College Football Week 7 – The halfway point
Hurricane Matthew ran interference

I’m the ultimate optimist. I take the positive side of everything – even hurricanes.

When a hurricane is out in the Atlantic, down in the Caribbean or in the Gulf, I always believe and take the attitude that it won’t come where I live. It may come near, but not that near. Usually, I’m right. But once in a while, I’m wrong.

Hurricane Matthew had been slowly moving across the Atlantic and into the Caribbean for several days. As it became apparent that Matthew would turn and move north, I was convinced it would move north a good 100-125 miles off Florida’s east coast. Near, but not that near. Not near enough to cause any problems.

I suppose it must have been sometime Tuesday that good ole positive me got to thinking that Matthew was going to come closer than I thought – too close for comfort. I must have gotten that feeling when we got a reverse 911 call from Brevard County Emergency Management announcing that a mandatory evacuation of the barrier island would begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Tuesday night, Swamp Mama got to thinking about where we would go. We were scheduled to be in Gainesville on Friday, along with Bootsie and Rockledge Gator for the LSU-Florida football weekend.

So we got to thinking that maybe we could go to Gainesville on Thursday – a day early. Meanwhile, Swamp Mama’s cousin Donna Snyder, in Punta Gorda (southwest Florida) called and invited us to come to her house. Now we were thinking that maybe we would drive to Punta Gorda on Thursday and up to Gainesville from there on Friday.

Wednesday morning, good ole positive me put up my shutters and secured things around the house. I was convinced now that Matthew would be 50-80 miles off coast instead of 100-125 miles. Then I mowed my yard, went to the bank and the post office. I did take a shower before I went to the bank and the post office.

I called Monta Burt at the Laurel Oak Inn in Gainesville to see if we could check in a day early if we decided to come up on Thursday. Monta said we could. Meanwhile, there was talk the LSU-Florida game may be postponed. The University of Florida was going to make an announcement on the status of the game at 5 p.m.

Our next door neighbors Russ and Sandy Grunewald and Betty ‘The Duchess of Indialantic’ Pappas, left for Atlanta at 1 p.m.

At 5 p.m. Wednesday, the University of Florida announced they were going to postpone the announcement about the status of the game to 1 p.m. on Thursday. In other words, stay tuned! It sounds like the decision is in the hands of the replay officials in the booth.

Wednesday night, I told Swamp Mama that we were going to leave for Punta Gorda at 6:30 the following morning. We would overnight there and wait. Didn’t Tom Petty sing, “Waiting is the hardest part?”

Bootsie and Rockledge Gator were going to stay put and possibly drive to Gainesville late Friday afternoon, if the game was still on. At this point, Matthew was supposed to pass through our area in the wee hours of Friday morning.

Shortly after 1 p.m. on Thursday, the replay officials in the booth announced that the LSU-Florida football game was postponed indefinitely. Indefinitely? Does that mean it may not be played until next year? Maybe LSU and Florida will play twice in 2017? Indefinitely?

Swamp Mama and I decided we would remain in Punta Gorda and return to Indialantic on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. Bootsie and Rockledge Gator changed their minds. Instead of sitting out the storm, they left for Georgia on Thursday afternoon.

Hurricane Matthew apparently changed his mind too. Instead of 50-80 miles off shore, Matthew was now forecast to be on the coast, possibly come ashore – possibly in Brevard County. Waiting is the hardest part.

Maybe we could send Alabama to beat Matthew. Maybe we could send Jim Harbaugh to beat Matthew, 78-0. Better yet, maybe we could postpone Matthew – indefinitely.

As we awoke Friday morning, Matthew was passing by Brevard County. From all reports and indications, the eye had not come ashore. Matthew was off the coast – but how far off the coast?

Swamp Mama and I left Punta Gorda around midday Friday, returning to Indialantic. I drove and she texted and talked to friends who had remained in the area during the storm. Reports were sounding pretty good – pretty positive.

We got home to a messy yard, but more importantly, to a sound house. Well, mostly sound – there was no power. No power! No power means no TV. No TV means no football.

There was still no power on Saturday morning. At noon I began watching football at John and Karlene Tuttle’s house. They had power. Before long, Swamp Mama said I was getting cranky. She said I needed to eat – get some food in my stomach.

We left the Tuttle’s and went to Charlie & Jake’s for lunch. I could watch several games on several TVs there. While we were eating, a neighbor texted and said that we had power. I was a happy camper. I couldn’t get home fast enough.

Meanwhile, up in Georgia, Bootsie and Rockledge Gator drove 45 miles looking for a sports bar where they could watch the Auburn-Mississippi State game. They finally found one in Dublin, Georgia – the Brickyard Pub & Sports Grill.

As it turns out, Hurricane Matthew ran interference 40 miles off shore as it passed by Brevard County. Twenty miles or more closer and we could have had a disaster on our hands. I said originally that Matthew was going to be 100-125 miles off shore. That was about as close as my predictions were for Saturday’s games.

I was right on the Tennessee-Texas A&M game. I picked the Aggies. They won 45-38 in two overtimes. I was right on the Alabama-Arkansas game. Bama won, 49-30. But whatever happened to defense in the SEC?

And whatever happened to Oregon. Washington pounded the Ducks, 70-21. Remember when Oregon was the king of the Pac-12? Remember when the Ducks were playing for national championships? Not anymore. No way Mark Helfrich will be coach of Oregon next season.

Then there was the Jim Harbaugh “anything you can do, I can do better” game. Remember last week when Ohio State beat Rutgers, 56-0? Well Saturday, Michigan beat Rutgers, 78-0. Urban Meyer is not going to outdo Harbaugh.

I was wrong on the Florida State-Miami (Florida) game. I picked the Canes. FSU won, 20-19. Mark Richt still can’t win the big game. That was his problem at Georgia.

Bob Stoops got a reprieve, but not Charlie Strong. Oklahoma beat Texas 45-40. In a swimming match in Raleigh, NC State beat Notre Dame, 10-3. Would you believe the Irish are 2-4? Believe it!

Houston blew its chance to be the first Group of 5 team to make the playoffs. Navy surprised the Cougars, 46-40. No chance for Houston now. But Tom Herman can still take his pick of where he wants to coach next year – LSU, Texas or USC.

Virginia Tech is for real. The Hokies soundly beat North Carolina, 34-3. Granted the Tar Heels may have been hung over from their win over Florida State last week. And how overrated was Michigan State this year? The Spartans lost at home to BYU, 31-14. Michigan State is 2-3.

Along with Washington-Oregon, there were more wild games in the Pac-12 Saturday. Washington State clobbered Stanford, in Palo Alto, 42-16. Can you believe that? Arizona State knocked off UCLA, 23-20. And hapless Oregon State up and beat California, 47-44 (OT). Remember the old WAC Conference? They called it the Wacky WAC. Now we have the Wacky Pac – the Wacky Pac-12.

Yeah, I was 8-9 on my picks. I think that is a first ever – picking less than 50% of the games correct.

Hurricane Matthew interfered with several games over the weekend. Some were postponed and some were canceled. Tulane at UCF was postponed to November 5. Georgia at South Carolina was postponed from Saturday to Sunday. The Dawgs beat the Cocks, 28-14. Then there was the game that was postponed indefinitely. Whatever that turns out to be?

But if Florida should finish its SEC slate with a 6-1 record and Tennessee finishes with a 6-2 record, somebody’s got some explaining to do. The Gators would win the SEC East, playing one less conference game than Tennessee.

Have an optimistic week!

Touchdown Tom
October 10, 2016
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK: Not this time – Texas A&M 45, Tennessee 38 (2OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 34, Tennessee 27). Tennessee just loves to get off to a slow start, fall behind – sometimes big – and then rally late to win. The Vols did just that against Texas A&M, only this time the rally – grand as it was – did not result in a win. Early in the third quarter, Tennessee trailed A&M, 28-7. Late in the fourth quarter the Vols trailed the Aggies, 35-21. Then amazingly, but not surprising for Tennessee, the Vols scored two touchdowns in the final 2:07 to put the game into overtime. Not only one overtime, but two overtimes before the Aggies held off the Vols to win. The teams combined for 1,276 total yards. Tennessee suffered seven turnovers – 5 fumbles and 2 interceptions. Attendance in College Station: 106,248

RUNNER UP: Makin’ bacon – Alabama 49, Arkansas 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 34, Arkansas 26). Alabama thoroughly dominated Arkansas. The Tide led 28-7 midway through the second quarter, 35-10 late in the second quarter, 42-17 early in the third quarter and 49-24 early in the fourth quarter. Arkansas suffered five turnovers – 2 fumbles and 3 interceptions. Attendance in Fayetteville: 74,459

REST OF THE BEST: Cooked – Florida State 20, Miami (Florida) 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Miami 30, Florida State 27). This game was all Miami in the first half and all FSU in the second half. The Canes led 13-3 at the break, but were outscored 17-6 in the second half. Miami suffered from the lack of a running game – only 62 yards rushing. The Canes scored with 1:38 left in the game, but a blocked extra point kick kept Miami from tying the score. FSU’s Dalvin Cook rushed for 150 yards. Attendance in Miami Gardens: 65,685

Row, row, row your boat – Navy 46, Houston 40 (Touchdown Tom said: Houston 35, Navy 20). Tied 20-20 at the break, Navy had a big third quarter, outscoring Houston 21-7. The Middies rushed for 306 yards, while the Cougars passed for 359 yards. Houston suffered three turnovers – one fumble and two interceptions. Attendance in Annapolis: 34,531

LSU at Florida (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 20, LSU 17). POSTPONED indefinitely

Justin Fuente has arrived – Virginia Tech 34, North Carolina 3 (Touchdown Tom said: North Carolina 34, Virginia Tech 29). Under first-year coach Justin Fuente, Virginia Tech has its first significant win, while improving to 4-1 on the season. The Hokies have a good shot at winning the remainder of their games. Coming into Saturday’s contest, North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky was one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the country in passing yards, averaging more than 300 yards per game. Against the Hokies, Trubisky passed for 58 yards. And the Tar Heels only had 73 yards rushing. UNC suffered 4 turnovers – 2 fumbles and 2 interceptions. Attendance in Chapel Hill: 33,000

Quack-less in Eugene – Washington 70, Oregon 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Washington 32, Oregon 23). This game was over early in the third quarter as Washington went up 42-7. But the Huskies added more icing on the cake in the fourth quarter, outscoring Oregon, 14-0. The Huskies racked up 682 total yards – 378 rushing and 304 passing. Washington quarterback Jake Browning was 22-for-28 passing, with no interceptions and six touchdowns. Myles Gaskin had 197 yards rushing for the Huskies. Attendance in Eugene: 58,842

Soft shell – Penn State 38, Maryland 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Maryland 26, Penn State 24). Penn State led 24-14 at the break and then added 14 more points in the second half for good measure. The Nitts had 524 total yards to only 270 for Maryland. Penn State’s Saquon Barkley rushed for 202 yards. Attendance in State College: 100,778

Leg-less Bruins – Arizona State 23, UCLA 20 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 34, Arizona State 24). Get this: UCLA had 443 total yards – 444 yards passing and -1 rushing. ASU had 275 total yards, just 79 rushing. UCLA played catch-up most of the game. Trailing 23-13 early in the fourth quarter, the Bruins scored with 11:10 on the clock to pull within 3. Combined, there were 7 turnovers in the game. Attendance in Tempe: 48,509

The Buzz went fizz – Pitt 37, Georgia Tech 34 (Touchdown Tom said: Pitt 31, Georgia Tech 25). Pitt led throughout much of the game until Georgia Tech tied the score early in the fourth quarter, 27-27. Then the Jackets went ahead midway through the fourth, 34-27. Pitt scored 10 points in the final 3:50, including a 31-yard field goal as time expired to win the game. Attendance in Pittsburgh: 47,425

The Eyes have it – Iowa 14, Minnesota 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Minnesota 27, Iowa 24). Trailing 7-6, Iowa scored on a 54-yard touchdown run with 5:28 to go in the game. The Hawkeyes held on to win. Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner was a measly 13-for-33 passing. Attendance in Minneapolis: 49,145

Second half Utes – Utah 36, Arizona 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Utah 30, Arizona 20). The third quarter made the difference for Utah. Trailing Arizona, 14-12 at the start of the third, the Utes outscored the Wildcats 17-0 and led 29-14 at the start of the fourth quarter. The teams were pretty even in the stats. Utah was the better running team. Arizona was the better passing. The Wildcats suffered three turnovers. Attendance in Salt Lake City: 45,917

Buffs get buffed – USC 21, Colorado 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Colorado 31, USC 30). With 10:20 to go in the game, the score was tied 14-14. USC got a touchdown with 8:28 left and Colorado added a field goal 4:49 on the clock. The Trojans won the game in spite of suffering 4 turnovers – 3 fumbles and 1 interception. USC had 539 total yards to 371 for the Buffs. The Trojans Sam Darnold passed for 358 yards. Attendance in Los Angeles: 68,302


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

Meow – Kansas State 44, Texas Tech 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 30, Texas Tech 29). This game went back and forth until Kansas State got 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter. Tied 31-31 at the end of the third, the Wildcats scored 13 points to go up 44-31. Tech added a touchdown with 0:05 to go in the game. The Red Raiders Patrick Mahomes passed for 504 yards. Attendance in Manhattan: 51,540

Splash – NC State 10, Notre Dame 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 33, NC State 28). With rain falling throughout the game, NC State only had 41 yards passing and Notre Dame only had 59 yards rushing. In fact, the Irish finished with just 113 total yards. Tied 3-3 at the end of the third quarter, the Wolfpack scored the go-ahead touchdown at the 12:43 mark in the fourth quarter. Attendance in Raleigh: 58,200


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Baseball? – Duke 13, Army 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 25, Army 22). All 19 of the game’s points were scored in the first half of the rain soaked game. Not much offense as Duke only had 9 first downs and Army only had 8. Army was 3-for-11 passing. Attendance in Durham: 20,613

Another Mustake – Georgia 28, South Carolina 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 26, South Carolina 16). Georgia established control and the flow of the game in the first half, taking a 14-0 lead at the break. In the second half, the two teams went tit-for-tat. The Dawgs ultimately maintained their 14 point lead, winning by two touchdowns. In five SEC games this season, the Cocks have yet to score more than 14 points. Georgia held South Carolina to 31 yards rushing. Uga’s tandem of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb rushed for 133 yards and 121 yards respectively. The Cocks Perry Orth passed for 288 yards. The Dawgs only passed for 29 yards. Jacob Eason was only 5-for-17 passing. South Carolina suffered three turnovers. Attendance in Columbia: 77,221

The Boilers are perking – Purdue 34, Illinois 31 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Illinois 31, Purdue 23). A 28-yard field goal by J.D. Dellinger in the first overtime period gave the Boilers the win. The teams were pretty evenly matched in the stats. Illinois was the better rushing team; Purdue the better passing. Attendance in Champaign: 42,912

Week 6 Results: 8 correct picks, 9 fumbles (47.1 percent)
For the Season: 69 correct picks, 38 fumbles (64.5 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Bethune-Cookman at South Carolina State – POSTPONED to November 26
Charlotte 28, Florida Atlantic 23 – Attendance in Boca Raton: 7,401
Campbell at Jacksonville U. – CANCELED
Tulane at UCF – POSTPONED to November 5

Florida International 35, UTEP 21 – Attendance in El Paso: 17,751
Stetson 31, Brown 21 – Attendance in Providence: 3,540
North Carolina Central 17, Florida A&M 13 – Attendance in Durham: 617
South Florida 38, East Carolina 22 – Attendance in Tampa: 33,620
North Alabama at Florida Tech – CANCELED


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:

Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes – 45-62-1 for 504 yards; Louisiana Tech’s Ryan Higgins – 33-45-0-454; Temple’s Phillip Walker – 36-59-2-445; Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs – 28-47-2-398; Boise State’s Brett Rypien – 21-28-0-391; UCLA’s Josh Rosen – 24-43-1-400, and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield 00 22-31-2-390.

Houston’s Greg Ward – 32-50-2 for 359 yards; USC’s Sam Darnold – 25-37-1-358; Washington State’s Luke Falk – 30-41-2-357; Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph – 26-44-0-351; Western Kentucky’s Mike White – 36-50-0-340; Georgia State’s Conner Manning – 27-40-0-340, and Western Michigan’s Zack Terrell – 18-24-0-327.


Impressive Rushers:

Kent State’s Nick Holley – 224 yards; Oregon State’s Ryan Nall – 221 yards; Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine – 219 yards; Texas A&M’s Trayveon Williams – 215 yards; Penn State’s Saquon Barkley – 202 yards; Washington’s Myles Gaskin – 197 yards, and North Texas’ Jeffrey Wilson – 188 yards.

Tulsa’s D’Angelo Brewer – 182 yards ; Nevada’s James Butler – 175 yards; Auburn’s Kamryn Pettway – 169 yards; Western Michigan’s Jarvion Franklin – 169 yards; Fresno State’s Dontel James – 169 yards; California’s Khalfani Muhammad – 165 yards; BYU’s Jamal Williams – 163 yards; Old Dominion’s Jeremy Cox – 162 yards, and Texas’ D’Onta Foreman – 159 yards.


Quotes of the Week

“For the first time, Miami, Florida and Florida State fans are celebrating together for a ‘wide right’,” Tara Franco Reynolds, on Hurricane Matthew.

“Scared of losing and falling in the standings, Florida is using Hurricane Mathew to dodge LSU. Right now, it seems self evident to anybody, I think, with a functional brain, that Florida is trying to use the hurricane as an excuse to try to advance their own opportunities to win the SEC East by playing one less game against a top opponent, and that’s a shame,” Fox Sports analyst Clay Travis.

“This is hilariously incorrect and very insensitive to those being affected by this hurricane,” Florida quarterback Luke Del Rio, responding to Clay Travis.


Quote from the Past

“I’ve found that prayers work best when you have big players,” Notre Dame coach Knute Rockne.


Touchdown Tom’s predictions for
The 12 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games of Week 7…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Alabama (6-0) at Tennessee (5-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – It’s been quite a while since Tennessee beat Alabama. But then again, it had been quite a while since the Vols beat Florida. Tennessee took care of the Gators. Can the Vols take care of the Tide? Not likely – Alabama 36, Tennessee 27.

RUNNER UP: 2. Ohio State (5-0) at Wisconsin (4-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – The Badgers lost a heartbreaker to Michigan. They have the Buckeyes in Madison. But Urban says, “Anything Harbaugh can do, I can do better” – Ohio State 21, Wisconsin 14.

REST OF THE BEST: 3. NC State (4-1) at Clemson (6-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – Clemson could be ripe for a slip up. And NC State could be the team that causes the Tigers to slip up. Close for the Wolfpack, but no cigar – Clemson 30, NC State 18.

4. Arizona State (5-1) at Colorado (4-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, PAC12N – The Buffs lost a close one to USC last week, while ASU won a close one over UCLA. The outcome is reversed this week – Colorado 26, Arizona State 23.

5. North Carolina (4-2) at Miami (Florida) (4-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC/ESPN2 – Both teams got knocked off last week. It was Miami’s first loss. The Canes bounce back – Miami 30, North Carolina 24.

6. Nebraska (5-0) at Indiana (3-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC/ESPN2 – Indiana can be a tricky team. The Hoosiers knocked off Michigan State. But the Huskers keep their heads on their shoulders – Nebraska 28, Indiana 20.

7. West Virginia (4-0) at Texas Tech (3-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FS1 – The Mountaineer defense has to stop Patrick Mahomes. The guy can pass for 400-500 yards or more. But the Mounties can pass too, and run – West Virginia 34, Texas Tech 32.

8. Western Michigan (6-0) at Akron (4-2) – (MAC vs. MAC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN – WMU is on a roll. The Broncos are a Top-25 team. But Akron is capable of knocking off WMU. But the Zips can’t hold the Horses – Western Michigan 32, Akron 24.

9. Wake Forest (5-1) at Florida State (4-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Wake is 5-1, but it is a weak 5-1. After the loss to North Carolina and the close win over Miami, the Noles are ready to pour one on – Florida State 37, Wake Forest 18.

10. Ole Miss (3-2) at Arkansas (4-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – The ending of this game was a doozy last year. Ole Miss will definitely be out for revenge. But the Rebs can’t grease this Pig – Arkansas 32, Ole Miss 30.

11. Kansas State (3-2) at Oklahoma (3-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Bob Stoops is feeling some pressure. Pressure wins – Oklahoma 25, Kansas State 23.

12. Western Kentucky (3-3) at Middle Tennessee (4-1) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 2:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3 – This could be a wild one. Middle Tennessee is going for the C-USA East title. They become one step closer – Middle Tennessee 33, Western Kentucky 27.


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

13. Southern Miss (4-2) at LSU (3-2) – (C-USA vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Southern Miss is the type of team that could knock off LSU. But the Tigers are playing well under Ed Orgeron. Maybe close for a while, but no upset here – LSU 33, Southern Miss 19.

14. USC (3-3) at Arizona (2-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, Fox – The Trojans seem to have their act together. But Arizona is dangerous. Just not dangerous enough – USC 30, Arizona 24.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Missouri (2-3) at Florida (4-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – Looks like Luke Del Rio will be back for this game. The Gators need a spark in their offense. Mizzou loses indefinitely – Florida 23, Missouri 14.

Duke (3-3) at Louisville (4-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Friday, ESPN – Unless the Dookies can pull off another Notre Dame game, this one could be ugly for the Devils. But pretty for the Cardinals – Louisville 33, Duke 15.

Vanderbilt (2-4) at Georgia (4-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, SECN – It’s Georgia’s turn to beat Vanderbilt this week. Poor Vandy – Georgia 26, Vanderbilt 12.

Iowa State (1-5) at Texas (2-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, LHN – Iowa State has been losing some close games. So has Texas. The Cyclones keep losing – Texas 37, Iowa State 27.

Iowa (4-2) at Purdue (3-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Can you believe Purdue is 3-2? The Boilers will be 3-3 after this one – Iowa 23, Purdue 16.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

North Carolina A&T (4-1) at Bethune-Cookman (0-4) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 8 pm ET, Thursday….
Dayton (4-2) at Jacksonville U. (2-2) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN3….
Valparaiso (2-4) at Stetson (3-2) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3….

Fort Valley State (1-5) at Florida Tech (4-1) – (SIAC vs. Gulf South) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Florida A&M (1-5) at Delaware State (0-5) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 2 pm ET, Saturday….
Florida International (2-4) at Charlotte (2-4) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 6 pm ET, Saturday….

Connecticut (3-3) at South Florida (5-1) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN….
Florida Atlantic (1-5) at Marshall (1-4) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 7 pm ET, Saturday….
Temple (3-3) at UCF (3-2) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU….

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not exactly college football related, but in the October autumn as the college football season approached its halfway point, the number one song in the country…

…75 years ago this week in 1941 was “Piano Concerto in B Flat” by Freddy Martin and His Orchestra

…70 years ago this week in 1946 was “To Each His Own” by Eddy Howard

…65 years ago this week in 1951 was “Because of You” by Tony Bennett

…60 years ago this week in 1956 was “Hound Dog”/“Don’t Be Cruel” by Elvis Presley

…55 years ago this week in 1961 was “Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles

…50 years ago this week in 1966 was “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by The Four Tops

…45 years ago this week in 1971 was “Maggie May”/“Reason to Believe” by Rod Stewart

…40 years ago this week in 1976 was “A Fifth of Beethoven” by Walter Murphy and The Big Apple Band

…35 years ago this week in 1981 was “Endless Love” by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie

…30 years ago this week in 1986 was “When I Think of You” by Janet Jackson

…25 years ago this week in 1991 was “Good Vibrations” by Marky Mark and The Funky Bunch


Not exactly college football related, but sadly there was one passing of note last week – Joan Marie Johnson

Joan Marie Johnson, a founding member of the musical trio the Dixie Cups, whose hit “Chapel of Love” unseated the Beatles from the top of the Billboard 100 in 1964, died last week at her home in New Orleans. She was 72. “Chapel of Love” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in June 1964, unseating the Beatles “Love Me Do.” It remained there for three weeks and was later covered by the Beach Boys. The song was featured in the soundtracks of the movies “Full Metal Jacket” (1987) and “Father of the Bride” (1991). The Dixie Cups’ other hits were “People Say,” “You Should Have Seen the Way He Looked at Me” and “Iko Iko.”