College Football Week 7 – Nine Power Five teams undefeated
It was a Show Me week

The plane left the gate on time. Twenty minutes later Swamp Mama and I were still sitting on the runway. It was early Thursday morning and a thunderstorm was passing through Melbourne.

As it was, we only had 39 minutes between flights in Atlanta. Either we weren’t going to make the connection, our one checked bag wasn’t going to make the connection or both us and the bag weren’t going to make the connection.

Swamp Mama and I won; the bag lost. In Atlanta, we arrived at Gate B36. Our 39 minutes between flights was now reduced to 15 minutes. Fortunately, our departing flight was leaving from the B concourse. Unfortunately, it was 24 gates away at B12. But Swamp Mama and I can walk pretty fast when we have to. We made our connection.

The baggage transfer cart, however, doesn’t move very fast when it has to. Swamp Mama and I arrived in Kansas City; our checked bag didn’t – not on the flight we were on. Delta assured us the bag would arrive on the next flight from Atlanta, about two hours later.

Our friends from Lincoln, Nebraska, Sue and Dave Brolhorst met us at the Kansas City Airport. The four of us were prepared for a three days of travel and adventure in Missouri.

Fortunately, the first item on our agenda was a tour of McCormick Distilling Company’s Holladay Distillery in Weston, Missouri. Weston is not far from the Kansas City Airport. We would return for the bag after the tour, before heading further east in Missouri.

The Holladay Distillery is the oldest distillery in the United States west of the Mississippi River. The business began in 1856 at the site of a limestone spring. The spring was discovered by Lewis and Clark as they sailed up the Missouri River in 1804.

Holladay Distillery promotes itself as the makers of real Missouri bourbon – bourbon the way it was meant to be. After tasting samples of the whiskey I’d say I have to agree.

Following the distillery tour – and the tastings – the four of us returned to the airport. Sure enough, Delta had the bag. All was well again.

From the airport, our next stop was Hamilton, Missouri. Why Hamilton? Well, as it turns out, Hamilton, Missouri, is the Disney World of quilting. Now that doesn’t stir my grits, but Swamp Mama and Sue thought they had died and gone to heaven.

A couple named Ron and Jenny Doan have revived the town of Hamilton by turning it into the Mecca of the quilting world. Their business is called The Missouri Star Quilting Company. There are literally 13 Missouri Star quilt shops in Hamilton – each one unique.

Ron as it turns out used to work for Dave at the Kansas City Star. He gave Dave and me a tour of the town, showing us the renovation work they have done and telling us about their future plans for buildings in Hamilton.

While Swamp Mama and Sue sampled the 13 quilt shops, Dave and I sampled the libations at Levi Garrison & Sons Brewery – but not 13.

From Hamilton, the four of us made our way to Columbia, Missouri, our home away from home for the next three nights.

That same evening in Raleigh, North Carolina, NC State’s Ryan Finley won the battle of the quarterbacks, as the Wolfpack beat Louisville, 39-25. Following a seasoning opening loss to South Carolina, NC State has won five-straight games.

Friday morning, we checked out Columbia, ending up at the University of Missouri campus. In my quest to visit every Division I college football stadium in the country, I added Faurot Field to my list. Faurot is the home of the Missouri Tigers.

From Columbia, we drove over to Hermann, Missouri, to check out the old German town and visit some wineries. We toured and tasted samples at the Stone Hill Winery. That evening, we cooked steaks on the grill, and dined and listened to music at the Adam Puchta Winery. We shared a bottle of the winery’s Hunters Red.

That same evening, Memphis trounced Connecticut, 70-31, and Boise State added to BYU’s misery, beating the Cougars, 24-7. In the Memphis-UConn game, the Tigers Riley Ferguson passed for 431 yards.

Saturday morning, we spent some time in downtown Columbia, before driving over to Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri. From Jeff City, we headed back to Hermann for some more wine tastings and tours. We finished the afternoon, sitting out on the hillside overlooking the Missouri River at the Oak Glenn Winery.

Saturday was also a football Saturday. I kept track of scores on my phone all day. That evening, back in Columbia, we went to a sports bar to fill our stomachs and catch some of the action.

Week 6 of college football was not lacking for surprises and excitement. The biggest surprise of all was Iowa State putting a hurting on Oklahoma to the tune of 38-31. It was the Sooners first loss.

Thanks to a missed extra point, Florida was upset by LSU, 17-16. Michigan State handed Michigan its first loss. The Spartans downed the Wolverines, 14-10. It took Texas and Kansas State two overtimes to settle their outcome. After two OT’s, the Longhorns beat the Wildcats, 40-34.

Kentucky had a scare from Missouri, before the Wildcats finally won, 40-34. Miami (Florida) handed Florida State its third loss. The Canes beat the Noles, 24-20. Undefeated TCU got by West Virginia, 31-24.

In the Pac-12, Arizona edged Colorado, 45-42, while Stanford spoiled Utah’s perfect record. The Cardinal slipped by the Utes, 23-20.

Basketball season began Saturday. Western Michigan downed Buffalo, 71-68. Actually, that was football. The two teams combined for 1,328 total yards. Buffalo’s Drew Anderson passed for 597 yards.

Last year, Ohio State beat Maryland, 62-3. Saturday, the Buckeyes beat the Terps, 62-14. Maryland’s getting better.

Washington State remains undefeated. The Cougars beat Oregon, 33-10. And what in the world got into Tulane? The Green Wave beat Tulsa, 62-28.

Is Bret Bielema fired yet? South Carolina trashed Arkansas, 48-22. And finally, in a game that wasn’t supposed to be this close, Alabama beat Texas A&M by only 8 points, 27-19.

Nine Power five teams remain undefeated – two each from the ACC (Clemson and Miami), Big Ten (Penn State and Wisconsin), Pac-12 (Washington and Washington State) and SEC (Alabama and Georgia), and one form the Big 12 (TCU).

The best of the Group of Five are San Diego State (6-0), UCF (4-0), South Florida (5-0), Navy (5-0), Memphis (4-1) and Houston (4-1). All but San Diego State are from the AAC conference.

Bootsie and Rockledge Gator took their two sons – Ryan and Andy – and their two grandsons – Connor and Riley – to the Ole Miss-Auburn game. Everyone was happy – Auburn beat Ole Miss, 44-23.

Meanwhile, back in Missouri, on Sunday, Dave and Sue dropped Swamp Mama and me off at the Kansas City Airport. I picked up a rental car and the two of us drove down to Branson, where I joined 11 other guys (and 10 other spouses) for a three-day reunion with my Navy buddies. We had a good time in Scotland. We’ll have a good time in Branson – even though we are 44 years older.

It was good to hear from Stephanie Stein and Steve Salaga last week.

No rest for the weary – Friday, Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and I are off again to Gainesville for the Texas A&M-Florida game.

You have a good week!

Touchdown Tom
October 9, 2017
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK: The Cougar can play some offense – Washington State 33, Oregon 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 37, Washington State 36). Oregon actually led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter. But the Ducks never saw the goal again line after that. Attendance in Eugene: 56,653

RUNNER UP: Is Bama vulnerable? – Alabama 27, Texas A&M 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 28, Texas A&M 15). Alabama’s running game and three turnovers by the Aggies killed A&M’s chances. But the Aggies proved that Bama can be had. Attendance in College Station: 101,058

REST OF THE BEST: Like sand, the victories slip through Dana’s hands – TCU 31, West Virginia 24 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 33, West Virginia 31). WVU controlled the ball and controlled the stats. But the Mounties also controlled the turnovers – 2-to-0. Attendance in Fort Worth: 43,257

Sparty ruins the party – Michigan State 14, Michigan 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 30, Michigan State 24). Five turnovers killed the Wolverines. Attendance in Ann Arbor: 112,432

A new power in the ACC - NC State 39, Louisville 25 (Touchdown Tom said: NC State 28, Louisville 27). In a game that NC State never trailed it came down to the wire with the Wolfpack only up by 7 points with less than 3 minutes left in the game. That’s when NC State’s Germaine Pratt intercepted a Lamar Jackson pass and ran it back 25 yards for a touchdown. The game was a battle between the two quarterbacks – State’s Ryan Finley and Louisville’s Jackson. Finley clearly won, completing 64.5% of his passes for 367 yards and no interceptions. Jackson completed 55.3% of his passes for 354 yards. Attendance in Raleigh: 56,107

Domination – Washington 38, California 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Washington 32, California 16). Cal only had 93 total yards – minus 40 rushing. Attendance in Seattle: 67,429

The Power of Love – Stanford 23, Utah 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 26, Utah 22). Not quite as close as it looks. Stanford was winning 23-13 with less than a minute to go in the game. Bryce Love rushed for 152 yards. Attendance in Salt Lake City: 45,991

Can’t stop that man – Wisconsin 38, Nebraska 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 30, Nebraska 22). Nebraska kept it close until the fourth quarter. The Huskers only trailed 24-17 at the start of the fourth. But the final quarter was all Badgers. Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor rushed for a whopping 249 yards. Attendance in Lincoln: 89,860

Cougars take a Pony ride – Houston 35, SMU 22 (Touchdown Tom said: SMU 24, Houston 22). The Mustangs controlled the ball and controlled the stats. But they didn’t control the score. SMU’s Ben Hicks passed for 397 yards. Attendance in Houston: 31,153

Dook doom – Virginia 28, Duke 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 25, Virginia 20). Virginia is getting better. Duke is getting worse. Attendance in Charlottesville: 38,638

The deadly duo – Georgia 45, Vanderbilt 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 32, Vanderbilt 17). Sony Michel rushed for 150 yards and Nick Chubb rushed for 138. Attendance in Nashville: 36,282

The Tigers didn’t back down – LSU 17, Florida 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 27, LSU 23). Florida is back to being itself – back to destructing itself. A botched extra point kick was the difference. But what a nice tribute to Tom Petty with the entire stadium singing “I Won’t Back Down.” Attendance in Gainesville: 88,247


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

The eyes of Ehlinger – Texas 40, Kansas State 34 (2OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 33, Kansas State 30). Texas’ Sam Ehlinger passes for 390 yards. Texas kicked a 34-yard field goal to put the game into overtime. Attendance in Austin: 90,462


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Saving the best for last – Purdue 31, Minnesota 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Purdue 27, Minnesota 24). Trailing 17-16 in the closing minutes, Purdue scores two touchdowns in the final 1:17 of the game. Attendance in West Lafayette: 42,085


Week 6 Results: 9 correct picks, 5 fumbles (64.3 percent)
For the Season: 69 correct picks, 26 fumbles (72.6 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Stetson 17, Brown 13 – Attendance in Deland: 1,689
Jacksonville U. 35, Davidson 21 – Attendance in Jacksonville: 3,673
Norfolk State 35, Florida A&M 28 – Attendance in Norfolk: 3,623

Middle Tennessee 37, Florida International 17 – Attendance in Murfreesboro: 15,527
Miami 24, Florida State 20 – Attendance in Tallahassee: 78,169

Florida Atlantic 58, Old Dominion 28 – Attendance in Norfolk: 20,118
North Alabama 30, Florida Tech 7 – Attendance in Florence: 7,002
UCF 51, Cincinnati 23 – Attendance in Cincinnati: 27,253


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:

Buffalo’s Drew Anderson – 35-61-0 for 597 yards; Louisiana-Monroe’s Caleb Evans – 24-37-0-433; Memphis’ Riley Ferguson – 34-48-0-431; Texas’ Sam Ehlinger – 30-50-1-380 yards; SMU’s Ben Hicks – 41-58-2-397; UCF’s McKenzie Milton – 16-19-0-374, and NC State’s Ryan Finley – 20-31-0-367.

Also, UTSA’s Dalton Sturm – 27-43-1 for 367 yards; West Virginia’s Will Grier – 25-45-1-366; Syracuse’s Eric Dungey – 33-49-0-365; Kentucky’s Drew Lock – 22-42-0-355; Louisville’s Lamar Jackson – 26-47-1-354; Ole Miss’ Shea Patterson – 34-51-0-346, and Iowa State’s Kyle Kempt – 18-24-0-343.

Impressive Rushers:

Arizona’s Khalil Tate – 327 yards; Colorado’s Philip Lindsay – 281 yards; Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor – 249 yards; Appalachian State’s Jalin Moore – 241 yards; Hawaii’s Diocemy Saint Juste – 241 yards, and Nevada’s Kelton Moore – 216 yards.

Also, Navy’s Zach Abey – 214 yards; Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson – 204 yards; Old Dominions – Jeremy Cox – 202 yards; Florida Atlantic’s Devin Singletary – 194 yards; Southern Miss’ Ito Smith – 178 yards; Houston’s Duke Catalon – 177 yards, and Western Michigan’s Jarvion Franklin – 176 yards.

Also, Tulane’s Dontrell Hilliard – 175 yards; San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny – 171 yards; UAB’s Spencer Brown – 165 yards; Texas Tech’s Justin Stockton – 161 yards; Stanford’s Bryce Love – 152 yards, and Georgia’s Sony Michel – 150 yards.

Quotes of the Week

“You have to learn to put on blinders and focus on your family. We know the noise is only going to get louder,” Barb Jones, wife of Tennessee coach Butch Jones.

“I’ve rarely seen a coach that clueless under the bright lights of the national television cameras,” Paul Finebaum, on Tennessee coach Butch Jones.

“Who wants that job?” ESPN’s Laura Rutledge, on the Ole Miss head coach position.

“It’s like Woodstock, only everybody’s got their clothes on,” Washington State coach Mike Leach, on the celebrations in Pullman after the Cougars beat USC last week.


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

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Utah (4-1) at Southern California (5-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – The Utes suffered their first loss last week to a California team. They suffer their second this week to a California team – USC 28, Utah 26.

RUNNER UP: 2. Auburn (5-1) at LSU (4-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – Auburn is getting better. The other Tiger is lucky. Better beats luck – Auburn 24, LSU 17.

REST OF THE BEST: 3. Navy (5-0) at Memphis (4-1) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 3:45 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU – This should be a dandy – a high-scoring dandy. But it is dandier for the Tigers – Memphis 40, Navy 31.

4. TCU (5-0) at Kansas State (3-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FS1 – Still unbeaten – the Frogs eek out another one. TCU 30, Kansas State 27.

5. Georgia Tech (3-1) at Miami (Florida) (4-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Another close one for the Canes. But they win again – Miami 26, Georgia Tech 20.

6. Oklahoma (4-1) vs. Texas (3-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – I wouldn’t want to be in an Oklahoma practice this week. But it pays off. The Sooners ride in a Lincoln – Oklahoma 35, Texas 33.

7. Texas Tech (4-1) at West Virginia (3-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPNU – The Mountaineers should be angry. Tech feels the brunt of the anger – West Virginia 34, Texas Tech 31.

8. Purdue (3-2) at Wisconsin (5-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – The Boilers had their day of glory last week. Not this week – Wisconsin 30, Purdue 19.

Michigan (4-1) at Indiana (3-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – The Wolverines take their anger out on the Hoosiers. Harbaugh prevails – Michigan 26, Indiana 20.

9. Oregon (4-2) at Stanford (4-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 11 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Stanford has a Love potion. The Ducks are smitten – Stanford 28, Oregon 23.

10. Texas A&M (4-2) at Florida (3-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Florida is in a quandary again. The Aggies pick up where LSU left off – Texas A&M 29, Florida 23.

11. Boise State (3-2) at San Diego State (6-0) – (MWC vs. MWC) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN – The Aztecs are on a roll. The Broncos get rolled – San Diego State 30, Boise State 20.

12. Ohio State (5-1) at Nebraska (3-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – The Buckeyes roll into Lincoln. Another tough one for the Huskers – Ohio State 34, Nebraska 18.


….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

13. South Carolina (4-2) at Tennessee (3-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Paul Finebaum said if Tennessee loses to South Carolina, Butch Jones could be fired the next day. Bloody Sunday – South Carolina 26, Tennessee 23.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Florida State (1-3) at Duke (4-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – The Dookies started out 4-0. Now they are 0-3 – Florida State 33, Duke 21.

Missouri (1-4) at Georgia (6-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – Mizzou looked better last week. But not better enough to beat Uga – Georgia 38, Missouri 20.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Davidson (2-3) at Stetson (1-5) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3….
Jacksonville U. (4-1) at Butler (3-3) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Florida Tech (3-3) at North Greenville (3-3) – (Gulf South vs. Ind.) – 2:30 pm ET, Saturday….

North Carolina A&T (6-0) at Florida A&M (2-4) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday….
South Carolina State (2-3) at Bethune-Cookman (2-3) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday….

East Carolina (1-5) at UCF (4-0) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN….
Tulane (3-2) at Florida International (3-2) – (AAC vs. C-USA) – 7 pm ET, Saturday
Cincinnati (2-4) at South Florida (5-0) – (Ind. vs. AAC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU….

Florida Atlantic is off this week.

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 1942 was “”(I’ve Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo” by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra

…70 years ago this week in 1947 was “Near You” by Francis Craig and His Orchestra

…65 years ago this week in 1952 was “You Belong To Me” by Jo Stafford

…60 years ago this week in 1957 was “Honeycomb” by Jimmie Rodgers

…55 years ago this week in 1962 was “Sherry” by The Four Seasons

…50 years ago this week in 1967 was “The Letter” by The Box Tops

…45 years ago this week in 1972 was “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked On Me” by Mac Davis

…40 years ago this week in 1977 was “Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band” by Meco

…35 years ago this week in 1982 was “Jack & Diane” by John Cougar

…30 years ago this week in 1987 was “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake

…25 years ago this week in 1992 was “End Of The Road” by Boyz II Men


Not exactly college football related, but sadly there were two passings of note last week – Tom Petty and Connie Hawkins.

Tom Petty, a singer, songwriter and guitarist who produced a long string of durable hits, died last week in Los Angeles. He was 66. Recording with the Heartbreakers, the band he formed in the mid-1970s, and on his own, Petty wrote songs that gave contemporary clarity to 1960s roots. His songs were staples of radio for decades, and with hits like “Refugee,” “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” “Free Fallin’” and “Into the Great Wide Open,” Petty sold millions of albums and headlined arenas and festivals well into 2017. He played the Super Bowl halftime show in 2008. Petty’s songwriting was shaped by the music he heard growing up: The Byrds, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and the Beatles. In the late 1980s, Petty teamed up with some of his elders and influences to form the Traveling Wilburys, writing and recording with Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison. Only Dylan and Lynne survive from that group. Thomas Earl Petty was born in Gainesville, Florida, on October 20, 1950. Petty’s songs repeatedly proved their durability. A 1993 collection of “Greatest Hits,” including the single “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” stayed on the Billboard album chart for six years.

Connie Hawkins, a basketball sensation whose career was unjustly derailed when the NBA barred him until his prime years were passed on suspicions of involvement in a college point-shaving scandal, died last week. He was 75. Hawkins joined the Phoenix Suns, but not until he was 27. He played seven seasons in the NBA with three teams. Hawkins accepted a scholarship to Iowa in 1961, but he never played a game for the Hawkeyes. He had been questioned by authorities about possible connections with fixers of college basketball games, but he was never accused of wrongdoing. Still he was barred from playing collegiate ball and in the NBA. Hawkins played one season in the ABA and two seasons with the Globetrotters. Eventually he was allowed to play in the NBA, where he played for the Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks. Cornelius Hawkins was born on July 17, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York.