College Football Week 5 – Dogs and Cats fight in Athens
Pelini’s cussing, Saban’s fussing,
That was the week that was

Not to mention, there were some pretty exciting games too.

You betcha!

It was supposed to have been a dull week for college football – ho hum.  Following the Alabama-Texas A&M game (and a few other biggies) the previous week, and preceding the LSU-Georgia game (and a few other biggies) this week, last week just didn’t have any “marquee” games – or game.

The weekend’s slate of games was so bad that ESPN College GameDay went to, of all places, Fargo, North Dakota, don’t cha know.  More on that later.  Even Johnny Manziel was quiet as a mouse all week.  Maybe Alabama had something to do with that.

Heading into the weekend, news surrounding Nebraska coach Bo Pelini and Alabama coach Nick Saban was anything but dull.

Already under fire for the Huskers’ poor performance against UCLA, Pelini drew additional ire from Nebraska fans for his comment about former Husker quarterback and icon Tommie Frazier, “We don’t need him.”  Pelini was responding to Frazier’s statement that a change needed to be made at Nebraska.

As if that wasn’t enough, an audio recording of Pelini ranting about Nebraska fans was released to the public.  In the rant, recorded two years ago after an Ohio State-Nebraska game, Pelini uses the F-word nine times in eight sentences, attacking Huskers fans.

By the end of the week, Nebraska chancellor Harvey Perlman and athletic director Shawn Eichorst said they are “putting the matter to rest.  There will be no disciplinary actions against Bo.”  Translation:  “We’ll wait and fire his ass at the end of the season.”  Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, in Tuscaloosa, word leaked that one current and one former regent for the University of Texas had contacted Nick Saban’s agent about Saban replacing Mack Brown at Texas.  The news was enough to raise the eyebrows of Tide fans. 

Well, it raised more than that with Saban.  At a press conference he was fed up.  Saban vented his displeasure about this kind of gossip surfacing again this year.  Last season, the rumors had him leaving for an NFL team – possibly the Cleveland Browns.

Maybe if Saban didn’t have such a nomadic past – Michigan State, LSU, Miami Dolphins, Alabama – these rumors wouldn’t persist.  Stay tuned.   

So you can imagine what a typical classroom conversation might have been like in a Lincoln, Nebraska, elementary school last week:

The teacher says, “Okay class, answer this question and you will get free tickets to this week’s Husker game.  What is Coach Pelini’s favorite word?”

Class, “The F-Word, teacher.”

“Congratulations, class.  Here’s free tickets to the Nebraska game.  Nobody else wants to go.”

And you can imagine what a typical classroom quiz might have been like in a Tuscaloosa, Alabama, elementary school last week:

The teacher says, “Okay class, we’re going to play ‘Name Saban’s Next School.’  Here’s a clue: Their colors are orange and white.”

Bobby raises his hand and says, “Tennessee!”

“No Bobby, that’s not the one.  Here’s another clue: They are horned.”

Susie raises her hand and says, “TCU!”

“No Susie, that’s not it either.  Here’s another clue: They are unhappy with their coach.”

Billy raises his hand and says, “USC!” 

“No Billy, not that school.  Here’s another clue: Their mascot goes ‘moo’ and dumps pies on the football field.”

Sally raises her hand and says, “Coach Saban wouldn’t go to an udder school.” 

Meanwhile, Nebraska and Texas bounced back Saturday.  The Huskers beat South Dakota State, 59-20, while the Longhorns beat Kansas State, 31-21.  All is well in Lincoln and Austin – for the time being.  Alabama beat Colorado State, 31-6.  All is quiet in Tuscaloosa – for the time being.

Speaking of Dakota, as mentioned above, ESPN College GameDay was broadcast from Fargo, North Dakota Saturday morning – the home of North Dakota State.  But I felt sorry for North Dakota State.  Instead of setting up on campus like they always do, the GameDay crew broadcast from downtown Fargo – smack dab in the middle of the city.

They never even showed the campus.  I couldn’t help but wonder: Is North Dakota State’s campus some kind of ugly?  Maybe the school doesn’t have a campus.  Maybe downtown Fargo is the campus. 

No, there weren’t any “marquee” games Saturday, but there sure were plenty of exciting games.  And while the games in the Midwest were played in the sunshine, the games in the South (all except Florida) and the East were played in the rain.   

Trailing 13-0 at the end of the first quarter and 20-7 until late in the second quarter, Georgia Tech rallied to score three unanswered touchdowns (two in the second half) to down North Carolina, 28-20.  In Blacksburg, Marshall took a 21-14 lead over Virginia Tech in the second quarter and held the lead until 3:09 left in the game when the Hokies tied the score.  It took three overtimes for Virginia Tech to finally beat Marshall, 29-21.

In a wild one in Durham, Pitt outlasted Duke, 58-55.  Pitt led 27-7 early in the second quarter and 30-14 later in the quarter.  Duke pulled within two at 30-28, but trailed at the half 37-28.  The Panthers jumped out fast in the second half and built up a 51-28 lead late in the third quarter.  Trailing 58-41 in the fourth quarter, Duke scored twice to pull within three at 58-55 with 3:43 left in the game.  Neither team scored again.  Four turnovers were damaging to the Devils.  The two teams combined for 1,130 yards of offense.

In a close game throughout, Notre Dame held on to beat Michigan State, 17-13.  Trailing 24-7 late in the third quarter, Rutgers scored 21 unanswered points to beat Arkansas, 28-24.  Tied 14-14 early in the fourth quarter, USC kicked a field goal and then hung on to beat Utah State, 17-14.

Finally, in one of the day’s best games Connecticut led Michigan 21-7 halfway through the third quarter.  Then the Wolverines scored 17 unanswered points, 10 in the fourth quarter, to rally and beat UConn, 24-21.  Michigan has been living on the edge the past two weeks. 

In addition to Virginia Tech-Marshall, there were two other overtime games – both settled in the first OT.  Middle Tennessee beat Florida Atlantic, 42-35 (OT), and Jacksonville State downed Georgia State, 32-26 (OT).

Five teams made the “60-plus club” Saturday – Miss State 62 (against Troy 7), Baylor 70 (against Louisiana-Monroe 7), Louisville 72 (against Florida International 0), Ohio State 76 (against Florida A&M 0) and Miami (Florida) 77 (against Savannah State 7).  Three teams – Nebraska, Iowa and UCLA – just missed the club, scoring 59 each.

Swamp Mama was a happy camper Saturday night.  The Texas State-Texas Tech game was on TV.  I can’t say it was a high-priority game on my watch list, but when Swamp Mama found out it was on – need I say more.  She got her Kliff Kingsbury high for the night.  At least she went to bed happy.

If I was a good husband, I would go on StubHub and purchase tickets to the Texas Tech-West Virginia game in Morgantown.

Don’t be surprised if you hear that we’ve moved to Lubbock.

Touchdown Tom
September 23, 2013      
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK:  The Trees had too many limbs – Stanford 42, Arizona State 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 32, Arizona State 27).  Stanford had the running game; ASU had the passing game.  The Sun Devils only had 50 yards rushing.  The Cardinal led 29-0 at the half and 39-7 at the end of the third quarter.  The Sun Devils went wild in the fourth quarter.  A crowd of 50,424 attended the game in Palo Alto.

RUNNER UP:  No ouzo – Notre Dame 17, Michigan State 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 26, Michigan State 24).  On College GameDay, Kirk Herbstreit said the first team to 14 points wins.  He was right.  A crowd of 80,795 attended the game in South Bend.  

REST OF THE BEST:  Blurred Lines – Clemson 26, NC State 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 33, NC State 18).  Or was it blurred vision?  Stat wise, this was a pretty close game, except that the Pack had two turnovers to none for the Tigers and the Pack had a touchdown called back that shouldn’t have been.  The Pack was terrible on third down conversions too (3-for-16).  A crowd of 57,583 attended the game in Raleigh.  

Death in the Valley – LSU 35, Auburn 21 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 30, Auburn 19).  The two teams were pretty evenly matched in the stats – not in the score.  Jeremy Hill (183 yards rushing) was the difference for LSU.  A crowd of 92,368 attended the game in Baton Rouge.

Smokey has no bark – Florida 31, Tennessee 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 30, Tennessee 17).  Sloppy game – the two teams combined for nine turnovers (6 for Tennessee).  Gator quarterback Jeff Driskel broke his leg early in the game and is out for the season.  Fortunately, Tyler Murphy looked better against Tennessee than he did in spring practice.  Gators held the Vols to 66 yards rushing.  Kris Hansen took his son Alex to his first Gator game.  How was your Gator chomp, Alex?  A crowd of 90,074 attended the game in Gainesville.

Makin’ bacon – Rutgers 28, Arkansas 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Rutgers 28, Arkansas 26).  One of the day’s better games.  Turnovers hurt the Knights early.  Knights only had 54 yards rushing, but Gary Nova passed for 346 yards.  Bret Bielema loses his first at Arkansas.  A crowd of 51,969 attended the game in Piscataway.

INEPT – Maryland 37, West Virginia 0 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 24, Maryland 20).  Do I have to talk about this game?  Six turnovers, only 62 yards passing and only 175 yards total – what more do I have to say.  Dana Holgorsen has problems, but WVU can’t afford to fire him.  I can’t figure out why Clint Trickett isn’t playing.  A crowd of 55,677 attended the game in Baltimore.  

Carr corrals the Horses – Fresno State 41, Boise State 40 (Touchdown Tom said: Fresno State 40, Boise State 39).  Trailing 40-34, Derek Carr led the Bulldogs down the field late in the fourth quarter for a game-tying touchdown, scored with 2:14 on the clock.  The extra-point conversion gave Fresno State a one-point lead.  It was all passing for the Bulldogs – 460 yards to 62 rushing.  The Broncos had a better balanced attack, but two turnovers didn’t help their cause any.  A crowd of 41,301 attended the game in Fresno.  

Trojans are barely reliable – USC 17, Utah State 14 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 30, Utah State 28).  Lane Kiffin may have a defense, but he certainly doesn’t have an offense.  A crowd of 63,482 attended the game in Los Angeles.

No spike in these Heels – Georgia Tech 28, North Carolina 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Tech 33, North Carolina 24).  Bees got off to a slow start, but once they got their running game going, the Tar Heels couldn’t stop them.  Tech rushed for 324 yards.  A crowd of 49,445 attended the game in Atlanta.  

The Mo show – Missouri 45, Indiana 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Missouri 32, Indiana 28).  Tied 14-14 midway through the second quarter, Mizzou took control and never gave it up.  James Franklin passed for 343 yards.  A crowd of 49,149 attended the game in Bloomington.

Woulda, coulda, shoulda – Virginia Tech 29, Marshall 21 (3OT) Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 27, Marshall 20).  Marshall could have won this game and should have won this game.  Tech was 2-for-16 on third down conversions.  A crowd of 64,060 attended the game in Blacksburg. 

A secular win – Utah 20, BYU 13 (Touchdown Tom said: BYU 32, Utah 30).  Utah jumped out to a 3-0 lead and never trailed.  Both teams were awful on third down conversions.  A crowd of 63,470 attended the game in Provo.

Has Mack Brown righted the ship? – Texas 31, Kansas State 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 29, Texas 27).  Turnovers (3) killed K-State’s chances.  Jonathan Gray rushed for 143 yards.  A crowd of 95,248 attended the game in Austin.

Nothing Stark about the Bulldogs – Mississippi State 62, Troy 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Miss State 29, Troy 27).  Big night for the Bulldogs – 551 yards of offense to 186 for Troy.  A crowd of 55,096 attended the game in Starkville.


.…AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

Cowboys dig in their spurs – Wyoming 56, Air Force 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Wyoming 32, Air Force 21).  Brett Smith completed 85.4 percent of his passes.  It’s going to be a long season for the Falcons.  Cowboys had 622 yards of offense.  A crowd of 35,389 attended the game in Colorado Springs.  


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

F’ing fans – Nebraska 59, South Dakota State 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 36, South Dakota State 25).  Husker fans must have been wondering, “What the heck,” when the Jack Rabbits were leading 17-14 at the end of the first quarter.  No sweat – Nebraska racked up 38 unanswered points.  Huskers had good results from two backup quarterbacks.  Taylor Martinez did not play.  Well-balanced attack for Nebraska – 335 rushing, 310 passing.  Bo Pelini still has some mending to do.  A crowd of 90,614 attended the game in Lincoln.  

A defense would help – Pitt 58, Duke 55 (Touchdown Tom said: Pitt 29, Duke 21).  Take away their four turnovers and the Dookies would have won this game.  Pitt had 174 yards rushing and James Conner had 173 of those yards.  A crowd of 22,714 attended the game in Durham.

Uga was almost caught Tiger dreamin’ – Georgia 45, North Texas 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 36, North Texas 16).  The Dawgs must have started thinking about LSU a little too early.  The game was tied 21-21 midway through the third quarter.  Then Georgia scored 24 unanswered points.  Aaron Murray passed for 408 yards.  A crowd of 92,746 attended the game in Athens.  

Wisconsin 41, Purdue 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 35, Purdue 23).  The Boilers scored all 10 of their points early in the second quarter.  Then they were never heard from again.  Wisconsin had 546 yards of offense to the Boilers 180.  Melvin Gordon rushed for 147 yards and James White for 145 yards.  A crowd of 80,772 attended the game in Madison.

Week 4 Picks:    17 Correct, 3 Wrong (85.0 percent)
On the Season:   61 Correct, 16 Wrong (79.2 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Florida State crushed Bethune-Cookman, 54-6.  A crowd of 74,841 attended the game in Tallahassee….  Miami smashed Savannah State, 77-7.  A crowd of 42,571 attended the game in Miami Gardens….  Florida International was clobbered by Louisville, 72-0.  A crowd of 51,586 attended the game in Louisville….  Florida Atlantic lost to Middle Tennessee, 42-35 (OT).  A crowd of 13,911 attended the game in Boca Raton.

Florida A&M was smothered by Ohio State, 76-0.  A crowd of 103,595 attended the game in Columbus….   Jacksonville U. dumped Warner, 69-16.  A crowd of 2,207 attended the game in Jacksonville….  Stetson lost to Birmingham Southern, 49-34.  A crowd of 6,104 attended the game in Deland….  Florida Tech was hacked by West Alabama, 45-3.  A crowd of 4,459 attended the game in Melbourne.    


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Fresno State’s Derek Carr – 39-60-0 for 460 yards; San Jose State’s David Fales – 22-35-2-439; Pitt’s Tom Savage – 23-33-0-424; Georgia’s Aaron Murray – 22-30-1-408; Wyoming’s Brett Smith – 35-41-0-373; Oregon State’s Sean Mannion – 38-55-0-367; Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly – 30-55-2-367; Baylor’s Bryce Petty – 18-27-0-351, and Rutgers’ Gary Nova – 22-43-1-346.

Also, Washington State’s Connor Halliday – 31-43-2 for 346 yards; Missouri’s James Franklin – 32-47-2-343; Akron’s Kyle Pohl – 27-43-2-321; Florida Atlantic’s Jaquez Johnson – 31-50-2-321; Ball State’s Keith Wenning – 17-28-0-317; Boise State’s Joe Southwick – 31-45-1-313; SMU’s Garrett Gilbert – 37-62-1-310, and Louisiana-Lafayette’s Terrance Broadway – 25-37-1-305.    


Impressive Rushers:  Western Kentucky’s Antonio Andrews – 213 yards; Toledo’s David Fluellen – 197 yards; Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch – 189 yards; LSU’s Jeremy Hill – 183 yards, and UAB’s Darrin Reaves – 178 yards.

Also, Pitt’s James Conner – 173 yards; Memphis’ Marquis Warford – 173 yards; UCLA’s Jordan James – 164 yards; Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott – 162 yards; Middle Tennessee’s Reggie Whatley – 154 yards, and Minnesota’s Mitch Leidner – 151 yards.  


Quotes of the Week

“It’s time for change,” former Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier, on the defensive coaching staff at Nebraska.

“If he feels that way, so be it.  We don’t need him,” Nebraska coach Bo Pelini, responding to Tommie Frazier’s comment.

“They don’t really accept me.  Those guys kicked me out of school after all those things I did for them,” former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor, on his former school.

“I’m aware of the publication of coach Pelini’s comments.  I am disappointed and in discussion with Shawn Eichorst (Nebraska AD) about addressing the issue,” Nebraska Chancellor Harvey Perlman, on Bo Pelini’s recently revealed use of the F-Word (nine times in eight sentences) to describe Nebraska fans.

“I’m the head football coach until someone says different,” Nebraska coach Bo Pelini.

“I don’t know about any of this stuff.  Every year it’s something.  Last year it was the Cleveland Browns.  Terry and I are very happy here in Tuscaloosa.  We really love the University of Alabama.  We feel like a part of the community here and we have lots of good friends here.  And quite frankly, I’m just too damn old to start over somewhere else,” Alabama coach Nick Saban, on rumors that he and Texas are talking.

“Auburn already has one more SEC win than a year ago.  After the next three conference games against LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M, they’ll still have one more SEC win than a year ago,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“When I was at Tennessee, the football players ate better than anybody else,” ESPN college football commentator Paul Finebaum, on former Vols running back Arian Foster saying he accepted money on the side at Tennessee in order not to starve.


Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
This Week’s 15 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. LSU (4-0) at Georgia (2-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday).  Uga has been tested – twice; not sure the Tigers have been tested yet.  If not, they will be after this week.  The teams match up well – good quarterbacks and running backs each.  LSU may be the better on the defense.  Will the Mad Hatter have a tea party?  Yes – LSU 33, Georgia 30.

RUNNER UP:  2. Ole Miss (3-0) at Alabama (3-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 6:30 pm ET, Saturday).  Ole Miss doesn’t have the offense of Texas A&M, but the Rebels probably play better defense than the Aggies.  Bama is lucky to have this one in Tuscaloosa.  The Rebels might be more fired up in Oxford.  If Bama gets past the Rebels, it should be smooth sailing for the Tide until November 9 – LSU.  So the Tide shouldn’t get caught looking ahead to anyone.  Rebels can’t bide the Tide – Alabama 30, Ole Miss 21.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Wisconsin (3-1) at Ohio State (4-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC, 8 pm ET, Saturday).  The Badgers will test the Buckeyes rush defense.  But if Arizona State could stand up to it, so should Ohio State.  Buckeyes have the Badgers seeing red – Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 22.

4. Oklahoma (3-0) at Notre Dame (3-1) – (Big 12 vs. Ind.) (TV: NBC, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday).  OU was a big disappointment when these two met last year in Norman.  The Sooners owe the Irish a few paybacks.  Not this year – Notre Dame 23, Oklahoma 21.

5. South Carolina (2-1) at UCF (3-0) – (SEC vs. AAC) (TV: ABC, 12 noon ET, Saturday).  This was just another game on South Carolina’s schedule until UCF up and beat Penn State in State College.  Now, it’s a concern for the Gamecocks – a major concern.  No doubt about it the Knights will be fired up for this one.  A victory for UCF would vault the Knights into the Top 25.  In the current polls, they are just barely out of the Top 25.  Fear the Chicken – South Carolina 30, UCF 26.    

6. Arizona (3-0) at Washington (3-0) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Fox, 7 pm ET, Saturday).  Arizona is undefeated and untested.  Rich Rodriguez best have studied well for this test.  It’s a toughie.  Too tough – Washington 30, Arizona 24.

7. Stanford (3-0) vs. Washington State (3-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN, 10:00 pm ET, Saturday).  Possible trap game for the Cardinal.  Stanford is lucky the game is on a neutral field in Seattle and not in Pullman.  The Cougars won’t stop the Cardinal, but they may keep up with them on offense.  Trees bud – Stanford 34, Washington State 22.

8. Virginia Tech (3-1) at Georgia Tech (3-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPN, 7:30 pm ET, Thursday).  The Hokies have had two close wins.  They are due for a close loss.  But they are better at stopping the running game.  And that’s all Tech has.  Bees escape the hive – Georgia Tech 23, Virginia Tech 20.

9. Texas A&M (3-1) at Arkansas (3-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN2, 7 pm ET, Saturday).  Arkansas is 3-1 but the Hogs shouldn’t be too much trouble for Johnny Football.  Bret Bielema’s running game fell apart on him last week.  The Hogs will need it against the Aggies.  Aggies lead the Hogs to slaughter – Texas A&M 35, Arkansas 26.

10. USC (3-1) at Arizona State (2-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN2, 10:30 pm ET, Saturday).  Lane Kiffin was lucky against Utah State.  He won’t be so lucky this week.  Devils have a hot time – Arizona State 27, USC 23.

11. Iowa (3-1) at Minnesota (4-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday).  The Hawkeyes have improved considerably since their first game.  The Gophers have been getting better too.  This could be a donnybrook.  Those dirty birds – Iowa 29, Minnesota 27.

12. Oklahoma State (3-0) at West Virginia (2-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ESPN, 12 noon ET, Saturday).  The Mounties better get their act together real fast.  Okie State is better than Maryland.  If the WVU offense is as inept as it was last week, this one will be over before it starts.  It may already be over.  The Mounties need to find a quarterback, a running back and an offensive line.  Okie State doesn’t need to find anything – Oklahoma State 31, West Virginia 23.

13. Colorado (2-0) at Oregon State (3-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Pac-12 Network, 3 pm ET, Saturday).  Colorado could be a little rusty after having its game against Fresno State canceled.  It’s been a few weeks since the Buffs last played.  I can see the Beavers passing all over the Buffs.  Beavers make Ralphie dizzy – Oregon State 33, Colorado 26.

14. Virginia (2-1) at Pitt (2-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: Fox Sports Network, 12:30 pm ET, Saturday).  Pitt looks to have the better offense; the Cavs look to have the better defense.  Offense wins – Pitt 21, Virginia 20.

15. UT-San Antonio (2-2) at Houston (3-0) – (C-USA vs. AAC) (TV: Fox Sports Network, 4 pm ET, Saturday).  Houston still has thoughts of being a BCS buster.  But if the Cougars don’t watch out, they’ll be the ones getting busted.  Not this week – Houston 32, UTSA 26.


.…AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

16. East Carolina (2-1) at North Carolina (1-2) – (C-USA vs. ACC) (TV: ACC Network, 12:30 pm ET, Saturday).  This has the potential to be a good battle.  But the Tar Heels have the edge on offense and defense.  Heels get pumped – North Carolina 24, East Carolina 20.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Florida (2-1) at Kentucky (1-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPNU, 7 pm ET, Saturday).  Florida just simply does not lose to Kentucky – plain and simple.  It won’t happen.  It can’t happen.  Wildcats suffer from Murphy’s law – Florida 27, Kentucky 19.

Troy (2-2) at Duke (2-2) – (Sun Belt vs. ACC) (TV: None, 3 pm ET, Saturday).  Let’s see, the Dookies put up 55 points on Pitt last week, and Troy gave up 62 points to Miss State.  Sounds like this is the kind of party the Dookies like.  What a party! – Duke 35, Troy 27.

Northern Illinois (3-0) at Purdue (1-3) – (MAC vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday).  NIU has already knocked off one Big Ten team – Iowa.  The Boilers look to be number 2.  Huskies still hoping to bust the BCS party again this year.  Boilers down – Northern Illinois 27, Purdue 25.

Nebraska (3-1) and Texas (2-2) are off.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Florida State (3-0) travels to Boston College (2-1) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday).  ….  Miami (3-0) visits South Florida (0-3) (TV: ESPNU, 12 noon ET, Saturday).  ….  Florida Atlantic (1-3) is away at Rice (1-2) (TV: Local, 7 pm ET, Saturday).

Jacksonville U. (2-2) hosts Butler (2-2) (TV: None, 12 noon ET, Saturday).  ….  Stetson (1-2) entertains San Diego (1-2) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday).  ….  Florida Tech (1-2) is on the road at Delta State (2-1) (TV: None, 7 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida International (0-4), Florida A&M (1-3) and Bethune-Cookman (3-1) are off.
 

In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Mike Dunbar, a former head coach at Northern Iowa, and a former offensive coordinator for Northern Illinois, Toledo, California, Minnesota, Northwestern and New Mexico State, died last week.  Dunbar was 64….  Utah and BYU have agreed to continue their annual home-and-home series through the 2018 season….  Louisville and Notre Dame have agreed to a two-game, home-and-home series to be played in 2017 and 2020.  The 2017 game will be in Louisville.

Oklahoma and Tennessee will meet next year for the first time since the two schools played each other in the 1968 Orange Bowl.  Next year’s game will be in Norman.  The Sooners and Vols will play in Knoxville in 2015….  West Virginia and Penn State have agreed to a two-game, home-and-home series to be played in 2023 and 2024.  The two schools, who used to play annually, have not met since 1992. 

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but at the end of September as the college football season was about to move into its second month, the number one song in the country…

…70 years ago this week in 1943 was “Sunday, Monday or Always” by Bing Crosby

…65 years ago this week in 1948 was “Twelfth Street Rag” by Pee Wee Hunt

…60 years ago this week in 1953 was “Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You)” by Les Paul and Mary Ford

…55 years ago this week in 1958 was “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)” by Domenico Modugno

…50 years ago this week in 1963 was “Blue Velvet” by Bobby Vinton

…45 years ago this week in 1968 was “Harper Valley PTA” by Jeannie C. Riley

…40 years ago this week in 1973 was “Delta Dawn” by Helen Reddy

…35 years ago this week in 1978 was “Boogie Oogie Oogie” by A Taste Of Honey

…30 years ago this week in 1983 was “Tell Her About It” by Billy Joel

…25 years ago this week in 1988 was “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin

…20 years ago this week in 1993 was “Dreamlover” by Mariah Carey


Not directly college football related, but sadly there were three passings of note last week – Rick Casares, Ken Norton and Marvin Rainwater.

Rick Casares, a fullback for the Chicago Bears in the 1950s and 1960s who became the leading rusher in team history and who once led the NFL in rushing, died last week at his home in Tampa, Florida.  He was 82.  Casares played 10 seasons for the Bears from 1955 to 1964.  He was traded to the Washington Redskins where he played sparingly in the 1965 season.  He played for the Miami Dolphins in 1966, the team’s first year in existence.  Richard Jose Casares was born on July 4, 1931, in Tampa, Florida.  He played college football for the University of Florida and led the Gators to victory in the 1953 Gator Bowl.  After his playing days, Casares opened a nightclub in Tampa, the Huddle Lounge.  He also sold real estate.

Ken Norton, who fought three memorable fights with Muhammad Ali, winning the first bout, then losing twice, died last week in Henderson, Nevada.  He was 70.  Kenneth Howard Norton was born on August 9, 1943, in Jacksonville, Illinois.  In high school, he starred in football, basketball and track.  Norton briefly attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman University) on a football scholarship, but enlisted in the Marine Corps after two seasons.  He started boxing while he was in the Marines.  Norton acted in several movies, the most notably the
1975 film “Mandingo.”

Marvin Rainwater, a classically trained pianist who turned to country music, then wrote and recorded the hit songs “Gonna Find Me a Bluebird” and “Whole Lotta Woman,” died last week in Minneapolis.  He was 88.  Rainwater was a regular on country music television shows in the late 1950s and early 1960s.  He also appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “American Bandstand.”  “Gonna Find Me a Bluebird” was released in 1957 and reached No. 18 on the Billboard pop chart.  “Whole Lotta Woman,” a rockabilly number, reached No. 1 in Britain in 1958.  It was sung by Lynn Redgrave in the 1966 film “Georgy Girl.”  Among his other hit records were “The Majesty of Love,” a duet with Connie Francis, released in 1957.  Marvin Karlton Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas, on July 2, 1925.  He continued releasing music until the early 1980s and toured until 2011.