College Football Week 20 – 227 days until the next kickoff
‘The moon just went behind a cloud’

“I’m so lonesome I could cry”

This is always a bittersweet time of the year for me.  The college football season is over.  The last game has been played.  Seven long, lonely months lie ahead.  On the other hand, Lou Holtz, Brent Musberger and Lee Corso all have been put back in their straitjackets and placed in their cells, never to be heard from again for seven months.  It can’t be any worse, yet it can’t be any better.  I’m crying and smiling at the same time.

But before we go and say a final farewell, let’s take one last look back on the 2012 college football season – a season that brought us expectations and disappointment, happiness and sadness, thrills and chills, joy and excitement.  It was a season that took us on an emotional rollercoaster ride – up one week, down the next.  But most of all, it was a season that left us with memories that will last for a lifetime.

Perhaps there is no better place to begin than in State College, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, September 1.  That’s when Penn State, under the cloud of the Sandusky scandal, opened its season for the first time in 46 years without Joe Paterno as coach.  Under new coach Bill O’Brien, the Nittany Lions lost 24-14 to Ohio.  They went on to lose the following week to Virginia, 17-16.  That’s when ESPN’s Mark May and others said that Penn State would be lucky to win three games all season.  But the Nittany Lions won eight of their next 10 games to finish the season at 8-4.  And O’Brien was on everyone’s candidate list for Coach of the Year.

Coming off a 70-33 win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl, West Virginia began the season with high expectations.  The Mountaineers did not disappoint – at least not at first.  WVU got off to a great start, beating Marshall in the opener, 69-34.  The Mountaineers went on to win their next four games, including a 48-45 thriller over Texas in Austin.  WVU’s offense looked unstoppable, but the defense was vulnerable – very vulnerable.  After five games, Quarterback Geno Smith had yet to throw an interception.  He was the No. 1 candidate for the Heisman.  Then it all came crumbling down.  The Mountaineers lost their next five games.  Smith’s name disappeared from all Heisman lists.  A season that began at 5-0, ended at 7-6. 

Former Florida coach Urban Meyer began his first and much anticipated season at Ohio State.  Meyer and talented quarterback Braxton Miller led the Buckeyes to a 12-0 season.  There were some close calls along the way – 35-28 over California; 17-16 over Michigan State; 52-49 over Indiana; 29-22 (OT) over Purdue; 21-14 (OT) over Wisconsin, and 26-21 over Michigan.  But in the end, the Buckeyes’ record was unblemished, spotless, except for one issue.  Ohio State went through the 2012 season on probation – a probation that included a bowl ban. 

Alabama was on its way to a perfect season until Saturday afternoon, November 10.  That’s when Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel took on a 9-0 Crimson Tide in Bryant-Denny Stadium.  The Aggies beat Alabama in a thriller, 29-24.  Manziel all but secured the Heisman that day.

And speaking of Johnny Manziel, alias Johnny Football, the Texas A&M quarterback came from nowhere, unheard of, at the beginning of the season to win the Heisman Trophy at the end of the season.  The redshirt freshman beat out Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o and Kansas State’s Collin Klein for the coveted trophy.     

Along with Ohio State, Notre Dame was the only other team to finish the regular season undefeated.  But the Irish sure had their share of close calls – 20-17 over Purdue; 13-6 over Michigan; 20-13 (OT) over Stanford; 17-14 over BYU; 29-26 (3OT) over Pitt, and 22-13 over USC. 

“Did you hear that lonesome whippoorwill?
He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
And I’m so lonesome I could cry”

Vanderbilt (9-4) won nine games for the first time since 1915 and beat NC State 38-24 in the Music City Bowl.  Northwestern (10-3) won a bowl game for the first time since 1949, beating Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl, 34-20.  The Wildcats were the only Big Ten team to beat an SEC opponent on New Year’s Day.  In the Pac-12, Stanford (12-2) won the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1972, beating Wisconsin, 20-14.          

Florida State got off to a good start at 5-0, but who can forget that strange night in Raleigh on October 6 when the Noles went scoreless in the second half, losing to NC State, 17-16.  FSU went on to win the ACC and finish the season at 12-2.

Arkansas, Virginia Tech and USC all had high expectations at the start of the season.  In the Consensus of Preseason Polls, Arkansas was No. 11, Virginia Tech was No. 15 and USC was No. 2.  None came close to meeting those expectations.  The Razorbacks set the stage for their season on September 8 when they lost to Louisiana-Monroe, 34-31 (OT).  Arkansas went on to finish its season at a disappointing 4-8.

The Hokies’ early indication that it might not be a good season came on Saturday, September 15 in Heinz Stadium, when Pitt upset Virginia Tech, 35-17.  The Hokies lost five of their next nine games to finish the season at 6-6, before salvaging a 13-10 (OT) win over Rutgers in the Russell Athletic Bowl.  And USC, who many thought would be playing for the national championship, finished the season at 7-6, including a 21-7 loss to Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl.

By the end of the season, four coaches were fired in the SEC, including Auburn’s Gene Chizik and Tennessee’s Derek Dooley.  After winning the national championship two years ago, Auburn failed to win a game in the SEC in 2012, going 0-8.  The Tigers finished 3-9 overall.  That was enough for Auburn officials to send Chizik packing.  Meanwhile, at Tennessee, the Vols didn’t fare much better at 1-7 in conference play and 5-7 overall.  In his third year at Tennessee, Dooley was terminated prior to the season’s last game.      

In a strange situation in the Big Ten, Wisconsin finished third in the Leaders Division of the conference, but still played in the Big Ten Championship game.  It turns out the Badgers were the best team in their division who weren’t on probation.  Ohio State and Penn State, who finished first and second respectively in the Leaders Division, were both on probation.  Then in the championship game, a 7-5 (4-4 in Big Ten) Wisconsin stunned Nebraska 70-31 in a rematch of a game played during the season.  In the earlier game, Nebraska beat Wisconsin, 30-27.

Under similar circumstances in the ACC, Georgia Tech fell into the conference’s championship game.  Finishing third in the Coastal Division, the Yellow Jackets found themselves in the ACC title game because No. 1 North Carolina was on probation and No. 2 Miami was idled by a self-imposed bowl ban.  It was the second-straight season the Hurricanes were contained under self-imposed restraints.

Speaking of conference championship games, who can forget the thrilling SEC title game between Alabama and Georgia that ended with the Dawgs on the Tide five-yard line as time expired.  Bama won, 32-28.  With a first down, no time outs and 15 seconds on the clock, Georgia coach Mark Richt elected not to spike the ball.  Had the Dawgs chosen to spike it they most likely would have had three opportunities to complete a pass into the end zone.     

“Did you ever see a night so long
When time goes crawlin’ by?
The moon just went behind a cloud
And I’m so lonesome I could cry”

Two Big 12 teams turned around their seasons after a shaky start.  Texas, losing back-to-back games to West Virginia and Oklahoma (63-21 to the Sooners) at mid-season, won five of its next seven games, including a 31-27 win over Oregon State in the Alamo Bowl.  The Longhorns finished 9-4.  And Baylor, off to a dubious 3-4 start, won five of its next six games, including a 49-26 win over UCLA in the Holiday Bowl. 

Talk about going from nowhere to somewhere how ’bout Texas A&M.  After losing its first game of the season to Florida, 20-17, the Aggies, led by Johnny Manziel, won 11 of their next 12 games, including a big 41-13 win over Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.  And all under first-year coach Kevin Sumlin.

Missouri and Texas A&M played their first season in the SEC, while TCU and West Virginia played their first year in the Big 12.  Meantime, Maryland and Rutgers announced they were leaving the ACC and Big East Conferences respectively and joining the Big Ten.

Who can forget November 17 – the day when the cast of teams for the BCS National Championship game was reshuffled.  Undefeated Oregon and Kansas State, the top two BCS teams in the country both lost.  Oregon was stymied by Stanford, 17-14 in overtime.  At the same time, Kansas State was rocked by Baylor, 52-24.  It would be the only regular season loss for both teams.  Instead of meeting in the BCS Championship Bowl, the Ducks and the Wildcats met in the Fiesta Bowl.  Oregon won 35-17.

That same night in Morgantown, West Virginia, Oklahoma scored with 24 seconds left on the clock to beat the Mountaineers, 50-49.  Noteworthy in the game was WVU’s Tavon Austin.  Austin finished the game with 344 yards rushing, four receptions for 82 yards and eight kick returns for 146 yards for a total of 572 all-purpose yards.              

Cincinnati coach Butch Jones left the Bearcats for Tennessee, and Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville abruptly left the Red Raiders to fill the open slot at Cincinnati.  Meanwhile, after only one year on the job, Southern Miss coach Ellis Johnson was fired.  The Golden Eagles were 0-12 – the only team that finished winless.  In a big surprise, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema left the Badgers for Arkansas.  

Syracuse was a rags to riches story in 2012.  Six games into the season, the Orange were sitting at 2-4.  Then the Cuse won five of their next six games to finish as co-champions of the Big East Conference.  The Orange (8-5) went on to beat West Virginia in the Pinstripe Bowl.   

Conversely, Michigan State was a disappointment in 2012.  No. 13 in the Consensus of Preseason Polls and picked my many to win the Legends Division of the Big Ten, the Spartans finished fourth in the division with a 3-5 conference record and 7-6 overall.  

“Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves begin to die?
That means he’s lost the will to live
And I’m so lonesome I could cry”

Duke finished the season at 6-6 and went to a bowl game for the first time since 1995.  The Blue Devils (6-7) lost to Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl.  Florida vastly improved on its 7-6 record in 2011, going 11-1 during the regular season.  The Gators only loss during the season was to Georgia, 17-9 – a game in which Florida had six turnovers.  The Gators went on to lose their second game in the Sugar Bowl to Louisville, 33-23.

South Carolina had its second-straight 11-win season, culminating with a thrilling last-minute 33-28 win over Michigan in the Outback Bowl.  Who can forget Jadeveon Clowney’s jaw-dropping, bar-jarring hit on Michigan running back Vincent Smith that resulted in a fumble recovery for the Gamecocks.   

After struggling for several years, UCLA found success in 2012.  Under first-year coach Jim Mora, the Bruins won the South Division of the Pac-12, finishing the season with a 9-5 record.

2012 was a season that saw a number of former, well-known coaches return to the sideline to take up their former positions as head coaches – Terry Bowden (Auburn) at Akron, Mike Leach (Texas Tech) at Washington State, Rich Rodriguez (West Virginia and Michigan) at Arizona and Charlie Weiss (Notre Dame) at Kansas.  Of the four, only Rodriguez had any success, guiding the Wildcats to an 8-5 season, including a 49-48 come-from-behind win over Nevada in the New Mexico Bowl.  Bowden was 1-11, Leach 3-9 and Weiss 1-11.

Picked to finish at or near the bottom of the North Division of the Pac-12 Conference, Mike Riley coached Oregon State to a 9-4 record (6-3 in the Pac-12).  The Beavers finished third in the North Division. 

An unprecedented seven teams from the Mid-American Conference were chosen for bowl games at the end of the season.  One of the seven – Northern Illinois – became the first team form the MAC to qualify for a BCS bowl.  The Huskies lost to Florida State in the Orange Bowl. 

In the last season for the WAC – Western Athletic Conference – three of the teams from the conference had terrific seasons – Utah State (11-2), San Jose State (11-2) and Louisiana Tech (9-3).  Utah State beat Toledo in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, 41-15.  The Aggies only two losses during the season were to Wisconsin by two points, 16-14, and to BYU by three points, 6-3. 

San Jose State beat Bowling Green in the Military Bowl, 29-20.  The Spartans only two losses were to Stanford by three points, 20-17, and to Utah State.  Louisiana Tech was unjustly overlooked by the bowls.  The Bulldogs three losses were to Texas A&M by two points, 59-57, to Utah State in overtime and to San Jose State by nine points, 52-43.

Ironically, at the end of the season, the three coaches of those schools – Utah State, San Jose State and Louisiana Tech – were hired to coach bigger programs.  Utah State’s Gary Andersen is the new coach at Wisconsin, San Jose State’s Mike MacIntyre is the new coach at Colorado and Louisiana Tech’s Sonny Dykes is the new coach at California.  Meanwhile, next season, Utah State and San Jose State will compete in the Mountain West Conference and Louisiana Tech will compete in Conference-USA.

“The silence of a fallin’ star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I’m so lonesome I could cry”

Speaking of conferences disappearing, the Big East Conference continued its self mutilation in 2012.  Pitt and Syracuse, both headed for the ACC, played their final seasons in the league.  Pitt will be in the Coastal Division and Syracuse will be in the Atlantic Division of the ACC.

Louisville announced it was departing for the ACC in 2014.  Boise State, scheduled to join the Big East in 2013, announced it would remain in the Mountain West Conference.  San Diego State is teetering and may remain in the MWC too.  Houston and SMU are scratching their heads.  And Connecticut and Cincinnati are on their knees, begging for another conference to take them.   

After three seasons in Tampa, Skip Holtz was fired by South Florida.  But Holtz landed on his feet at Louisiana Tech.

In all, 29 schools changed head coaches at the end of the season.  Fifteen schools fired their coaches, two retired their coaches and 12 schools lost their coaches to other schools or the NFL. 

Perhaps there is no more appropriate place to end than back in State College, Pennsylvania, on January 14, 2013.  Penn State remains under the cloud of the Sandusky scandal as now Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett believes the Penn State players, and not the molested young boys, were the bigger victims of the scandal.  Corbett and Pennsylvania are suing the NCAA over the sanctions that were levied against Penn State.  It leaves you to wonder if the people of Pennsylvania will ever get it.

2012 was quite a season for college football.     

2012 was quite a season for Rockledge Gator too.  First he was placed on probation for blowing up oatmeal and setting a tea bag on fire in the microwave. Then he was placed on the disabled list when he got injured trying to fold up his grandson’s stroller.  Recovering from the injury, Rockledge Gator was out to dinner with Bootsie one night when he discovered his shoes didn’t match and his underpants were on backwards. 

Early in the season, Rockledge Gator ditched Erin Andrews for Samantha Steele and later went into a catatonic state when Samantha married Christian Ponder.  Let’s hope, for his sake, Honey Boo Boo doesn’t get married.  Coming out of the catatonic state, Rockledge Gator was heard singing, “I’m a lonely little petunia in an onion patch.”  And Bootsie….well, she’s just glad she still has her sanity.

And one last time, Alabama beat Notre Dame, 42-14, to win the BCS National Championship.  If you have Crimson Tide friends, they will be hard to live with for another year.  But if you are an Auburn fan, just remind them where Katherine Webb went to school.  If you don’t, Brent Musberger will.

“Yeah I….I could cry”

Touchdown Tom
January 14, 2013
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

(“I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” written by Hank Williams)


One Last Look at the Bowls

Won/Lost Records of the Conferences

WAC:  2-0
Conference-USA:  4-1
SEC:  6-3
ACC:  4-2
Big East:  3-2
Pac-12:  4-4
Sun Belt:  2-2
Big 12:  4-5
Big Ten:  2-5
Independents:  1-2
Mid-American:  2-5
Mountain West:  1-4

Bowl Game Attendance

Rose Bowl (Stanford-Wisconsin) – 93,359
Cotton Bowl (Texas A&M-Oklahoma) – 87,025
BCS Championship Bowl (Alabama-Notre Dame) – 80,170
Orange Bowl (Florida State-Northern Illinois) – 72,073
Fiesta Bowl (Oregon-Kansas State) – 70,242
Chick-fil-A Bowl (Clemson-LSU) – 68,027
Alamo Bowl (Texas-Oregon State) – 65,277
Capital One Bowl (Georgia-Nebraska) – 59,712
Compass Bowl (Ole Miss-Pitt) – 59,135
Music City Bowl (Vanderbilt-NC State) – 55,801
Liberty Bowl (Tulsa-Iowa State) – 55,687
Holiday Bowl (Baylor-UCLA) – 55,507
Outback Bowl (South Carolina-Michigan) – 54,527
Sugar Bowl (Louisville-Florida) – 54,178
Meineke Car Care Bowl (Texas Tech-Minnesota) – 50,386
New Orleans Bowl (Louisiana-Lafayette-East Carolina) – 48,828
Gator Bowl (Northwestern-Mississippi State) – 48,612
Heart of Dallas Bowl (Oklahoma State 55, Purdue 14) – 48,313
Belk Bowl (Cincinnati-Duke) – 48,128
Russell Athletic Bowl (Virginia Tech-Rutgers) – 48,127
Sun Bowl (Georgia Tech-USC) – 47,922
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl (Michigan State-TCU) – 44,617
Independence Bowl (Ohio-Louisiana-Monroe) – 41, 853
Armed Forces Bowl (Rice-Air Force) – 40,754
Pinstripe Bowl (Syracuse-West Virginia) – 39,098
Go Daddy Bowl (Arkansas State-Kent State) – 37,913
Poinsettia Bowl (BYU-San Diego State) – 35,442
Fight Hunger Bowl (Arizona State-Navy) – 34,172
Las Vegas Bowl (Boise State-Washington) – 33,217
Hawaii Bowl (SMU-Fresno State) – 30,024
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Utah State-Toledo) – 29,243
New Mexico Bowl (Arizona-Nevada) – 24,610
Little Caesars Pizza Bowl (Central Michigan-Western Kentucky) – 23,310
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl (UCF-Ball State) – 21,759
Military Bowl (San Jose State-Bowling Green) – 17,835


Quotes of the Week

“The college ranks is where I belong, and I’m really happy and at peace with all that,” Alabama coach Nick Saban, ending all speculation about his moving back to the NFL.
 
“It’s okay Notre Dame this happened to the Jets every week,” model Kate Upton on Twitter.

“We always try to capture interesting story lines and the relationship between an Auburn grad who is Miss Alabama and the current Alabama quarterback certainly met that test.  However, we apologize that the commentary in this instance went too far, and Brent understands that,” ESPN, apologizing for Brent Musberger’s comments during the Alabama-Notre Dame game.

“I tell you one thing, it’s seven in a row and it never gets old.  It’s an extraordinary record and everybody talks about how records are made to be broken, but I really can’t conceive of anyone doing this again,” SEC commissioner Mike Sleeve, on the SEC winning the BCS national title for the seventh-straight year.

“And is it just coincidence that Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly decided to interview with the Philadelphia Eagles after that Bama beat down?  Nick Saban must be one bad hombre.  He beat Urban Meyer so badly, Meyer quit at Florida a few days later.  And now he’s beaten Notre Dame so badly, Kelly is thinking about high-tailing it to the NFL,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Rob Chudzinski being named the new coach of the Cleveland Browns is what I like to call a Nancy Pelosi hire – not very sexy,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Can you believe everybody cast their ballots and nobody got voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame?  Hey, that sounds like a Florida election,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“And isn’t it time we started referring to A.J. McCarron as Katherine Webb’s boyfriend,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.


Looking Ahead to Next Season

What does the 2013 season have in store for us?

Well, if recent history is any indication, Alabama won’t repeat as the national champions.  Although the Crimson Tide are ranked No. 1 in the early preseason polls for 2013 that may not be a good omen.  For the past several years, the team generally ranked No. 1 at preseason has not won the national championship. 

Here are two of the preseason polls that have been published in the media:

The Orlando Sentinel preseason poll for 2013:  1. Alabama, 2. Ohio State, 3. Oregon, 4. LSU, 5. Georgia, 6. Oklahoma, 7. Florida, 8. Clemson, 9. South Carolina, 10. Stanford, 11. Notre Dame, 12. Oklahoma State, 13. Louisville, 14. Texas A&M, 15. Florida State, 16. TCU, 17. UCLA, 18. Nebraska, 19. Oregon State, 20. Texas, 21. Boise State, 22. Michigan, 23. Wisconsin, 24. Baylor, and 25. USC.

Athlon Sports preseason poll for 2013:  1. Alabama, 2. Ohio State, 3. Oregon, 4. Texas A&M, 5. Georgia, 6. Stanford, 7. Notre Dame, 8. South Carolina, 9. Clemson, 10. Louisville, 11. Florida, 12. LSU, 13. Boise State, 14. Oklahoma State, 15. TCU, 16. Oklahoma, 17. Florida State, 18. UCLA, 19. Texas, 20. Wisconsin, 21. Oregon State, 22. Nebraska, 23. Michigan, 24. Arizona State, and 25. Northwestern.

The two polls agree on the Top-3 teams and both have 23 of the same teams in their Top 25.  They only disagree on four teams.  Where the Orlando Sentinel poll includes Baylor and USC, the Athlon Sports poll has Arizona State and Northwestern.  Boise State is the only non-BCS conference team listed in the polls.

Speaking of BCS, 2013 is the last year for the BCS poll and the BCS Championship Bowl.  The new four-team playoff format begins in the 2014 season.  The only unknown is the voters in the poll that will be used to determine the Top-4 teams.  But there is plenty of time for that.

The 2013 season will begin on Thursday evening, August 29 – the beginning of the five-day Labor Day weekend.  There are a number of interesting and big games scheduled for the opening weekend, including Georgia at Clemson; LSU vs. TCU (in Cowboys Stadium); Virginia Tech vs. Alabama (in the Georgia Dome); North Carolina at South Carolina; Oklahoma State vs. Mississippi State (in Reliant Stadium); BYU at Virginia; Boise State at Washington; Penn State vs. Syracuse (in East Rutherford, NJ); Washington State at Auburn; Northwestern at California, and Rutgers at Fresno State.

Just one week into the season (September 7), we will be treated to Florida at Miami (Florida), Notre Dame at Michigan and Texas at BYU.      

A number of exciting players return in 2013, including Clemson’s Tajh Boyd, North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard, Baylor’s Lache Seastrunk, TCU’s Trevone Boykin, Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater, Ohio State’s Braxton Miller, Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez, Ohio’s Tyler Tettleton, Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch, Fresno State’s Derek Carr, Nevada’s Cody Fajardo, East Carolina’s Shane Carden and UCLA’s Brett Hundley.

Also, Oregon’s Marcus Mariota and De’Anthony Thomas, Florida’s Jeff Driskel, Georgia’s Aaron Murray, South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney, Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson, Alabama’s A.J. McCarron and T.J. Yeldon, Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel, Louisiana-Lafayette’s Terrance Broadway, Marshall’s Rakeem Cato, San Jose State’s David Fales, Utah State’s Chuckie Keeton and Notre Dame’s Everett Golson, among others.

Seven inaugural coaches in 2012 had tremendous success at their schools.  What will Ohio State’s Urban Meyer (12-0), Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin (11-2), Penn State’s Bill O’Brien (8-4), Rutgers’ Kyle Flood (9-4), Toledo’s Matt Campbell (9-4), Fresno State’s Tim DeRuyter (9-4) and UCLA’s Jim Mora (9-5) do for an encore in 2013? 

Conversely, several inaugural coaches in 2012 had disastrous seasons at their schools.  Will Akron’s Terry Bowden (1-11), Kansas’ Charlie Weis (1-11), Illinois’ Todd Beckman (2-10), Washington State’s Mike Leach (3-9), Hawaii’s Norm Chow (3-9) and Florida Atlantic’s Carl Pelini (3-9) make an improvement in 2013?

He’s back.  Former Louisville, Atlanta Falcons and Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino will be back on the sidelines in 2013.  The motorcycle stuntman will be coaching Western Kentucky.  Some other interesting first-year coaching situations that will be worth keeping an eye on in 2013 are Butch Jones at Tennessee, Bret Bielema at Arkansas, Gus Malzahn at Auburn, Tommy Tuberville at Cincinnati, Gary Andersen at Wisconsin, Mark Stoops at Kentucky, Dave Doeren at NC State and Sonny Dykes at California to mention a few.        

Looking ahead to next season, will Johnny Manziel repeat?  Will Alabama three-peat?  Will the Big Ten keep its hands off the ACC?  Will Skip Holtz find success at Louisiana Tech?  Will Dana Holgorsen find a defense?  Will the Big East survive?  Can Will Muschamp beat Georgia?  Will Tommy Tuberville find happiness in Cincinnati?  Will Frank Beamer get his groove back?  Will the Beavers beat the Ducks?  Will Bret Bielema find sausages in Arkansas?  Will Bobby Petrino keep his hands off the volleyball players at Western Kentucky?  Stay tuned!   

2013 is going to be another good season.  I can’t wait.

          
In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Scott Shafer, who was the defensive coordinator under Doug Marrone at Syracuse, has been named the new coach of the Orange….  Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson hired Penn State defensive coordinator Ted Roof to be the new DC for the Yellow Jackets.

Fired Florida International coach Mario Cristobal is Al Golden’s new tight ends coach and associate head coach at Miami….  Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy fired his defensive coordinator Bill Young….  West Virginia senior Tavon Austin was named the winner of the Paul Horning Award, given annually to college football’s best all-purpose and most versatile player.

Quarterback Casey Pachall is back on the TCU football team and enrolled at TCU for the spring semester.  Pachall, the former starting quarterback for the Horned Frogs, spent the fall semester in an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center….  New Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury has hired Texas A&M linebackers coach Matt Wallerstedt to be the Red Raiders defensive coordinator.

And finally, those from the world of football who left us during the past season included, Steve Van Buren, 91 (Philadelphia Eagles running back); Art Modell, 87 (owner of the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens); Alex Karras, 77 (football player), and Beano Cook, 81 (college football commentator).

Also, Tom Coyle, 62 (former Michigan football player); Don Steinberg, 90 (Ohio State player in the 1940s); Darrell Royal, 88 (former Texas football coach); Joe Krivak, 77 (former Maryland football coach); Larry Morris, 79 (Georgia Tech and NFL player); Bryan Stoltenberg, 40 (Colorado football player), and Pete Elliott, 86 (Michigan football player and Illinois coach).

On behalf of Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, and Swamp Mama, have a good and safe seven months.  See you on August 12.

“The midnight train is whining low”

Take care, my friends.

Touchdown Tomwww.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but in mid January as college football fans closed the lid on another great season and shifted their attention to college basketball, the number one song in the country…

…70 years ago this week in 1943 was “There Are Such Things” by Tommy Dorsey

…65 years ago this week in 1948 was “Ballerina” by Vaughn Monroe

…60 years ago this week in 1953 was “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes” by Perry Como

…55 years ago this week in 1958 was “At the Hop” by Danny & The Juniors

…50 years ago this week in 1963 was “Walk Right In” by The Rooftop Singers

…45 years ago this week in 1968 was “Judy in Disguise (with Glasses)” by John Fred & His Playboy Band

…40 years ago this week in 1973 was “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon

…35 years ago this week in 1978 was “Baby Come Back” by Player

…30 years ago this week in 1983 was “Down Under” by Men At Work

…25 years ago this week in 1988 was “Got My Mind Set on You” by George Harrison

…20 years ago this week in 1993 was “I Will always Love You” by Whitney Houston


Not directly college football related, but figures from other sports who departed us during the recent football season included, Don Raleigh, 86 (New York Rangers center); Art Heyman, 71 (Duke and New York Knicks basketball player); Chris Economaki, 91 (motor sports journalist and commentator); Eddie Yost, 86 (major league baseball player), and Slater Martin, 86 (NBA player).

Also, Margaret Osborne duPont, 94 (champion tennis player); Dave May, 68 (MLB outfielder); Milt Campbell, 78 (Olympic decathlon gold medalist); Carmen Basilio, 85 (boxer); Lee MacPhail, 95 (former American League president); Rick Majerus, 64 (college basketball coach), and Colleen Walker, 56 (LPGA golfer).


Those from the entertainment world who passed away during the recent football season included, Marvin Hamlisch, 68 (music composer); Judith Crist, 90 (film critic); Ron Pilillo, 63 (Horshack on “Welcome Back Kotter”); Phyllis Thaxter, 92 (movie actress); William Windom, 88 (actor); Scott McKenzie, 73 (singer-songwriter); Phyllis Diller, 95 (comedienne), and Tony Scott, 68 (movie director).

Also, Hal David, 91 (lyricist); Michael Clarke Duncan, 54 (actor); Joe South, 72 (singer-songwriter); Dorothy McGuire, 84 (one of the McGuire Sisters); Andy Williams, 84 (singer); Herbert Lom, 95 (actor); R.B. Greaves, 68 (singer-songwriter); Cleve Duncan, 78 (lead singer for the Penguins); Larry Hagman, 81 (actor); Deborah Raffin, 59 (actress); Earl “Speedo” Campbell, 75 (lead singer of the Cadillacs), and Dave Brubeck, 91 (jazz musician extraordinaire).

Also, Ravi Shankar, 92 (Indian sitarist and composer); Jimmy McCracklin, 91 (blues singer-songwriter and pianist); Lee Dorman, 70 (bass guitarist for Iron Butterfly); Jack Klugman, 90 (TV and movie actor); Charles Durning, 89 (actor); Ray Collins, 75 (the Mothers of Invention lead singer); Fontella Bass, 72 (soul singer); Harry Carey Jr., 91 (movie and TV character actor), and Patti Page, 85 (singer).


And finally, well-known folks from other walks of life who departed us during the past football season included, Helen Gurley Brown, 90 (author and magazine editor); Neil Armstrong, 82 (astronaut); Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, 86 (publisher of The New York Times), and Arlen Specter, 82 (former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania).

Also, George McGovern, 90 (former U.S. Senator from South Dakota); Russell Means, 72 (American Indian activist); Warren Rudman, 82 (former U.S. Senator from New Hampshire); Daniel Inouye, 88 (U.S. Senator from Hawaii), and Norman Schwarzkopf, 78 (U.S. Army General). 

College Football Week 19 – Backup Florida QB Brissett transferring
First the Tide rushes in,
Plants the Irish on the turf
There was no ebbing of the Tide in the BCS Championship Bowl.  Alabama gave Notre Dame a thorough cleaning, 42-14.  The Tide looked soapy, while the Irish looked dopey.  As John Lennon and Yoko Ono once said, “If you had the luck of the Irish, you’d wish you were dead instead.”

But was anyone surprised?  I mean, really?  Notre Dame didn’t play anybody all season, except for Stanford.  And the refs gave them that game.  Remember, the Irish were lucky to survive against two really bad teams – Purdue and Pitt.  And they barely beat a mediocre BYU.  Now you know why Notre Dame joined the ACC. 

So Alabama wins its third national championship in four seasons.  And A.J. McCarron becomes the first quarterback to win back-to-back BCS titles.  Speaking of McCarron, his girlfriend – Miss Alabama Katherine Webb – stole the show at the game.  She was more exciting than the contest on the field.  Just ask Brent Musberger.  Ole Brent was so turned on by Webb, he was about to jump out of the broadcast booth. 

And even though Webb is Miss Alabama, she doesn’t go to Alabama.  She goes to Auburn.  There’s nothing slow about ole A.J.  He knows which school has the prettier girls.  
 
Just as last year’s BCS title game was a rematch between Alabama and LSU, hindsight tells me this year’s title game should have been a rematch between Texas A&M and Alabama.  Even the SEC title game between Alabama and Georgia was a lot better and more exciting than Alabama and Notre Dame. 

It wasn’t a night for the Irish.  It was a night for the Tide.  Saban’s eyes are smiling.  Nick can return to Tuscaloosa, saying “Kiss me, I’m Saban.”  And Notre Dame fans leave yet another bowl game wondering, “Where was Touchdown Jesus?” 


Some people in Pennsylvania still don’t get it.  Now Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett is suing the NCAA over its sanctions against Penn State.  Corbett, the governor who up until the last minute was pouring millions of dollars of Pennsylvania tax payers’ money into Jerry Sandusky’s fraudulent charity, has reopened the wounds that had all but healed at Penn State.

Corbett was also the Attorney General of Pennsylvania when that office took on the Sandusky case in early 2009.  Under Corbett, the investigation was bungled, taking almost three years to charge Sandusky.  Someone needs to take Corbett aside and explain a few things to him.  What doesn’t he understand about pedophilia?        

Florida, both the football team and its fans, was a no-show at the Sugar Bowl game.  You know it was bad when late in the second quarter Swamp Mama said, “Well, it won’t be hard to get Gator tickets next year.”

Florida was trialing Louisville, 24-3 at that point.

Then at halftime, Swamp Mama muttered, “I can’t watch anymore of this.”  And with that, she stomped off to bed.

Actually, the Gators were looking better at the half, trailing only by 14 points – 24-10.

Me, I’m a glutton for punishment.  I watched the game to the very end.  Louisville beat Florida, 33-23.  I even watched West Virginia’s loss to Syracuse until the very end.  I know; I’m sick.

It appeared that Florida’s game plan against Louisville was to play like a bunch of thugs.  When that plan didn’t work, it was obvious there was no Plan B.  The Gators didn’t know what to do.  Florida’s offense and defense played poorly. 

That was not so surprising for the Gator offense.  It lived on the edge all season.  But the Florida defense was the big disappointment.  During the season, it was the defense that always was dependable.  The defense saved Florida in many a game.

I would suspect Will Muschamp had some harsh words for his coordinators – Brent Pease and Dan Quinn – after the game.  Neither had their squads prepared to play.  Of course the ultimate blame falls on Muschamp.  And let’s don’t take anything away from Louisville coach Charlie Strong.  He and his staff definitely had the Cardinals prepared to play.

Then there were the Florida fans….where were they?  They didn’t show up for the game either.  The attendance at the Sugar Bowl was only about 50,000 or so – mostly Louisville fans.  The Superdome seats close to 72,000 for football.  It was the smallest Sugar Bowl crowd since 1939 when 44,308 saw TCU beat Carnegie Tech, 15-7.

Actually, if truth be known, the Florida fans were missing in action most of the season.  Of seven home games at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, only two were played before capacity crowds – LSU and South Carolina.  And that’s probably because of the large fan bases that came from LSU and South Carolina.

In the other five home games, the stadium was only about 70 to 85 percent full.  Florida had an 11-2 season, but something about the program is at a low.  Obviously, Gator fans weren’t too thrilled or excited about what they saw in 2012.         

Speaking of thrilled, or a lack thereof, the Big Ten Conference isn’t thrilled about playing the SEC anymore.  The Big Ten decided it has had too much of the SEC in bowl games.  Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany said the conference has decided to diversify its bowl lineup to get away from the SEC teams.

What that means is the Big Ten is tired of getting whipped by the SEC every year.  As a result, the Big Ten plans to cease its affiliation with one or two of three Florida bowls – the Capital One, Outback and Gator.

And apparently the Big Ten may be foregoing one of the Florida bowls for the Pinstripe Bowl in Yankee Stadium.  The Pinstripe Bowl is looking to change its affiliation and begin matching teams from the Big Ten and ACC.  Delany said the Big Ten would like to have an equal number of bowl games against the ACC, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC each season.   

I think the thing that impressed me most in the Fiesta Bowl was the Oregon defense. 
The Ducks beat Kansas State in the bowl, 35-17.  We knew Oregon’s offense would show up.  It has been impressive all season, averaging 51 points a game.  But the Oregon defense was prone to have lapses at times.

In the Fiesta Bowl, Oregon was playing a Kansas State team that averaged 41 points a game during the season.  But the Ducks shutdown Collin Klein and the K-State offense, holding the Wildcats under their season average for both passing and rushing yards.  Watching the game, made me realize even more what a joke it was that Klein won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.     

Speaking of Johnny’s, how ‘bout Johnny Manziel – Johnny Football.  Manziel almost single-handedly beat Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.  Texas A&M beat the Sooners, 41-13.  Manziel was responsible for 516 yards of the Aggies’ 633 yards of offense.  The A&M quarterback passed for 287 yards and rushed for 229.  Manziel had more yards individually than OU did as a team.

Often is the case that the Heisman Trophy winner fails to live up to his status in a bowl game.  Not Manziel.  He not only lived up to his status, he exceeded it.  The Heisman voters who put Manziel in first place on their ballots should feel gratified and justified.  They knew what they were doing.

We learned that if Oregon coach Chip Kelly moves on to the NFL as expected, then Mark Helfrich, the current offensive coordinator at Oregon, will be named the Ducks’ head coach.  Stay tuned!

No more mañana for Florida International.  Tomorrow is here.  FIU hired Tampa Bay Bucs quarterbacks coach Ron Turner as its new coach.  Turner is a former head coach at Illinois.  The FIU announcement was followed the next day by Texas A&M special teams coordinator Brian Polian being named the new coach at Nevada.  Polian has also coached on the staffs at Stanford and Notre Dame in recent years.  He is considered to be one of the top recruiters in the country. 

Ole Miss dominated Pitt in the BVDs Bowl…..I mean…..the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham.  The Rebel Black Bears downed the Panthers, 38-17.  Like Detroit, I’m not convinced playing a bowl game in Birmingham is a reward for a player.  The highlight of the players’ activities during the days prior to the game was going bowling.  What else are you going to do in Birmingham?

Ole Miss fans flocked to the game.  But then compared t anything in the state of Mississippi, Birmingham is an oasis.

In a bit of a surprise, the Buffalo Bills named Syracuse coach Doug Marrone its new head coach.  Marrone coached Syracuse for four seasons, compiling a 25-25 record.

Florida announced that backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett is transferring.  Brissett’s departure will leave the Gators without any experience behind Jeff Driskel at the start of next season. 

Brissett has expressed interest in transferring to West Virginia, Louisville, Arkansas, NC State or Duke.  He will have to sit out a year.  Meanwhile, Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray said he will be back at Georgia next season for his senior year.  Murray had considered entering the NFL draft this spring.        

No more suspense with Chip Kelly.  The Oregon coach looked around the NFL, didn’t like what he saw and decided to remain in Eugene.  Now will Nick Saban and Brian Kelly do likewise?    

In a defensive battle, Arkansas State edged Kent State in the Yo Mama…..I mean…..Go Daddy Bowl, 17-13.  Both teams had some offensive weapons but none got loaded.  If they did, none fired.  The defenses kept the offenses jammed up.

With Doug Marrone’s departure to the Buffalo Bills, that leaves Syracuse as the only school looking for a new coach.  Look for the Orange to announce someone within the next seven days.

Bootsie is such a strong Auburn fan and Rockledge Gator is too, second to Florida, that it is all but impossible for them to cheer for Alabama.  It’s hard.  But Rockledge Gator smiled and said only Notre Dame can make us Bama fans.   

The next and season’s last issue of College Football Week (CFW 20) will be posted Monday morning, September 14.

Touchdown Tom
January 8, 2013
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


Bowl Game Review

Albert choked on a crawfish tail (in the Sugar Bowl) – Louisville 33, Florida 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 34, Louisville 23).  Well, I almost had the score right – just had the teams reversed.  Louisville jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back, building to a 33-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter.  Florida was 3-for-10 on third down efficiency.  Louisville’s first and only punt in the game didn’t come until 6:07 left in the fourth quarter.  A crowd of 54,178 attended the game in New Orleans.

Kelly’s heroes (in the Fiesta Bowl) – Oregon 35, Kansas State 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 44, Kansas State 43).  Oregon jumped out to a 15-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back, building to a 32-10 lead midway through the third quarter.  The Ducks racked up 385 yards of offense.  K-State suffered from two turnovers, both were interceptions throw by Collin Klein.  A crowd of 70,242 attended the game in Glendale.

Johnny Football was a one-man wrecking squad (in the Cotton Bowl) – Texas A&M 41, Oklahoma 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 35, Oklahoma 31).  Good game for two quarters.  A&M led at the half, 14-13.  It was all over after that.  The Aggies came out to play football in the second half and the Sooners didn’t.  OU never scored another point, while A&M added another 27 points in the second half.  The teams combined for 1,034 yards of offense.  But the Aggies had 232 more yards than the Sooners.  The lack of a running game hurt Oklahoma.  Johnny Manziel passed for 287 yards and rushed for 229.  A crowd of 87,025 attended the game in Arlington.

Due South beat Due North (in the Compass Bowl) – Ole Miss 38, Pitt 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Ole Miss 24, Pitt 19).  Ole Miss was in the lead throughout the game.  The Black Bears led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter; 24-10 at the half, and 31-10 at the end of the third quarter.  Pitt was 4-for-16 on third down efficiency and 0-for-2 on fourth down efficiency.  Ole Miss held the Panthers to 81 yards rushing.  A crowd of 59,135 attended the game in Birmingham.

The Flashers weren’t Golden (in the Go Daddy Bowl) – Arkansas State 17, Kent State 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Arkansas State 33, Kent State 27).  If you tuned into the Go Daddy Bowl, all you had to watch were the second and third quarters.  That’s when all the scoring took place.  After a scoreless first quarter, the Red Wolves and Golden Flashes got some action going in the second quarter.  Ark State led Kent, 14-10 at the half.  Then the two teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter.  The fourth quarter was like the first – scoreless.  Kent State outgained Ark State 350 yards to 285 in total offense.  And the Golden Flashes held the Red Wolves to only 72 yards rushing.  But Ark State won the most important statistic – total points.  A crowd of 37,913 attended the game in Mobile.

Tidal wave washes away the Irish (in the BCS National Championship Bowl) – Alabama 42, Notre Dame 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 20, Notre Dame 13).  Alabama led Notre Dame 35-0 late in the third quarter before the Irish scored their first touchdown.  The Tide’s offense couldn’t have been more balanced – 264 yards passing and 265 yards rushing.  Eddie Lacy rushed for 140 yards and T.J. Yeldon had 108 yards.  Bama’s defense held ND to 32 yards rushing.  A crowd of 80,120 attended the game in Miami Gardens.

Last Week’s Bowl Picks:    5 Correct,    1 Wrong   (83.3 percent)
Total Bowl Game Picks:     22 Correct,   13 Wrong   (62.9 percent)


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel – 22-34-1-287 yards; Oklahoma’s Landry Jones – 35-48-1-278; Notre Dame’s Everett Golson – 21-36-1-270; Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater – 20-32-1-266, and A.J. McCarron – 20-28-0-264.


Impressive Runners:  Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel – 229 yards; Oregon’s Kenjon Barner – 143 yards, and Eddie Lacy – 140 yards. 


Weekend Review

FCS Championship Game

North Dakota State 39, Sam Houston State 13


Quotes of Last Week

“He’s terrible.  What did he do that was good?  He didn’t do nothing that was good.  We were killing him.  He’s not good at all,” Florida State linebacker Vince Williams, on NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch, after the Orange Bowl game.

“I think the Big East is done.  How are they not done?  They can’t get a TV deal done for any revenue.  There are schools publically looking to leave,” a Boise State official.

“I think the Big Ten, talent-wise, is a lot better, and the defenses in the Big Ten are better than the SEC defenses.  This was supposed to be one of the top defenses in the SEC, and we pretty much did anything we wanted against them,” Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez, after the Capital One Bowl game against Georgia.

“There have been a lot of embarrassing days for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and, by association, Penn State, but Wednesday was the worst of all,” USA Today columnist Christine Brennan, on the announcement by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett that the state was suing the NCAA over sanctions levied against Penn State in the Jerry Sandusky scandal.

“Has no one in Pennsylvania learned anything over the past 14 months, since the news of the Sandusky horrors broke?,” USA Today columnist Christine Brennan.

“Florida fans clearly didn’t want to be here and their team responded in kind,” Fox Sports writer Steve Eubanks, on the Sugar Bowl.

“If 50,000 people saw the Sugar Bowl in person (counting the bands), I’ll eat a fried gator,” Fox Sports writer Steve Eubanks. 

“The Gator Nation has become the Gator Neighborhood,” Fox Sports writer Steve Eubanks, on the Sugar Bowl.

“There’s no question.  He’s driven to be the best,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, on Nick Saban.

“I’m not a one-and-done guy.  I made a commitment to these players at Penn State and that’s what I’m going to do.  I’m not gonna cut and run after one year.  That’s for sure,” Penn State coach Bill O’Brien, deciding not to pursue an opening in the NFL.

“I have no unfinished business in the NFL.  At this time, coaching in the NFL is not something I want to do,” Alabama coach Nick Saban, prior to the BCS Championship game against Notre Dame.

“How can you not be intrigued?,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly when asked if he would accept an NFL job if offered.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football…. East Carolina coach Ruffin McNeill fired his defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell.  Mitchell was also the Pirates’ secondary coach.  East Carolina gave up 244 points in its last six games – 102 points in its last two games.

Fired NC State coach Tom O’Brien will be the new tight ends and assistant head coach at Virginia under Mike London.  O’Brien is no stranger to Virginia.  He was the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator for the Cavaliers from 1982 to 1996.  He left Virginia after the 1996 season to become the head coach of Boston College.

New Auburn coach Gus Malzahn completed his staff, hiring Rich Bisaccia as his running backs and special teams coach.  Bisaccia will also be the assistant head coach.  Bisaccia had been an assistant coach for the San Diego Chargers….  Recently fired Western Michigan coach Bill Cubit is the new offensive coordinator at Illinois….  Eastern Michigan coach Ron English hired ex-Ball State coach Stan Parrish to be his new offensive coordinator.

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 – Harry Carey Jr., Patti Page, Bryan Stoltenberg and Pete Elliott.

Harry Carey Jr., an actor who made his mark as a boyish sidekick to John Wayne in westerns like “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” (1949), “Wagon Master” (1950) and “The Searchers” (1956), and later became a character actor in American television, died last week in Santa Barbara, California.  He was 91.  Carey appeared in nearly 100 movies in his 50-year career, including “Red River” (1948) and “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953) with Marilyn Monroe.  On television, he appeared on “Bonanza” and “Have Gun Will Travel,” among other shows.  From 1955 to 1957, Carey portrayed Bill Burnett, the popular Triple R Ranch camp counselor in the “Spin and Marty” series, featured on “The Mickey Mouse Club” show.  Harry Carey Jr. was born March 16, 1921, on his family’s ranch in Saugus, California.  During World War II, he served in the Navy.   

Patti Page, whose sentimental and soothing hits like “Tennessee Waltz,” “Let Me Go, Lover,” “I Went To Your Wedding,” “Old Cape Cod” and “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window” made her one of the most successful pop singers of the 1950s, died last week in Encinitas, California.  She was 85.  Prior to her solo career, Page had been a singer with the Benny Goodman Band.  “Tennessee Waltz” sold more than 10 million copies.  The song is considered to be the first true crossover hit.  It spent months on Billboard’s pop, country and rhythm-and-blues charts.  In the 1950’s, Page hosted three television shows – two on NBC and one on CBS.  Clara Ann Fowler was born on November 8, 1927, in Claremore, Oklahoma, a small town near Tulsa.  She was one of 11 children.  She began her career on Tulsa radio station KTUL doing a country music show called “Meet Patti Page.”  She eventually adopted the name.  In addition to the Benny Goodman Band, Page also sang with the Jimmy Joy Band.  Her first solo hit came in 1950 – “With My Eyes Wide Open, I’m Dreaming.”  Among her other notable recordings were “Cross Over the Bridge,” “Mockin’ Bird Hill,” “Left Right Out of Your Heart,” “Allegheny Moon” and her last hit, “Hush … Hush, Sweet Charlotte,” which was nominated for an Oscar.  In the 1960s, Page appeared in three movies: “Elmer Gantry” (1960) with Burt Lancaster and Jean Simmons; “Dondi” (1961) with David Janssen, and “Boy’s Night Out” (1962) with Kim Novak and James Garner.
     
Bryan Stoltenberg, an All-American offensive lineman for the Colorado Buffaloes died last week in Sugarland, Texas.  He was 40.  Stoltenberg played for Colorado in the mid-1990s.  He played in the NFL for the San Diego Chargers, New York Giants and Carolina Panthers.   

Pete Elliott, an All-American back who played on two unbeaten Michigan football teams in the late 1940s and who played and coached in three Rose Bowl games, died last week in Canton, Ohio.  He was 86.  In addition to being a football star, Elliott was an All-Big Ten basketball guard and a member of the Wolverine golf team.  His brother, Bump Elliott, also played at Michigan.  The two were later coaching rivals – Pete at Illinois and Bump at Michigan.  After working as an assistant under Bud Wilkinson at Oklahoma, Pete Elliott became the coach at Nebraska in 1956.  He then coached California the next three seasons, 1957-59.  He then became the coach at Illinois for seven seasons, 1960-66.  Elliott was the coach at Miami (Florida) in 1973 and 1974 and served as the Hurricanes’ athletic director.  Peter Elliott was born on September 29, 1926, in Bloomington, Illinois.  He played sports at Michigan from 1945 to 1949.

College Football Week 18 – Big Ten finishes 1-4 on New Year’s Day
Who was naughty and who was nice?
A fortnight of Holiday adventures
When I posted my last blog (CFW 17) on December 17, there were only five schools still looking for a football coach.  Later that same day, three of the schools – Kent State, San Jose State and Western Michigan – ended their searches.  By the next day, a fourth – Wisconsin – found its new man.

Former Arkansas defensive coordinator Paul Haynes was named the new coach at Kent State, while San Jose State chose University of San Diego coach Ron Caragher.  Caragher, by the way, became the coach at San Diego when Jim Harbaugh left to become the coach at Stanford after the 2006 season. 

Western Michigan went to the NFL to find its new coach.  The Broncos hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck.  And Wisconsin named Utah State coach Gary Andersen its new coach.  The Wisconsin hire created a new opening, but Utah State quickly filled the void, naming Matt Wells the Aggies new coach.  Wells was the offensive coordinator at Utah State under Andersen. 

Western Michigan’s Fleck, who just turned 32 in November, is now the youngest coach in FBS football.  That title was held by Toledo coach Matt Campbell, who is 11 months older than Fleck.  New Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury is the third youngest coach in FBS.  At 33, Kingsbury is just a few months older than Campbell.

By the end of the day on December 18, the only FBS school still looking for a coach was Florida International.  They don’t move too fast in Miami.  They have that Latin America attitude – mañana.  That’s why FIU doesn’t win many football games.  They’ll score a touchdown mañana.

Well, both can’t be right and maybe neither one is.  I’m talking about South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk.  Clowney and Seastrunk came out and said they would win the Heisman Trophy next year.  Clowney was first to make the prediction.  Stay tuned!

Speaking of Florida International, on December 19, Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz announced that he was withdrawing his name from consideration for the FIU coaching job.  What that means is that Diaz found out he wasn’t going to be selected.  So to save face, he announced his withdrawal.  Maybe FIU is getting close to naming someone. 

The USA Today reported that the average pay for assistant coaches in college football is now $200,000.  Not bad.  I can remember when that was the average for head coaches.

The third bowl game of the season was played on December 20.  BYU beat San Diego State 23-6 in the Poinsettia Bowl.  The offenses of both teams were bad.  Most of the points were scored, or set up, by the defenses.  It’s beyond me how San Diego State ever won a game this season.  And the Aztecs were playing on their home field.

The following night, UCF won the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl beating Ball State, 38-17.  David Letterman must have been sad.   

December 22, I read where Cincinnati and Connecticut officials are convinced the Big Ten will soon acquire Georgia Tech and Virginia or Georgia Tech and North Carolina.  Once that happens, Cincinnati and Connecticut are convinced they will then be invited to join the ACC.  Along with this story, I read that Boise State is seriously reconsidering its plans to join the Big East on July 1, 2013.  The Broncos may renege and remain in the Mountain West Conference.

The two bowl games on December 22 were both thrillers.  Louisiana-Lafayette outscored East Carolina, 43-34, in the New Orleans Bowl.  Then, in the Las Vegas Bowl, Boise State kicked a late field goal to beat Washington, 28-26.  Steve Sarkisian doesn’t seem to be getting the job done in Seattle.  He’ll be on the hot seat next season.  Is there a job out there Chris Petersen would leave Boise State for?

Two days before Christmas, it was time for Swamp Mama and me to drive up to the Florida panhandle to spend the Holidays with Princess Gator, Bama Gator, Gator Gabe and Gator Babe.  We left the shores of east-central Florida on a chilly morning, driving West on 192, North on the Florida Turnpike, North on I-75 and West on I-10.

The next night – Christmas Eve – SMU clobbered Fresno State, 43-10, in the Hawaii Bowl.  The Mountain West Conference isn’t looking good in the bowl games.  Fresno State was the third MWC team to lose.  Only Boise State has held up the conference’s honor.    

A visit to the Florida panhandle is always interesting and this time was no exception.  I have to tell you I heard two Christmas songs I’ve never heard before.  Maybe they are new songs?  Or maybe you just don’t hear them outside of North Florida?  On Christmas Eve I head “Santa Got Lost in Texas.”  Then on Christmas Day, I heard “Leroy the Redneck Reindeer.” 

So, I’m reading where Chip Kelly might pull a Pete Carroll and leave Oregon for the NFL.  Word is the NCAA is investigating Oregon for violations.  And rumor is Kelly may run off for a head coaching job in the NFL.  Carroll left the Trojans for the NFL as USC was about to be put on probation.

The day after Christmas, we went to see “Parental Guidance.”  Every grandparent needs to see this movie.  That night, Central Michigan beat Western Kentucky, 24-21, in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.  The game was played in Detroit.  I can’t imagine anybody going to Detroit in the summer, much less in December.  I thought bowls were supposed to be rewards for the players. 
   
On December 27, Swamp Mama and I bid farewell to North Florida and Leroy.  We said our goodbyes to Princess Gator, Bama Gator, Gator Gabe and Gator Babe and made our way to the sands of east-central Florida.  The traffic was much heavier on the return trip than it was going up.  Seems everyone heads to Florida after Christmas.

Three games were awaiting me upon arrival at home.  San Jose State won the Military Bowl, beating Bowling Green, 29-20.  Cincinnati outlasted Duke in the Belk Bowl, 48-34.  And in the nightcap, Baylor stunned UCLA, 49-26, in the Holiday Bowl.

Florida International still hasn’t hired a new coach, but now we know why.  We know why it has been mañana.  We know why Manny Diaz withdrew his name.  FIU has been waiting all along to hire Butch Davis.

But it seems that Davis is hung up in contract issues with his former employer – North Carolina.  If Davis accepts the FIU offer, he relinquishes the money still owed to him by UNC.  At least, that’s what UNC says.  Davis doesn’t agree.  Stay tuned!

Three more bowls were the highlight of December 28.  Ohio surprised Louisiana-Monroe in the Independence Bowl, 45-14.  This was the same UL Monroe team that beat Arkansas at the first of the season, lost to Auburn in overtime and lost to Baylor by five points in a thriller.  Obviously, UL Monroe wasn’t the same team at the end of the season.

Next, Virginia Tech and Rutgers treated us to what has to be the most boring bowl game so far.  And what may be the most boring bowl game of the bunch when it’s all over.  It was the Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando.  The Hokies beat Rutgers, 13-10 (OT).  If this game didn’t put you to sleep, I don’t know what would.  Tech only had 196 yards of offense.  To make matters worse, the Scarlet Knights only had 196 yards of offense.  It was like the offenses were singing to each other, “Anything you can do, I can do worse.” 

It all changed in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.  Texas Tech won a thriller over Minnesota, 34-31.  The Red Raiders scored the winning points as time expired.  Texas Tech and Minnesota scored more points in the first nine minutes of their game than Virginia Tech and Rutgers did in all four quarters, plus an overtime of their game. 

At times in the first half, the Texas Tech-Minnesota game looked more like a prize fight than football.  It was a real slugfest.  Personal fouls were being called like crazy.  Fortunately, the two teams settled down in the second half.           

News out of Reno says that Chris Ault is stepping down at Nevada after 28 years.  Under Ault, the Wolf Pack went from Division II to I-AA to I-A, winning at every level.  The 66-year-old Ault took the Wolf Pack to 10 bowl games in 12 FBS seasons.  He finished with a record of 233-109-1. 

Ault is the inventor of the Pistol offense, a scheme now employed by several teams at every level of football.  The Pistol has the quarterback in a short shot-gun formation with a running back lined up directly behind him.

Ault’s 40-year career with Nevada began when he played quarterback for the Wolf Pack from 1965 to 1967.  As coach, his best season was in 2010 when Ault led Nevada to a 13-1 record and a win against Boston College in the Fight Hunger Bowl.  That team, under quarterback Colin Kaepernick, also beat Boise State and won the WAC championship.  They were ranked 13th in the polls at the end of the season. 
  
Five games were on tap on December 29.  In the first one, Rice got its second bowl win in 57 years, as the Owls shot down the Air Force, 33-14, in the Armed Forces Bowl.  In the Bronx, in the snow, in Yankee Stadium, Syracuse downed West Virginia, 38-14, in the Pinstripe Bowl.  Out in the City by the Bay, Arizona State decked Navy in the Fight Hunger Bowl, 62-28.  I’ve said all season that Navy really needs to find a new football coach.

In the Alamo Bowl, Texas rallied in the fourth quarter to beat Oregon State, 31-27.  Oregon State’s offensive line was totally worthless in the fourth quarter.  But Mike Riley remains one of my favorite, if not the favorite, coaches in college football.  Michigan State and TCU had the honor of closing out the day in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.  The Spartans won a defensive battle, 17-16. 

Watching the Pinstripe Bowl, I had to laugh every time ESPN’s broadcast team of Chris Fowler and Jesse Palmer said that Syracuse wanted to hold onto the ball as long as it could to keep WVU’s Geno Smith off the field.  Au contraire, mon ami.  Smith, as it turned out, was Syracuse’s biggest asset in the game.  Whenever he had the ball, Smith was always turning it over to Syracuse. 

During the season, Geno Smith was like a box of chocolates.  You never knew what you were going to get.  Sometimes, he was really, really good.  Sometimes, he was really, really bad.  Sadly, in the Pinstripe Bowl, Smith ended his career really, really bad.  And sadly, West Virginia lost six of its last eight games, after beginning the season 5-0.

Sunday, December 30, provided a welcome break in the bowl games.  Following the five bowls on the 29th, the next games weren’t scheduled until New Year’s Eve – eight consecutive days of bowl games from December 31 to January 7.

Nineteen bowls were history and 16 were waiting to be played.  After getting off to a good start with my predictions at 7-3, I predicted wrong in five of the last nine games.  So at the midway-Sunday break, I’m sitting at 11 right and 8 wrong.  

At the halfway break, the WAC (2-0), C-USA (3-1), Big East (2-1) and the Big 12 (3-2) are looking the best so far, while the MWC (1-4), Sun Belt (1-2), MAC (2-3) and Pac-12 (2-3) are in the worst shape in bowl play.  The ACC, Big Ten and Independents are each 1-1.  The SEC has yet to play in a bowl game.  That changes New Year’s Eve when Vanderbilt and LSU are in action.         

Well Butch Davis’ lawyer released a statement, saying that Davis would not become the coach at Florida International.  Mañana.

Out in Idaho, Boise State announced it was not going to join the Big East Conference after all.  The Broncos will remain in the Mountain West Conference.  Now what will San Diego State do – the same thing?  And word has it the MWC may go after Houston and SMU, two other schools who are scheduled to join the Big East in July.  Stay tuned.

The first bowl game on New Year’s Eve was the Music City Bowl.  Vanderbilt beat NC State, 38-24.  In NC State’s opening game of the season against Tennessee, quarterback Mike Glennon threw four interceptions.  In the Wolfpack’s final game of the season, Glennon threw three interceptions.  Hopefully Glennon has an appointment scheduled soon with the eye doctor.   

Georgia Tech stunned USC in the Sun Bowl, 21-7.  This the USC team that many thought back in August would be playing in the BCS Championship Bowl.  Something tells me Lane Kiffin isn’t long for Troy.  Then in another surprise, Tulsa ran over Iowa State, 31-17, in the Liberty Bowl.  Paul Rhoads will definitely enter next season on the hot seat.

Seven NFL coaches are fired on New Year’s Eve.  Many are speculating that at least two of those seven openings in the NFL will be filled by current college coaches.  Can you spell Nick Saban and Chip Kelly?  Stay tuned.

Well, Clemson won its first game of the season in Atlanta in the Georgia Dome, beating a SEC team called the Tigers.  And Clemson won its last game of the season in Atlanta in the Georgia Dome, beating a SEC team called the Tigers.  Coincidence?  In its opening game on September 1, Clemson beat Auburn, 26-19.  In its final game on New Year’s Eve, Clemson beat LSU, 25-24.  In beating LSU, Clemson won the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Actually, it was strange that LSU was winning this game until the very end.  The Cajun Tigers had no offense, no defense and no coaching from the Mad Hatter.  It’s the second-straight year that LSU has looked flat in a bowl game.    

New Year’s Day – the busiest bowl day of the season, with six games on the lineup.  I made the best pot of Hoppin’ John.  It was so good with my rosemary, lemon and honey-mustard marinated chicken thighs.  Swamp Mama and I had Betty “The Duchess of Indialantic” Pappas over for a midday champagne dinner and to watch some football.

The day began with the Gator and Heart of Dallas Bowls and ended with the Orange Bowl.  In the Gator Bowl, Mississippi State embarrassed the SEC big time, losing to a Big Ten team.  Northwestern downed the Bulldogs, 34-20.  But don’t feel too bad Bulldogs, LSU was a bigger embarrassment the night before, losing to an ACC team.

Friends Karlene and John Tuttle attended the Gator Bowl.  They went to see Miss State cornerback Corey Broomfield play.  Broomfield played his school football at Bayside High in south Brevard County when John was the principal at Bayside.

Purdue had no business being in a bowl game, much less in a bowl game playing Oklahoma State.  In the Heart of Dallas Bowl, the Cowpokes booted the Boilermakers, 58-14.  Georgia and South Carolina made up for Miss State’s hiccup.  In the Capital One Bowl, Georgia wore down Nebraska, beating the Huskers, 45-31.  And South Carolina scored late – very late – to beat Michigan, 33-28, in the Outback Bowl.

In its last two games of the season, Nebraska’s defense gave up a total of 115 points – 70 to Wisconsin and 45 to Georgia.  Some heads could be rolling on the Husker coaching staff.  And I’m wondering if Nebraska fans think the football program is deteriorating in the Big Ten Conference.  I read an article during the season that said a number of Husker fans were missing the Big 12, while having second thoughts about the Big Ten.

Maybe it won’t be Nick Saban and Chip Kelly leaving for an NFL job.  Maybe it will be Chip Kelly and……Bill O’Brien.  Reports say Penn State coach O’Brien is open to leaving the Nittany Lions for one of the seven NFL openings.  Stay tuned.

In the greatest of all bowls – the Rose – Stanford and Wisconsin gave us an exciting and tightly contested performance.  Although it wasn’t high-scoring, there was never a dull moment.  At the end of the game, Stanford came out on top, 20-14.  Stanford’s celebrity fans at the game included Jim Plunkett, Condoleezza Rice and Tiger Woods.  And you know Andrew Luck would have been there if the Colts weren’t in the playoffs.

In the nightcap on New Year’s Day, Northern Illinois made it a game for three quarters.  But it was all Florida State after that.  FSU beat NIU in the Orange Bowl, 31-10.  The Noles extended a 7-point lead to a 21-point lead in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter.  Then it was boring after that.   

The best game on New Year’s Day:  South Carolina and Michigan in the Outback Bowl.  Runner-up:  Stanford and Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.  Worst game on New Year’s Day:  Oklahoma State and Purdue in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.  Runner-up:  Florida State and Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl.
    
So, I’m thinking the next time I make my Hoppin’ John it will be accompanied by ribs and corn on the cob.  Can’t wait.

The next College Football Week – CFW19 – will be posted on Tuesday, January 8, the morning after the BCS Championship game.

Jadeveon Clowney for Heisman in 2013?  I’d say he’s off to a good start. 
 
Happy New Year!

Touchdown Tom
January 2, 2013
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


Review of the Bowls (most of them)

B-O-R-I-N-G (in the Poinsettia Bowl) – BYU 23, San Diego State 6 (Touchdown Tom said: San Diego State 28, BYU 26).  The score was 6-3 in favor of San Diego State at the end of the third quarter.  Two of BYU’s three touchdowns in the fourth quarter were scored by the defense – a fumble recovery in the end zone and an interception returned for a TD.  Neither team could get its offense flowing and there were eight turnovers in the game.  It was a painful game to watch – about as exciting as watching grass grow or chrome rust on a car.  A crowd of 35,442 attended the game in San Diego.

The Knights were no vegetarians (in the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl) – UCF 38, Ball State 17 (Touchdown Tom said: UCF 30, Ball State 28).  UCF quarterback Blake Bortles had a great game, passing for 272 yards and rushing for another 80.  The Knights had a balanced attack, rushing for 222 yards and passing for 272.  UCF’s defense held the Cardinals to 71 yards rushing.  A crowd of 21,759 attended the game in St. Petersburg.

They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway (in the New Orleans Bowl) – Louisiana-Lafayette 43, East Carolina 34 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisiana-Lafayette 35, East Carolina 33).  UL Lafayette quarterback Terrance Broadway passed for 316 yards and ran for another 108.  The Rajin’ Cajuns amassed 591 total yards in the game.  Midway through the second quarter, UL Lafayette led 28-7.  Midway through the third quarter, East Carolina had tied the score 31-31.  But the Pirates could never grab the lead.  A crowd of 48,828 attended the game in New Orleans.

Kicks are for Broncos – (in the Las Vegas Bowl) – Boise State 28, Washington 26 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 19, Washington 16).  Late in the second quarter, Boise State led, 18-3.  Late in the fourth quarter, Washington led, 26-25.  The Broncos kicked a 27-yard field goal with 1:16 on the clock to retake the lead, hold on and win the game.  The two teams were pretty evenly matched in the stats.  Boise State was the better passing team, while Washington was the better rushing team.  The Broncos finished another good season at 11-2.  A crowd of 33,217 attended the game in Las Vegas.

Ponies ride the big wave (in the Hawaii Bowl) – SMU 43, Fresno State 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Fresno State 37, SMU 26).  SMU coach June Jones found out you can go home again.  The underdog Ponies let Fresno State’s Derek Carr pass all he wanted, but they totally shut down the Bulldog running game.  SMU held Fresno State to -16 yards rushing.  The Ponies led the Bulldogs 22-0 at the half and continued to outscore them in the second half.  Fresno State was hampered by four turnovers.  A crowd of 30,024 attended the game in Honolulu.

These Chipps weren’t down (in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl) – Central Michigan 24, Western Michigan 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Western Kentucky 27, Central Michigan 22).  Western Kentucky gambled and failed.  With 51 seconds left in the game, the Hilltoppers had a 4th-and-2 on the Central Michigan 19.  Instead of kicking a field goal to tie the game, WKU went for the first down.  But the attempted pass fell incomplete.  A crowd of 23,310 attended the game in Detroit.

Spartans court martial the Falcons (in the Military Bowl) – San Jose State 29, Bowling Green 20 (Touchdown Tom said: San Jose State 27 Bowling Green 18).  San Jose State was -15 yards rushing, but the Spartans’ passing made up for the difference.  David Fales threw for 395 yards.  The lead changed hands four times in the game.  San Jose State took the lead with about 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter and never gave it up.  The Spartans had an excellent season, finishing at 11-2.  A crowd of 17,835 attended the game in Washington.

Bearcats went on a shopping spree (in the Belk Bowl) – Cincinnati 48, Duke 34 (Touchdown Tom said: Cincinnati 36, Duke 25).  Wild game – Duke jumped out to a 16-0 lead with about 5 minutes left on the first quarter.  Then Cincinnati proceeded to score 27 unanswered points and led 27-16 about halfway through the third quarter.  Duke scored the next 15 points and led 31-27 early in the fourth quarter.  The Bearcats retook the lead, but the Blue Devils tied it up, 34-34, halfway through the fourth quarter.  In a wild finish, Cincinnati scored two touchdowns in the final 44 seconds of the game to win by 14 points.  The teams combined for 1,114 yards of offense.  Four turnovers really hurt the Dookies.  Cincinnati ended its season at a respectable 10-3.  A crowd of 48,128 attended the game in Charlotte.

Bears are festive (in the Holiday Bowl) – Baylor 49, UCLA 26 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 44, Baylor 40).  Baylor jumped out to a 35-7 lead late in the second quarter and it was all over but the shouting.  The two teams went tit-for-tat in the second half.  The Baylor defense shut down the running of Johnathan Franklin, holding the Bruins to 33 yards rushing.  The Bears Lache Seastrunk rushed for 138 yards.  Baylor did not suffer from its three turnovers.  A crowd of 55,507 attended the game in San Diego.

The green, green Cat comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ along (in the Independence Bowl) – Ohio 45, Louisiana-Monroe 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisiana-Monroe 30, Ohio 29).  Ohio built up a 38-7 lead halfway through the third quarter.  ULM just couldn’t do anything right.  The Bobcats had 556 yards of offense and held the Warhawks to 95 yards rushing.  ULM quarterback Kolton Browning threw three interceptions.  The game marked Louisiana-Monroe’s first appearance in a bowl.  A crowd of 41,853 attended the game in Shreveport.

An offensive disaster (in the Russell Athletic Bowl) – Virginia Tech 13, Rutgers 10 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 20, Rutgers 18).  Rutgers jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and never scored another point.  The Scarlet Knights held the lead until about 4 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, when the Hokies tied it up at 10-10.  Neither team mustered as much as 200 yards of offense in the game.  The defenses of both teams were good, but it was more of a case of terrible offenses.  Rutgers rushed for 67 yards, while the Hokies rushed for 3 yards.  Both quarterbacks completed less than 50 percent of their passes.  The teams combined for five turnovers.  A crowd of 48,127 attended the game in Orlando.

It ain’t over until it’s over (in the Meineke Car Care Bowl) – Texas Tech 34, Minnesota 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas Tech 35, Minnesota 17).  Texas Tech scored 10 points in the final 1:10 of the game to pull out the victory.  With just 70 seconds left in the game and trailing 31-24, the Red Raiders scored a touchdown on a 35-yard pass play to tie the score at 31-31.  On the ensuing series, Minnesota quarterback Phil Nelson was intercepted by Texas Tech’s D.J. Johnson.  Then, Texas Tech kicked a 28-yard field goal as time expired to win the game.  A crowd of 50,386 attended the game in Houston.

Birds of Prey Clash: Owls down Falcons (in the Armed Forces Bowl) – Rice 33, Air Force 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Rice 23, Air Force 21).  The score was 14-14 early in the third quarter.  Then the Owls went on a rampage, scoring 19 unanswered points.  Rice had a balanced attack – 295 yards passing and 208 rushing for 503 total yards.  Air Force had no attack.  A crowd of 40,754 attended the game in Fort Worth.

The abominable Orangeman (in the Pinstripe Bowl) – Syracuse 38, West Virginia 14 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 38, Syracuse 33).  It was snowing in Yankee Stadium, but instead of the abominable snowman, West Virginia was plowed by the abominable Orangeman – Prince-Tyson Gulley.  Gulley rushed for 208 yards and his partner in crime – Jerome Smith – added another 157 yards rushing.  Syracuse had 369 yards rushing to WVU’s 88 yards.  The Mounties were 0-10 on third-down efficiency and 0-2 on fourth-down efficiency.  A crowd of 39,098 attended the game in New York City.

Sun Devils strip the Middies to their skivvies (in the Fight Hunger Bowl) – Arizona State 62, Navy 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona State 33, Navy 20).  This game was never a contest.  The Sun Devils led 48-7 halfway through the third quarter and 62-14 by the end of the quarter.  Navy never knew what sunk them.  ASU racked up 648 yards of offense.  A crowd of 34,172 attended the game in San Francisco.

Horns toot, Beavers scoot (in the Alamo Bowl) – Texas 31, Oregon State 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon State 28, Texas 27).  Oregon State never trailed in this game until 2:24 left in the fourth quarter when Texas took the lead and held it to win.  Trailing by 10 points, 27-17, Texas scored two touchdowns in the last eight minutes of the game.  Three turnovers hurt the Beavers.  A crowd of 65,277 attended the game in San Antonio.

Where was Miss Piggy when Kermit needed her? (in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl) – Michigan State 17, TCU 16 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 17, Michigan State 14).  Neither team had much of an offense, but Michigan State had Le’Veon Bell.  He was the difference in the game.  Bell rushed for 145 yards.  As a team, TCU only rushed for 83 yards.  The Frogs led 13-0 at the half, but were outscored 17-3 in the second half.  Two turnovers didn’t help TCU any.  Trailing 16-14, the Spartans kicked a 47-yard field goal with 1:01 on the clock to take the lead and win.  A crowd of 44,617 attended the game in Tempe.

The Dores were singing – (in the Music City Bowl) – Vanderbilt 38, NC State 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Vanderbilt 26, NC State 22).  Vandy jumped out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back.  NC State had five turnovers, including three interceptions, all thrown by Mike Glennon.  Otherwise, the Wolfpack outgained the Dores in total yardage 424 to 225.  However, NC State only had 41 yards rushing.  Vandy finished the season at 9-4 – the first time the Dores have won nine games since 1915.  A crowd of 55,801 attended the game in Nashville.

Kiffin gets stung (in the Sun Bowl) – Georgia Tech 21, USC 7 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 27, Georgia Tech 17).  Georgia Tech’s defense held the Trojans to just 205 yards of total offense – 107 passing and 98 rushing.  USC only had 10 first downs.  The game was marred by six turnovers – three for each team.  A crowd of 47,922 attended the game in El Paso.

Colossus of Rhoads destroyed (in the Liberty Bowl) – Tulsa 31, Iowa State 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa State 33, Tulsa 24).  Iowa State led 17-7 at the end of the first quarter and never scored another point the rest of the game.  The Golden Hurricane held the Cyclones to 98 yards rushing.  ISU was hampered by three turnovers.  Tulsa finished its season at an impressive 11-3.  A crowd of 55,687 attended the game in Memphis.

Mad Hatless (in the Chick-fil-A Bowl) – Clemson 25, LSU 24 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 33, Clemson 18).  LSU never trailed in this game until time expired.  That’s when Clemson kicked a 37-yard field goal to win.  Actually it’s hard to figure how LSU was ever in this game.  LSU had 9 first downs to Clemson’s 32.  LSU had 219 yards of offense to Clemson’s 445.  Neither team had a running game, but Clemson had a passing game – 346 yards.  A crowd of 68,027 attended the game in Atlanta.

Cats scratch Bully (in the Gator Bowl) – Northwestern 34, Mississippi State 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Mississippi State 32, Northwestern 22).  It’s hard to win a game when your quarterback goes 12-for-28 for only 106 yards and throws four interceptions along the way.  That’s exactly what Tyler Wilson did for Miss State.  The game was marred by seven turnovers.  Northwestern won its first bowl game since 1949.  A crowd of 48,612 attended the game in Jacksonville.

Mismatch! (in the Heart of Dallas Bowl) – Oklahoma State 58, Purdue 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 35, Purdue 20).  The score was 45-0 before Purdue managed to score with 0:18 left in the third quarter.  Then the score was 58-7 before Purdue scored its only other touchdown with less than three minutes left in the game.  Five turnovers didn’t help the Boilermakers any.  Okie State had 524 yards of offense.  A crowd of 48,313 attended the game in Dallas.

What a finish and what a hit! (in the Outback Bowl) – South Carolina 33, Michigan 28 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 26, Michigan 19).  The Gamecocks scored on a 32-yard touchdown pass with 0:11 remaining in the game to retake the lead and win.  Late in the second quarter, South Carolina led 21-10.  With 0:02 remaining in the third quarter, Michigan took its first lead in the game at 22-21.  Each team retook the lead in the fourth quarter before the Gamecocks took it for the final time.  South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw passed for 224 yards and rushed for 96 before leaving the game on the final drive in the fourth quarter.  The winning touchdown pass was thrown by backup quarterback Dylan Thompson.  A crowd of 54,527 attended the game in Tampa.

Uga chews the Corn off the Cob (in the Capital One Bowl) – Georgia 45, Nebraska 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 30, Nebraska 20).  Trailing Nebraska 31-23 midway through the third quarter, Georgia proceeded to score 22 unanswered points to win the game – a game in which the lead changed hands four times.  Nebraska never scored another point after the 9:42 mark in the third quarter.  The Huskers had nothing left in them.  They were totally pooped.  The teams combined for 1,032 yards of offense.  Aaron Murray passed for 427 yards.  A crowd of 59,712 attended the game in Orlando.

It must have been the Stanford band (in the Rose Bowl) – Stanford 20, Wisconsin 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 26, Wisconsin 25).  In a tightly played game, 31 of the 34 points were scored in the first half.  A Stanford field goal with 4:23 left in the game was the only score in the second half.  The teams were pretty evenly matched.  Both had 17 first downs.  Wisconsin had 301 yards of offense and Stanford had 344 yards.  The Badgers were the better rushing team, while the Cardinal was the better passing team.  Stanford won the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1972.  A crowd of 93,359 attended the game in Pasadena.

Kirk Herbstreit was right (in the Orange Bowl) – Florida State 31, Northern Illinois 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 33, Northern Illinois 25).  Northern Illinois had no business in the Orange Bowl.  Yeah, even those it was fairly close for three quarters you never had a doubt about who was going to win.  FSU controlled the game.  The Noles led 17-10 at the end of the third quarter, but quickly made it 31-10 early in the fourth quarter.  FSU had 534 yards of offense to NIU’s 259 yards.  The Noles totally shut down Jordan Lynch.  A crowd of 72,073 attended the game in Miami Gardens.

Last Two Week’s Bowl Picks:    15 Correct,    12 Wrong   (55.6 percent)
Running Bowl Game Picks:       17 Correct,   12 Wrong   (58.6 percent)


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Georgia’s Aaron Murray – 18-33-2-427 yards; San Jose State’s David Fales – 33-43-0-395; Fresno State’s Derek Carr – 33-54-2-362; Duke’s Sean Renfree – 37-49-2-358; Clemson’s Tajh Boyd – 36-50-0-346; Cincinnati’s Brendon Kay – 17-25-0-332; Ohio’s Tyler Tettleton – 14-22-1-331, and UCLA’s Brett Hundley – 26-50-0-329.

Also, Louisiana-Lafayette’s Terrance Broadway – 21-32-1-316 yards; Florida State’s E.J. Manuel – 26-38-0-291; East Carolina’s Shane Carden – 25-42-1-278; UCF’s Blake Bortles – 22-33-0-272; Texas Tech’s Seth Doege – 31-45-2-271; Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly – 17-19-0-268; Boise State’s Joe Southwick – 26-38-0-264, and Rice’s Driphus Jackson – 15-21-0-264.


Impressive Rushers:  Syracuse’s Prince-Tyson Gulley – 208 yards; Washington’s Bishop Sankey – 205 yards; Arizona State’s Marion Grice – 159 yards, and Syracuse’s Jerome Smith – 157 yards.

Also, Tulsa’s Trey Watts – 149 yards; Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell – 145 yards; Nebraska’s Rex Burkhead – 140 yards; Baylor’s Lache Seastrunk – 138 yards, and Florida State’s Lonnie Pryor – 134 yards.


Quotes of the Past Two Weeks

“He’s expressed to me on several occasions that he’s happy here.  He feels very comfortable and I believe him,” Alabama athletic director Mal Moore, on rumors that Nick Saban is leaving for the NFL.

“I can’t see him coming to the NFL.  I would be very shocked,” former Alabama running back Trent Richardson, on Nick Saban.

“I believe a defensive player can win the Heisman next year.  That’s my next thing – New York,” South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, believing he can win the Heisman next year.

“I’m going to win the Heisman.  I’m going to win it in 2013,” Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk.

“This was not an athletic scandal.  It was an academic scandal,” former North Carolina governor Jim Martin, on the latest investigation into the athletic-academic scandal at North Carolina.

“Athletic or academic?  Please.  UNC would like you to believe you can have one without the other.  It is determined not to look like some Jock Factory that cares more about dunking than microbiology,” AOL FanHouse columnist David Whitley.

“He’s extremely phony, untalented and now, reportedly, a bad team player.  His career will continue to be a comedy to people with an objective opinion who don’t love him just because he believes the same myths as themselves,” Joshua Mulligan, commenting on Tim Tebow in USA Today. 

“They’re fast.  They’re physical.  But they haven’t seen anything like our offense.  We plan on wearing them down.  In the fourth quarter, we plan to have them on their knees – and then just keep pounding away,” Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch, on the Florida State defense prior to the Orange Bowl.

“For all its success, LSU can sometimes outsmart itself, which is to say that LSU can leave you wondering if it knows what it’s doing.  So why, nearly everyone wondered, would a team that runs better than it throws try to make Zach Mettenberger into Matt Ryan?,” Atlanta-Journal Constitution columnist Mark Bradley, after the Chick-fil-A Bowl.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Nebraska and Northern Illinois have agreed to a three-game series to be played in 2016, 2017 and 2019.  The 2016 game, hosted by NIU, will be played at Chicago’s Soldier Field.  The remaining two games will be played in Lincoln….  Former California running game coordinator Ron Gould has been hired as the new football coach at UC Davis.

Nick Montana, the son of Joe Montana, is transferring to Tulane after a year at Mount San Antonio Community College in Southern California.  The younger Montana originally signed with Washington in 2010 and spent two years with the Huskies in Seattle as a backup quarterback.  He transferred to Mount San Antonio after the 2011 season….  Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel was named the Associated Press college football player of the year.

Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke won the Walter Payton Award, given to the best offensive player in FCS football….  South Alabama defensive coordinator Bill Clark is the new football coach at Jacksonville State….  Connecticut defensive coordinator Dan Brown is the new DC at Boston College….  Kansas State coach Bill Snyder won the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award. 

For auld lang syne, my friend,

Touchdown Tom
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but with college football fans still hung over from the bowl games and the New Year’s Eve celebrations, the number one song in the country…

…70 years ago this week in 1943 was “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby

…65 years ago this week in 1948 was “Ballerina” by Vaughn Monroe

…60 years ago this week in 1953 was “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” by Jimmy Boyd

…55 years ago this week in 1958 was “At the Hop” by Danny & The Juniors

…50 years ago this week in 1963 was “Go Away Little Girl” by Steve Lawrence

…45 years ago this week in 1968 was “Hello Goodbye” by The Beatles

…40 years ago this week in 1973 was “Me and Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul

…35 years ago this week in 1978 was “How Deep is Your Love” by The Bee Gees

…30 years ago this week in 1983 was “Maneater” by Daryl Hall & John Oates

…25 years ago this week in 1988 was “So Emotional” by Whitney Houston

…20 years ago this week in 1993 was “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston


Not directly college football related, but on a sad comment, there were 10 passings of note during the last two weeks – Daniel Inouye, Jimmy McCracklin, Lee Dorman, Jack Klugman, Charles Durning, Ray Collins, Joe Krivak, Fontella Bass, Larry Morris and Norman Schwarzkopf. 

Senator Daniel Inouye, the U.S. Senator from Hawaii who went to Washington at the birth of his state in 1959, died two weeks ago in Bethesda, Maryland.  He was 88.  A hero of World War II who lost his right arm in combat in Europe, Inouye, a Democrat, served two terms in the House and was first elected to the Senate in 1962.  He was the first Japanese-American elected to both the House and the Senate.  Daniel Ken Inouye was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on September 7, 1924. 

Jimmy McCracklin, a blues singer and pianist who wrote and recorded several songs, including the 1950s hit “The Walk,” died two weeks ago in San Paulo, California.  He was 91.  McCracklin’s best known record is “The Walk,” a jubilant dance number.  It reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart in 1958.  He performed the song on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand.”  Considered a rock ‘n‘ roll classic, “The Walk” was recorded by a number of musicians, including The Beatles.  McCracklin also wrote and recorded “Think,” “Just Got to Know,” “Shame, Shame, Shame” and “My Answer.”  He co-wrote “Tramp,” which was a hit for Otis Redding and Carla Thomas.  McCracklin was born James David Walker on August 13, 1921, in Helena, Arkansas.  His family later moved to St. Louis.

Lee Dorman, the bass guitarist for the psychedelic rock band Iron Butterfly, died two weeks ago in Laguna Niguel, California.  He was 70.  Iron butterfly was a four-man band out of San Diego.  The band released “In-a-Gadda-da-Vida” in July 1968.  It went platinum and stayed on the national sales charts for two years.  The track has been featured in a number of movies and television shows. 

Jack Klugman, the three-time Emmy Award-winning actor best known for his roles on TV’s “The Odd Couple” and “Quincy, M.E.”, died two weeks ago at his home in Woodland Hills, California.  He was 90.  Klugman was the last surviving member of the cast that played the jury in the 1957 movie “12 Angry Men.”  He appeared on several episodes of “Twilight Zone.”  He won his first Emmy in 1964 for a guest appearance on “The Defenders.”  He was also a veteran of Broadway.  Klugman was born in Philadelphia in 1922 and began his acting career in college at Carnegie Tech.  He served in the Army during World War II.

Charles Durning, who overcame poverty, battlefield trauma and self-doubt to become an acclaimed character actor, died two weeks ago at his home in New York City.  He was 89.  Durning was a familiar presence on television, in the movies and on Broadway.  Some of his movies included “The Sting” (1973), “North Dallas Forty” (1979), “True Confessions” (1981), “Tootsie” (1982) and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982).  On television, Durning received nine Emmy Award nominations, although he never won.  Charles Edward Durning was born on February 23, 1923, in Highland Falls, New York.  He served in the Army during World War II where he was among the first wave of troops to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day  

Ray Collins, a singer whose dispute with one guitarist led him to hire another – Frank Zappa – with whom he would go on to form the avant-garde rock group The Mothers of Invention, of which Collins was the lead singer, died two weeks ago.  He was in his middle 70s.  Collins eventually grew tired of Zappa’s emphasis on satire and left the band.  Collins grew up in Pasadena, California. 

Joe Krivak, Maryland’s football coach from 1987 to 1991, died two weeks ago.  He was 77.  Maryland went 20-34-2 under Krivak, who resigned after the 1991 season.  His best year was in 1990 when the Terrapins were 6-5-1, tying Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl.  The next season, Maryland was 2-9. 

Fontella Bass, a St. Louis-born soul singer who hit the top of the R&B charts with “Rescue Me” in 1965, died last week.  She was 72.  “Rescue Me” reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  “Rescue Me” has been covered by several top artists, including Linda Rondstadt, Cher, Melissa Manchester and Pat Benatar.

Larry Morris, the Chicago Bears star linebacker who was named the most valuable player of the 1963 National Football League championship game, died last week in Austell, Georgia.  He was 79.  Known as the Brahma Bull for his bruising play, Morris was an All-American at Georgia Tech and played 11 years in the NFL.  Larry Cleo Morris was born on December 10, 1933, in Atlanta.  He played on two unbeaten teams at Georgia Tech under legendary coach Bobby Dodd.  In the NFL, Morris played three years for the Los Angeles Rams, seven for the Chicago Bears and a final season for the Atlanta Falcons. 

Norman Schwarzkopf, the retired general who topped an illustrious military career by commanding the U.S.-led international coalition that drove Saddam Hussein’s forces out of Kuwait in 1991, died last week.  He was 78.  Schwarzkopf died in Tampa, Florida, where he lived.  He was known as “Stormin’ Norman” for his notoriously explosive temper.  Although he kept a low profile, he was known to be against the second war with Iraq, along with the tactics and approach used in the war.  He sharply criticized Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfield.  Schwarzkopf was born on August 24, 1934, in Trenton, New Jersey.  He graduated from West Point in 1956.  Schwarzkopf later earned a master’s degree at the University of Southern California.  He called General William Westmoreland, the U.S. commander in Vietnam a “horse’s ass.”