College Football Week 7 – 17 teams still undefeated
A long day’s journey into night

One of the things I always enjoy when sitting in a stadium at a college football game is the crowd reaction when the score of another game is announced or flashed across the video screen.  It often spawns some of the loudest cheers of the game.

Saturday night, Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and I were in Gainesville at The Swamp watching the Arkansas-Florida game.  It was the first of our two Gator games this season.  We’ll be at the Vanderbilt-Florida game in November.

During the first quarter, the video screen at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium gave us updates on the Georgia-Tennessee game in progress in Knoxville.  The Dawgs-Vols game was in its final quarter.  Tennessee was winning.

The sight of the score – Tennessee ahead – brought a loud cheer from the Gator fans.  Someone outside the stadium surely must have thought Florida scored a touchdown.  Again, the score was displayed and Tennessee was still winning.  Again, the crowd erupted with a loud cheer. 

Rockledge Gator said, “If Tennessee wins, the Florida band will probably play “Rocky Top.”

Late in the game, Georgia pulled even to Tennessee, 31-31.  Then the Dawgs went on to win in overtime, 34-31.  There was a loud groan from the crowd at Ben Hill Griffin.

During the second quarter, the video screen began displaying scores from the Ohio State-Northwestern game.  The Wildcats were winning.  Again there were wild and loud cheers from the Gator fans.  Florida fans have no love for Urban Liar…..I mean……Urban Meyer.

Fortunately for Gator fans, the Arkansas-Florida game ended before the Ohio State-Northwestern game.  The Buckeyes ended up beating Northwestern, 40-30.  I don’t think the Florida fans could have survived two major groans in one sitting. 

Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and I rode up to Gainesville Friday afternoon.  It was a good drive.  We took a new road.  After exiting I-75 just north of Ocala, I turned left on County Road 25A and continued the drive north.  It’s a pretty, country-road drive through the towns of Martin, Lowell and Reddick.  Then it merges onto 441 just below McIntosh.

After checking into our hotel, we headed over to Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille in Gainesville for our traditional pregame eve meal.  Harry’s isn’t the best restaurant in Gainesville, but it’s a good restaurant – a fun place to eat and drink.

At the bar, Rockledge Gator ran into his old friend Mike Sanford.  I think Mike is a Friday-night regular at the bar at Harry’s.  It was good seeing him again.

Our first stop Saturday morning was at CVS.  Swamp Mama forgot her lipstick and needed to get some.  I told her to be sure and purchase “Arkansas Red.”  She didn’t appreciate that.

Following the brief stop at CVS, we drove over to the farmers market at Haile Plantation, west of Gainesville.  We discovered this farmers market when we were in Gainesville last February for a Gator basketball game.  It’s a good one.  We made a few purchases to complement our tailgate food and beverages.

On the way back to the Florida campus, we made a quick stop at Publix to purchase some additional tailgate items.  With all the necessary purchases made, it was time to stake out our tailgate spot.  Lately, we’ve been getting a place on Union Road, off Newell Drive, on the Florida campus.  It’s a beautiful area, covered with oak trees thick with Spanish moss.      

At 11 a.m. we were all set up.  But the game wasn’t starting until 7 p.m. – eight hours away.  It was going to be a long day.  We walked around among other tailgaters to kill some time.  In the midst of several orange and blue Gator canopies we spotted a garnet and gold Seminole canopy.  What the heck?

We figured those folks must have been driving up I-75 on their way to Tallahassee for the Maryland-Florida State game.  But when they got to Gainesville, they just couldn’t overcome the temptation to tailgate at Florida.  After all, tailgating with the Gators is more fun than tailgating with a bunch of Noles.

Since our tailgating time was going to cover both lunch and dinner, we decided to go out for lunch and use our tailgate food for dinner.  We walked over to The Swamp Restaurant on University Avenue for lunch.  The Swamp Restaurant touts itself as the No. 1 college sports bar in the country.

We’ve had several pre-basketball game meals and beverages at The Swamp.  This was our first time at the establishment on the day of a football game.  It was packed and kickoff was still seven hours away.  Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long for a table.

Back at our tailgating spot, we were down to six hours to go.  Sitting around the table, nibbling on some snacks, we all dozed off into a post-lunch siesta.  It had to be those Bloody Marys and Mojitos at The Swamp.  People walking by, looking at us must have thought, “Look at those old Gators.”

A brief nap does one a world of good.  We needed to do some more walking.  This time, we trekked over to the student union on campus.  There, we found a good spot to watch the remainder of the Maryland-Florida State game.

The last time the four of us watched a Florida State game on television at the UF student union was on September 12, 1998.  NC State upset Florida State, 24-7 that day.  The headline of College Football Week on Monday read, “They Play More Than Basketball on Tobacco Road.”  On this day, Florida State beat Maryland, 63-0. 

We walked around the student union and adjacent bookstore.  Swamp Mama and I ran into Albert the Alligator.  We had our picture taken with him.  Albert’s a good sport.

Two hours till kickoff.  Time to breakout the tailgate food and have dinner.  After stuffing ourselves, we walked over and watched the Florida band warm up.  Then, onto the stadium for the game.  The Gators beat Arkansas, 30-10. 

Back at the hotel after the game, I intended to watch the Washington-Stanford game on television.  Swamp Mama intended to go to sleep.  She can’t sleep with the television on.  After a brief standoff, Swamp Mama won.  I turned off the TV.  It was a long day.

Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and I had a pleasant and uneventful drive home on Sunday. 

USC got it started, firing Lane Kiffin.  In the seven days since, Connecticut fired Paul Pasqualoni and yesterday, Miami (Ohio) fired Don Treadwell.  In his third season with the Huskies, Pasqualoni was 10-18 – 0-4 this season.  Previously, he coached Western Connecticut State (1982-1986) and Syracuse (1991-2004).

Pasqualoni joined the Syracuse staff as an assistant in 1987.  He was an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys and the Miami Dolphins from 2005 to 2010.  In his last year or so at Syracuse, Orange fans began calling him “Pass the Baloney” – Paul “Pass the Baloney” Pasqualoni.

Treadwell, in his third season at Miami was 8-21 – 0-5 this season. A former quarterback at Miami, Treadwell was the offensive coordinator at Michigan State prior to taking the job at Miami in 2011. 

After Saturday’s games, I have to believe that pink slips are on their way to Virginia’s Mike London and Eastern Michigan’s Ron English.  The Cavaliers (2-3) lost to Ball State, 48-27, and the Eagles (1-4) lost to Buffalo, 42-14.   

It’s looking more and more like Ole Miss and Vanderbilt may have been two of the country’s most overrated teams coming into the 2013 season.  The Rebels (3-2) lost to Auburn, 30-22, and the Commodores (3-3) lost to Missouri, 51-28.   

In addition to Georgia-Tennessee, there were three other overtime games during the weekend.  Trailing 44-23, Nevada scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to tie San Diego State, 44-44, only to lose to the Aztecs in overtime, 51-44.

Trailing Rutgers, 35-14, SMU scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to tie the Scarlet Knights at 35-35.  After three overtimes, Rutgers prevailed over the Mustangs, 55-52.  And finally, trailing Rice, 24-13, Tulsa scored 11 points in the fourth quarter to tie the Owls, 24-24.  Rice won in the first overtime, 30-27.

James Street, the quarterback who led Texas to the 1969 national championship, died last week.  You can read the full obituary in “Not Directly College Football Related” below.

So Jadeveon Clowney’s ribs are sore.  And the Gamecocks are about to play Arkansas.  Does Clowney have any spare ribs?

Florida Tech plays Ave Maria this week.  I can’t help but wonder if the Ave Maria mascot is Perry Como. 

It’s been a long day.

Touchdown Tom
October 7, 2013
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK:  No hiding Hyde – Ohio State 40, Northwestern 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 30, Northwestern 22).  Northwestern led throughout much of the game.  But sadly the Wildcats didn’t have a running game to go with their passing game.  Ohio State did.  Carlos Hyde rushed for 168 yards.  A crowd of 47,330attended the game in Evanston.  

RUNNER UP:  Tree tops – Stanford 31, Washington 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 30, Washington 26).  Stanford led throughout, but Washington hung in there and kept it close.  The Huskies bettered the Cardinal in total yards – 489 to 279.  A crowd of 50,424 attended the game in Palo Alto.  

REST OF THE BEST:  Jameis Christ Superstar – Florida State 63, Maryland 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 33, Maryland 18).  The Chosen One passed for 393 yards.  Seminoles finished with 614 yards of offense.  The FSU defense held the Terps to 33 yards rushing.  A crowd of 74,909 attended the game in Tallahassee.  

Uga pants – Georgia 34, Tennessee 31 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 28, Tennessee 20).  Obviously, the Dawgs were emotionally and physically spent from the LSU game.  But they weren’t spent enough for Tennessee to win.  Injuries were a problem for the Dawgs too.  A crowd of 102,455 attended the game in Knoxville.

Hot Rod Hundley – UCLA 34, Utah 27 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 34, Utah 28).  With 3:33 left in the game, UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley broke loose for a 36-yard touchdown run which all but assured a win for the Bruins.  Hundley also passed for 211 yards.  Utah managed to hang in the game, in spite of Travis Wilson throwing six interceptions.  A crowd of 45,272 attended the game in Salt Lake City.

The Bell was ringing – Oklahoma 20, TCU 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 29, TCU 14).  TCU had no offense – only 44 yards rushing and not much better passing.  But the Frogs did play some defense.  Oklahoma’s rushing was the difference.  A crowd of 84,992 attended the game in Norman.

Zach puts Bully in a sack – LSU 59, Mississippi State 26 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 27, Miss State 19).  This was a good game until the fourth quarter.  Then Miss State went to hell in a hand basket.  LSU only led 31-26 at the end of three.  The teams combined for 1,031 yards of offense.  Zach Mettenberger had another good game.  A crowd of 57,113 attended the game in Starkville.

Corn beef and cabbage – Notre Dame 37, Arizona State 34 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona State 33, Notre Dame 24).  Turnovers and the lack of a running game hurt the Sun Devils.  There’s still some life in the Irish after all.  A crowd of 66,960 attended the game in Arlington, Texas.  

RAID! – Miami (Florida) 45, Georgia Tech 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Miami 30, Georgia Tech 27).  Georgia Tech showed up for the first quarter.  Then Bees were nowhere to be seen after that.  Both teams suffered from turnovers – seven between them.       A crowd of 47,008 attended the game in Miami Gardens.

Basketball? – Baylor 73, West Virginia 42 (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 34, West Virginia 24).  No, this wasn’t a basketball game.  Bryce Petty, Lache Seastrunk and Shock Linwood put on a real display of offense for the Bears.  Baylor ended up with 864 yards of offense.  Meanwhile, WVU had no offense, had no defense, had no special teams, had no coach and had no coaching staff.  I’m not sure the Mountaineers have a football program.  A crowd of 45,467 attended the game in Waco.  

Back in the saddle – Michigan 42, Minnesota 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 30, Minnesota 17).  After a few weeks of some close calls, the Wolverines have their act together again.  A crowd of 111,079 attended the game in Ann Arbor.  

Albert takes a chomp out of Bielema’s pork belly – Florida 30, Arkansas 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 27, Arkansas 18).  Quarterback Tyler Murphy and the Gator defense played great.  But with LSU, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida State on tap, the real tests for the Gators are yet to come.  A crowd of 90,043 attended the game in Gainesville.

Rebels can’t hold that Tiger – Auburn 30, Ole Miss 22 (Touchdown Tom said: Ole Miss 26, Auburn 20).  Ole Miss had the passing game; Auburn had the running game.  Auburn won.  The Rebels may have been overrated this season.  Gus Malzahn is doing a good job with the Tigers.  A crowd of 86,504 attended the game in Auburn.

We don’t need no Martinez – Nebraska 39, Illinois 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 36, Illinois 29).   As long as Ameer Abdullah can rush for 225 yards, the Huskers don’t need a quarterback.  A crowd of 90,458 attended the game in Lincoln.  

Mutiny – Missouri 51, Vanderbilt 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Missouri 30, Vanderbilt 29).  I know it was only Vanderbilt, but is Mizzou a surprise team this year?  James Franklin is playing well.  The other James Franklin isn’t coaching well.  A crowd of 36,892 attended the game in Nashville.


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

Captain Kirk loses the Enterprise – Michigan State 26, Iowa 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa 17, Michigan State 16).  The Spartans defense held Iowa to 23 yards rushing.  Kirk Ferentz could be in real trouble.   A crowd of 69,025 attended the game in Iowa City.  


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

The refs give Mack some slack – Texas 31, Iowa State 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 27, Iowa State 23).  Iowa State won the stats; Texas won the game.  The Cyclones out-rushed and out-passed the Longhorns.  In the closing minutes of the game, on the Cyclone goal line, Texas, trailing 30-24, got the benefit of a questionable non-fumble call by the refs.  A crowd of 52,762 attended the game in Ames.

Week 6 Picks:   14 Correct, 3 Wrong (82.4 percent)
On the Season:  89 Correct, 24 Wrong (78.8 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

UCF rallied to beat Memphis, 24-17.  A crowd of 30,274 attended the game in Memphis….  South Florida surprised Cincinnati, 26-20.  A crowd of 31,077 attended the game in Tampa….  Florida Atlantic downed UAB, 37-23.  A crowd of 11,319 attended the game in Birmingham….  Florida International edged Southern Miss, 24-23.  A crowd of 21,891 attended the game in Hattiesburg.

Florida A&M lost to Morgan State, 34-21.  A crowd of 1,259 attended the game in Baltimore….  Bethune-Cookman beat Delaware State, 21-7.  A crowd of 2,205 attended the game in Dover….  Jacksonville U. fell to Drake, 27-17.  A crowd of 3,121 attended the game in Des Moines….  Stetson lost to Butler, 35-15.  A crowd of 1,494 attended the game in Indianapolis….  Florida Tech was crushed by Valdosta State, 52-14.  A crowd of 7,612 attended the game in Valdosta.


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Washington State’s Connor Halliday – 41-67-1 for 521 yards; California’s Jarred Goff – 32-58-1-489; SMU’s Garrett Gilbert – 45-70-0-484; Clemson’s Tajh Boyd – 20-27-2-455; Fresno State’s Derek Carr – 37-48-1-419; Florida State’s Jameis Winston – 23-32-0-393; Nevada’s Cody Fajardo – 33-51-0-393, and Western Kentucky’s Brandon Doughty – 24-36-1-370.

Also, Texas Tech’s Baker Mayfield – 33-51-1 for 368 yards; East Carolina’s Shane Carden – 43-57-0-365; Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly – 33-47-2-362; Oregon’s Marcus Mariota – 16-27-0-355; Washington’s Keith Price – 33-48-1-350; Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater – 25-35-0-348; Baylor’s Bryce Petty – 17-25-1-347; Ball State’s Keith Wenning – 23-41-0-346, and LSU’s Zach Mettenberger – 25-29-1-340.

Also,  Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg – 30-55-0 for 340 yards; Vanderbilt’s Austyn Carta-Samuels – 29-41-1-338; Ole Miss’ Bo Wallace – 25-48-2-336; Louisiana-Lafayette’s Terrance Broadway – 18-23-0-335; North Texas’ Derek Thompson – 29-42-2-326; Miami of Florida’s Stephen Morris – 17-22-2-324; Indiana’s Nate Sudfeld – 23-38-1-321; Florida Atlantic’s Jaquez Johnson – 23-36-0-299, and Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas – 19-28-0-293.


Impressive Rushers: Northern Illinois’ Cameron Stingily – 266 yards; Boston College’s Andre Williams – 263 yards; Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah – 225 yards; Toledo’s David Fluellen – 220 yards; Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon – 200 yards; Miami of Florida’s Duke Johnson – 184 yards, and Baylor’s Lache Seastrunk – 172 yards.

Also,  Ohio State’s Carlos Hyde – 168 yards; Tulsa’s Trey Watts – 165 yards; LSU’s Jeremy Hill – 157 yards; Fresno State’s Marteze Waller – 157 yards; Ball State’s Jahwan Edwards – 155 yards; Western Kentucky’s Antonio Andrews – 155 yards; Central Michigan’s Saylor Lavalli – 151 yards, and Buffalo’s Branden Oliver – 150 yards. 


Quotes of the Week

“Nobody likes to get fired or leave a job, but things happen.  I’d go on record and say ‘Yes, I think it’s time,’” former Texas running back Earl Campbell, saying it’s time to fire Mack Brown.

“I take my hat off to USC for what they’ve done.  They didn’t mess around with it.  They just said, ‘Let’s do it now.’  I think at some point our university’s people are going to have to make a decision,” former Texas running back Earl Campbell, saying Mack Brown should go. 

“I’m disappointed,” Texas coach Mack Brown, responding to Earl Campbell’s comments.

“Jon Gruden is on the list because it’s a college job and Jon Gruden has been rumored to take every college opening since like 1845,” CBSSports.com blogger Tom Fornelli, on Jon Gruden’s name appearing on the candidates list for the USC job.

“LSU at Mississippi State: Les Miles joked (maybe) that he might have to pipe in cowbell sounds over the speakers in practice to prepare for the trip to Starkville.  Personally, I’ve always felt a blindfold was the best preparation for Starkville,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.


Touchdown Tom’s predictions for
The 15 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games of Week 7…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Oregon (5-0) at Washington (4-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Fox Sports 1, 4 pm ET, Saturday) – The Huskies gave Stanford a hell of a battle.  Can they keep up with the Ducks?  No one has come close to Oregon yet.  But an upset in Seattle could be brewing.  Don’t bet your Starbucks on it – Oregon 42, Washington 36.

RUNNER UP:  2. Florida (4-1) at LSU (5-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Against Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas, Tyler Murphy has looked good.  LSU ain’t no Tennessee, Kentucky or Arkansas.  We’ll know something about Tyler after this game.  The Gator defense will have their hands full trying to contain Zach Mettenberger.  Gators have the Will; do they have the way?  Murphy’s law – LSU 27, Florida 24.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Missouri (5-0) at Georgia (4-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Are the Tigers for real? We’ll soon know.  Mizzou is finally playing a real team.  After the letdown last week, Uga should be up this week.  A day in the park for Uga – Georgia 32, Missouri 22.

4. Rutgers (4-1) at Louisville (5-0) – (AAC vs. AAC) (TV: ESPN, 7:30 pm ET, Thursday) – The Knights will be Louisville’s first and biggest test this season.  The Cardinals ace the test – Louisville 33, Rutgers 28.

5. Stanford (5-0) at Utah (3-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: P12 Network, 6 pm ET, Saturday) – This could be a trap game for Stanford.  I see a letdown after the big game against Washington last week.  Watch out for an upset.  Trees bend but don’t break in the storm – Stanford 32, Utah 20.

6. Boston College (3-2) at Clemson (5-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – This should be a cake walk for the Tigers.  BC is improving, but not that much.  Tigers on the prowl – Clemson 40, Boston College 20.

7. Oklahoma (5-0) vs. Texas (3-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – I think Mack Brown’s fate is hanging on this game.  A loss to OU and Brown is a gonner – for sure.  A win over OU and Brown can salvage his job.  Na-na-na-na, Na-na-na-na, Hey-hey, Goodbye – Oklahoma 25, Texas 17.

8.  Michigan (5-0) at Penn State (3-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN, 5 pm ET, ESPN) – This isn’t last year’s Penn State team.  The Nitts have gotten worse.  Still, Michigan will have a fight on its hands.  The Brady Bunch plays State College – Michigan 32, Penn State 21.

9. Pitt (3-1) at Virginia Tech (5-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Pitt’s offense will stall against the Hokies’ defense.  Has Logan Thomas found himself?  Panthers puke – Virginia Tech 25, Pitt 11.

10.  Oregon State (4-1) at Washington State (4-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN2/ESPNU, 10:30 pm ET, Saturday) – If you like offense, especially passing offense, don’t miss this game.  It will be a fireworks display – Sean Mannion vs. Connor Halliday.  Beavers got some teeth – Oregon State 38, Washington State 35.

11. Texas A&M (4-1) at Ole Miss (3-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 8:30 pm ET, Saturday) – This could be the continuation of the downfall of Ole Miss.  Rebels without a cause – Texas A&M 31, Ole Miss 20.

12. Northwestern (4-1) at Wisconsin (3-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – I’m thinking Northwestern exhausted itself on Ohio State.  No momentum left for the Badgers.  Bucky gets lucky – Wisconsin 30, Northwestern 29.

13. Indiana (3-2) at Michigan State (4-1) (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – This game should tell us something about these two teams.  Is Indiana that good?  Are the Hoosiers on the rise?  Is State’s defense that good?  Can the Spartans handle success?  Hoosiers can’t hit the Mark – Michigan State 29, Indiana 26.

14. South Carolina (4-1) at Arkansas (3-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: SEC Network, 12:20 pm ET, Saturday) – This could be a problem for the Gamecocks.  They didn’t look so hot against Kentucky.  And what’s up with Clowney?  Chicken over Pork – South Carolina 26, Arkansas 24.

15. Baylor (4-0) at Kansas State (2-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – K-State will be the best defense Baylor has seen so far.  But the Wildcats won’t stop the Bears.  Baylor is first in passing offense, first in rushing offense and first in scoring – 70.5 points-a-game.  Grizzly – Baylor 40, Kansas State 27.


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

16. Arizona (3-1) at USC (3-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Fox Sports 1, 10:30 pm ET, Thursday) – Washington gave Arizona a whipping last week; while USC gave its coach a firing.  One of these teams will bounce back; one won’t.  The Trojans are bouncing – USC 33, Arizona 32.  


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Nebraska (4-1) at Purdue (1-4) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – This should be a breather for the Huskers – a chance for Bo to experiment if he wants to.  It just isn’t the Boilers year.  They’ve taken a pounding.  Herbie hammers them some more – Nebraska 38, Purdue 20.

Navy (3-1) at Duke (3-2) – (Ind. vs. ACC) (TV: ACC Network, 12:30 pm ET, Saturday) – I have a feeling this will be an exciting contest in Durham.  Both can score and both give up a few points.  It could come down to whoever has the ball last wins.  Sailors swab the Dookies – Navy 31, Duke 29.

West Virginia (3-3) is off.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

South Florida (1-4) visits Connecticut (0-4) – (AAC vs. AAC) (TV: AAC Network, 12 noon ET, Saturday).  …. Florida Atlantic (2-4) is hosting Marshall (3-2) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) (TV: None, 5 pm ET, Saturday).  …. Florida International (1-4) entertains UAB (1-4) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) (TV: None, 7:30 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida A&M (1-4) travels to Savannah State (1-5) (MEAC vs. MEAC) (TV: None, 6 pm ET, Saturday).  ….  Bethune-Cookman (4-1) is away at Howard (1-4) (MEAC vs. MEAC) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday).  …. Stetson (1-4) hosts Dayton (3-2) (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday).  ….  Florida Tech (1-4) is at Ave Maria (3-2) (Gulf South vs. Ind.) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida State (5-0), Miami (5-0), UCF (4-1) and Jacksonville U. (2-4) are off.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds announced he will retire on August 31, 2014.  Dodds will remain as a consultant for the Longhorns until December 31, 2015.

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but in the October autumn as the college football season approached its halfway point, 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 “A Tree In The Meadow” by Margaret Whiting

…60 years ago this week in 1953 was “You, You, You” by The Ames Brothers

…55 years ago this week in 1958 was “It’s All In The Game” by Tommy Edwards

…50 years ago this week in 1963 was “Sugar Shack” by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs

…45 years ago this week in 1968 was “Hey Jude” by The Beatles

…40 years ago this week in 1973 was “Half-Breed” by Cher

…35 years ago this week in 1978 was “Kiss You All Over” by Exile

…30 years ago this week in 1983 was “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” by Bonnie Tyler

…25 years ago this week in 1988 was “Love Bites” by Def Leppard

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


Not directly college football related, but sadly there were five passings of note last week – Patricia Blair, James Street, Bob Kurland, L.C. Greenwood and Tom Clancy.

Patricia Blair, an actress who played in the 1960s television westerns “Daniel Boone” and “The Rifleman,” died last week at her home in Wildwood, New Jersey.  She was 80.  She played the hotel owner Lou Mallory on “The Rifleman” starting in 1962, and Rebecca Boone, Daniel’s wife, for that show’s six-year run, beginning in 1964.  Patsy Lou Blake was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 15, 1933.  Prior to television, she appeared in several movies, including “Jump into Hell” (1955), “The Black Sheep” (1956) and “City of Fear” (1959).  She made appearances on other television shows, including “The Virginian,” “Bonanza,” “Perry Mason” and “Surfside 6.”  She later appeared in the 1979 Robert Redford-Jane Fonda movie “The Electric Horseman.”

James Street, a quarterback who led Texas to the 1969 national championship, died last week in Austin, Texas.  He was 65.  Street was the operator of Coach Darrell Royal’s wishbone offense.  He made his first career start two games into his junior season and went 20-0.  In 1969, Texas and Arkansas, both 10-0, met in what was then called “the game of the century.” With less than six minutes to go in the game, Texas trailed Arkansas, 14-8.  Street led the Longhorns down the field for a game winning touchdown.  Texas went on to beat Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl, its second Cotton Bowl win under Street.  Street became a legend in Texas.  He was also a pitcher on the Texas baseball team, compiling a 29-8 record and pitching two no-hitters.  One of his five sons, Huston Street, is a relief pitcher for the San Diego Padres.  James Lowell Street was born on August 2, 1948, in Longview, Texas.   

Bob Kurland, who led Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State) to two consecutive NCAA basketball championships in the mid-1940s, died last week on Sanibel Island, Florida.  He was 88.  Standing 6-foot-10, Kurland was considered an oddity at the time.  Playing for Hank Iba, Kurland led Oklahoma A&M to the 1945 and 1946 NCAA championships.  He was voted the tournament’s most valuable player both years.  Kurland also was a three-time All-American.  He later led the United States Olympic basketball team to two gold medals in the 1948 (London) and 1952 (Helsinki) summer Olympics.  Out of college, Kurland shunned the pros and went to work for Phillips Petroleum Company in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  He led the Phillips 66ers to three national Amateur Athletic Union basketball championships.  Kurland worked for Phillips until his retirement in the mid-1980s.  Robert Albert Kurland was born on December 23, 1924 in St. Louis.  He grew up in Jennings, Missouri. 

L.C. Greenwood, a 6-foot-6 member of the Pittsburgh Steelers “Steel Curtain” defense in the 1970s, died last week in Pittsburgh.  He was 67.  Greenwood helped lead the Steelers to four Super Bowl victories.  He was named first-team All-Pro in 1974 and 1975.  L.C. Henderson Greenwood was born on September 8, 1946, in Canton, Mississippi.  He played college football for Arkansas AM&N (now Arkansas-Pine Bluff).  In the 1980s, Greenwood appeared in several television commercials.   

Tom Clancy, the author of numerous best sellers, including “The Hunt for Red October” (his first book), “Red Storm Rising,” “Patriot Games,” “The Cardinal of the Kremlin” and “Clear and Present Danger,” died last week in Baltimore, Maryland.  He was 66.  Thomas Leo Clancy Jr. was born on April 12, 1947, in Baltimore.  He graduated in 1969 from Loyola College in Baltimore where he majored in English.  Prior to the release of “The Hunt for Red October,” Clancy was an insurance salesman.  After his success as an author, he became a part owner of the Baltimore Orioles.