College Football Week 10 – Now it’s Alabama vs. Oregon
First ever ‘football’ homecoming

Swamp Mama and I went to a football game over the weekend.  No, we weren’t in Gainesville with Bootsie and Rockledge Gator, attending a Florida game.  The Gators had the weekend off – thank goodness.  They need a few weekends off, the way they’re playing.

We went to the Florida Tech game in Melbourne.  It was the Panthers’ homecoming.  They were playing Warner University from Lake Wales, Florida.  Did I say homecoming?  Actually, it was Florida Tech’s first ever ‘football’ homecoming – football being the key word.

Florida Tech has held annual homecomings for several years.  But since this is the first year the Panthers have a football team, this was the school’s first homecoming held on a weekend of a Florida Tech football game, hence the first football homecoming.

The homecoming events began Thursday evening with the Florida Tech 5K.  The race (and/or walk) took place on the streets of downtown Melbourne.  It was co-sponsored by Meg O’Malley’s, our local Irish pub.  Swamp Mama, along with several faculty and staff from the College of Business at Florida Tech participated in the race.

I chose to sit out the 5K, choosing instead to sit in Meg O’Malley’s and enjoy a Guinness or two – the key word being two.  While Swamp Mama was being the energizer bunny, I joined Alex Vamosi and John Allen at a table on the back terrace of Meg’s. 

Alex is the Associate Dean of the College of Business and John is the Manager of Assessment.  You may remember Alex as Swamp Mama’s date on the night of Florida Tech’s first football game back in September.  You remember, the date that took her to a pre-game dinner at Hardee’s.

Like me, Alex and John chose Guinness over the 5K too.

Swamp Mama finished the race first in her age group.  She won a medal for her efforts.  It was presented to her by the President of Florida Tech.  She also received a hug from the school’s mascot – Pete the Panther.  I treated Swamp Mama to dinner at Meg O’Malley’s for her efforts.  She’s moving up in the world – from Hardee’s to Meg’s.

During the medal presentation, my friend Tim Muth, a Finance Instructor in the College of Business, hassled me to change my prediction on the NC State-FSU game.  The previous week I picked Clemson over FSU.  The Noles won.

Tim, a Florida State grad, was worried that I jinxed the Noles by picking them to beat NC State.  Let’s see, FSU beat NC State, 49-17.  And my prediction worried Tim?  It’s a good thing Tim is a finance instructor and not a bookie.  Hey Tim, this week I picked the Noles to beat the Canes.  You won’t be able to sleep at night?

Before the game Saturday, Swamp Mama and I joined a tailgating party on the Florida Tech campus hosted by that doyenne of hospitality Catherine Cook.  Catherine, an Associate Professor of Marketing in the College of Business, is a Florida State grad.  What’s with all these FSU grads?  I need to speak to Dr. Becker.

Danny ‘Everything Gator’ and Mardi ‘Accounting Gator’ Sale joined us at the tailgate.  Mardi is an Associate Professor of Accounting.  Before we boarded the bus to the stadium, we clinked our paper cups of champagne, toasting the Panthers.

It was a perfect day for football – clear, sunny skies and not too hot.  A crowd of 3,975 settled in for the game.  Florida Tech scored first, taking a 7-0 lead over Warner.  The Royals followed with a field goal and that turned out to be their only points in the game.  The Panthers went on to win 37-3.

Florida Tech is a Division II school and that can have its benefits for those attending the game.  Chances are it won’t be televised.  Televised games can go on forever with all the stoppage and time outs for television.  There were no TV time outs Saturday.  With a 1 pm start at the Florida Tech game, I was home in time to catch the West Virginia-Kansas State game, starting at 4:00.

The Mountaineers led the Wildcats 12-7 late in the third quarter.  After that, I wish I was back at Catherine’s tailgate party, drinking champagne – or over a Meg’s drinking Guinness.  Kansas State beat WVU, 35-12.

Saturday was fairly quiet compared to the previous two Saturday’s, but there were a few big upsets – at least three.  No. 5 Missouri led No. 20 South Carolina 17-0 early in the fourth quarter.  Then the Tigers went to sleep – sound asleep.  The Gamecocks scored 17 points in the final period to tie the Tigers 17-17 at the end of regulation.  After two overtimes, South Carolina went on to upset Missouri, 27-24.

Duke knocked off No. 16 Virginia Tech, 13-10, in Blacksburg.  With the win, the Blue Devils became bowl eligible.  Minnesota stunned No. 25 and heavily favored Nebraska, 34-23.  The win made the Gophers bowl eligible also.  Two other Top 25 teams lost, but they were not upset.  No. 10 Texas Tech lost to No. 17 Oklahoma, 38-30.  But the Sooners were favored.  No. 12 UCLA lost, as expected, to No. 2 Oregon, 42-14.

Two ranked and undefeated teams came close to losing Saturday.  Trailing Wake Forest 21-17 late in the fourth quarter, No. 7 Miami (Florida) scored a touchdown with 0:53 remaining to beat the Demon Deacons, 24-21.  In California, No. 15 Fresno State needed an overtime to subdue San Diego State, 35-28.

There were three overtime games over the weekend.  In addition to South Carolina-Missouri and Fresno State-San Diego State, Iowa downed Northwestern in overtime, 17-10.  Two teams combined for a perfect score, although Marshall fans wouldn’t call it perfect.  Middle Tennessee and Marshall combined for 100 points.  The Blue Raiders beat the Herd, 51-49.

Ohio State and UCF made the “60 plus” club.  The Buckeyes beat Penn State, 63-14, while UCF downed Connecticut, 62- 17.  Scoring 59 points each, four teams just missed the club.  Baylor beat Kansas, 59-14; Ole Miss downed Idaho, 59-14; Northern Illinois beat Eastern Michigan, 59-20, and SMU downed Temple, 59-49.  Oklahoma State just missed the club too.  The Cowboys beat Iowa State, 58-27.

So, ten little Indians and then there were eight.  We are down to eight undefeated teams – Alabama, Baylor, Florida State, Fresno State, Miami (Florida), Northern Illinois, Ohio State and Oregon.  We will be down to at least seven undefeated teams after this weekend.  Miami and Florida State tangle in Tallahassee.  Alabama, Baylor and Oregon are off this week.  Fresno State, Northern Illinois and Ohio State have weak opponents.

Alabama is still No. 1 in the latest BCS poll.  But Oregon replaced Florida State at No. 2.  FSU fell to No. 3.  Ohio State is still sitting at No. 4.  I have read that if Baylor finishes the season undefeated, the Bears will replace Ohio State at No. 4.  The Buckeyes would fall to No. 5.  If this was next year, the Buckeyes wouldn’t make the four-team playoff.

It’s early, but my three favorites for the Heisman Trophy at this stage are Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, Florida State’s Jameis Winston and Baylor’s Bryce Petty.  Stay tuned!

Alabama coach Nick Saban was crying at a press conference last week about the Alabama fans leaving at the end of the third quarter.  He said the fans should stay and see the team play to the end of the game.  Why should the Bama fans do that when Nick won’t let the players play to the end of the game?  Saturday, Alabama led Tennessee, 35-0 at halftime and 42-3 at the end of the third quarter.  Bama won 45-10.  Thirty-five points in the first half and only 10 in the second half – only three in the fourth quarter.  Come on Nick.  What are you crying about?  Give the fans some entertainment.

You may have read or seen where Bobby Bowden returned to Doak-Campbell Stadium Saturday.  It was his first time back to a Florida State game since he retired at the end of the 2009 season.  Bobby was not only coming back, but he was also going to plant the flaming spear in the turf in the pre-game ceremony.

I couldn’t wait to see this.  But I was disappointed.  I thought Bobby was going to come riding out on that horse – what’s the horse’s name – Free Shoe?, Dillard?, Bingo?  But Bobby just walked out and threw the spear in the ground.  Actually, Bobby was half right – the real Seminole Indians didn’t ride horses.  And he was half wrong – the real Seminole Indians didn’t throw flaming spears either.  FSU is big on fabrication.   

I’m worried about Swamp Mama.  She went into a state of depression early Saturday evening.  It was just about the time the Texas Tech-Oklahoma game ended.     

Touchdown Tom
October 28, 2013
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
     

Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Swamp Mama’s depressed – Oklahoma 38, Texas Tech 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas Tech 29, Oklahoma 25).  The lack of a ground game hurt the Red Raiders.  Texas Tech only had 72 yards rushing.  Three turnovers hurt too.  A crowd of 84,734 attended the game in Norman.  

RUNNER UP:  Bears get stuffed – Oregon 42, UCLA 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 40, UCLA 34).  A good game at the half – 14-14 – Oregon poured it on in the second half.  UCLA only had 64 yards passing.  A crowd of 59,206 attended the game in Eugene. 

REST OF THE BEST:  “God smiled on the Gamecocks” – South Carolina 27, Missouri 24 (2OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Missouri 26, South Carolina 24).  Trailing 17-0, Connor Shaw came in and saved the game for the Gamecocks.  Mizzou just totally fell apart in the final quarter.  A crowd of 67,124 attended the game in Columbia, MO. 

Beavers met a Tree they couldn’t fell – Stanford 20, Oregon State 12 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon State 27, Stanford 25).  Stanford’s defense dominated the Beavers.  Oregon State only had 17 yards rushing.  A crowd of 44,519 attended the game in Corvallis.  

BCS wasn’t impressed – Ohio State 63, Penn State 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 34, Penn State 20).  What a demoralizing loss for the Nitts.  Urban Meyer was definitely out to impress the pollsters.  The Buckeyes had 686 yards of offense.  A crowd of 105,889 attended the game in Columbus. 

Nick told his players to stop playing in the second half – Alabama 45, Tennessee 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 28, Tennessee 17).  So why should the fans stay for the second half.  Alabama is a great team, but even the Tide bores its fans.  A crowd of 101,821 attended the game in Tuscaloosa. 

They’re back – Clemson 40, Maryland 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 36, Maryland 34).  Sloppy game.  The teams combined for seven turnovers.  Clemson dominated the Terps in the stats.  A crowd of 48,134 attended the game in College Park.  

How ’bout them Dookies! – Duke 13, Virginia Tech 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 27, Duke 15).  You look at the stats and you would have thought the Hokies won.  Tech had 387 yards of offense to Duke’s 198.  Also a sloppy game – teams combined for eight turnovers.  Logan Thomas just isn’t getting the job done for the Hokies.  A crowd of 63,326 attended the game in Blacksburg.  

Back on the hot seat again – Minnesota 34, Nebraska 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 32, Minnesota 17).  Bo has to be feeling the heat after this one.  Minnesota’s ground game was impressive.  A crowd of 49,995 attended the game in Minneapolis. 

This ain’t your daddy’s Boise State – BYU 37, Boise State 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 29, BYU 28).  The Cougars built up a 31-6 lead over Boise State and then toyed with the Broncos.  Boise State suffered its third loss this season, something the Broncos haven’t done since 2007 when they finished 10-3.  Boise State had four turnovers on the game.  BYU’s Taysom Hill passed for 339 yards.  A crowd of 62,954 attended the game in Provo.

These Knights have no honor – Houston 49, Rutgers 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Rutgers 28, Houston 22).  Rutgers had six turnovers.  Houston had none.  Nuff said.  A crowd of 52,200 attended the game in Piscataway.

Noles dance with the Wolves – Florida State 49, NC State 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 33, NC State 16).  FSU is becoming like Alabama – a boring team in the second half.  The Noles led the Wolfpack 42-0 at the half.  FSU had 566 yards of offense.  A crowd of 80,389 attended the game in Tallahassee.  

Just how good are the Spartans? – Michigan State 42, Illinois 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan State 30, Illinois 19).  Spartans defense held the Banned Indians to 128 yards of offense – only 25 rushing.  A crowd of 45,895 attended the game in Champaign.  

Manziel didn’t do any running – Texas A&M 56, Vanderbilt 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 35, Vanderbilt 19).  He didn’t need to against Vandy.  A&M led 28-0 early in the second quarter, but only 28-17 at the half.  Then the Aggies led 49-17 at the end of the third quarter.  A crowd of 86,584 attended the game in College Station.  

All defense, no offense – USC 19, Utah 3 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 30, Utah 18).  Defense is winning the games for the Trojans, not their offense.  USC only had 30 yards rushing.  A crowd of 64,715 attended the game in Los Angeles.


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

Delayed – Texas 30, TCU 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 23, TCU 14).  This game was delayed forever and ever.  Weather delay.  The return of Casey Pachall didn’t help the Frogs.  A crowd of 48,212 attended the game in Fort Worth.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Kansas State 35, West Virginia 12 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 33, West Virginia 23).  As hard as I look and try to find something good about West Virginia, I can’t.  The coaching staff is abysmal.  The offense is bad to the bone.  The defense is sad.  The defensive secondary is worse than last year.  WVU has shown no improvement since the start of the season.  I can’t see the Mountaineers winning another game this year.  WVU football is at rock bottom and the future looks grim.  The list of next year’s commitments is disappointing.  Dana Holgorsen not only can’t coach, he can’t recruit.  He’s 5-11 in his last 16 games at WVU.  Somebody needs to buy Holgorsen a one-way bus ticket to Cross Lanes.  A crowd of 52,898 attended the game in Manhattan.  

Week 9 Picks:   10 Correct, 7 Wrong (58.8 percent)
On the Season:  124 Correct, 44 Wrong (73.8 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Miami edged Wake Forest, 24-21.  A crowd of 66,160 attended the game in Miami Gardens….  UCF routed Connecticut, 62-17.  A crowd of 37,924 attended the game in Orlando….  South Florida fell to Louisville, 34-3.  A crowd of 35,782 attended the game in Tampa.

Florida Atlantic lost to Auburn, 45-10.  A crowd of 85,517 attended the game in Auburn….  Florida International lost to Louisiana Tech, 23-7.  A crowd of 13,389 attended the game in Miami….  Florida A&M lost to North Carolina A&T, 20-13.  A crowd of 9,209 attended the game in Tallahassee….  Bethune-Cookman beat South Carolina State, 14-3.  A crowd of 10,421 attended the game in Daytona Beach.

Jacksonville U. defeated Davidson, 56-13.  A crowd of 3,116 attended the game in Jacksonville….  Stetson fell to Marist, 27-0.  A crowd of 1,826 attended the game in Poughkeepsie….  Florida Tech downed Warner, 37-3.  A crowd of 3,975 attended the game in Melbourne.    


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  SMU’s Garrett Gilbert – 37-53-0 for 538 yards; San Jose State’s David Fales – 27-37-0-482; Baylor’s Bryce Petty – 20-32-0-430; Western Kentucky’s Brandon Doughty – 29-45-0-387; Texas Tech’s Davis Webb – 33-53-2-385; Washington’s Keith Price – 20-32-0-376;Virginia’s David Watford – 43-61-1-376, and Houston’s John O’Korn – 24-30-0-364.

Also, Nevada’s Cody Fajardo – 24-40-1 for 357 yards; Hawaii’s Sean Schroeder – 28-49-1-349; Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater – 25-29-0-344; BYU’s Taysom Hill – 27-41-0-339; San Diego State’s Quinn Kaehler – 21-39-1-337; California’s Jarred Goff – 32-54-0-336; UNLV’s Caleb Herring – 29-42-0-335; LSU’s Zach Mettenberger – 16-24-2-328, and Ohio’s Tyler Tettleton – 22-32-0-306.

Also, Troy’s Corey Robinson – 20-32-1 for 306 yards; Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel – 25-35-1-305; Clemson’s Tajh Boyd – 28-41-1-304; Wake Forest’s Tanner Price – 25-45-1-302; North Texas’ Derek Thompson – 18-27-2-300; South Alabama’s Ross Metheny – 27-43-1-300; Fresno State’s Derek Carr – 35-57-0-298; Temple’s P.J. Walker – 26-37-0-293, and Florida State’s Jameis Winston – 16-26-1-292.   


Impressive Rushers: Washington’s Bishop Sankey – 241 yards; Wyoming’s Shaun Wick – 234 yards; Oklahoma State’s Desmond Roland – 219 yards; Arizona’s B.J. Denker – 192 yards; UTEP’s Aaron  Jones – 186 yards; Buffalo’s Branden Oliver – 185 yards; NC State’s Shadrach Thornton – 173 yards, and Ohio’s Beau Blankenship – 172 yards.

Also, Boston College’s Andre Williams – 172 yards; Miami of Florida’s Duke Johnson – 168 yards; Akron’s Jawon Chisholm – 166 yards; Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah – 165 yards; Clemson’s Roderick McDowell – 161 yards; Rutgers’ Justin Goodwin – 161 yards; Rice’s Charles Ross – 152 yards, and Boise State’s Jay Ajayi – 151 yards.


Quotes of the Week

“Clemson at Maryland: If you’re wondering why Dabo Swinney will be standing on the sideline without pants, it’s because he lost them in the Florida State game,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“They’re calling it the ‘World’s Largest Outdoor Pity Party’,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution writer Chip Towers, on this year’s Florida-Georgia game. 

“Well not only his talent but his humility.  He’s not doing like Manziel.  Winston gives all the credit to the rest of his team,” Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, comparing Jameis Winston to Johnny Manziel.

“Will Muschamp is a good football coach – a very good football coach.  But he has a bad offense – a very bad offense.  And if he doesn’t get it fixed soon, a good football coach will soon be an unemployed football coach,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.

“Right now, the Gators aren’t winning and they aren’t entertaining.  This is a lethal combination for a football coach,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi.


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

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Miami (Florida) (7-0) at Florida State (7-0) (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ABC, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – You gotta figure the Canes will give the Noles a tougher time than Clemson did.  I can’t see FSU beating Miami as bad as they beat the Tigers.  But I can’t see FSU losing.  Jameis Winston and the Noles defense will be too much for the Canes to handle.  Sorry Tim – Florida State 30, Miami 24.

RUNNER UP:  2. Oklahoma State (6-1) at Texas Tech (7-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – For Swamp Mama’s sake, I hope the Red Raiders bounce back this week.  This does have the makings of a good one – a classic.  The hotter coach wins – Texas Tech 37, Oklahoma State 29.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Michigan (6-1) at Michigan State (7-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – No one is really sure about these two teams.  Just how good are they?  The records are good, but they haven’t beaten anybody.  The winner should make a big jump in the polls.  Spartans state their case – Michigan State 24, Michigan 20.

4. USC (5-3) at Oregon State (6-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN2, 9 pm ET, Friday) – I can’t see the Beavers losing two-straight at home.  But the Trojans do have an outstanding defense.  Mannion gets hot – Oregon State 23, USC 17. 

5. Tennessee (4-4) at Missouri (7-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Mizzou should be mad as hell after blowing that game last week.  It doesn’t get any easier for the Vols – Missouri 29, Tennessee 19. 

6. Mississippi State (4-3) at South Carolina (6-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: SEC Network, 12:20 pm ET, Saturday) – Looks like the Gamecocks are back on a roll.  Don’t bet against the Ole Ball Coach – South Carolina 30, Miss State 20.

7. Wisconsin (5-2) at Iowa (5-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Both teams are playing well, but the Badgers have more talent.  Looking Bucky for the Badgers – Wisconsin 28, Iowa 23.

8. Arizona State (5-2) at Washington State (4-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN, 10:30 pm ET, Thursday) – It’s about time for Mike Leach and the Cougars to pop one.  The Sun Devils are on upset alert.  But the Devils apply the heat – Arizona State 39, Washington State 36.

9. Pitt (4-3) at Georgia Tech (5-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Pitt lost to Navy and Georgia Tech runs the same offense as the Middies.  And the Jackets are better – Georgia Tech 29, Pitt 20.

10. Virginia Tech (6-2) at Boston College (3-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – The Hokies need to crank up their offense.  Their defense should beat the Eagles – Virginia Tech 25, Boston College 16.
 
11. Northwestern (4-4) at Nebraska (5-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Northwestern is hurting.  The Wildcats have dropped four straight.  As strange as Nebraska is playing, I can’t see the Huskers losing this one.  If they do, Bo better check the job openings.  Herbie bounces back – Nebraska 28, Northwestern 22.
 
12. Minnesota (6-2) at Indiana (3-4) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – I can see the Gophers having a letdown this week after the big win over Nebraska.  The Hoosiers can put some points on the board.  They aren’t shy about scoring.  Gophers on a mission – Minnesota 34, Indiana 32.

13. Boise State (5-3) at Colorado State (4-4) – (MWC vs. MWC) (TV: CBSSN, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – The Broncos are having a tough year, but they are still looking good in their conference.  They’ll look better after this one – Boise State 32, Colorado State 26.
 
14. Clemson (7-1) at Virginia (2-6) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPN, 3:30 pm Et, Saturday) – The Tigers are still trying to figure out what happened against Florida State.  They need to get over the FSU loss.  They do – Clemson 36, Virginia 16.

15. Florida (4-3) vs. Georgia (4-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – A writer in Georgia called this game the Pity Party.  Both teams have been pitiful.  This should be interesting.  Georgia has an offense, but no defense.  Florida has a defense, but no offense.  Muschamp is 0-2 against Georgia.  Will he become 0-3?  Yes – Georgia 25, Florida 24.


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

16. Illinois (3-4) at Penn State (4-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – As bad as the Nitts looked last week, they should bounce back against the Banned Indians.  Illinois is about as bad as you can get – Penn State 35, Illinois 21. 


YE OLE STOMPING GROUNDS

West Virginia (3-5) at TCU (3-5) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ESPNU, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Is there any hope for the Mountaineers?  Like WVU, TCU has no offense.  But the Frogs can play some defense.  Looking bleak for the Eers – TCU 27, West Virginia 19.

Kansas (2-5) at Texas (5-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Local Cable, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Longhorns get a breather this week.  There is no hope for the Jayhawks – Texas 37, Kansas 14.

Ohio State (8-0) at Purdue (1-6) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – What more can the Buckeyes do after putting 63 on the board against Penn State?  If they are going to do it, Purdue is a team to do it against.  The Boilers are pretty woeful.  But the Boilers have been surprising in the past, giving the Buckeyes trouble.  Not this year – Ohio State 35, Purdue 17.

Duke (6-2) is off.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

South Florida (2-5) plays at Houston (6-1) – (AAC vs. AAC) (TV: ESPN, 7 pm ET, Thursday). ….  Florida Atlantic (2-6) hosts Tulane (6-2) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) (TV: None, 5 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Florida International (1-6) entertains East Carolina (5-2) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) (TV: Local Cable, 6 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida A&M (2-6) travels to Norfolk State (2-6) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) (TV: None, 2 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Bethune-Cookman (7-1) visits North Carolina Central (4-4) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) (TV: ESPN News, 12 noon ET, Saturday). ….  Jacksonville U. (4-4) is away at Marist (5-3) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday).

Stetson (1-6) is home against Campbell (1-7) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Florida Tech (3-5) is on the road at West Georgia (4-4) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) (TV: Local Cable, 7:30 pm ET, Thursday).

UCF is off.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Louisville and Houston have agreed to a two-game, home-and-home series to be played in 2015 and 2016…. 

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but sadly there were four passings of note last week – Noel Harrison, Bill Sharman, Marcia Wallace and Lou Reed.

Noel Harrison, the actor and folk singer best known for his role on NBC’s “The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.” and his rendition of the Academy Award winning song “The Windmills of Your Mind,” died last week in Exeter, England.  He was 79.  Harrison was the son of the English actor Rex Harrison.  He was a member of Britain’s alpine ski teams in the 1952 and 1956 Winter Olympics.  Harrison sang folk and calypso songs in nightclubs around Europe.  He often performed at the Blue Angel in London where a young Paul McCartney was a fan.  In the United States, Harrison had a mild hit in 1965 with the song “A Young Girl.” In addition to his starring role on “The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., he made appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “The Mod Squad” and “Mission Impossible.”  He also performed with The Beach Boys and Sonny and Cher.  He recorded “The Windmills of Your Mind” in 1968.  Noel John Christopher Harrison was born on January 29, 1934.  In the 1970s, he lived in Canada and hosted “Take Time” a Canadian television show on the CBC network.

Bill Sharman, a sharpshooting guard who helped establish the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1950s and who coached the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers to a record 33-game winning streak and the NBA title, died last week at his home in Redondo Beach, California.  He was 87.  For 10 seasons, beginning in the fall of 1951, Sharman teamed with the playmaking guard Bob Cousy to form one of the NBA’s legendary backcourts.  He led the Celtics in scoring during four seasons and was on the team when they won four NBA titles.  Sharman retired from the Celtics after the 1960-61 season.  He coached a number of teams, including Los Angeles State and the Los Angeles Stars of the ABA.  He became the Lakers coach in the fall of 1971 and led them to a 69-13 record and NBA title that season.  Sharman retired from coaching after the 1975-76 season, becoming the Lakers general manager.  He became the team’s president in 1983 and retired from that position in 1990.  William Walton Sharman was born on May 25, 1926, in Abilene, Texas.  His family moved to California when he was a child.  He attended the University of Southern California where he was a two-time All-American.  Sharman also played baseball for the Trojans and was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers.  He played for the Dodgers in the early 1950s.    

Marcia Wallace, the star of “The Bob Newhart Show” and “The Simpsons,” died last week at her home in Los Angeles.  She was 70.  The cause was breast cancer.  Wallace played Newhart’s daffy receptionist on the hit CBS show during its entire six-season run.  Then she made guest appearances on shows like “ALF,” “The Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island” and “Murphy Brown,” before becoming a regular on game shows such as “The $25,000 Pyramid,” “Password” and “Hollywood Squares.”  Wallace built a second career as the voice of Edna Krabappel, Bart Simpson’s fourth grade teacher on “The Simpsons.”      

Lou Reed, the singer, songwriter and guitarist whose work with the Velvet Underground in the 1960s had a major influence on generations of rock musicians, died yesterday at his home in Amagansett, New York.  He was 71.  Lewis Allan Reed was born on March 2, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York.  His family moved to Long Island when he was a child.  He graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in English.  Reed left the Velvet Underground in 1970.  David Bowie produced Reed’s album “Transformer.”  It rose to No. 29 on the Billboard’s album charts.  “Walk on the Wild Side,” a single from the album was Reed’s only Top 40 hit.