College Football Week 9 – Tide-Noles in BCS Title Game?
Déjà vu, Shakeup II

It began Friday night when unranked UCF, trailing 28-7 late in the fourth quarter, rallied to upset eighth-ranked Louisville, 38-35.  It ended Saturday night with fifth-ranked Florida State pulverizing third-ranked Clemson, 51-14.  Along the way, seven other ranked teams took a tumble. 

In all, nine Top 25 teams were beaten over the weekend.  This marked the second-straight week that several teams in the Top 25 were knocked off.  Last week, no less than seven ranked teams fell.

Without a doubt, the biggest shakeup over the weekend occurred in the SEC where five – count ’em – five ranked teams – Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Texas A&M and LSU – were upset Saturday.  The SEC shockers began in Nashville, where unranked Vanderbilt rallied in the fourth quarter to upset 15th-ranked Georgia, 31-27.  Trailing the Bulldogs 27-14 at the end of the third quarter, the Commodores scored 17 unanswered points in the final period.

The shakeup continued in Knoxville with unranked Tennessee knocking off 11th-ranked South Carolina, 23-21.  Down 21-17 at the end of the third quarter, the Volunteers kicked two field goals in the final period – the second field goal as time expired – to beat the Gamecocks.  In Columbia, 14th-ranked Missouri jumped out to a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter and never looked back, upsetting 22nd-ranked Florida, 36-17.  The Tigers were higher-ranked, but the Gators were favored in the game.

In a wild one in College Station, the bedlam continued with unranked Auburn stunning seventh-ranked Texas A&M 45-41.  It was a game where the lead changed hands seven times.  The Tigers finally pulled it out, scoring a touchdown with 1:19 remaining in the game.  And if those four SEC upsets weren’t enough, Ole Miss had another shakeup in store for us.  Saturday night in Oxford, the unranked Rebels upset sixth-ranked LSU, 27-24.

Ole Miss led throughout most of the game, holding a 17-0 lead halfway through the third quarter.  But LSU rallied to tie the score at 24-24 with 3:19 remaining in the game.  In the closing three minutes, the Rebels drove down the field and kicked a 41-yard field goal with just two seconds on the clock.  
   
The other two ranked teams losing Saturday were UCLA and Washington.  The ninth-ranked Bruins fell to Stanford, 24-10, and the 20th-ranked Huskies lost big time to Arizona State, 53-24.

Two ranked teams – Miami (Florida) and Texas Tech –  had close calls, both pulling out their wins in the final quarter.  The Hurricanes trailed North Carolina 23-13 early in the fourth quarter.  Miami then scored two touchdowns – the second with 0:16 remaining – to rally and beat the Tar Heels, 27-23.

In Morgantown, Texas Tech trailed West Virginia 27-16 late in the third quarter.  The Red Raiders then scored 21 unanswered points to pull out a 37-27 win over the Mountaineers. 

Four teams lost for the first time this season – Clemson, Houston, Louisville and UCLA.  Of the four, only Houston wasn’t ranked.  But the Cougars were knocking on the door.  That is until Saturday when Houston lost to BYU in a thriller, 47-46.

In a tightly contested game, Houston led at the half, 38-34 and 46-41 late in the game.  But with 1:08 left on the clock, BYU scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Taysom Hill to Skyler Ridley and held on to win.   

So after eight weeks of football, we are now down to 10 undefeated teams – Alabama, Baylor, Florida State, Fresno State, Miami (Florida), Missouri, Northern Illinois, Ohio State, Oregon and Texas Tech.  All 10 of the undefeated teams play this weekend.  But barring any big upsets, only Missouri, Oregon and Texas Tech face stiff competition.  Missouri hosts South Carolina and Oregon hosts UCLA.  Texas Tech is the most vulnerable.  The Red Raiders travel to Oklahoma.  Stay tuned!

In the weekend’s only overtime game, Toledo outlasted Navy in two overtimes, 45-44.  After jumping out to a 4-0 start, Northwestern has now lost three-straight games.  Saturday, the Wildcats fell to Minnesota, 20-17.

Georgia Tech is off to a strange season.  After winning their first three games, the Yellow Jackets then lost three straight.  Saturday, Tech bounced back big time, beating Syracuse, 56-0.  Then there is Duke.  The Dookies (5-2) are only one win away from going to their second-straight bowl game.  Trailing Virginia 22-0 late in the second quarter, Duke rallied to score 35 unanswered points and beat the Cavaliers, 35-22.

Baylor’s back at it.  After being held below 70 points last week, the Bears bounced back, beating Iowa State, 71-7.  Also making the “60 plus” club were Michigan, beating Indiana, 63-47, and Oregon, beating Washington State, 62-38.

The first BCS poll is out and no surprise at No. 1 – Alabama.  The surprise is No. 2 – Florida State.  Oregon is No. 3.  But we still have a few weeks of football to play.  Stay tuned!

It’s early, but eight weeks into the season three coaches who deserve consideration for “Coach of the Year” are Missouri’s Gary Pinkel, Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury and Auburn’s Gus Malzahn. 

In case you missed it, the selection committee for the four-team playoff, beginning next season, was named last week.  Chairing the committee is Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long.  The other 12 members consist of four more athletic directors – West Virginia’s Oliver Luck, Wisconsin’s Barry Alvarez, Clemson’s Dan Radakovich and USC’s Pat Haden.  Also, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; retired Lt. General Michael Gould; former Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese; former college coaches Tom Osborne and Tyrone Willingham; former NFL and Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning; former NCAA vice president Tom Jernstedt, and former USA Today sports writer Steve Wieberg.

Somewhere, someplace, Pat Dye and David Pollack are crying over their beers.
 
“Swamp Mama, we have a problem.  The Texas Tech-West Virginia and Florida-Missouri games are on television at the same time.”

That’s what I told Swamp Mama late last week.  But she said she’d be generous and let me watch the Mountaineers.  “No biggie.”  Then it dawned on me, Swamp Mama was being generous all right – generous to herself.  She wanted to watch Texas Tech-West Virginia.  More specifically, she wanted to watch Kliff Kingsbury.

I couldn’t believe it.  In Swamp Mama’s preference of favorite things, Kliff Kingsbury has taken precedence over the Gators.  Then, watching the game, I realized Swamp Mama wasn’t even cheering for West Virginia.  Not only is Florida second fiddle to Kliff Kingsbury, but so am I. 

That’s it.  I’m joining a gym today and starting a high-energy, rigorous workout routine.  Anything to make me look like Kliff.  You don’t think it’s too late, do ya? 

Maybe some cosmetic surgery?  And, I’ll need the shades.

I truly believe if Texas Tech was playing Florida, Swamp Mama would cheer for Texas Tech.  I seriously hope Florida State never hires a sexy coach.  

Touchdown Tom
October 21, 2013
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK:  The Tajh was no Mahal – Florida State 51, Clemson 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 33, Florida State 27).  Maybe Jadeveon Clowney was right.  The defense can see the fear in Tajh Boyd’s eyes.  This was Boyd’s game to go out a champion.  He was the senior.  He was the experienced quarterback.  He was a flop.  Jameis Winston won the battle of the quarterbacks.  Winston did just about everything except walk on water.  He may do that on November 30 when he comes to The Swamp.  A crowd of 83,428 attended the game in Clemson.

RUNNER UP:  Bears can’t climb these Trees – Stanford 24, UCLA 10 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 30, Stanford 26).  Stanford definitely has UCLA’s number.  But these two could meet again in the Pac-12 title game.  The Cardinal was balanced – running and passing.  Tyler Gaffney rushed for 172 yards.  The Bruins had no ground game and it wasn’t Brett Hundley’s night.  A crowd of 51,424 attended the game in Palo Alto.

REST OF THE BEST:  Knights raid the Birds’ nest – UCF 38, Louisville 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisville 27, UCF 24).  I changed channels when Louisville went up 28-7.  Switched back to the game later and couldn’t believe my eyes.  UCF was winning, 31-28.  Teddy Bridgewater was good, but the Cardinals had no ground game.  A crowd of 55,215 attended the game in Louisville.

Later Gator – Missouri 36, Florida 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Missouri 22, Florida 17).  All of a sudden Tyler Murphy is starting to look like Jeff Driskel.  And the Gator defense is looking like the Sugar Bowl game against Louisville.  And Will Muschamp is looking like Will Mustake.  Mizzou had 500 yards of offense to Florida’s mere 151.  A crowd of 67,124 attended the game in Columbia.

What a surprise – Auburn 45, Texas A&M 41 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 35, Auburn 24).  Can you believe what Gus Malzahn has done for this Auburn team?  Unbelievable!  Neither Auburn nor Texas A&M has a defense.  The teams combined for 1,217 yards of offense.  But A&M’s was all passing.  Auburn was balanced – passing and running.  Johnny Manziel threw two interceptions.  A crowd of 87,165 attended the game in College Station.

No holiday for Halliday – Oregon 62, Washington State 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 57, Washington State 26).  These teams combined for 1,278 yards of offense.  But the Cougars only had 2 yards rushing.  Connor Halliday threw four interceptions.  Marcus Mariota is definitely a top-two contender for the Heisman.  Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti called Mike Leach “low class.”  A crowd of 56,949 attended the game in Eugene.

Houston couldn’t take the Hill – BYU 47, Houston 46 (Touchdown Tom said: BYU 34, Houston 22).  These two combined for 1,164 yards of offense.  But Houston only had 48 yards rushing.  Taysom Hill passed for 417 yards and rushed for 128.  Houston lost for the first time this season.  A crowd of 33,115 attended the game in Houston.

Dana’s delirium – Texas Tech 37, West Virginia 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas Tech 31, West Virginia 30).  The Mountaineers defense can stop the run, but they are pathetic against the pass.  Just as bad, if not worse, than last year’s defense.  The frustration continues in Morgantown.  A crowd of 54,084 attended the game in Morgantown.

Bo-dacious – Ole Miss 27, LSU 24 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 27, Ole Miss 20).  Zach Mettenberger threw three interceptions.  The Rebels outrushed and out-passed the Tigers.  Bo Wallace was near perfect.  A crowd of 61,160 attended the game in Oxford.

Hog slaughter – Alabama 52, Arkansas 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 30, Arkansas 12).  Bret Bielema has a big rebuilding job on his hands at Arkansas.  Meanwhile, all continues to go right for Alabama.  You get the feeling the Tide hasn’t been tested.  A crowd of 101,821 attended the game in Tuscaloosa.

Huskies have gone to the dogs – Arizona State 53, Washington 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona State 33, Washington 32).  After starting 4-0, Washington suffered its third-straight loss.  The Sun Devil defense held the Huskies to -5 yards rushing.  Bishop Sankey was held to 22  yards.  ASU’s Marion Grice rushed for 158 yards.  A crowd of 60,057 attended the game in Tempe.

Cocky was a little Rocky – Tennessee 23, South Carolina 21 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 26, Tennessee 23).  Bad day for the Gamecocks quarterbacks.  Spurrier must be frustrated.  Butch Jones is definitely making some progress at Tennessee.  No one can take the Vols for granted.  A crowd of 95,736 attended the game in Knoxville.

Looked like a Lane Kiffin offense – Notre Dame 14, USC 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 30, USC 23).  All the scoring was in the first half.  The defenses looked good.  The offenses looked bad.  A crowd of 80,975 attended the game in South Bend.

Devin was heaven – Michigan 63, Indiana 47 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 36, Indiana 26).  The teams combined for 1,323 yards of offense.  The Hoosiers know how to score, but they can’t keep anybody from scoring on them.  A close game until midway through the fourth quarter – Michigan led 49-47.  Then the Wolverines ran away with it, scoring two touchdowns in the final six minutes.  Devin Gardner passed for 503 yards.  A crowd of 109,503 attended the game in Ann Arbor.

Wildcats mute the Ute – Arizona 35, Utah 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona 30, Utah 28).  The difference was Ka’Deem Carey.  The Wildcat rushed for 236 yards.  A crowd of 50,871 attended the game in Tucson.

Cowboys feast on Frog legs – Oklahoma State 24, TCU 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 26, TCU 19).  Sloppy game.  Both teams suffered four turnovers.  TCU held Okie State to 95 yards rushing.  A crowd of 59,638 attended the game in Stillwater.


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

Banned Indians can’t cut the Cheese – Wisconsin 56, Illinois 32 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 30, Illinois 21).  The Banned Indians began the year with some promise, but it hasn’t come to fruition.  Surprised the Badger defense gave up 32 points.  But they did contain Illinois to 72 yards rushing.  A crowd of 47,362 attended the game in Champaign.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Dookies bomb London – Duke 35, Virginia 22 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia 30, Duke 29).  Once the Dookies got the first half behind them, they were okay.  Duke scored 28 of its 35 points in the second half.  And the 7 first-half points were scored with 0:46 seconds left on the clock in the second quarter.  The Dookies shutout the Cavs in the second half.  A crowd of 39,071 attended the game in Charlottesville.

Dawgs got anchored – Vanderbilt 31, Georgia 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 32, Vanderbilt 26).  What’s happened to Aaron Murray?  That guy has gone downhill.  The Dawgs suffered their second-straight loss.  You can’t take Vandy like candy any more.  A crowd of 40,350 attended the game in Nashville.

A little Spartan on offense – Michigan State 14, Purdue 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan State 32, Purdue 17).  Now this must have been a boring game to watch.  We know Purdue has no defense and the Spartans could only muster 14 points.  A crowd of 71,514 attended the game in West Lafayette.

Week 8 Picks:   12 Correct, 8 Wrong (60.0 percent)
On the Season:  114 Correct, 37 Wrong (75.5 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Miami rallied to beat North Carolina, 27-23.  A crowd of 56,000 attended the game in Chapel Hill….  Florida A&M lost to Howard, 21-10.  A crowd of 15,342 attended the game in Tallahassee.

Bethune-Cookman downed Savannah State, 48-21.  A crowd of 4,693 attended the game in Daytona Beach….  Jacksonville U. edged Campbell, 52-45.  A crowd of 2,750 attended the game in Buies Creek….  Florida Tech rallied to beat Shorter, 28-24.  A crowd of 4,000 attended the game in Melbourne.


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Michigan’s Devin Gardner – 21-29-0 for 503 yards; Oregon State’s Sean Mannion – 35-45-0-481; Texas Tech’s Davis Webb – 36-50-0-462; Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel – 28-38-2-454; Florida State’s Jameis Winston – 22-34-1-444; Fresno State’s Derek Carr – 33-48-0-412; Ohio’s Tyler Tettleton – 23-30-1-375; Ole Miss’ Bo Wallace – 30-39-0-346, and Baylor’s Bryce Petty – 23-31-0-343.

Also, Louisiana Tech’s Ryan Higgins – 36-54-2 for 343 yards; Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater – 29-38-0-341; Oregon’s Marcus Mariota – 23-32-0-327; Ball State’s Keith Wenning – 25-37-0-324; SMU’s Garrett Gilbert – 27-43-1-321; East Carolina’s Shane Carden – 30-37-0-308; Cincinnati’s Brendon Kay – 17-24-0-300; North Carolina’s Bryn Renner – 28-36-1-297, and Missouri’s Maty Mauk – 18-36-1-295.


Impressive Rushers:  Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch – 316 yards; Eastern Michigan’s Bronson Hill – 257 yards; Pitt’s Isaac Bennett – 240 yards; Ka’Deem Carey – 236 yards; Boise State’s Jay Ajayi – 222 yards; Buffalo’s Branden Oliver – 216 yards; Colorado State’s Kapri Bibbs – 201 yards; Oregon’s Byron Marshall – 192 yards, and Auburn’s Tre Mason – 178 yards.

Also, Texas State’s Robert Lowe – 177 yards; Stanford’s Tyler Gaffney – 171 yards; Rice’s Charles Ross – 167 yards; Arizona State’s Marion Grice – 158 yards; Western Kentucky’s Antonio Andrews – 154 yards; Toledo’s David Fluellen – 153 yards; Navy’s Noah Copeland – 153 yards, and Michigan’s Fitzgerald Toussaint – 151 yards.  


Quotes of the Week

“This young man is as good as anybody we’ve ever had.  Maybe as a freshman, that’s asking too much, but before he leaves here.  And he might do it this year,” former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, on FSU quarterback Jameis Winston.

“Personally, I don’t have a problem with anybody on the committee – least of all former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“I understand there’s a group of self-proclaimed football MENSA candidates (Pat Dye, Bobby Bowden, David Pollack) who believe Condoleezza Rice, because she never played the game, and, even worse, is a GIRL, has no place on the committee.  Did I miss something?  Are we asking Condi to run a cone drill or call plays?,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“As former San Francisco 49ers center and guard Randy Cross, who got a little dirty now and then, once told me: ‘It’s football.  It’s not rocket science.’  But in rocket science, I think I would also take Condoleezza Rice over Pat Dye,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Florida State at Clemson: In science, there are two absolutes: a Peep in the microwave will balloon to the size of Mike Krzyzewski’s head and what goes up eventually morphs into Clemson and comes down.  The Tigers are 6-0 at home, but underdogs.  ‘Ain’t nobody going to skin us or eat us alive,’ said Dabo Swinney.  And then somebody closed the microwave door,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“You can’t take care of UCF at home?  Bye, bye!,” ESPN’s David Pollack, on Louisville being overrated.


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

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Texas Tech (7-0) at Oklahoma (6-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Well, we know what game Swamp Mama will be watching at 3:30 on Saturday.  The Red Raiders will have their hands full with the Sooners.  The hotter coach wins – Texas Tech 29, Oklahoma 25. 

RUNNER UP:  2. UCLA (5-1) at Oregon (7-0) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Oregon has to be pissed that Florida State is ahead of them in the BCS poll.  That can only mean trouble for UCLA.  The Ducks will want to run it up and pour it on.  Marcus quacks, Brett cracks – Oregon 40, UCLA 34.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. South Carolina (5-2) at Missouri (7-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN2, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Will it be Mizzou against Bama in the SEC title game?  Not if Spurrier has anything to do about it.  The Tigers are definitely a hot team.  Still unbeaten – Missouri 26, South Carolina 24.

4. Stanford (6-1) at Oregon State (6-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN, 10:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Just as Utah was a trap game for Stanford, so too could be this game.  The Cardinal came off a big win against UCLA.  They are on the road in this one just as they were against Utah.  Beavers show some teeth – Oregon State 27, Stanford 25.

5. Penn State (4-2) at Ohio State (7-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – The Buckeyes are still hoping to make it to the BCS title game.  But it doesn’t look good.  They simply don’t play anybody.  The Bucks gotta hope the teams above them lose.  I can’t see Ohio State losing unless it is to Michigan.  The Nitts won’t be a problem – Ohio State 34, Penn State 20.

6. Tennessee (4-3) at Alabama (7-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Vols showed some life against South Carolina.  But this is Alabama.  The Tide will take the life out of the Vols.  Tide gives Davey Crocket a bath – Alabama 28, Tennessee 17.

7. Clemson (6-1) at Maryland (5-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Clemson has to be hurtin’ after that smacking the Tigers took from Florida State.  They may come out a little weak against the Terps.  But they should get their swagger back.  Tigers make tracks in College Park – Clemson 36, Maryland 34.

8. Duke (5-2) at Virginia Tech (6-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Dookies have been playing good, but not that good.  Not good enough to handle the Hokies defense.  Hokies make eggs out of the Devils – Virginia Tech 27, Duke 15.

9. Nebraska (5-1) at Minnesota (5-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Nebraska is coming off an open week.  Open weeks seem to do a world of good for the Huskers.  It gives Bo time to get the Corn fertilized.  The Gophers never seem to play well in this game.  No reason to believe they will this time.  Herbie’s corn is stronger than the Goldy’s aquavit – Nebraska 32, Minnesota 17.

10. Boise State (5-2) at BYU (5-2) – (MWC vs. Ind.) (TV: ESPN, 8 pm ET, Friday) – The Broncos got off to a slow start, but they seem to have gotten their act together.  Both teams can score and neither has a great defense.  But the Broncos defense is better.  Cougars can’t ride the Horses – Boise State 29, BYU 28. 

11. Houston (5-1) at Rutgers (4-2) – (AAC vs. AAC) (TV: ESPN News, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Houston won’t have anything left in them after that wild loss to BYU.  All the while, Rutgers was enjoying an off week.  Chivalry exists in Piscataway – Rutgers 28, Houston 22.

12. NC State (3-3) at Florida State (6-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Wolfpack has been known to be troublesome for the Noles.  But this year, the Wolves are more trouble for themselves.  And Jameis Winston will only add to their troubles.  Noles aren’t afraid of any Wolf – Florida State 33, NC State 16. 

13. Michigan State (6-1) at Illinois (3-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Spartans are playing good defense.  But their offense is a little strange.  However, the Banned Indians have a terrible defense.  Sparty gets farty – Michigan State 30, Illinois 19.

14. Vanderbilt (4-3) at Texas A&M (5-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: SEC Network, 12:20 pm ET, Saturday) – Vandy better enjoy that win over Georgia all it can.  Because there won’t be anything for the Commodores to enjoy this week.  Johnny steals the Commodores rum – Texas A&M 35, Vanderbilt 19.

15. Utah (4-3) at USC (4-3) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Pac-12 Network, 4 pm ET, Saturday) – The Trojans still have problems on offense, especially against a good defense.  The Utes don’t have that good of a defense.  Both teams still trying to find themselves.  Utes don’t have a horse – USC 30, Utah 18.


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

16. Texas (4-2) at TCU (3-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox Sports 1, 7:30 pm ET, Saturday) – After the big win over Oklahoma, the Longhorns have their eyes set on winning out.  That means going undefeated in the Big 12.  They get off to a good start against the Frogs.  Bevo hooks ’em – Texas 23, TCU 14.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

West Virginia (3-4) at Kansas State (2-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox Sports 1, 3:45 pm ET, Saturday) – The Mountaineers still have too many issues.  The problems aren’t getting solved.  Meanwhile, the Wildcats had the week off.  They’ll be prepared.  Cats have a Wild time – Kansas State 33, West Virginia 23.

Florida (4-3), Georgia (4-3) and Purdue (1-6) are off.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Miami (6-0) hosts Wake Forest (4-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 12 noon ET, Saturday). ….  UCF (5-1) entertains Connecticut (0-6) – (AAC vs. AAC) (TV: Local Cable, 12 noon ET, Saturday). ….  South Florida (2-4) is home against Louisville (6-1) – (AAC vs. AAC) (TV: ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday). ….  Florida Atlantic (2-5) visits Auburn (6-1) – (C-USA vs. SEC) (TV: FSN, 7:30 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Florida International (1-5) hosts Louisiana Tech (2-5) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) (TV: None, 6 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida A&M (2-5) entertains North Carolina A&T (3-3) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) (TV: None, 2 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Bethune-Cookman (6-1) is home against South Carolina State (5-2) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) (TV: None, 4 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Jacksonville U. (3-4) hosts Davidson (0-7) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Stetson (1-5) travels to Marist (4-3) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Florida Tech (2-5) entertains Warner (0-8) – (Gulf South vs. Ind.) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday). 


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Nebraska and Oregon have scheduled a two-game, home-and-home series to be played in 2016 and 2017….  Illinois announced a two-game, home-and-home series against Kansas to be played in 2019 and 2020, and a two-game, home-and-home series against Virginia to be played in 2021 and 2022….  Indiana announced a two-game, home-and-home series against Wake Forest to be played in 2015 and 2016.

Iowa added Wyoming to its 2017 schedule.  The game will be played in Iowa City….  Maryland added Towson to its 2020 schedule.  The game will be played in College Park….  Michigan State has added Air Force to its 2015 schedule.  The game will be played in East Lansing….  Penn State and LSU have agreed to play at a neutral site in 2020.

Michigan has added UCF to its 2016 schedule, Air Force to its 2017 schedule, and Ball State and SMU to its 2018 schedule.  The games will be played in Ann Arbor.  Meanwhile, Michigan and UCLA have agreed to a two-game, home-and-home series to be played in 2022 and 2023.  Also, Michigan and Florida have agreed to a game in 2017 to be played at a neutral site.    

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but as the days were getting shorter, the nights were getting colder, the leaves were falling, the frost was on the pumpkins, and Halloween was just around the corner, 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 “St. George and the Dragonet” by Stan Freberg

…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 “Angie” by The Rolling Stones

…35 years ago this week in 1978 was “Hot Child in the City” by Nick Gilder

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

…25 years ago this week in 1988 was “Red, Red Wine” by UB40

…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 – Ed Lauter, Bum Phillips and Don James.

Ed Lauter, a character actor best-known for his role as the brutal prison guard and Burt Reynolds’ nemesis in the 1974 comedy-drama “The Longest Yard,” died last week in West Hollywood, California.  He was 74.  Lauter’s other numerous movies included “Family Plot,” “Death Wish 3,” “The Artist,” “Born on the Fourth of July,” “The New Centurions,” “My Blue Heaven,” “Revenge of the Nerds II,” “Not Another Teen Movie,” “Trouble With the Curve” and the remake of “The Town That Dreaded Sundown.”  His television credits included “The Office,” “ER,” “Murder, She Wrote” and “The Rockford Files.”  Edward Mathew Lauter was born on October 30, 1938, in Long Beach, New York.  After serving in the Army, he appeared on Broadway in “The Great White Hope” with James Earl Jones.

Bum Phillips, the homespun Texan who built the Houston Oilers into one of the NFL’s leading teams in the late 1970s, died last week at his ranch in Goliad, Texas.  He was 90.  Phillips became the Oilers coach and general manager in 1975.  In 1981, Phillips was hired as the coach and general manager of the New Orleans Saints.  Oail Andrew Phillips was born on September 29, 1923, in Orange, Texas.  He played football at Lamar College (now Lamar University) in Beaumont, Texas, served in the Marines during World War II and finished his college, playing football for Stephen F. Austin State College (now University) in Nacogdoches, Texas.  He graduated in 1949 and became a high school football coach in Texas.  Phillips was the head coach of Texas Western (now UTEP) in 1962.  He was 55-35 with the Oilers, who became the Tennessee Titans in 1997, and he was 27-42 with the Saints.  His son Wade is the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans.   

Don James, the long-time Washington coach who led the Huskies to a share of the 1991 national title, died at his home in Seattle yesterday.  He was 80.  James was 176-78-3 at Kent State and Washington.  He coached the Huskies from 1975 to 1992 (153-58-2).  He took Washington to six Rose Bowl games.  At Kent State, James led the Golden Flashes to the 1972 Mid-American Conference title.  Don James was born on December 31, 1932 in Massillon, Ohio.  He graduated from Miami (Florida) where he was quarterback for the Hurricanes in the early 1950s.