College Football Week 13 – Can Baylor and Mizzou handle the pressure?
Miraculous catch, lucky catch
Anything you want, you got it

“Anything you need, you got it.
Anything at all, you got it.
Baby!”

Yes, it was another one of those wild and wacky weekends in college football – mind-blowing catches, last second wins, streaks broken, streaks extended, 339 yards rushing, “can’t catch a break” again, overtime games and a remarkable individual performance on both sides of the ball.  There was something for everybody.

Miraculous.  Lucky.  Call them what you want, there were two amazing and unbelievable catches Saturday.  The first one occurred in Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.  With less than two minutes remaining in the UCF-Temple game, the Owls led the Knights, 36-29.  At the 1:06 mark, UCF receiver J.J. Worton made an incredible, diving, one-handed catch in the left-corner of the end zone – touchdown Knights.  The ensuing extra point tied the score at 36-36.

Then after holding the Owls, UCF got the ball back on its own 19-yard line with no time outs.  A spectacular 64-yard pass play put the ball on the Temple six.  Quarterback Blake Bortles spiked the ball to stop the clock with 0:02 remaining.  Shawn Moffitt then kicked a 23-yard field goal as time expired and the Knights rallied to beat Temple, 39-36. 

The second miraculous catch occurred in Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.  This catch was even more amazing – and perhaps lucky – because there was no way it should have been or would have been caught.

Early in the fourth quarter, Auburn led Georgia, 37-17.  Then in the span of eight minutes, the Bulldogs scored three touchdowns and took a 38-37 lead with 1:49 remaining.  On fourth and 18 with less than a minute on the clock, Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall heaved a desperation pass down the field. 

The ball was coming down several feet short of its intended receiver – Auburn’s Ricardo Lewis.  It was falling into the hands of Georgia safety Josh Harvey-Clemons.  In his attempt to intercept the pass, Harvey-Clemons deflected the ball into the air and further down field, where it fell into Lewis’ hands.  Maintaining his balance, composure and focus, Lewis, who briefly bobbled the ball, held onto it, remained on his feet and scampered into the end zone.  Auburn 43, Georgia 38.

But hold on.  In the final 25 seconds of the game, Georgia moved the ball down field on the pin-point passing of Aaron Murray.  However, the Dawgs came up short of the end zone.  Auburn hung on to win, 43-38.

Northwestern’s misery continued Saturday as the Wildcats lost their sixth-straight game – this after a 4-0 start and a Top-25 ranking.  It was their fourth-straight loss by a few points and in the closing seconds.  A few weeks ago, Minnesota beat Northwestern, 20-17.  That was their third-straight loss.  Then Iowa beat the Wildcats, 17-10, in overtime.  Next, Nebraska beat Northwestern, 27-24, on a desperation Hail Mary pass as time expired. 

Saturday, Michigan beat the Wildcats, 27-19, in three overtimes.  This, after Michigan kicked a 44-yard field goal as time expired in regulation to tie the game at 9-9.  This week, Northwestern plays Michigan State (9-1).  The Wildcats just can’t catch a break.  Or can they?  Stay tuned.

Speaking of misery, how about Texas Tech?  The Red Raiders began the season at 7-0.  They since have lost four-straight games, the last three by an average of 23 points.  Saturday, Baylor beat Texas Tech, 63-34.  But Swamp Mama still loves Kliff Kingsbury.  She’s pulling a Tammy Wynette and standing by her man.     

Four teams ended long losing streaks to other teams on Saturday.  In Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia, Maryland beat Virginia Tech for the first time since 1990.  It took an overtime to do it, but the Terrapins beat the Hokies, 27-24 (OT). 

Down the road in Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, Duke pulled off one of the big stunners of the day.  The Blue Devils, with a strong ground attack (358 yards rushing), knocked off Miami (Florida) big time, 48-30.  It was only the second time Duke has beaten the Hurricanes and the first time since 1976.  The Blue Devils are 8-2 and sitting atop the Coastal Division of the ACC. 

In the Heartland, in Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, Michigan State got its first ever win over Nebraska.  Coming into the contest, the Spartans were 0-7 against the Huskers.  Saturday Michigan State beat Nebraska, 41-28.

On the Pacific Coast in the Los Angeles Coliseum, before a crowd of 93,000 plus, USC upset Stanford, beating the Cardinal for the first time since 2008.  Andre Heidari kicked a 47-yard field goal with 0:19 remaining and the Trojans beat Stanford, 20-17.  After a struggling start at 3-2 under Lane Kiffin, USC has gone 5-1 under Ed Orgeron, winning its last four in a row.         

Just the night before, only a few miles northeast of the Coliseum, UCLA freshman linebacker Myles Jack put on the performance of the weekend.  In the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Jack, as a linebacker, was not only in on several tackles, but, as a running back, he also scored four touchdowns for the Bruins.  UCLA beat Washington, 41-31.  Jack had 59 yards rushing on 13 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. 

And speaking of rushing, how about Boston College’s Andre Williams?  In Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Williams rushed for an amazing 339 yards, as the Eagles beat NC State, 38-21.  He averaged 8.1 yards per carry in the game.  On the season, Williams has rushed for 1,810 yards in 10 games.  

In a thriller in Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas, the Wildcats of Kansas State beat TCU, 33-31.  K-State’s Jack Cantele kicked a 41-yard field goal with 0:03 on the clock to win the game for the Wildcats.  After a 2-4 start, K-State has won four straight.  

In a strange game in Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, North Carolina led Pitt, 27-3 about halfway through the third quarter.  But the Panthers then scored 24 unanswered points in the span of 13 minutes and tied the Tar Heels, 27-27.  With 4:46 remaining in the game, North Carolina’s Ryan Switzer returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown and the Tar Heels bounced back to beat Pitt, 34-27. 

So as we head into Week 13, Alabama, Florida State and Ohio State are still 1, 2 and 3 respectively in the latest BCS poll.  Baylor has moved into the No. 4 spot, followed by Oregon at No. 5.  Stay tuned!

Six teams remain undefeated.  Along with Alabama (10-0), Baylor (9-0), Florida State (10-0) and Ohio State (10-0), Fresno State (9-0) and Northern Illinois (10-0) have spotless records. 

Conversely, after 12 weeks of football, five teams remain winless.  They are Connecticut, Georgia State, Hawaii, Miami (Ohio) and Southern Miss.

Swamp Mama and I had a great time Saturday eating, drinking and watching Maryland-Virginia Tech, Miami-Duke and Georgia-Auburn on television with Betty ‘The Duchess of Indialantic’ Pappas and Russ and Sandy Grunewald. 

My friend Tim Muth shared a funny story with me.  Tim and his family recently attended the Florida State-Wake Forest game in Winston-Salem.  Throughout the game, the stadium Jumbotron at BB&T Field ran commercials for Dominos Pizza, with the vocal message, “Remember Deacon fans bring your ticket to today’s game into any Dominos Pizza and get a free topping for every touchdown Wake Forest scores.”

At halftime, Florida State led 42-0 and the Jumbotron was still running the commercial – “Remember Deacon fans………free topping for every touchdown Wake Forest scores.”  After the third quarter, the score was 52-0, and still – “…….. free topping for every touchdown Wake Forest scores.”

Finally, in the fourth quarter and still down 52-0, Wake Forest was moving down the field approaching the Florida State goal line.  The “Free topping with every Wake Forest touchdown” message piped over the Jumbotron.  On fourth and goal, Wake Forest kicked a field goal instead of going for the touchdown. 

Tim said the fans booed.  Then the fans began chanting, “No free toppings.  No free toppings.” 

Meanwhile, someone said that fired Florida Atlantic coach Carl Pelini is going to become a Canadian citizen so he can run for the Mayor of Toronto.

“Anything at all, you got it.”

Touchdown Tom
November 18, 2013
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Swamp Mama is still standing by her man – Baylor 63, Texas Tech 34 (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 44, Texas Tech 25).  Eight minutes into the game, Texas Tech led 14-0.  Twelve minutes into the game the Red Raiders led 20-7.  It was all Baylor after that.  The teams combined for 1,133 yards of offense.  A crowd of 69,188 attended the game in Arlington. 

RUNNER UP:  Hornless in Austin – Oklahoma State 38, Texas 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 35, Texas 33).  The Longhorns were hampered by three turnovers.  Texas’ six-game winning streak came to an end.  A crowd of 99,739 attended the game in Austin. 

REST OF THE BEST:  There’s always a first time – Michigan State 41, Nebraska 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan State 19, Nebraska 14).  The Spartans beat the Huskers for the first time in eight tries.  Nebraska was hampered by five turnovers.  A crowd of 90,872 attended the game in Lincoln. 

Trojans uproot the Trees – USC 20, Stanford 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 28, USC 23).  The Trojans won the game in spite of only having 23 yards rushing.  Stanford suffered from three turnovers.  A crowd of 93,607 attended the game in Los Angeles.

The Tigers made their Mark – Auburn 43, Georgia 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Auburn 30, Georgia 26).  What a game!  What an ending!  You can’t script games like this.  This is what makes college football the most passionate and fun of all sports.  In spite of the loss, you had to admire Aaron Murray.  He played a heck of a game.  A crowd of 87,451 attended the game in Auburn.

Taking care of business – Louisville 20, Houston 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisville 31, Houston 20).  Louisville defense held Houston to 195 total yards – 121 yards passing, 74 rushing.  A crowd of 53,027 attended the game in Louisville.

Lynch, Lynch, he’s our man – Northern Illinois 48, Ball State 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Northern Illinois 35, Ball State 28).  A close game for three and a half quarters, Ball State led 24-20 at the half.  The score was tied 27-27 after three.  Then NIU went on a rampage and scored 21 unanswered points in the final six minutes of the game.  Huskies quarterback Jordan Lynch passed for 345 yards and ran for another 123 yards.  The teams combined for 1,063 yards of offense.  A crowd of 18,290 attended the game in DeKalb.

See, we’re not really as bad…… -- Clemson 55, Georgia Tech 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 30, Georgia Tech 20).  …..as Florida State made us look.  Ever since Clemson got pummeled by Florida State, the Tigers have made it a point to show they are a good football team.  Clemson took the lead early on and there was never a doubt about who was going to win this game.  Tajh Boyd passed for 340 yards.  A crowd of 75,324 attended the game in Clemson.

Football not just mayonnaise anymore – Duke 48, Miami (Florida) 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 25, Miami 24).  The Dookies are for real.  They are heading for the ACC title game against Florida State.  Uh oh!  The teams combined for 1,103 yards of offense.  The Dookies had 358 yards rushing.  A crowd of 30,044 attended the game in Durham.

Huskies got pounded by a Jack hammer – UCLA 41, Washington 31 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 34, Washington 26).  The Bruins jumped out to a 27-7 lead early in the second quarter.  The Huskies made it close, pulling within three points – 27-24 – early in the third quarter.  Then the Bruins took charge again, pulling out to a 41-24 lead early in the fourth quarter.  UCLA’s Myles Jack was amazing, playing both ways – linebacker and running back.  He had 59 yards rushing and scored four touchdowns for the Bruins.  A crowd of 68,106 attended the game in Pasadena.

Sun Devils pelt the Beavers – Arizona State 30, Oregon State 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona State 27, Oregon State 22).  Oregon State was hampered by five turnovers.  A crowd of 62,386 attended the game in Tempe.

Gettin’ sloppy with it – Alabama 20, Mississippi State 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 34, Miss State 19).  The Bama defense held the Bulldogs to 197 total yards – 144 yards passing, 53 rushing.  Alabama, surprisingly, had four turnovers in the game.  The Tide offense seemed a little laid back after the win over LSU.  A crowd of 57,211 attended the game in Starkville.

Holy Toledo! – Toledo 51, Buffalo 41 (Touchdown Tom said: Toledo 29, Buffalo 27).  Two different halves of football – Toledo led 31-0 at halftime.  Then Buffalo woke up and outscored the Rockets 41-20 in the second half.  The teams combined for 1,152 yards of offense.  A crowd of 15,036 attended the game in Toledo.

Where was Chris Christie? – Cincinnati 52, Rutgers 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Cincinnati 26, Rutgers 23).  What’s happened to Rutgers?  The score was 52-7 at one point.  The Knights have gone flat.  Cincinnati had 619 total yards – 507 passing.  A crowd of 40,870 attended the game in Piscataway.

Kush is looking more like his Nebraska days – Bowling Green 49, Ohio 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Bowling Green 28, Ohio 25).  The Falcons held the Bobcats to 172 yards – 116 passing and 56 rushing.  Ohio has been a big disappointment this season.  Bobcat coach Frank Kush seems to be going downhill.  A crowd of 8,527 attended the game in Bowling Green.


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

The Ducks are back – Oregon 44, Utah 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 33, Utah 18).  The Stanford loss puts Oregon atop the Pac-12 North.  And the Ducks are back in the thick of the BCS race.  A crowd of 56,481 attended the game in Eugene.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Crap – Kansas 31, West Virginia 19 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 27, Kansas 20).  When you recruit crap, you play like crap.  The only thing Dana Holgorsen has done for three years is recruit crap.  I can’t imagine there’s a high school player in the country who would want to play for Holgorsen – not one that’s worth a crap.  And it’s all the worse when his coaching staff doesn’t know what the crap they are doing.  Holgorsen is 6-13 in his last 19 games. I’m convinced that as long as Holgorsen is in Morgantown, the WVU football program will be crap.  And he’s making how much money?  And while I’m in a crappy mood, those uniforms look like crap.  A crowd of 30,809 attended the game in Lawrence.

Fourth quarter rally again – South Carolina 19, Florida 14 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 30, Florida 17).  In spite of all the adversity, the Gators gave the Gamecocks a good game.  The Gator defense played well.  The game plan for the offense almost worked.  It took the Gamecocks by surprise for a while.  Gamecock defense played good too.  Gamecock offense just wasn’t into the game.  A crowd of 83,853 attended the game in Columbia.

Conference doormat – Penn State 45, Purdue 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Penn State 31, Purdue 14).  This week it was Penn State’s turn to beat up on the Boilers.  The Nitts held the Boilers to 41 yards rushing.  A crowd of 96,491 attended the game in State College.

Week 12 Picks:   17 Correct, 2 Wrong (89.5 percent)
On the Season:    171 Correct, 55 Wrong (75.7 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Florida State walloped Syracuse, 59-3.  A crowd of 74,491 attended the game in Tallahassee….  UCF squeaked by Temple, 39-36.  A crowd of 20,174 attended the game in Philadelphia….  South Florida lost to Memphis, 23-10.  A crowd of 30,831 attended the game in Tampa….  Florida Atlantic beat Southern Miss, 41-7.  A crowd of 20,802 attended the game in Hattiesburg….  Florida International fell to UTEP, 33-10.  A crowd of 29,882 attended the game in El Paso.

Florida A&M lost to Delaware State, 29-21.  A crowd of 7,026 attended the game in Tallahassee….  Bethune-Cookman beat Hampton, 42-12.  A crowd of 4,104 attended the game in Daytona Beach….  Jacksonville U. defeated Stetson, 45-24.  A crowd of 2,983 attended the game in Jacksonville….  Florida Tech downed Webber International, 17-3.  A crowd of 2,641 attended the game in Melbourne. 


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Buffalo’s Joe Licata – 36-58-0 for 497 yards; Marshall’s Rakeem Cato – 33-58-1-456; Georgia’s Aaron Murray – 33-49-1-415; Cincinnati’s Brendon Kay – 24-38-0-405; UCF’s Blake Bortles – 27-38-0-404; Temple’s P.J. Walker – 26-44-1-382; Miami of Florida’s Stephen Morris – 30-49-1-379; Colorado’s Sefo Liufau – 23-36-1-364, and SMU’s Garrett Gilbert – 33-52-0-353.

Also, East Carolina’s Shane Carden – 21-31-2 for 347 yards; Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch – 26-32-0-345; Clemson’s Tajh Boyd – 20-26-1-340; Baylor’s Bryce Petty – 17-31-0-335; San Jose State’s David Fales – 28-43-0-326; Ball State’s Keith Wenning – 35-49-1-324; Washington State’s Connor Halliday – 39-53-1-313; Texas Tech’s Baker Mayfield – 28-51-1-314; Pitt’s Tom Savage – 23-38-0-313, and Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson – 20-28-0-302.   


Impressive Rushers:  Boston College’s Andre Williams – 339 yards; Colorado State’s Kapri Bibbs – 291 yards; Ohio State’s Carlos Hyde – 246 yards; Rice’s Charles Ross – 215 yards; Kansas’ James Sims – 211 yards; Wisconsin’s James White – 205 yards; Toledo’s Kareem Hunt – 186 yards, and Ohio State’s Braxton Miller – 184 yards.

Also, Arkansas State’s Michael Gordon – 184 yards; Tulsa’s Trey Watts – 169 yards; San Diego State’s Adam Muema – 163 yards; Alabama’s T.J. Yeldon – 160 yards; Stanford’s Tyler Gaffney – 158 yards; Ball State’s Jawon Edwards – 156 yards; Michigan State’s Jeremy Langford – 151 yards, and Hawaii’s Joey Iosefa – 150 yards.   


Quotes of the Week:

“I’m a thousand percent convinced that Will Muschamp is the guy to lead this football program.  Nothing has changed in what we feel about Will Muschamp from the day we hired him,” Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley. 

“I want the Gator Nation to know that I have full confidence in Coach Muschamp and his leadership of the football program,” Florida president Bernie Machen.

“The Dogs fantasize about a possible SEC East title.  Probably not happening.  They also believe the defense has turned the corner.  Maybe also fantasy.  Wins over the remains of Florida and Appalachian State don’t prove much,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Former Miss Alabama Katherine Webb is pushing her boyfriend, A.J. McCarron, for the Heisman Trophy.  Well, that should lock up the dirty old man vote,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Kentucky has lost 13 straight conference games and 16 of 20 overall.  Coach Mark Stoops sent a message to fans: ‘Stay with this team.’  I’m sure they’ll get the voicemail after the Final Four,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Nick is a friend and he’s done a tremendous job at Alabama.  Nick’s not trying to get my job.  I mean, I know Nick.  So I don’t have to worry about that.  And if I do my job, there won’t be any job to be open to get,” Texas coach Mack Brown.


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

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Baylor (9-0) at Oklahoma State (9-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – Baylor’s undefeated record could come to an end this week.  But if it doesn’t, the Bears should leap frog over Ohio State in the BCS poll.  I hope this game lives up to its billing.  It has the potential to be a dandy.  Cowboys delight – Oklahoma State 41, Baylor 40.

RUNNER UP:  2. Missouri (9-1) at Ole Miss (7-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 7:45 pm ET, Saturday) – Mizzou has two games left and they have to win both to claim the SEC East and play in the conference title game.  Ole Miss is the first one and the Rebels won’t be easy in Oxford.  One down and one to go – Missouri 26, Ole Miss 24.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Arizona State (8-2) at UCLA (8-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Fox, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – The battle for the Pac-12 South title.  ASU is sitting in the driver’s seat.  But the Devils must beat the Bruins.  It won’t happen – UCLA 34, Arizona State 33.

4. Wisconsin (8-2) at Minnesota (8-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Gophers have done well – very well – but they may have bitten off more than they can chew with Wisconsin.  The Badgers running attack is awesome.  Awesome wins – Wisconsin 28, Minnesota 27.

5. Texas A&M (8-2) at LSU (7-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – This game could make or break Johnny Manziel’s Heisman chances for 2013.  An Aggie win coupled with a star performance by the A&M quarterback could secure the trophy for Manziel.  Then again, a loss, especially a loss combined with a poor performance, and Manziel may just as well kiss the Heisman goodbye.  The Tigers won last year in College Station, 24-19.  The Aggies win this year in Baton Rouge – Texas A&M 35, LSU 33.   

6. Northern Illinois (10-0) at Toledo (7-3) – (MAC vs. MAC) (TV: ESPN2, 8 pm ET, Wednesday) – NIU has the MAC West title secured, but Toledo could spoil the Huskies perfect season and a potential BCS bowl spot.  Jordan Lynch still has a shot of making the Top 3 in the Heisman race, but he has to finish strong – very strong.  He does – Northern Illinois 35, Toledo 29.  

7. Oregon (9-1) at Arizona (6-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Ducks are back in the saddle again in the Pac-12 North and they don’t want to fall out.  Arizona could give them a battle in Tucson.  But the Wildcats won’t win the war – Oregon 40, Arizona 24.

8. BYU (7-3) at Notre Dame (7-3) – (Ind. vs. Ind.) (TV: NBC, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – This year’s Madrassa Bowl – the Mormons against the Catholics.  It all comes down to how well Taysom Hill plays for the Cougars and how well Tommy Rees plays for the Irish.  Regardless, both teams are going bowling.  Cougars out to score – BYU 22, Notre Dame 20.

9. Oklahoma (8-2) at Kansas State (6-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox Sports 1, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – K-State is on a four-game winning streak.  The Wildcats are vastly improved since the beginning of the season.  But the Sooners are playing well too – Oklahoma 31, Kansas State 23.

10. Cincinnati (8-2) at Houston (7-3) – (AAC vs. AAC) (TV: ESPN News, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Cincinnati is still in the hunt for the AAC title.  Houston isn’t, but the Cougars are spoilers – Houston 29, Cincinnati 26.

11. Michigan State (9-1) at Northwestern (4-6) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – If Northwestern loses, it will be the seventh-straight loss for the Wildcats.  The Spartans are playing awfully well.  But there may be a bit of a letdown after the win over Nebraska.  Spartans make it seven straight – Michigan State 29, Northwestern 22.

12. Nebraska (7-3) at Penn State (6-4) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – As long as the Huskers can hold onto the ball, they should bounce back this week.  The Nitts are no pushovers, but they aren’t that tough either.  Herbie plants some corn in Pennsylvania – Nebraska 30, Penn State 25. 

13. Michigan (7-3) at Iowa (6-4) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Both teams have had their share of close wins.  Figure this one is going to be close too – for whoever wins.  The Hawkeyes do – Iowa 23, Michigan 20.

14. Rutgers (5-4) at UCF (8-1) – (AAC vs. AAC) (TV: ESPN, 7:30 pm ET, Thursday) – After that scare from Temple you figure the Knights are going to let it loose this week – pour it on.  Everybody has been pouring it on Rutgers lately.  The Knights can taste the Sugar – UCF 32, Rutgers 18.

15. Boise State (7-3) at San Diego State (6-4) – (MWC vs. MWC) (TV: CBSSN, 10:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Looks like the Broncos are going to win their division and play Fresno State in the MWC title game.  But the Aztecs could be troublesome.  Not troublesome enough – Boise State 31, San Diego State 28. 


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

16. Boston College (6-4) at Maryland (6-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: FSN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Maryland has been up and down all season.  BC has been getting better all season.  The Eagles are still getting better – Boston College 32, Maryland 26.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Georgia Southern (6-4) at Florida (4-6) – (Southern vs. SEC) (TV: Local Cable, 2 pm ET, Saturday) – The Gators should safely put this one in the win column.  It could be a good time to experiment prior to the Florida State encounter.  Albert finally gets some Georgia chow (just not the Bulldog kind) – Florida 30, Georgia Southern 16.

Duke (8-2) at Wake Forest (4-6) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – After that big win over Miami, I can see the Dookies blowing it this week.  The Deacons may catch the Dookies still celebrating.  Regardless, it should be a good week for free toppings on your Dominos pizza in Winston-Salem.  Dookies hang in there – Duke 31, Wake Forest 27.

Kentucky (2-8) at Georgia (6-4) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPNU, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Kentucky is winless in SEC play.  Uga takes out his Auburn frustrations on the Wildcats.  Kentucky remains winless in SEC play – Georgia 32, Kentucky 15.

Illinois (3-7) at Purdue (1-9) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – This week it is the Banned Indians turn to beat up on Purdue.  Problem is – the Banned Indians haven’t been beating up on anybody themselves.  That means the Boilers might have a chance.  A chance in hell – Illinois 35, Purdue 30.

West Virginia (4-7) is off.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Florida State (10-0) hosts Idaho (1-9) – (ACC vs. Ind.) (TV: ESPNU, 3:30 pm Et, Saturday). ….  Miami (7-3) is hosting Virginia (2-8) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 12 noon ET, Saturday). ….  South Florida (2-7) entertains SMU (4-5) – (AAC vs. AAC) (TV: None, 7 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Florida Atlantic (4-6) is home against New Mexico State (1-9) – (C-USA vs. Ind.) (TV: None, 3 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida International (1-9) is home playing Marshall (7-3) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) (TV: Local Cable, 6 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Florida A&M (3-8) tangles with Bethune-Cookman (9-2) in Orlando – (MEAC vs. MEAC) (TV: ESPN Classic, 2 pm ET, Saturday). ….  Stetson (2-8) visits Mercer (9-2) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) (TV: None, 4 pm ET, Saturday).

Jacksonville U. (5-6) and Florida Tech (4-7) have completed their seasons. 


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Virginia Tech athletic director Jim Weaver announced his retirement, effective December 31, 2013.  Weaver is retiring due to health reasons….  Texas A&M and Rice have agreed to a two-game, home-and-home series to be played in 2014 and 2019….  Virginia Tech and Old Dominion have agreed to a seven-game series to be played between 2017 and 2025.  Four of the games will be in Blacksburg and the other three in Norfolk.  

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but as the regular season was coming to a climax and Thanksgiving turkeys and pumpkin pies were almost in the oven, the number one song in the country…

…70 years ago this week in 1943 was “Paper Doll” by The Mills Brothers

…65 years ago this week in 1948 was “Buttons And Bows” by Dinah Shore

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

…55 years ago this week in 1958 was “Tom Dooley” by The Kingston Trio

…50 years ago this week in 1963 was “Deep Purple” by Nino Tempo and April Stevens

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

…40 years ago this week in 1973 was “Photograph” by Ringo Starr

…35 years ago this week in 1978 was “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer

…30 years ago this week in 1983 was “All Night Long (All Night)” by Lionel Richie

…25 years ago this week in 1988 was “Bad Medicine” by Bon Jovi

…20 years ago this week in 1993 was “I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)” by Meat Loaf


Not directly college football related, but sadly there were two passings of note last week – Todd Christensen and Mike McCormack.

Todd Christensen, a record-setting tight end for the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders who made five Pro Bowl teams and played on two Super Bowl champions, died last week in Murray, Utah.  He was 57.  Christensen played 10 seasons on the Raiders, from 1979 to 1988.  From 1983 to 1986, he was one of the best tight ends in the NFL.  Christensen played fullback at BYU.  Todd Jay Christensen was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, on August 3, 1956.  His father taught at Penn State and later at the University of Oregon in Eugene, where Christensen went to high school. 

Mike McCormack, a Hall of Fame tackle for the Cleveland Browns in the 1950s and early 1960s and then became an NFL coach and executive, died last week in Palm Desert, California.  He was 83.  McCormick played college football at Kansas and was a third-round pick in the 1951 NFL draft.  He played for the Browns from 1954 to 1962, mostly at offensive tackle.  The Browns won the NFL championship in 1954 and 1955.  Michael Joseph McCormack Jr. was born on June 21, 1930, in Chicago.  He was head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1975 and the Baltimore Colts in 1980 and 1981.  But he never had a winning season.  McCormick became the president and general manager of the Seattle Seahawks in 1983 and later was the president of the Carolina Panthers.