Football Week 6 – Uga-Cocks, LSU-Florida and WVU-Texas
‘Oh, but ain’t that America’
“For you and me
Ain’t that America
Something to see”

There was something to see in college football all across America on Saturday.

If you like offense and records, and more offense, there was Morgantown, West Virginia, where Baylor and WVU combined to put 133 points on the scoreboard.  The score was 35-35 at the half and 70-63 at the end, in favor of West Virginia.  The 133 points set a record for the highest-scoring Big 12 game in history.

The two quarterbacks, WVU’s Geno Smith and Baylor’s Nick Florence, combined for 1,237 yards passing – 656 for Smith and 581 for Florence.  The two teams combined for 1,507 yards of offense – 807 for WVU and 700 for Baylor.  Smith had eight touchdown passes, a new WVU record, breaking the previous record of seven touchdown passes held by Mark Bulger. 

Three WVU receivers each had more than 100 yards receiving, including Stedman Bailey, with 13 catches for 303 yards.  And, not to be outdone, three Baylor receivers each had more than 100 yards receiving, including Terrance Williams, with 17 catches for 314 yards.

And sitting in the stands watching the offensive display was none other than Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.  (The Colts were off on Sunday.)  Luck was watching the game with his father, West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck.

If you like cheering and pulling for the little guy, there was West Point, New York.  Little FCS Division Stony Brook was playing Army in Michie Stadium.  And Stony Brook pulled off the upset, beating Army handily, 23-3.  Stony Brook’s Miguel Maysonet rushed for 220 yards in the game.

If you like cheering for undefeated Big Ten teams who aren’t used to being undefeated at this stage, there was Evanston, Illinois, and Iowa City, Iowa.  However, one of the teams remained undefeated, while the other one didn’t.  In Evanston, Northwestern moved to 5-0 on the season, beating Indiana, 44-29. 

The Wildcats’ Kain Colter rushed for 161 yards and his teammate Venric Mark rushed for 139 yards.  Northwestern quarterback Trevor Siemian passed for 308 yards, as the Wildcats set a school record with 704 yards of total offense.  Northwestern is also ranked for the first time since 2008 at No. 22 in the USA Today (Coaches) Poll and No. 24 in the AP Poll.

The Big Ten team who lost for the first time this season was Minnesota.  The Golden Gophers fell to Iowa, 31-13.  Turnovers killed Minnesota. 

If you like lots of family drama and angst with your football, there was Athens, Georgia, where Tennessee was in town, playing the Dawgs.  It was like a scene out of a soap opera.  Tennessee coach Derek Dooley, a coach on the hot seat, is the son of former Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley.

Vince’s wife (and Derek’s mother) Barbara was at the game dressed in Tennessee orange and cheering wildly for the Vols.  Vince, on the other hand, was at his home in Athens with the curtains and blinds shut, watching the game on TV – alone.  He didn’t want anyone to know who he was cheering for.

Georgia won the game, much closer than anticipated, 51-44.  The Dawgs led 27-10 early in the second quarter.  Then the Vols scored three-straight touchdowns and took the lead, 30-27.  But as time expired in the first half, Georgia kicked a field goal and tied the score 30-30.  The Dawgs outscored Tennessee 21-7 in the third quarter and led 51-37 as the fourth quarter began.  About halfway through the final quarter, the Vols scored a touchdown and closed the gap to seven points – 51-44.  Neither team scored again as Georgia hung on to win.  Meanwhile, the seat got hotter for Derek.

If you like a veteran, big-time coach, coaching his first Big Ten Conference game, there was East Lansing, Michigan, where first-year Ohio State coach Urban Meyer was leading his Buckeyes against Michigan State.  Meyer had Ohio State off to a 4-0 start on the season in non-conference action.  Now, he was about to encounter his first Big Ten opponent.

The Buckeyes’ defense held Spartan running back Le’Veon Bell to 45 yards rushing and Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller passed for 179 yards and rushed for 136, as the Buckeyes narrowly beat Michigan State, 17-16.

If you like to see non-BCS conference schools make a run at an undefeated season, there was Foxboro, Massachusetts, Charlottesville, Virginia and Las Cruces, New Mexico.  In Foxboro, undefeated Ohio, the team that opened the season with a win over Penn State, kept its perfect record intact, but just barely.  The Bobcats (5-0) escaped Massachusetts, 37-34.

In Charlottesville, Louisiana Tech extended its record to 4-0, beating Virginia, 44-38.  And in Las Cruces, first-year FBS school Texas-San Antonio remained unbeaten, as the Roadrunners downed New Mexico State, 35-14.  UTSA is 5-0.

If you like exciting games in America’s heartland, there was Ames, Iowa, Stillwater, Oklahoma and Lincoln, Nebraska.  In Ames, two undefeated Big 12 teams, Texas Tech and Iowa State, tangled.  Texas Tech prevailed, literally passing its way over the Cyclones, 24-13.  The Red Raiders had 332 yards passing and 63 rushing.

In Stillwater, undefeated Texas went up against a 2-1 Oklahoma State.  The Longhorns had not beaten the Pokes since 2009.  In a see-saw game that went back-and-forth, Texas scored in the closing seconds to beat Oklahoma State, 41-36.  The Longhorns extend their record to 4-0.

In Lincoln, the game between Wisconsin and Nebraska was almost halfway through the third quarter, with the Badgers leading the favored Huskers, 27-10.  But the Huskers rallied, scoring 17 points before the quarter ended to tie the game at 27 all.  The two teams knocked heads in the fourth quarter.  With 9:41 remaining in the game, Nebraska kicked a 41-yard field goal to take a 30-27 lead.  The Huskers and Badgers continued to knock heads, but Nebraska held onto its three-point lead to win the game.

If you like to pull for an unheralded, but undefeated, team in the Pac-12, there was action in Tucson, Arizona, where upstart Oregon State was playing Arizona.  The Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion passed for 433 yards and their running back Storm Woods rushed for 161 yards, as Oregon State scored late in the final quarter to beat Arizona, 38-35.

There was one thing you couldn’t see Saturday – an overtime game.  For the first weekend this season, there were no overtime games in FBS college football.  And after five weeks of college football, 23 teams remain undefeated, while eight teams are winless.  Stay tuned!

“Oh, but ain’t that America
For you and me”

The ACC had to be disappointed over the weekend.  There were six games played at ACC stadiums and not one drew as much as 40,000 or so.  Miami (hosting NC State), Georgia Tech (hosting Middle Tennessee), North Carolina (hosting Idaho), all played before half-full stadiums with crowds of 35,000, give or take a couple of thousand.  Wake Forest (hosting Duke) drew less than 30,000 fans.  Boston College (hosting Clemson) and Virginia (hosting Louisiana Tech) barely had 40,000 fans, if that.

A couple weeks back, I wrote that Notre Dame and the $50 million exit fee had solidified the ACC, especially Florida State, Clemson, Virginia Tech and NC State who had given hints of their dissatisfaction with the conference.  Well if most ACC schools, Maryland and Duke included with the six above, continue to have non-BCS-type crowds, I can’t believe the Seminoles, Tigers, Hokies and Wolfpack will want to remain in the conference.  All four of those schools draw good crowds at their home games. 

And the situation won’t improve any with the addition of Syracuse and Pitt.  The Orange and the Panthers can’t draw ants to a picnic.  Both have poor attendance at their home games.  Plus Pitt, like Miami, doesn’t even have its own stadium.  The Panthers have to play their home games in the Pittsburgh Steelers stadium.          

Between Arkansas, Auburn and Tennessee, all SEC schools, it is certain that one of those three will have a new coach next season.  It is a good bet that two of the three will have a new coach next season.  And, it is certainly possible that all three will have a new coach next season.

Already, there is speculation about who the new coach or coaches will be.  Heading the list are Louisville’s Charlie Strong, Louisiana Tech’s Sonny Dykes, Western Kentucky’s Willie Taggart, Northern Illinois’ Dave Doeren, Florida International’s Mario Cristobal and Baylor’s Art Briles.  Also on the list are Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris.  Stay tuned!

Rockledge Gator had an adventure last week.  He always has an adventure.  Rockledge Gator encountered a rattlesnake and posted pictures of the snake on Facebook.  I saw the pictures and commented, “You didn’t tell me you were going to be visiting Urban Meyer.”  But I have to tell you Rockledge Gator must have had a high-powered lens on his camera.  Knowing him as I do, he wouldn’t get anywhere near a rattlesnake, not even a garden snake. 

“Ain’t that America
Something to see”

Touchdown Tom
October 1, 2012
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


Weekend Review

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Sweet and Sour – West Virginia 70, Baylor 63 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 49, Baylor 35).  Geno Smith was sweet.  The defense was sour.  J.D. Woods was sweet.  The defense was sour.  The offensive line was sweet.  The defense was sour.  Tavon Austin was sweet.  The defense was sour.  Stedman Bailey was sweet.  The defense was sour.  The amazing catches were sweet.  The defense was sour.  Andrew Buie was sweet.  The defense was sour.  The gold and blue striped stadium was sweet.  The defense was sour.  The two teams combined for 1,507 yards, Geno Smith passed for 656 yards and eight touchdowns.  It was a spectacular day.  It was a spectacular game.  Did I mention the defense was sour?  A crowd of 60,012 attended the game in Morgantown.

RUNNER UP:  Pokes get poked – Texas 41, Oklahoma State 36 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 40, Oklahoma State 39).  Okie State kicked a 24-yard field goal with 2:34 remaining to take a 36-34 lead.  But Texas drove down the field and scored with 0:29 remaining to win the game.  The stats favored the Pokes, especially with Joseph Randle rushing for 199 yards, but the Horns came out on top.  A crowd of 56,709 attended the game in Stillwater.

REST OF THE BEST:  Buckeyes put a crack in Le’Veon’s Bell – Ohio State 17, Michigan State 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan State 20, Ohio State 18).  Michigan State has no offense.  The Spartans have only scored 42 points total in their past three games.  That’s about what West Virginia scores in a half.  Ohio State held the Spartans to 34 yards rushing.  The difference in the game was Braxton Miller rushing for 136 yards.  A crowd of 76,705 attended the game in East Lansing.

Closer than expected – Georgia 51, Tennessee 44 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 32, Tennessee 23).  Almost all the points were scored in the first three quarters.  Georgia led 51-37 at the end of the third.  The running of Keith Marshall (164 yards) and Todd Gurley (130 yards) was the difference in the game for Georgia – plus Tyler Bray’s three interceptions.  Georgia’s defense is still suspect.  A crowd of 92,746 attended the game in Athens.

Nothing like a good ol’ rally – Nebraska 30, Wisconsin 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 28, Wisconsin 18).  Almost halfway into the third quarter, Wisconsin led 27-10.  Then it was all Nebraska after that.  The Huskers held the Badgers to 56 yards rushing.  Taylor Martinez passed for 181 yards and rushed for another 107.  A crowd of 85,692 attended the game in Lincoln.

Beavers persist – Oregon State 38, Arizona 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon State 29, Arizona 24).  Trailing 35-31, Oregon State scored on a 9-yard pass with 1:09 remaining and then held on to win.  The lead in the game changed hand six times, all in the second half.  Both quarterbacks passed for more than 400 yards each.  A crowd of 44,153 attended the game in Tucson.

Tuberville shines – Texas Tech 24, Iowa State 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa State 23, Texas Tech 19).  Texas Tech took the lead 14-13 with 1:01 remaining in the third quarter and never relinquished it.  The Red Raiders held the Cyclones to 73 yards passing and only 189 yards total.  Iowa State suffered four turnovers – three of them interceptions.  A crowd of 54,149 attended the game in Ames.

Ho hum – Alabama 33, Ole Miss 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 38, Ole Miss 10).  Alabama jumped out to a 27-7 halftime lead and then went into neutral, only scoring two field goals in the second half.  The tide was scoreless in the third quarter.  Ole Miss suffered three turnovers and only had 80 yards rushing.  A crowd of 101,821 attended the game in Tuscaloosa.

Revenge – Florida State 30, South Florida 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 47, South Florida 17).  FSU led 30-10 at the end of the third quarter.  USF suffered three turnovers.  A crowd of 69,383 attended the game in Tampa.

Thriller – Cincinnati 27, Virginia Tech 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Cincinnati 22, Virginia Tech 20).  The lead in this game changed hands six times.  Cincinnati took the final lead on a 39-yard pass with 0:13 remaining.  The Hokies’ offense is still trying to find itself and their defense isn’t up to par.  A crowd of 46,026 attended the game in Landover.

Cardinal sin – Washington 17, Stanford 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 28, Washington 19).  Josh Nunes and Stepfan Taylor were no shows as the Huskies held the Trees to only 10 first downs and 65 yards rushing.  A crowd of 55,941 attended the game in Seattle.

Stumble, Fumble and Bumble – Miami (Florida) 44, NC State 37 (Touchdown Tom said: Miami 34, NC State 28).  Miami led 23-7 at the end of the first quarter.  Playing catch-up, NC State finally tied the score at 37-37 with 1:58 left in the fourth quarter.  The Canes won the game, scoring on a 62-yard pass with 0:19 on the clock.  The two teams combined for 1,315 yards offense, but Miami only had 85 yards rushing.  The Wolfpack had an amazing six turnovers – four of them fumbles.  A crowd of 38,510 attended the game in Miami Gardens.

Cocky needed a pick-me-up – South Carolina 38, Kentucky 17 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 32, Kentucky 9).  South Carolina got off to a slow start, trailing 17-7 at the half.  But it was all Gamecocks in the second half, as South Carolina scored 31 unanswered points.  Marcus Lattimore rushed for 120 yards.  A crowd of 49,810 attended the game in Lexington.

Balding Eagles – Clemson 45, Boston College 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 30, Boston College 16).  BC led 21-17 late in the second quarter.  But the Eagles were outscored 28-10 after that.  BC only had 51 yards rushing.  A crowd of 40,138 attended the game in Chestnut Hill.

No offense here – TCU 24, SMU 16 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 33, SMU 6).  Combined, the two teams only had 376 yards of offense and 23 first downs.  TCU had 54 yards rushing to SMU’s 30.  The Mustangs were victims of six turnovers.  A crowd of 28,436 attended the game in Dallas.

And the skies opened up – Louisville 21, Southern Miss 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisville 37, Southern Miss 22).  Played in a monsoon, Louisville trailed throughout most of the game.  The Cardinals finally took the lead with 5:35 left in the fourth and held on to win.  Neither team could pass.  Louisville had 85 yards throwing to the Eagles’ 25.  A crowd of 23,492 attended the game in Hattiesburg.

Still undefeated – Louisiana Tech 44, Virginia 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisiana Tech 29, Virginia 20).  Virginia led 24-10 halfway through the second quarter.  Then Louisiana Tech went on a rampage, scoring 34 unanswered points.  The Cavaliers scored 14 points in the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter.  Three turnovers, all interceptions, didn’t help the Cavaliers any.  A crowd of 42,027 attended the game in Charlottesville.

Fallen Knights – Missouri 21, UCF 16 (Touchdown Tom said: UCF 22, Missouri 19).  Mizzou was only 1-11 in third down efficiency, only had 89 yards rushing and finished with 49 yards less offense than UCF, but the Tigers still managed to win the game.  It’s definitely time for George O’Leary to go.  A crowd of 35,835 attended the game in Orlando.

Aggies beat Alabama….I mean….Arkansas – Texas A&M 58, Arkansas 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 39, Arkansas 22).  Arkansas led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter and then the Aggies scored 51 unanswered points.  A&M tallied 716 yards offense.  The Hogs suffered three turnovers – two coming off Tyler Wilson interceptions.  How low can John L. Smith drag the Hogs?  A crowd of 86,442 attended the game in College Station.

Bears don’t look Golden – Arizona State 27, California 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona State 23, California 16).  Cal’s Zach Maynard was a paltry 9-28 passing.  A crowd of 51,634 attended the game in Berkeley.


AND ONE WORTH KEEPING AN EYE ON: 

Boilers were turned on in the second quarter – Purdue 51, Marshall 41 (Touchdown Tom said: Marshall 24, Purdue 23).  This game was tied 14-14 early in the second quarter.  Then Purdue put 28-straight points on the board before the half, taking a 42-14 halftime lead.  Marshall went to work in the second half, outscoring the Boilers, 27-9.  But it was not enough to overtake the lead.  The Herd suffered from four turnovers – three of them interceptions.  Marshall led in total yardage, but only had 95 yards rushing.  A crowd of 45,481 attended the game in West Lafayette.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

This isn’t a typo – Duke 34, Wake Forest 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Wake Forest 37, Duke 29).  Tied 20-20 at the end of the third quarter, Duke dominated the final period, taking a 34-20 lead.  Wake finally scored with only 0:42 left on the clock.  Deacons suffered four turnovers.  A crowd of 28,743 attended the game in Winston-Salem.

Week 5 Picks:    16 Correct,   6 Wrong   (72.7 percent)
On the Season:  89 Correct,    29 Wrong   (75.4 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Florida Atlantic lost to North Texas, 20-14.  A crowd of 13,888 attended the game in Boca Raton….  Florida International was downed by Louisiana-Lafayette, 48-20.  A crowd of 21,109 attended the game in Lafayette.

Florida A&M fell to Southern U., 21-14.  A crowd of 41,042 attended the game in Atlanta….  Bethune-Cookman thumped Hampton, 38-26.  A crowd of 1,200 attended the game in Hampton….  Jacksonville U. beat Marist, 26-14.  A crowd of 3,323 attended the game in Jacksonville.


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  West Virginia’s Geno Smith – 45-51-0-656 yards; Baylor’s Nick Florence – 29-47-1-581; Miami of Florida’s Stephen Morris – 26-49-1-566; Fresno State’s Derek Carr – 42-56-2-536; Miami of Ohio’s Zac Dysert – 34-49-0-516; Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel – 29-38-0-453; Akron’s Dalton Williams – 32-42-1-446; Ball State’s Keith Wenning – 32-43-0-445, and NC State’s Mike Glennon – 24-42-2-440.

Also, Oregon State’s Sean Mannion – 29-45-0-433 yards; Arizona’s Matt Scott – 31-53-2-403; Utah State’s Chuckie Keeton – 20-33-1-402; Massachusetts’ Mike Wegzyn – 27-51-0-373; Clemson’s Tajh Boyd – 28-38-1-367; Houston’s David Piland – 26-43-1-361; Washington State’s Connor Halliday – 33-60-1-348; Boston College’s Chase Rettig – 25-43-2-341; UAB’s Austin Brown – 20-30-1-337, and Central Michigan’s Ryan Radcliff – 20-39-1-332.

Also, Texas Tech’s Seth Doege – 28-44-2-313 yards; Boise State’s Joe Southwick – 24-34-0-311; Northwestern’s Trevor Siemian – 22-32-1-308; Texas’ David Ash – 30-37-1-304; Oklahoma State’s J.W. Walsh – 18-27-1-301; Kent State’s Spencer Keith – 16-31-1-295; Purdue’s Caleb TerBush – 27-37-1-294; Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly – 26-45-0-292; UCLA’s Brett Hundley – 25-38-0-287, and Bowling Green’s Matt Schilz – 20-27-0-281.


Impressive Rushers:  Ohio’s Beau Blankenship – 269; Air Force’s Cody Getz – 222 yards; Middle Tennessee’s Benjamin Cunningham – 217 yards; Western Kentucky’s Antonio Andrews – 215 yards; Toledo’s David Fluellen – 213 yards; Oklahoma State’s Joseph Randle – 199 yards; Oregon’s Kenjon Barner – 195 yards; Nevada’s Stefphon Jefferson – 178 yards, and Iowa’s Mark Weisman – 177 yards.

Also, Georgia’s Keith Marshall – 164 yards; Northwestern’s Kain Colter – 161yards; Oregon State’s Storm Woods – 161 yards; Houston’s Charles Sims – 158 yards; Akron’s Jawon Chisholm – 156 yards; BYU’s Jamaal Williams – 155 yards; Northern Illinois’ Leighton Settle – 152 yards, and East Carolina’s Vintavious Cooper – 151 yards. 


Quotes of Last Week

“That’s my baby and I’m pulling for Tennessee.  If the Georgia people don’t understand that then I just don’t get it,” Barbara Dooley, mother of Tennessee coach Derek Dooley and wife of former Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley.

“Of course I’m worried.  I was worried when Vince was coaching.  Are you kidding? Come on, I’ve been there,” Barbara Dooley on the status of her son at Tennessee.

“I remember Vince once saying, ‘Keep a suitcase ready because we never know when they’re going to throw us out of here.’  So I didn’t clean house for 25 years,” Barbara Dooley.

“I have to pull for my son because if I don’t I won’t stay married much longer,” former Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley, on the Tennessee-Georgia game.

“It will be the first Bulldogs’ game that won’t have a player suspended for past sins,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz, on the Tennessee-Georgia game.     

“I wouldn’t swap him for 10 Nick Sabans,” former Auburn coach Pat Dye, on Gene Chizik.

“John L. Smith, the gift that keeps on giving, mistakenly referred to Arkansas as Alabama in a speech this week.  Hey, he was only talking to Razorbacks fans.  For a moment they all thought they had died and gone to heaven,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“The Tide has won four games by an average score of 42-5.  Of course, Nick Saban is worried and says Mississippi’s option offense gets ‘defenses out of their comfort zone.’ I think Patton said that just before he took Casablanca,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz. 

“Just landed in East Lansing.  Damn, I hate the smell of this state,” Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby, prior to the Michigan State game.

“Something is rotten in the state of Arkansas,” ESPN GameDay’s Chris Fowler.

“Huggins would hope for a score like this,” Sally Kirk Adkins, on West Virginia’s 70-63 win over Baylor.

“No, I don’t enjoy that win at all.  I feel like the offense won.  The defense lost.  But we’re a team, so we win as a team,” West Virginia safety Darwin Cook, after the Baylor game.

 
The 20 Hottest and Most Intriguing Games of Week 6…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Georgia (5-0) at South Carolina (5-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Always a fun game, as Georgia is Steve Spurrier’s favorite team to beat.  Spurrier annually clobbered Georgia when he was at Florida.  It’s been a little tougher since he’s been at South Carolina – much tougher.  Georgia has the better offense.  South Carolina has the better defense.  Defense wins – South Carolina 26, Georgia 25.

RUNNER UP:  2. LSU (5-0) at Florida (4-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – If Florida wins, we can remove the “take” from Will’s last name and replace it with the “champ.”  Auburn revealed LSU’s vulnerabilities.  Now, Florida has to take advantage of those vulnerabilities.  Against the Tigers, that’s easier said than done.  Let’s just hope it doesn’t come down to LSU lining up for a field goal in the closing seconds of the game.  The “champ” returns – Florida 23, LSU 21.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. West Virginia (4-0) at Texas (4-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Any bets on how many points will be scored this week?  Not as many as the Baylor-WVU game.  Texas plays better defense and the Horns offense isn’t as explosive as Baylor’s.  Still, a few points will be put on the board.  Obviously, WVU’s defense has to show up for this contest.  Beef, it’s what’s for dinner – West Virginia 38, Texas 37.

4. Nebraska (4-1) at Ohio State (5-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – Both teams eked out wins last week – the Huskers by three points, the Bucks by one.  The margin of victory may be similar in this game – somewhere between one and three points.  Stop Braxton Miller and the Huskers can win.  Ohio State doesn’t have much else, other than a pretty decent defense.  But Cal found holes in the Bucks’ defense.  Miller weaves through the Corn maze – Ohio State 25, Nebraska 23.

5. Washington (3-1) at Oregon (5-0) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN, 10:30 pm ET, Saturday) – I’m not sure anybody in the Pac-12 is going to stop Oregon.  The Ducks have too many weapons.  But if the Huskies can beat Stanford, they have a shot against Oregon.  Huskies caught sleeping in the Duck blind – Oregon 37, Washington 19.

6. Oklahoma (2-1) at Texas Tech (4-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – You better believe the Sooners will be out for revenge.  The Red Raiders spoiled OU’s party last year in Norman.  But I’m not sure the Sooners are any better this year.  And the Red Raiders are – Texas Tech 31, Oklahoma 29.

7. Iowa State (3-1) at TCU (4-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FSN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – It’s amazing how TCU wins its games on defense.  But that’s how the Frogs get it done.  And it shouldn’t be too tough this week as the Cyclones aren’t much on offense.  The defense is Mr. Toad’s wild side – TCU 23, Iowa State 12.

8. Florida State (5-0) at NC State (3-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPN2, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – The Wolfpack has shown a tendency to make a lot of mistakes.  They can’t afford to make any mistakes against the Noles.  Even without any mistakes, it won’t be easy.  But it could be high scoring.  Sammy goes hunting as these Wolves aren’t on the protection list – Florida State 37, NC State 26.

9. Miami (Florida) (4-1) vs. Notre Dame (4-0) – (ACC vs. Ind.) (TV: NBC, 7:30 pm ET, Saturday) – If Miami has a chance, it will be in the hands of Stephen Morris.  Notre Dame hasn’t faced a quarterback as good as Morris this season – not even Denard Robinson.  Morris can’t run like Robinson, but he is a better passer – much better.  So the Irish secondary will be tested.  Chicago is windy, but it doesn’t experience Hurricanes – Notre Dame 24, Miami 23.

10. Arizona (3-2) at Stanford (3-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Fox, 3 pm ET, Saturday) – Rich Rod got off to a good start (3-0), but it has all come crumbling down since.  The Trees add to the crumbles – Stanford 28, Arizona 23.

11. USC (3-1) at Utah (2-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN, 9 pm ET, Thursday) – After the loss to Stanford, the Trojans have been working their way back to respectability.  The Utes give them a boost – USC 33, Utah 16.

12. Georgia Tech (2-3) at Clemson (4-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Something tells me the collapse against Miami took the sting out of Buzz.  How else do you explain the loss to Middle Tennessee?  Tech is likely to be one of those up-and-down teams all season.  But mostly down.  The Tigers make it three losses in a row for Buzz – Clemson 34, Georgia Tech 23.

13. Washington State (2-3) at Oregon State (3-0) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: P12N, 6 pm ET, Saturday) – The Beavers got a scare in Tucson last week, but they survived.  They should engineer an easier win this week – Oregon State 32, Washington State 19.

14. Michigan (2-2) at Purdue (3-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 4 pm ET, Saturday) – The Boilers may be the surprise team of the season in the Big Ten.  The Wolverines could be the most disappointing team.  Boilers surprise the Brady Bunch – Purdue 27, Michigan 26.

15. Connecticut (3-2) at Rutgers (4-0) – (Big East vs. Big East) (TV: ESPNU, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – The Scarlet Knights are off to a great start.  It’s about to get greater – Rutgers 28, Connecticut 20.

16. Virginia Tech (3-2) at North Carolina (3-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ACCN, 12:30 pm ET, Saturday) – These two teams are going to be tough to figure this year.  You don’t know who or which one is going to show up from one week to another.  The Hokies show up this week – Virginia Tech 27, North Carolina 24.

17. Northwestern (5-0) at Penn State (3-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – After an 0-2 start, the Nitts have won three straight.  But the competition has been weaker.  It gets tougher this week – Northwestern 25, Penn State 24.

18. Boise State (3-1) at Southern Miss (0-4) – (MWC vs. C-USA) (TV: FSN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Southern Miss may be the best winless team in the country.  The Eagles almost surprised Louisville.  But that was in a downpour.  The Broncos pour it on this week – Boise State 30, Southern Miss 19.

19. UCLA (4-1) at California (1-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: P12N, 10 pm ET, Saturday) – Jeff Tedford has to be counting the days in Berkeley – the days left that is.  UCLA has a good thing going and the Bears won’t stop the going – UCLA 32, California 19.

20. East Carolina (3-2) at UCF (2-2) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) (TV: CBSSN, 8 pm ET, Thursday) – The Knights are 2-2 in non-conference play.  Now, it’s time to take care of business in the conference.  First up – East Carolina.  The Knights go about their business – UCF 30, East Carolina 23.


AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

21. Utah State (4-1) at BYU (3-2) – (WAC vs. Ind.) (TV: ESPN, 10:15 pm ET, Friday) – Both teams are playing well.  The Aggies beat Utah, while the Cougars didn’t.  Something tells me this game could be fun.  More fun for the Cougars – BYU 32, Utah State 30.

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Virginia (2-3) at Duke (4-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: FSN, 3 pm ET, Saturday) – Well, I didn’t pick the Dookies to beat Wake Forest and they won.  So if I pick them to beat the Cavs will they lose?  Virginia has been a strange team.  Surely the Dookies can beat them.  But can they possibly be 2-0 in the ACC?  When was the last time that happened?  Has the Devil with the blue dress on ever looked better? – Duke 29, Virginia 27.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

South Florida (2-3) visits Temple (1-2) (TV: SUN, 12 noon ET, Saturday)….  Florida International (1-4) hosts Arkansas State (2-3) (TV: ESPNU, 7:30 pm ET, Thursday)….  Florida A&M (2-3) travels to Howard (3-1) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday).

Bethune-Cookman (3-2) entertains North Carolina A&T (2-2) (TV: None, 4 pm ET, Saturday)….  Jacksonville U. (4-1) plays at Morehead State (1-3) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday)….  Florida Atlantic (1-4) is off.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Six cities are still in the running to host the first playoff national championship game in January 2015.  The cities are Arlington (Texas), Atlanta (Georgia), Glendale (Arizona), Miami (Florida), New Orleans (Louisiana) and Pasadena (California).

Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne announced his retirement, effective January 1, 2013.  Osborne has been the Husker’s athletic director since 2007….  Mississippi State and Oklahoma State are finalizing a deal to open the 2013 season on August 31 in Houston’s Reliant Stadium.  Reliant Stadium is joining the ranks of Atlanta’s Georgia Dome and Arlington’s Cowboys Stadium as sites that host Labor Day weekend season-opening college football games. 

Touchdown Tom
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but on a sad comment, there were four passings of note last week – Andy Williams, Herbert Lom, Chris Economaki and Arthur Ochs Sulzberger.

Andy Williams, whose languid crooning style and disarming presence propelled him to recording and television stardom in the 1960s, with hits including “Moon River” and the holiday jingle “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” died last week at his home in Branson, Missouri.  He was 84.  “The Andy Williams Show” aired on NBC from 1962 to 1967 and again from 1969 to 1972.  There were early attempts to make Williams a rock star in the Elvis Presley mold; one rock-tinged song, “Butterfly,” hit No. 1 on the pop charts in 1957.  Howard Andrew Williams was born December 3, 1927, in Wall Lake, Iowa. 

Herbert Lom, a Czech-born actor of dynamic range who excelled in menacing roles but is best remembered for playing the long-suffering Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus in the “Pink Panther” films opposite Pete Sellers, died last week at his home in London, England.  He was 95.  Lom’s career spanned eight decades and more than 100 films.  Lom played a Moorish warlord who battled Charlton Heston’s noble Spaniard in “El Cid” (1961), Captain Nemo in “Mysterious Island” (1961) and the title role in “The Phantom of the Opera” (1962).  Lom was born in Prague on September 11, 1917.  

Chris Economaki, a journalist long regarded as the authoritative voice in motor sports, died last week.  He was 91.  Economaki worked in television for more than 30 years with stints at ABC, CBS and ESPN.  He was part of ABC’s first telecast from Daytona International Speedway in 1961 and became a commentator for the network’s “Wide World of Sports” until 1983.  After moving to CBS in 1984, he called races for that network until 1993.  He also covered Formula One races for ESPN in the late 1980s.  Economaki was born October 15, 1920 in New York City and grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey.  He also edited, published and wrote for National Speed Sport News for more than 60 years. 

Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times from 1963 to 1992, died Saturday.  He was 86.  Sulzberger was born on February 5, 1926.