College Football Week 9 – UCF’s O’Leary, Miami’s Golden are out
Slobberknockers? Bumfuzzles?
New terminology in college football

For several years, it was smash mouth – smash-mouth football. The analysts, commentators and sportscasters used to say, “Those two teams play smash-mouth football.” Or, “That’s going to be a smash-mouth football game.”

Now days, it seems like all I hear is slobberknocker – a slobberknocker game. According to the analysts, commentators and sportscasters, every big game is going to be a “slobberknocker.” You know here in Florida we have a fish called stumpknocker. But I digress. That’s another story.

I assumed slobberknocker meant that when the opposing lines collide, the players are going to hit so hard they will slobber all over each other.

Another term I began hearing this year is bumfuzzle. If a defensive back totally misses his coverage, the sportscaster says, “He was bumfuzzled.” Or he says, “That was bumfuzzle coverage.” Or, “The receiver bumfuzzled the defensive back.”

Also, if an offensive play goes totally wrong, the sportscaster says, “The offense was bumfuzzled on that play.” Or he says, “That was a bumfuzzle play.”

After hearing the terms used recently, I decided to check the dictionary to see if they are valid words. Sure enough they are.

Slobbberknocker is defined as a southern colloquial term used in football to describe a hard, violent collision between two teams or between two or more players on the field. A game that features especially intense or bloodthirsty competition. A violent physical competition.

So they used to say “barn burner,” “donnybrook,” or “smash mouth.” Now they say “slobberknocker.”

But you have to be very careful how you use the word. It takes on a wholly different meaning when you put an “ed” on the end of slobberknocker.

Slobberknockered is defined as a southern colloquial term describing one who has had too much to drink.

So I guess at that wedding reception in Las Vegas two weeks ago I was a little bit slobberknockered? No, not me.

Then I checked out bumfuzzle.

Bumfuzzle is defined as a southern colloquial term that means confusing, perplexing or flustering. Or, depending on how it’s used – to confuse, to perplex or to fluster.

Now, unlike slobberknocker, there is nothing confusing, perplexing or flustering when you put an “ed” on the end of bumfuzzle. It still means the same thing – only past tense.

Bumfuzzled – Confused, perplexed or flustered.

And I guess something could be bumfuzzling, or somebody could be a bumfuzzler. I don’t know. I’m confused, perplexed and flustered.

I’m sure there are days when Swamp Mama would like to call me bumfuzzle. No, not me.

Well, as you can imagine, we had a number of slobberknocker games and bumfuzzle teams over the weekend.

Arkansas coach Brett Bielema and Tennessee coach Butch Jones are slobberknockers. They just exude slobberknocker. They have slobberknocker written all over them. Former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez was another slobberknocker.

Saturday, Bielema’s Arkansas team had a slobberknocker of a game against Auburn. The Razorbacks and the Tigers not only played four quarters, they played four overtimes on top of that. Arkansas led 14-0 early in the second quarter. But Auburn fought its way back to a 14-14 tie early in the third quarter.

Arkansas went up 21-14 and Auburn came back and tied it again. Each team got a field goal late in the fourth quarter and the game ended 24-24. Both teams scored seven points in the first overtime and each got another seven in the second overtime. It was 38-38 after two OTs.

In the third overtime, Arkansas and Auburn each added eight points – 46-46. Finally in the fourth overtime, Arkansas scored and Auburn didn’t. The Razorbacks won, 54-46.

In Tuscaloosa, Jones’ Tennessee squad gave Alabama a slobberknocker game. And it wasn’t supposed to have been that way. The Tide was favored by 15 points. Some thought Alabama would win by more. Not so. In the first quarter, the Tide scored first, but the Vols came right back and scored four minutes later – 7-7. The score remained tied throughout the second quarter. The teams went into the locker room at halftime, 7-7.

Early in the third quarter and midway through the fourth quarter, Alabama added a couple field goals. The Tide was up 13-7. One minute and 19 seconds after Alabama’s second field goal, Tennessee scored a touchdown. The Vols led the Tide, 14-13 with 5:49 left in the game.

But Bama came back and scored a touchdown with 2:24 left on the clock. The Tide held on and beat Tennessee, 19-14.

There were only two overtime games during the weekend but ironically both went to four overtimes. Figure the odds. In addition to the Arkansas-Auburn four overtime affair, Duke and Virginia Tech fought through four quarters and four overtimes before the Blue Devils pulled it out, 45-42 (4OT).

I know that must have been a hard fought game in Blacksburg, but somehow I just don’t think of Duke as being a slobberknocker team. Dookies don’t exude slobberknocker.

There were some bumfuzzle moments on Saturday too. Early in the day, it wasn’t a moment it was the entire game for Miami (Florida). The Hurricanes lost to Clemson, 58-0. Analysts and sportscasters began speculating on how soon Al Golden would be fired. Some thought as early as Sunday. Others gave him two weeks. None seemed to think Golden would last to the end of the season. The ones who thought Sunday were right. Al Golden was fired yesterday.

Saturday night in Atlanta, Florida State suffered a major bumfuzzle on the final play of the game against Georgia Tech. With just 54 seconds left in the game and trialing Florida State 16-13, Georgia Tech kicked a 35-yard field goal to tie the score – 16-16.

On the ensuing series, The Noles drove down the field to the Yellow Jackets 38 yard line. There was only enough time for FSU to attempt a 55-yard field goal. The kick was blocked and Georgia Tech’s Lance Austin picked up the loose ball and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown as time expired. Georgia Tech won 22-16. The Tech players celebrated. The FSU players were bumfuzzled.

The loss knocked Florida State from the ranks of the undefeated. FSU was one of two teams that lost for the first time Saturday. Out in California, USC handed Utah its first loss, hammering the Utes, 42-17.

Nebraska lost for the fifth time on Saturday and for the fifth time it was a close loss – by only two points. Northwestern beat the Huskers, 30-28. Nebraska has lost the five games by a total of 13 points.

The Nebraska defense has a couple ironic stats. Against the run, The Huskers are 10th in the country, holding opponents to 99 yards a game. But against the pass, Nebraska is 126th in the country, allowing opponents 321 yards a game. There are only two teams in all of FBS football who are worse on pass defense.

Vanderbilt won its first SEC game in two seasons. The Commodores beat Missouri, 10-3. It was the third-straight game that Missouri has failed to score a touchdown. The Tigers have scored 12 points (4 field goals) in their last three games.

With Florida State and Utah suffering their first loss, only 12 teams remain undefeated – Clemson (7-0), Baylor (7-0), Oklahoma State (7-0), TCU (7-0), Iowa (7-0), Michigan State (8-0), Ohio State (8-0), LSU (7-0), all Power 5 teams, and Memphis (7-0), Houston (7-0), Temple (7-0) and Toledo (7-0) from the Group of 5.

Another 13 teams, each with just one loss, are still very much in the playoff, conference title game and/or major bowl game picture. They are Florida State (6-1), Duke (6-1), North Carolina (6-1), Pitt (6-1), Oklahoma (6-1), Notre Dame (6-1), Stanford (6-1), Utah (6-1), Alabama (6-1), Florida (6-1), all Power 5 teams, and Navy (5-1), Marshall (7-1) and Appalachian State (6-1) from the Group of 5.

There was an ESPN report last week that said South Carolina will focus on three candidates for its next head coach: Tom Herman, Justin Fuente and Kirby Smart. But then the report went on to say “Don’t necessarily rule out Rich Rodriguez.”

Later in the week, a newer report said that Chad Morris could be announced as the Gamecocks new coach. Meanwhile, back to Rodriguez, there are ample reverberations that Rich could be returning to his old stomping grounds – West Virginia. That’ll raise a few eye brows – more than a few. Stay tuned!

It’s contagious. UCF coach George O’Leary pulled a Steve Spurrier and resigned yesterday. The Knights are 0-8 this season. Better resigning at 0-8 than getting fired at 0-12.

Six schools – Illinois, Maryland, USC, South Carolina, UCF and Miami – are looking for a new head coach. There will be more.

With his two place kickers injured, Florida coach Jim McElwain put out a SOS call to the Florida students. McElwain was hoping to find a talented walk-on placekicker from the student body. But he wasn’t expecting response he got – 216 students, including two females, signed up. After interviews and preliminary kicks, some 80 students were given the chance to try out. The Gators were off last weekend.

After Saturday, Arkansas may never again attempt to have its fans stripe the stadium. That’s where one section wears one color and the next section wears another color, alternating throughout the stadium – red and white in Arkansas’ case. It was a massive failure. Apparently Arkansas fans don’t follow instructions well. Oh well, at least the Razorbacks won the game.

And did you catch or hear about the halftime performance Thursday night at the California-UCLA game? The bands from Cal and UCLA joined forces to put on a combined halftime show. The show depicted the Trojan War and the fall of Troy. Talk about sticking it to USC – that was pretty clever.

Someone told me last week they were so happy ESPN chucked Lou Holtz. But so sad they replaced him with Mac Brown. Yes, ESPN did us a big favor ejecting Holtz. And have you noticed? The ousting of Holtz diminished the presence of Mark May. May has all but disappeared. How could we be so lucky?

Well, in some ways we aren’t. We now have to put up with Mac Brown. Listening to Brown is like listening to “Hee Haw” cover college football. And while we’re on the subject, ESPN needs to send Danny Kanell off to Siberia.

I enjoyed my time talking college football with Mark Moses last week on the “Mark Moses Show” on Sports Radio 1050 – The Fan. Mark’s show runs 3-6 p.m. weekdays.

College Football Week primarily covers FBS teams from both Power 5 and Group of 5 conferences. But I briefly make mention each week of some FCS teams and even a Division II team or two. That usually occurs in the “Elsewhere Around Florida” section where I provide the scores of Florida’s FCS (Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Jacksonville U., Stetson) and Division II (Florida Tech) teams – and again when I list their scheduled games for the weekend.

There was a time, however, when I used to provide the weekly results of a Division III team – Washington & Lee. That was back during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, I believe. It was sort of like the Slippery Rock score always being announced at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor during the Wolverines home games. I provided the Washington & Lee score in CFW each week.

It came about because a friend and fellow worker of mine – Jamie Fuller (and his wife, Ann) – graduated from Washington & Lee. At work, on Monday mornings during the fall, Jamie and I often would discuss the weekend’s action and results in college football. And, invariably, Jamie would let me know that W&L lost again.

I always liked W&L because my high school fight song, which we referred to as “W&L,” was written to the tune of the Washington & Lee fight song. I suspect some, or most, of the lyrics are similar, if not the same. And generally, a graduate of my high school matriculated to W&L each year.

Yeah, W&L didn’t win many football games. Well, low and behold, Jamie sent me an email last week, asking if, by chance, I had noticed what W&L was doing in football this year. I hadn’t. “They’re undefeated,” Jamie said. I went on the Internet and sure enough they are undefeated. The Generals are 6-0.

W&L began the season in non-conference action, beating Averett, Sewanee, and Donald Trump Tech….I mean….Apprentice School. Apprentice School? Then the Generals began conference play, beating Guilford, Hampden-Sydney and Randolph-Macon….the men’s Randolph Macon. W&L doesn’t play Randolph Macon Woman’s College anymore. The gals were too tough.

Saturday, W&L played Bridge Over Troubled….I mean….Bridgewater. The Generals won, 45-23. It was Homecoming Weekend in Lexington, Virginia. But W&L no longer calls it Homecoming. Instead, the school calls it Young Alumni Weekend. I guess that means Jamie can no longer attend.

W&L’s remaining games are against Statler & Waldorf….I mean….Emory & Henry, Catholic and Shenandoah. Who knows, the Generals may end up in the Division III playoffs. Stay tuned!

Bootsie and Rockledge Gator went to a Halloween party Saturday night as Harpo and Groucho Marx. Bootsie was Harpo and Rockledge Gator was Grouchy….I mean….Groucho.

Groucho Marx makes me think of cigars and cigars make me think of another story. Rockledge Gator and I worked for years with a close friend who we often traveled with – Rodney St. Pierre. Rodney was a great guy, but he wasn’t one to follow sports – any sports – at all. One time, the three of us were having dinner at a Legal Sea Foods in Massachusetts. There was a sign on the wall in the restaurant that said, “No cigar smoking, except for Red Auerbach.” Rodney looked at Rockledge Gator and me and, in all seriousness, said, “Who’s Red Auerbach?”

Well, Florida and Georgia have their annual get together this Saturday in Jacksonville in the World’s Largest Outdoor Slobberknockered Party.

Touchdown Tom
October 26, 2015
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK: Rainy night in Baton Rouge – LSU 48, Western Kentucky 20 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 33, Western Kentucky 22). This was a slobberknocker game until midway through the third quarter when WKU pulled a bumfuzzle. LSU scored 17 unanswered points and extended a 17-13 lead to a 34-13. Leonard Fournette rushed for 150 yards. Attendance in Baton Rouge: 101,561

RUNNER UP: The Hoosiers were Cooked – Michigan State 52, Indiana 26 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan State 34, Indiana 28). This was a slobberknocker game until the fourth quarter. Leading Indiana by only two points (28-26) at the end of the third quarter, Michigan State scored 24 unanswered points in the final period. The Spartans Connor Cook passed for 398 yards. State’s defense held Indiana to 81 yards rushing. Attendance in East Lansing: 74,144

REST OF THE BEST: Not even a breeze – Clemson 58, Miami (Florida) 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 30, Miami 24). Clemson led 42-0 at the break and went into cruise control in the second half. The Tigers had 33 first downs to 6 for the Canes, and 567 total yards to 146 for Miami. The Canes had 53 yards rushing and only 93 yards passing. It was over for the Canes before it started. Attendance in Miami Gardens: 45,211

The Little Eers – Appalachian State 31, Georgia Southern 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Southern 32, Appalachian State 29). And I picked Georgia Southern? I can’t believe I didn’t pick the Mountaineers – the other Mountaineers. Appy State basically shutdown the Eagles. The Mountaineers had 31 first downs to 13 for Georgia Southern, and 433 total yards to 252 for Appy State. The Mountaineers improved to 6-1 on the season. Attendance in Boone: 24,121

Boomer – Oklahoma 63, Texas Tech 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 35, Texas Tech 25). Late in the second quarter, Tech trailed 21-17 but the Raiders got no closer after that. The Sooners finished the game, scoring 21 unanswered points. The teams combined for 1,063 total yards. The difference was in the rushing yards – Oklahoma had 405 yards to 183 for Tech. OU’s Samaje Perine rushed for 201 yards and Joe Mixon rushed for 154 yards. Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw four interceptions. Attendance in Norman: 85,312

Rebound – Ole Miss 23, Texas A&M 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 29, Ole Miss 26). This game was never a slobberknocker. The Aggies were bumfuzzled from start to finish. Ole Miss had 28 first downs to 11 for A&M, and 471 total yards to 192 for the Aggies. A&M only had 58 yards rushing. However, Ole Miss quarterback Chip Kelly was a bumfuzzle. Kelly threw three interceptions. Attendance in Oxford: 60,674

Hooters! – Temple 24, East Carolina 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Temple 27, East Carolina 24). For the second week in a row, Temple rallied in the fourth quarter to win and remain undefeated. East Carolina led in the stats – first downs, rushing yards, passing yards, third down efficiency – but Temple led in the score. The Pirates also led in turnovers – 2-0. Attendance in Greenville: 39,417

The Utes forgot the horse – USC 42, Utah 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Utah 32, USC 23). The Utes started out hot. Utah led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. Then the Utes became a bumfuzzle. They were never in the game after the first period. Early in the fourth quarter, USC led 42-17. The teams were remarkably close in the stats except for one. Utah quarterback Travis Wilson threw four interceptions. The Trojans had no turnovers. Attendance in Los Angeles: 73,435

Josh over Jared – UCLA 40, Cal 24 (Touchdown Tom said: California 26, UCLA 24). The teams combined for 999 yards. UCLA (Josh Rosen) passed for 399 yards, while Cal (Jared Goff) passed for 295 yards. Neither quarterback threw an interception. Attendance in Pasadena: 57,046

Dak attack – Mississippi State 42, Kentucky 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Mississippi State 20, Kentucky 15). Kentucky’s defense, which has been the team’s strength, was a bumfuzzle against the Bulldogs. The Wildcats gave up 586 yards to Miss State. Dak Prescott passed for 348 yards. Attendance in Starkville: 61,168

Badgered – Wisconsin 24, Illinois 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 28, Illinois 21). Wisconsin was 9-for-16 in third down efficiency. Illinois was 3-for-12. The Badgers defense held the Banned Indians to 55 yards rushing. Attendance in Champaign: 45,438

Washington State 45, Arizona 42 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona 40, Washington State 36). The Wildcats couldn’t stop Luke Falk. The Cougars quarterback passed for 514 yards, including 5 touchdown passes. Wazzu took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter and never trailed the rest of the game. The best Arizona could do was tie the score at 14-14 early in the second quarter. The teams combined for 1,114 total yards. Attendance in Tucson: 47,847


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

So close – Alabama 19, Tennessee 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 31, Tennessee 17). This was a slobberknocker game from start to finish. The Vols came to play. The teams were fairly even in the stats. Tennessee had more rushing yards; Alabama had more passing yards. The Tide’s Derrick Henry rushed for 143 yards. Attendance in Tuscaloosa: 101,821

Trees take root – Stanford 31, Washington 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 28, Washington 19). Late in the third quarter, Stanford led 31-7. The Trees had 25 first downs to 11 for Washington, and 478 total yards to 231 for the Huskies. Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan passed for 290 yards. Attendance in Palo Alto: 50,424


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

The Cats by a whisker – Northwestern 30, Nebraska 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 28, Northwestern 16). The lead changed hands five times in the game. Northwestern held the Huskers to 82 yards rushing. Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thornton accounted for 303 yards – 177 passing and 126 rushing. Attendance in Lincoln: 89,493

Pitched – Duke 45, Virginia Tech 42 (4OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 21, Virginia Tech 17). Talk about a slobberknocker, it doesn’t get much better than this – or much closer. Duke had 449 total yards to 452 for Tech. The Dookies had 179 yards rushing to 182 for the Hokies. And both teams had 270 yards passing. Neither team suffered a turnover. Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk passed for 270 yards and rushed for 109. Tech running back Travon McMillian rushed for 142 yards. Attendance in Blacksburg: 63,257

Week 8 Picks: 10 correct, 6 wrong (62.5%)
On the Season: 98 correct, 38 wrong (72.1%)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Houston 59, UCF 10 – Attendance in Orlando: 28,350
South Florida 38, SMU 14 – Attendance in Tampa: 24,338
Florida International 41, Old Dominion 12 – Attendance in Miami: 17,961
UTEP 27, Florida Atlantic 17 – Attendance in El Paso: 22,468
Georgia Tech 22, Florida State 16 – Attendance in Atlanta: 55,000

Drake 28, Jacksonville U. 24 – Attendance in Des Moines: 2,028
Stetson 37, Valparaiso 14 – Attendance in Valparaiso: 729
Bethune-Cookman 59, Norfolk State 49 – Attendance in Daytona Beach: 9,875
Florida Tech 31, Mississippi College 14 – Attendance in Clinton: 6,342


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:

Washington State’s Luke Falk – 47-62-0 for 514 yards; Memphis’ Paxton Lynch – 32-44-0-447; Bowling Green’s Matt Johnson – 27-40-0-430; Tulsa’s Dane Evans – 24-36-1-421; UCLA’s Josh Rosen – 34-47-0-399; Michigan State’s Connor Cook – 30-52-0-398; Florida International’s Alex McGough – 30-39-0-388, and Middle Tennessee’s Brent Stockstill – 36-56-2-381.

Also, Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott – 25-35-1 for 348 yards; Western Kentucky’s Brandon Doughty – 37-61-1-337; Cincinnati’s Gunner Kiel – 26-35-0-327; Central Michigan’s Cooper Rush – 30-38-1-316; Idaho’s Matt Linehan – 23-39-1-315; Indiana’s Nate Sudfeld – 23-37-1-308, and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph – 20-26-0-305.


Impressive Rushers:

San Jose State’s Tyler Ervin – 263 yards; Texas State’s Robert Lowe – 248 yards; NC State’s Mathew Dayes – 205 yards; Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine – 201 yards; South Florida’s Quinton Flowers – 201 yards; Louisiana-Lafayette’s Jalen Nixon – 201 yards, and Idaho’s Elijhaa Penny – 184 yards.

Also, San Diego State’s Donnel Pumphrey – 181 yards; New Mexico State’s Larry Rose – 181 yards; Baylor’s Shock Linwood – 171 yards; Houston’s Kenneth Farrow – 167 yards; Boise State’s Jeremy McNichols – 166 yards; Old Dominion’s Ray Lawry – 161 yards; Oklahoma’s Joe Mixon – 154 yards, and LSU’s Leonard Fournette – 150 yards.


Quotes of the Week

“I would rather my husband’s ass and penis not be all over TV. Would you like to be filmed while naked?,” Katherine Webb McCarron, on her husband A.J. McCarron appearing nude on TV while the NFL Network was interviewing Adam Jones in the Cincinnati Bengals locker room.

“I guess now I understand the ‘gosh almighty’ part of the Ole Miss ‘Hotty Toddy’ chant,” a caller on the ‘Paul Finebaum Show’, commenting on the Ole Miss loss to Memphis.

“No way would I have punted versus the Spartans. Personally, if we have the No. 1 defense in the nation, I’m going to test those guys. You’ve got to play to the strength of your football team, and the strength of the Michigan football team all year long has been their defense,” former Michigan coach Brady Hoke, on the end of the Michigan State-Michigan game.

“Time to head in a new direction as a program, enough is enough. I have been patient long enough,” former Miami (Florida) offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, on Al Golden after the Clemson-Miami game.

“I’m so embarrassed. I would take his headset at halftime. Do not wait until the end of the season, make a statement, dammit!,” former Miami (Florida) offensive lineman Joaquin Gonzalez, on Al Golden during the Clemson-Miami game.

“Fire him!,” former Miami (Florida) player Warren Sapp, on Al Golden after the Clemson-Miami game.


Signs of the Day

Smokey Can’t Hunt

I Would Play For Pitino


Touchdown Tom’s predictions for
This Week’s 12 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Notre Dame (6-1) at Temple (7-0) – (Ind. vs. AAC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – When the season began, this was supposed to be one of those cupcake games for the Irish. But look at the Owls. They are 7-0 for the first time in history. They never even made it to 7-0 when Ben Franklin was alive. Now Ben’s been dead for more than 200 years and Temple is 7-0. The Irish definitely have their work cut out for them. The Owls will be fired up. But it’s the Irish who have a hoot – Notre Dame 28, Temple 22.

RUNNER UP: 2. North Carolina (6-1) at Pitt (6-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – Who would have thought these two teams would be 6-1 at this point in the season. The Tar Heels looked awful in their season opening loss to South Carolina. Since then, they have been unbeatable. Pitt’s only loss is to unbeaten Iowa. This could be a slobberknocker. The home field gives the advantage to the Panthers. The Panthers are head over Heels – Pitt 21, North Carolina 20.

REST OF THE BEST: 3. Clemson (7-0) at NC State (5-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2/ABC – The Wolfpack have to hope they catch Clemson looking ahead to Florida State. And they could. After the big win over Miami, the Tigers are going to be hung over. And the Noles are looming. The Pack suffers an anxiety attack – Clemson 30, NC State 18.

4. Oklahoma State (7-0) at Texas Tech (5-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – A potential upset is looming here. Tech’s Patrick Mahomes threw four interceptions last week. You figure he’s due for a solid game this week. Both teams have a good offense. Okie State has the better defense. The better defense wins – Oklahoma State 35, Texas Tech 31.

5. Florida (6-1) vs. Georgia (5-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – A Florida win and the Gators are sitting in the driver’s seat for the SEC East Division title. A Georgia win and the Dawgs are sitting in the driver’s seat. That’s what it comes down to. For Florida’s sake, let’s hope it doesn’t come down to a field goal. Then again, the Gators may have picked up a good kicker during the open week. After all, 216 students tried out. Georgia’s offense failed to show up in its last game against Missouri. Don’t know if Brian Schottenheimer found it during the open week or not. This is one of those games where anything can happen and it usually does. Uga goes swimming where he shouldn’t – Florida 23, Georgia 18.

6. Stanford (6-1) at Washington State (5-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Washington State has pulled one of the biggest turnarounds in the country. The Cougars have won three-straight games and five of their last six games. They are No. 2 in the country in passing yards. They are averaging 36.4 points a game. Wazzu’s problem is its defense. A defense that is 106th in the country defending the run. And its defense is giving up 31 points a game. Stanford will take advantage of the Cougars defense. And the Cougars offense won’t be as productive against the Stanford defense. The Trees make Luke puke – Stanford 34, Washington State 26.

7. West Virginia (3-3) at TCU (7-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, FS1 – There’s a lot of noise in Morgantown these days. Noise Dana Holgorsen doesn’t like to hear. WVU fans are not in the best of moods after three straight losses. Dana could use a win. But TCU could care less about Dana. The Frogs have a Big 12 title on their minds. This is West Virginia’s fourth Top 20 opponent in four games. And this is West Virginia’s fourth straight loss – TCU 33, West Virginia 24.

8. Ole Miss (6-2) at Auburn (4-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Ole Miss is a strange team. The Rebel Bears looked bad in their losses to Florida and Memphis. Chip Kelly threw three picks in their win over Texas A&M last week. And yet, Ole Miss beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Not that it would happen again. Both of these teams were overrated at preseason, especially Auburn. But the Tigers will give the Rebel Bears a fight. The Bears slobber on the Tigers – Ole Miss 26, Auburn 24.

9. Miami (Florida) (4-3) at Duke (6-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU – The Dookies are on a roll. With six wins, they have already qualified for a bowl. Now they are focused on the Coastal Division title and a spot in the ACC championship game. But the Dookies have their work cut out for them. After the shellacking Miami took from Clemson, one wouldn’t think the Canes will be a problem for the Dookies. And they shouldn’t be. I suspect Miami is demoralized. But strange things can happen in Durham. Not this weekend – Duke 29, Miami 20,

10. Illinois (4-3) at Penn State (6-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – The Nitts are in a bowl. The Banned Indians still need two more wins. That should be incentive enough for Illinois. But the Banned Indians have struggled. This game could be a slobberknocker. The Banned Indians do the slobbering and the Nitts do the knocking – Penn State 20, Illinois 15.

11. USC (4-3) at California (5-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – The Trojans bounced back last week, while the Bears dropped their second in row. Jared Goff is due to have a good game. The Bears were on the road the last two weeks. They are home this week. That should help – California 34, USC 33.

12. Michigan (5-2) at Minnesota (4-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Both teams are coming off open weeks and both teams are coming off losses. Michigan just has to settle down and get over the tough loss to Michigan State. Minnesota has to figure out what went wrong against Nebraska. The Wolverines are settled and the Gophers still can’t figure – Michigan 32, Minnesota 17.


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

13. Oregon (4-3) at Arizona State (4-3) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10:30 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – It’s been a tough season for Oregon and there is still a lot of tough to go. It’s been disappointing for Arizona State too. Both figured to be better then 4-3 at this point. ASU will be. The Sun Devils will be 5-3 – Arizona State 30, Oregon 27.

14. Arizona (5-3) at Washington (3-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 11 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Arizona is another one of those teams that was overrated at preseason. The Wildcats have been disappointing. The Huskies are getting better under Chris Petersen and they are always tough at home. Too tough for the Wildcats – Washington 26, Arizona 24.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Nebraska (3-5) at Purdue (1-6) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPNU – Nebraska doesn’t have to worry about this game being close. If it is close, the Huskers will lose. Nebraska hasn’t been able to win close games this season. Purdue is struggling and the Boilers will continue to struggle against the Huskers. The Boilers sputter on ethanol – Nebraska 38, Purdue 23.

Texas (3-4) at Iowa State (2-5) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – After starting 1-4, the Horns have won two straight. That win over Oklahoma really fired them up. Texas should keep rolling against the Cyclones. The streak continues. Make it three straight – Texas 27, Iowa State 17.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

South Florida (4-3) at Navy (5-1) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, CBSSN….
FIU (4-4) at Florida Atlantic (1-6) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ASN….
Syracuse (3-4) at Florida State (6-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC….
UCF (0-8) at Cincinnati (4-3) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPNNEWS….

San Diego (5-2) at Stetson (2-5) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3….
Jacksonville U. (6-1) at Dayton (7-0) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Bethune-Cookman (6-2) at Delaware State (0-7) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 2 pm ET, Saturday….
North Carolina A&T (6-1) at Florida A&M (1-6) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday….
Shorter (2-5) at Florida Tech (5-3) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 7 pm ET, Saturday….


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Texas and Nike have agreed to a 15-year licensing and apparel deal. The contract approaches $200 million for Texas, which has one of the wealthiest athletic programs in the country.

Our heartfelt thoughts and sympathy go out to Oklahoma State University and the people of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Peace and comfort be with them.

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not exactly 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…

…75 years ago this week in 1940 was “Only Forever” by Bing Crosby

…70 years ago this week in 1945 was “Till The End Of Time” by Perry Como

…65 years ago this week in 1950 was “Goodnight, Irene” by Gordon Jenkins and The Weavers

…60 years ago this week in 1955 was “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing” by The Four Aces

…55 years ago this week in 1960 was “I Want To Be Wanted” by Brenda Lee

…50 years ago this week in 1965 was “Yesterday” by The Beatles

…45 years ago this week in 1970 was “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5

…40 years ago this week in 1975 was “Island Girl” by Elton John

…35 years ago this week in 1980 was “Woman In Love” by Barbra Streisand

…30 years ago this week in 1985 was “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston

…25 years ago this week in 1990 was “Black Cat” by Janet Jackson


Not exactly college football related, but there were four passings of note last week – Pat Woodell, Cory Wells, Marty Ingels and Maureen O’Hara.

Pat Woodell, who played the middle sister, Bobbie Jo Bradley, for two seasons in the 1960s sitcom “Petticoat Junction,” died last week at her home in Fallbrook, California. She was 71. Woodell had guest-starred on “Cheyenne,” “77 Sunset Strip” and other television shows before landing the role on “Petticoat Junction.” The show was broadcast on CBS from 1963 to1970. She left the show after two years because she wanted to return to singing. She toured with Jack Benny’s show and was in several movies, including “The Big Doll House” (1971) and “Twilight People” (1975). Patrice Joy Woodell was born in July 1944, in Winthrop, Massachusetts.

Cory Wells, one of the three lead singers in Three Dog Night, a signature pop band of from the late 1960s and to the mid-1970s, died last week in Dunkirk, New York. He was 74. Three Dog Night, a band that thrived on high-spirited arrangements of songs by leading writers, was distinguished by its trio of gifted singers – Wells, Danny Hutton and Chuck Negron. They took turns fronting the band on many Top 40 hits, including Harry Nilsson’s “One (Is the Loneliest Number),” Laura Nyro’s “Eli’s Coming,” Paul Williams’ “An Old Fashioned Love Song,” Hoyt Axton’s “Joy to the World,” Randy Newman’s “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),”among others. Wells sang lead on “Eli’s Coming” and “Mama Told Me (Not to Come).” Wells was born Emil Lewandowski on February 2, 1941, in Buffalo, New York. He was raised by a single mother. After high school, he joined the Air Force. Following his time in service, he began singing in bands and moved to southern California. Singing with the Vibratos, they evolved into the Enemys and became the house band at Whisky a Go Go and toured with Sonny and Cher. By the late 1960s, Wells had teamed up with Hutton, Negron and four other musicians. They became Three Dog Night. The band broke up in the mid-1970s, but reunited with some of the original members in the 1980s.

Marty Ingels, an actor and comic whose off-screen antics were deemed outrageous, died last week in Tarzana, California. . He was 79. His wife is the actress Shirley Jones. Martin Ingerman was born on March 9, 1936, in New York City. He graduated from Forest Hills High School and briefly attended Queens College in New York. Ingels had small parts on “The Phil Silvers Show,” “The Aquanauts” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” along with other programs. His other TV roles included spots on “The Adams Family,” “The Phyllis Diller Show,” “Murder She Wrote” and “CSI.” In the movies, Ingels appeared in “Wild and Wonderful” (1964), starring Tony Curtis and “If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium” (1969), staring Ian McShane. Ingels and Shirley Jones married in 1977. He was a longtime resident of Encino, California.

Maureen O’Hara, the spirited Irish-born actress, who starred in the movies in the 1940s and 1950s, died Saturday at her home in Boise, Idaho. She was 95. Although she was called the Queen of Technicolor, many of the films that made O’Hara a star were in black and white. They include “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1939), “How Green Was My Valley” (1941), “This Land Is Mine” (1943) and “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947). The best remembered of her color films was “The Quiet Man.” Some of her other films included “The Black Swan” (1942), “Buffalo Bill” (1944), The Spanish Main” (1945), “Sinbad the Sailor” (1947), “Bagdad” (1949), “Rio Grande” (1950) and “Against All Flags” (1952). Maureen FitzSimons was born on August 17, 1920, in Ranelagh, Ireland, on the outskirts of Dublin. As she began her acting career, O’Hara was spotted early on by Charles Laughton. He cast her in “Jamaica Inn” (1939). She moved to the United State after that film. In her later film years, O’Hara appeared in “The Deadly Companions” (1961), “The Parent Trap” (1961), “Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962) and “Spencer’s Mountain” (1963). From the late 1960s to late 1980s, she lived in St. Croix, in the Virgin Islands. She starred in three television movies – “The Christmas Box” (1995), “Cab to Canada” (1998) and “The Last Dance” (2000). She was the grand marshal of the New York St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1999.