor rushed for 189 yards.  A crowd of 61,024 attended the game in Berkeley.

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Air Uga – Georgia 29, Kentucky 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 46, Kentucky 9).  The Dawgs only had 77 yards rushing, but Aaron Murray passed for 427 yards.  Kentucky gave Uga a few scares.  A crowd of 54,553 attended the game in Lexington.

Week 8 Picks:    16 Correct,     6 Wrong   (72.7 percent)
On the Season:  135 Correct,   48 Wrong   (73.8 percent)

ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

UCF dumped Memphis, 35-17.  A crowd of 22,106 attended the game in Memphis….  South Florida lost to Louisville, 27-25.  A crowd of 50,167 attended the game in Louisville….  Florida Atlantic fell to South Alabama, 37-34 (2OT).  A crowd of 17,566 attended the game in Mobile….  Florida International was downed by Troy, 38-37.  A crowd of 17,354 attended the game in Troy…. 

Florida A&M was beaten by South Carolina State, 27-20.  A crowd of 11,106 attended the game in Tallahassee….  Bethune-Cookman beat Norfolk State, 48-3.  A crowd of 6,253 attended the game in Daytona Beach….  Jacksonville U. lost to San Diego, 24-7.  A crowd of 2,270 attended the game in Jacksonville.

Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Georgia’s Aaron Murray – 30-38-0-427 yards; Oklahoma State’s J.W. Walsh – 32-47-0-415; Louisiana Tech’s Colby Cameron – 29-37-0-400; East Carolina’s Shane Carden – 23-35-0-386; Eastern Michigan’s Tyler Benz – 19-31-1-369; Tulane’s Ryan Griffin – 28-44-0-363; Baylor’s Nick Florence – 30-41-1-352; Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez – 27-39-0-342, and Marshall’s Rakeem Cato – 31-42-1-340.

Also, Central Michigan’s Ryan Radcliff – 23-38-1-339 yards; TCU’s Trevone Boykin – 26-44-2-332; Kansas State’s Collin Klein – 19-21-0-323; UAB’s Austin Brown – 22-37-0-319; Texas Tech’s Seth Doege – 30-42-0-318; Florida International’s Jake Medlock – 18-29-1-316; Louisiana-Monroe’s Kolton Browning – 22-41-2-308; Western Kentucky’s Kawaun Jakes – 25-32-1-308, and Alabama’s A.J. McCarron – 17-22-0-306.

Also, Nevada’s Cody Fajardo – 29-40-0-304 yards; Florida Atlantic’s Graham Wilbert – 27-41-0-303; UTSA’s Ryan Polite – 20-32-1-302; USC’s Matt Barkley – 19-20-0-298; Connecticut’s Chandler Whitmer – 23-41-1-296; Oklahoma’s Landry Jones – 19-28-0-291; Penn State’s Matt McGloin – 26-38-0-289, and North Texas’ Derek Thompson – 17-28-0-282. 

Impressive Rushers:  Air Force’s Kasey Carrier – 338 yards; Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon – 232 yards; Army’s Trent Steelman – 212 yards; UCF’s Latavius Murray – 192 yards; Stanford’s Stepfan Taylor – 189 yards, and Eastern Michigan’s Bronson Hill – 185 yards.

Also, Wisconsin’s James White – 175 yards; Arizona’s Ka’Deem Carey – 172 yards; Vanderbilt’s Zac Stacy – 169 yards; Tulsa’s Ja’Terian Douglas – 169 yards; Wisconsin’s Montee Ball – 166 yards; Toledo’s David Fluellen – 161 yards, and Oklahoma State’s Joseph Randle – 151 yards. 

Quotes of Last Week

“It seems somewhat ironic that Mack Brown is a Florida State graduate because it’s looking more and more like he will suffer the same fate as FSU icon Bobby Bowden.  Brown will hang around too long and the program will continue to slide until he is forced out,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi, on Texas coach Mack Brown.

“Muschamp must beat The Head Ball Coach to be the head ball coach,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Well, I mean Florida is always going to be my school.  I love Florida and my wife and my daughters and even Steve Jr. got a graduate degree from there.  So we’re Gators, but we’re Gamecocks now.  And when my coaching days are over, I’ll be more of a Gator then.  But I’m a Gamecock now and this is our team,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, four days prior to the Florida game.

“I certainly hope the Gators finish second in the East this year.  That would be a good finish for them.  Hopefully, we finish first.  But they’re having a very good year.  I like Will Muschamp and obviously Jeremy Foley and the guys down there.  We’re still good friends.  It’s, I think, healthy competition,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier, four days prior to the Florida game.

“Florida State and Miami were supposed to elevate ACC football, but instead ACC football has dragged down the Noles and Canes to their mundane, mediocre level.  You are who you hang out with,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“If you hang out with a bunch of turkeys, you’re going to get cooked.  And, so, that gobbling sound you hear is the ACC getting ready for another week of nationally meaningless games.  The ACC’s record in BCs bowl games is 2-13.  So far this season, the ACC has fewer teams ranked in the Top 25 than any of the other BCS leagues,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi, on how the lack of significance and legitimacy of the ACC has hurt football at Florida State and Miami.

“Chomp Mor Chikin,” sign at ESPN College GameDay.

“Steve Spurrier is not the ‘fun and gun’ anymore; he’s the ‘ground and pound’,” ESPN analyst David Pollack.
 
“I went to Florida State.  I know I’m stupid, but I’m not that stupid.  The Gators are going to win,” ESPN analyst Lee Corso, picking Florida to beat South Carolina on College GameDay.

The 20 Hottest and Most Intriguing Games of Week 9…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Notre Dame (7-0) at Oklahoma (5-1) – (Ind. vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – I’m impressed with Notre Dame’s defense, but I don’t think the Irish have really played anybody, other than Stanford.  They’ve had three or four close calls.  OU got off to a slow start, but the Sooners seem to have their act together now.  If Landry Jones throws interceptions, then the Irish win.  If the Sooners win, they’ll be back in the national title picture.  Sooners shred the Cabbage – Oklahoma 25, Notre Dame 23. 

RUNNER UP:  2. Georgia (6-1) vs. Florida (7-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Mark Richt and the Dawgs were cheering for Florida to beat South Carolina.  They got their wish.  That gives the Cocks two losses in the SEC.  Now the Dawgs plan to beat the Gators which will put Uga back on top in the SEC East.  Will Muschamp doesn’t want to lose to Georgia twice.  He won’t – Florida 27, Georgia 26.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Mississippi State (7-0) at Alabama (7-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 8:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Believe it or not, Miss State will probably be the toughest team Bama has played this season.  No doubt about it, Bama is good.  But the Tide hasn’t really played anybody.  Not real sure if Miss State is anybody either.  But the Bulldogs probably are.  Big Al trunks Bully – Alabama 28, Mississippi State 16.

4. Texas Tech (6-1) at Kansas State (7-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – I see another Big 12 barnburner here.  Both teams can put some points on the board – lots of points.  Good quarterback duel between Seth Doege and Collin Klein.  My money’s on Klein – Kansas State 33, Texas Tech 21.

5. Cincinnati (5-1) at Louisville (7-0) – (Big East vs. Big East) (TV: ESPN2, 8 pm ET, Friday) – The Bearcats were definitely looking ahead last week in their loss to Toledo.  They could easily bounce back this week.  Louisville can score, but its defense is iffy – very iffy.  Birds escape the Cats – Louisville 32, Cincinnati 30.

6. Ohio State (8-0) at Penn State (5-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN, 5:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Bill O’Brien has convinced me.  I’m a Penn state believer.  This is a different group of Lions than the ones that lost their first two games.  They are playing with a lot of confidence now.  The Buckeyes have been living on the edge at times.  The Nitts push the Lions over the edge – Penn State 24, Ohio State 22.

7. Duke (6-2) at Florida State (7-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – As well as the Dookies have played, it just ain’t going to happen.  Not in Tallahassee.  But oh wouldn’t it be sweet if it did.  Maybe the Noles will have a letdown after Miami.  Noles turn the Devils into Angels – Florida State 37, Duke 25.

8. Michigan (5-2) at Nebraska (5-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN2, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – You know Michigan’s yellow is supposed to be corn yellow.  That’s why they call it maize.  Is that an omen? As long as the Huskers don’t let Denard Robinson become another Braxton Miller, then Nebraska should be okay.  Both teams barely escaped with wins last week.  One will barely escape again.  Herbie puts the Maize in a silo – Nebraska 22, Michigan 20.

9. UCLA (5-2) at Arizona State (5-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: FX, 3 pm ET, Saturday) – The Sun Devils looked awful last week.  Then again, they were playing Oregon.  UCLA ain’t no Oregon.  There may be no defense in this one.  Devils get cooled again – UCLA 34, Arizona State 33.

10. NC State (5-2) at North Carolina (5-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ACCN, 12:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Remember, the Tar Heels are only playing for pride this year.  There won’t be any ACC title games or bowl games.  The Heels are on probation.  That means they could be dangerous.  Go all out.  Nothing to lose.  That could make the Heels reckless too.  The ol’ Wolf is too big and too bad for the Heels – NC State 28, North Carolina 24.

11. TCU (5-2) at Oklahoma State (4-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FSN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – And this could be the week’s other Big 12 barnburner.  Both of these teams can score and TCU seems to have lost its defense.  The Cowpoke says “Jump” and the Froggies say, “How high?” – Oklahoma State 26, TCU 23.

12. Oregon State (6-0) at Washington (3-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: P12N, 10:15 pm ET, Saturday) – Washington definitely plays tougher in Seattle than the Huskies do on the road.  That makes the Huskies tougher to deal with for the Beavers.  You gotta believe in the Beav – Oregon State 27, Washington 19.

13. USC (6-1) at Arizona (4-3) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Rich Rod would love to beat the Trojans.  What a feather in his cap that would be.  But like Oklahoma, the Trojans seem to be playing better now.  Much better – USC 34, Arizona 24.

14. Iowa (4-3) at Northwestern (6-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Northwestern always seems to get leads on teams and then can’t hold on to win.  The other team always comes back.  Iowa could easily do that to the Wildcats.  But not this time – Northwestern 29, Iowa 27.

15. Michigan State (4-4) at Wisconsin (6-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Wisconsin looked iffy – very iffy – early in the season.  But the Badgers seem to have gotten their act together.  They found their running game.  The Spartans have looked good on defense all season, but bad on offense.  Can their defense stop the Badger running game?  Not quite – Wisconsin 22, Michigan State 14.

16. Nevada (6-2) at Air Force (4-3) – (MWC vs. MWC) (TV: CBSSN, 8 pm ET, Friday) – Last week, the Falcons’ Kasey Carrier rushed for 338 yards.  And Nevada doesn’t have that good of a defense.  But the Wolf Pack can score too.  Smack attack from the Pack – Nevada 32, Air Force 29.

17. Tennessee (3-4) at South Carolina (6-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Georgia, Miss State, Alabama and now South Carolina.  There is no easy pickins’ for the Vols.  Maybe Derek Dooley should try orange underwear instead of pants.  Maybe Mama Dooley should dye her hair orange.  I mean, what the heck?  When things are this bad, you might as well try anything.  Steve Spurrier is one mad rooster.  It’s not nice to catch Spurrier when he is mad – South Carolina 30, Tennessee 20.

18. Baylor (3-3) at Iowa State (4-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FSN, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – We know Baylor can score.  Generally, Iowa State doesn’t, but against Baylor everybody scores.  This could be a wild one.  Cyclones can’t grin and Bear it – Baylor 35, Iowa State 33.

19. BYU (4-4) at Georgia Tech (3-4) – (Ind. vs. ACC) (TV: FSN, 3 pm ET, Saturday) – It’s been a tough and strange year for the Yellow Jackets.  It’s been a tough year for BYU too.  This one is going to be a tough game.  Too tough for the Cougars – Georgia Tech 19, BYU 18.

20. Texas A&M (5-2) at Auburn (1-6) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPNU, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Looks like the Aggies are going to extend Aubie’s frustration streak.  A record of 1-7 has to be hard to live with in Auburn.  But who said Gene Chizik is going to have to live with it much longer.  Aggies contribute to Chizik’s unemployment – Texas A&M 25, Auburn 20.

AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

21. Utah State (6-2) at Texas-San Antonio (5-2) – (WAC vs. WAC) (TV: None, 2 pm ET, Saturday) – Both in the WAC this year.  Next year the Aggies will be in the MWC and the Roadrunners will be in C-USA.  Aggies win the brief encounter – Utah State 36, UTSA 15.

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Texas (5-2) at Kansas (1-6) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FSN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – After weeks of losses and close calls, the Horns should have an easy time of it this week.  Charlie Weis is a big target for Bevo.  Good time Charlie’s got the blues – Texas 35, Kansas 17.

Purdue (3-4) at Minnesota (4-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Time is running out for one or both of these teams qualifying for a bowl game.  I’d say both need a win here to help their cause.  The loser won’t make it.  And there is no guarantee for the winner.  Hope floats – Purdue 27, Minnesota 23.

West Virginia (5-2) is off.

ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

UCF (5-2) visits Marshall (3-4) (TV: CBSSN, 8 pm ET, Saturday)….  South Florida (2-5) hosts Syracuse (3-4) (TV: None, 7 pm ET, Saturday)….  Florida Atlantic (1-6) entertains Troy (4-3) (TV: None, 5 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida International (1-7) is home against Western Kentucky (5-2) (TV: None, 6 pm ET, Saturday)….  Bethune-Cookman (5-2) has a home game against North Carolina Central (5-2) (TV: None, 5 pm ET, Saturday)…. 

Miami (4-4), Florida A&M (3-5) and Jacksonville U. (6-2) have the week off.

In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Charlotte, which begins playing football next season, announced a two-game home-and-home series with Temple to be played in 2015 and 2016.  Charlotte will compete as an Independent in 2013 and 2014 and then become a member of Conference USA in 2015.

Touchdown Tom
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)

P.S.

Not directly college football related, but as the days were getting shorter, the nights were getting colder, the leaves were falling, the frost was on the pumpkins, and Halloween was just around the corner, 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 “Near You” by Francis Craig

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

…55 years ago this week in 1957 was “Chances Are” by Johnny Mathis

…50 years ago this week in 1962 was “Monster Mash” by Bobby Boris Pickett & The Crypt Kickers

…45 years ago this week in 1967 was “To Sir With Love” by Lulu

…40 years ago this week in 1972 was “My Ding-A-Ling” by Chuck Berry

…35 years ago this week in 1977 was “You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone

…30 years ago this week in 1982 was “Who Can It Be Now” by Men At Work

…25 years ago this week in 1987 was “Lost in Emotion” by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam

…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 were three passings of note last week – Eddie Yost, Slater Martin and George McGovern.

Eddie Yost, a durable and reliable third baseman for three American League teams, died last week in Weston, Massachusetts.  He was 86.  Yost made his major league debut with the Washington Senators in 1944, when he was just 17, and never played in the minor leagues.  Fourteen of his 18 big league seasons were spent with the Senators.  He played in the 1952 All-Star Game.  Edward Frederick Yost was born in New York City on October 13, 1926.  He spent 18 months in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II.  While playing baseball, he earned a bachelor’s degree in education from NYU, taking classes during the off-season.  Yost finished his baseball career, playing two seasons each for the Detroit tigers and the Los Angeles Angels. 

Slater Martin, the Hall of Fame guard who helped take the Minneapolis Lakers to four NBA championships in the league’s first decade, died last week in Houston.  He was 86.  Martin played for Laker teams that captured the NBA championship in 1950 and then three consecutive titles from 1952 to 1954.  He played on his fifth NBA championship team with the St. Louis Hawks in 1958.  Martin appeared in every NBA All-Star game from 1953 to 1959.  Slater Nelson Martin, sometimes known as Dugie, was born on October 22, 1925, in Elmina, Texas, and grew up in Houston.  He played on two Texas state championship teams at Jefferson Davis High School in Houston.  He played college basketball at Texas, but his career was divided by World War II, when he joined the Navy, serving in the Pacific.  He returned to Texas after the war and led the Longhorns to the semifinals of the NCAA tournament in 1947.  He joined the Lakers in 1949 and played for them through the 1955-56 season.  He was traded to the Hawks and played for them until he retired after the 1959-60 season.     

George McGovern, a United States senator from South Dakota who won the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 1972, died Sunday.  He was 90.  McGovern lived in Mitchell, South Dakota.  A slender, soft-spoken, Methodist minister’s son, he was a decorated bomber pilot in World War II.  McGovern was first elected to Congress in 1956, at age 34.  He was elected to the Senate in 1962.  George Stanley McGovern was born on July 19, 1922, in Avon, South Dakota.  During World War II, he flew the B-24 Liberator in dozens of missions over Germany, Austria and Italy.