Monday, November 19, 2018


College Football Week 13 – Kansas hires Miles; Colorado fires MacIntyre

Who will be the fourth?


With two weeks remaining, four teams remain undefeated – Alabama (11-0), Clemson (11-0), Notre Dame (11-0) and UCF (10-0). I think it is fairly safe to say all four of those teams will still be undefeated come December 2.

And I think it is fairly safe to say three of those four teams will be in the playoff. Sorry UCF. You won’t be. For the second-straight year the Knights will finish the season undefeated and won’t be in the playoff. Not that I’m saying they should be.

So that begs the question: Who will be the fourth team in the playoff?

Well, it’s going to be one of the following five teams – Michigan (10-1), Oklahoma (10-1), Ohio State (10-1), Washington State (10-1) or Georgia (10-1). Let’s take a look.

If Michigan wins out, beats Ohio State and Northwestern, the Wolverines will be the fourth team. But, if Michigan should lose one of those games, then the Wolverines are out. If Michigan loses, that could open the door for Oklahoma, assuming the Sooners beat West Virginia and win the Big 12 championship game.

Or, it could open the door for Ohio State, assuming the Buckeyes beat Michigan and Northwestern. Or, it could open the door for Washington State, assuming the Cougars beat Washington and Utah.

The only way Georgia could become the fourth team is if the Dawgs beat Georgia Tech and then beat Alabama in the SEC championship game. And if that happens, then it begs the question: Will Alabama be knocked out of the playoff if the Tide loses to Georgia?

And if Alabama is knocked out, that keeps the door open for either Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio State or Washington State. But, should Alabama lose to Georgia, would the Tide just fall three spots to No. 4 and remain in the playoff? There are so many possibilities.

So, this week, keep your eyes on these games: Auburn-Alabama, South Carolina-Clemson, Notre Dame-USC, Michigan-Ohio State, Oklahoma-West Virginia, Washington-Washington State and Georgia Tech-Georgia. And yes, even UCF-South Florida. There’s got to be at least one upset in that bunch – maybe two. It’s going to be interesting. Stay tuned.

And, by the way, if UCF wins its New Year’s Six bowl game and finishes the season 13-0, will the Knights finish in the Top 4 of the AP and/or Coaches Polls? Stay tuned!

Going into the weekend, the only other team that had a chance of being that fourth team in the playoff was West Virginia. But the Mountaineers blew their chances. WVU (8-2) suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Oklahoma State (6-5). After leading the Cowboys 31-14 at the halftime break, West Virginia collapsed in the second half and lost to Oklahoma State, 45-41.

Three other teams, none of which were playoff hopefuls, ceased to be one-loss teams over the weekend. In the MAC, Buffalo (9-2) was stunned by a fired-up Ohio, 52-17. The Bobcats A.J. Ouellette rushed for 196 yards.

In the AAC, Cincinnati (9-2) became UCF’s tenth victim. In ESPN GameDay’s “Game of the Week,” the Bearcats fell to the Knights, 38-13. And in a non-conference affair, UAB (9-2) lost to Texas A&M, 41-20.

One team made the “70s Club.” Old Dominion (4-7) demolished VMI, 77-14. Four other teams came close, especially Washington State. The Cougars (10-1) crushed Arizona, 69-28. Also, Georgia (10-1) downed Massachusetts, 66-27, Florida (8-3) beat Idaho, 63-10, and Iowa (7-4) blasted Illinois, 63-0.

There were five overtime games during the weekend, but the two most exciting OTs occurred in the Big Ten. Wisconsin (7-4) outlasted Purdue (5-6) in three overtimes, 47-44 (3OT). Then, Ohio State (10-1) got by Maryland, 52-51 (OT). The Terrapins went for a two-point conversion in OT and failed. In the other three overtimes, Georgia Tech (7-4) beat Virginia, 30-27 (OT), Vanderbilt (5-6) downed Ole Miss, 36-29 (OT) and Ball State (4-7) tripped Western Michigan, 42-41 (OT). Like Maryland, WMU failed on a two-point conversion attempt.

Looking around the country, Florida State still has a pulse after all. FSU (5-6) edged Boston College, 22-21. Trailing BC, 21-13, early in the fourth quarter, the Noles kicked a 37-yard field goal with 12:04 on the clock to pull within 5 – 21-16. Then with 1:29 on the clock, FSU scored the winning touchdown. Also in the ACC, Miami (6-5) toppled Virginia Tech (4-6) in Blacksburg, 38-14.

In an all field goal game – five in total – Nebraska (4-7) beat Michigan State, 9-6. Trailing the Spartans 6-0 early in the fourth quarter, the Huskers got all three of their field goals in the final 11 minutes of the game. Also, in the Big Ten, Northwestern (7-4) downed Minnesota, 24-14.

In the Big 12, Texas (8-3) ended Iowa State’s five-game winning streak. The Longhorns beat the Cyclones, 24-10. Oklahoma (10-1) outscored Kansas, 55-40. The Sooners Kennedy Brooks rushed for 171 yards.

Mississippi State (7-4) pounded Arkansas, 52-6. Also, in the SEC, Missouri (7-4) thumped Tennessee, 50-17.

Out west in the Pac-12, Chip Kelly was looking good. UCLA (3-8) beat cross-town rival USC, 34-27. Elsewhere in the Pac-12, Utah (8-3) beat Colorado, 30-7, and Oregon (7-4) edged Arizona State, 31-29.

After starting the season 7-0, South Florida lost its fourth-straight game. The Bulls fell to Temple, 27-17. Also in the AAC, Houston (8-3) beat Tulane, 48-17.

In the MWC, Utah State improved to 10-1. The Aggies beat Colorado State, 29-24. Utah State faces Boise State (9-2) this week. And in the Sun Belt, Appalachian State (8-2) and Troy (9-2) both won, setting up their division-title showdown this week. App State beat Georgia State, 45-17, and Troy downed Texas State, 12-7.

Independent Army improved to an impressive 9-2. The Cadets downed Colgate, 28-14. Army is ranked in the AP (23rd) and Coaches (24th) Polls for the first time since 1996.

With its win over Cincinnati, UCF extended its winning streak to 23 games – the nation’s longest. Alabama is second with a 13-game winning streak. The Tide is followed by Notre Dame (12), Clemson (11) and Michigan and Utah State, both with a 10-game streak.

Conversely, Rice has the nation’s longest losing streak at 11 games. The Owls are followed by Rutgers (10) and Central Michigan (8).

The hat is back. Yes, the Mad Hatter is back in college football. After a two-season absence, former LSU coach Les Miles will be back on the sidelines in 2019. Kansas announced the hiring of Miles yesterday. Miles has been the front-runner for the job since the Jayhawks fired David Beatty a few weeks ago. But recently it appeared that Miles was losing ground to Todd Graham. Graham, the former Rice (2006), Tulsa (2007-2010), Pitt (2011) and Arizona State (2012-2017) head coach, was also having communications with Kansas, seeking the job in Lawrence.

The Miles – who turned 65 on November 10 – hiring was reminiscent of Kansas hiring Charlie Weis in 2012. At that time, Weis was returning to a head coaching position for the first time in three years. We all know how well that hiring turned out.

While Kansas was announcing the hiring of Miles, Colorado was announcing the firing of Mike MacIntyre. MacIntyre, in his sixth season with the Buffaloes, was 30-44 at Colorado. After beginning this season 5-0, the Buffs lost their sixth-straight game Saturday. They were 2-6 in Pac-12 play.

Also Sunday, Texas State fired coach Everett Withers. In three seasons with the Bobcats, Withers was 7-28. Texas State is 3-8 this season with one game remaining. Prior to Texas State, Withers was the head coach at James Madison for two seasons. In 2011, he was briefly the interim coach of North Carolina after Butch Davis was fired.

Déjà vu. It seems that South Florida coach Charlie Strong is a candidate for the Louisville job. Strong previously coached the Cardinals for four seasons – 2010 to 2013 – before leaving for Texas. Should Strong get the job, that would be reminiscent of Louisville hiring Bobby Petrino for the second time. Petrino coached the Cardinals from 2003 to 2006 and more recently from 2014 to 2018.

In spite of the potential interest in Strong, Louisville’s first choice still remains Purdue coach Jeff Brohm. But reportedly, Brohm is very happy at Purdue. It may take some doing to lure him back to Louisville, his alma mater.

Also in the running for the Louisville job are Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell, Notre Dame offensive coordinator Chip Long, Ohio State offensive coordinator Ryan Day, former Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Tennessee coach Butch Jones and UAB coach Bill Clark.

Not that we don’t have too many bowl games as it is, but yet another bowl has been added to the list. When will it end? The Myrtle Beach Bowl will commence, following the 2020 season. The new bowl brings to 40 the number of bowl games, assuming none are canceled after this season. The Myrtle Beach Bowl will be contested by teams to be selected from two of three conferences – C-USA, MAC and Sun Belt. The bowl will be played at Coastal Carolina’s stadium in Conway, South Carolina – 10 miles inland from Myrtle Beach.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Touchdown Tom
November 19, 2018


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Pin striped – Notre Dame 36. Syracuse 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 30, Syracuse 26). The Orange were no match for the Irish. Trailing 36-0, Syracuse kicked a field goal with 10 seconds left in the game to keep from being skunked. ND had 463 total yards while holding the Orange to 234 yards. Irish quarterback Ian Book passed for 292 yards. Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey left the game in the first quarter to injury. Attendance in The Bronx: 48,104

RUNNER UP:  We want Bama! – UCF 38, Cincinnati 13 (Touchdown Tom said: UCF 32, Cincinnati 28). The Bearcats were no match for the Knights. Cincinnati fell behind 21-6 at the half and 35-13 early in the fourth quarter. UCF was the better passing team, while Cincinnati was the better running team. Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton passed for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Attendance in Orlando: 47,795

REST OF THE BEST:  Ham – Clemson 35, Duke 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 34, Duke 15). The Dookies scored the first 6 points in the game and were never heard from again. Clemson had 459 total yards to 262 for Duke. Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence passed for 251 yards. Attendance in Clemson: 81,313

Gabriel was quiet – Texas 24, Iowa State 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 33, Iowa State 27). Texas led 24-3 at the end of three quarters and cruised to victory in the fourth. The Longhorns had 405 total yards to 210 for Iowa State. The Horns held the Cyclones to just 62 yards rushing. Attendance in Austin: 102,498

Almost basketball – Washington State 69, Arizona 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Washington State 30, Arizona 24). Fifty-five points in the first half. That’s what Washington State had. In spite of the humiliation, Arizona outscored the Cougars 14-0 in the third quarter. But they awoke the sleeping giant. Washington State had 605 total yards. Combined the teams had 1,036 total yards. The Cougars Gardner Minshew passed for 473 yards and seven touchdowns. Attendance in Pullman: 22,400

Saddled – Oklahoma State 45, West Virginia 41 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 40, Oklahoma State 34). There was no excuse for West Virginia to lose this game. But they did. Leading 31-14 at halftime, WVU was outscored 31-10 by Okie State in the second half. The team combined for 1,157 total yards. The Cowboys never led in the game until there were only 42 seconds left. West Virginia’s Will Grier passed for 364 yards and the Mounties Kennedy McCoy ran for 148 yards. Attendance in Stillwater: 52,842

Give that Dog a biscuit – Fresno State 23, San Diego State 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Fresno State 27, San Diego State 18). San Diego State scored all 14 of its points in the first half. Fresno State shut them out in the second half. The Bulldogs defense held the Aztecs to only 64 yards rushing. Fresno State controlled the ball for more than 36 minutes. Fresno State quarterback Marcus McMaryion passed for 267 yards. Attendance in Fresno: 36,123

Tray day – Texas A&M 41, UAB 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 35, UAB 19). UAB controlled the clock for more than 34 minutes. But A&M controlled the score. Blazers quarterback Tyler Johnston passed for 306 yards. Aggies running back Trayveon Williams rushed for 167 yards. A&M led 34-7 at the end of three quarters. Attendance in College Station: 97,584

Wrecked – Georgia Tech 30, Virginia 27 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Tech 23, Virginia 20). Virginia led 14-13 after one and 21-16 at the half. But Tech evened the score by the end of the second half. The Jackets held the Cavs scoreless in overtime. Virginia dominated the stats, including time of possession for more than 43 minutes. Attendance in Atlanta: 37,543

Stanford at California was postponed to December 1 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 28, California 26).



….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

Just Ducky – Oregon 31, Arizona State 29 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 33, Arizona State 30). Oregon scored all but 3 of its points in the first half. The Ducks offense went to sleep in the second half. In spite of its lethargic second half, Oregon dominated the stats. Four turnovers didn’t help the Ducks any. Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin rushed for 149 yards. Attendance in Eugene: 50,485

Bulls got buffed – Ohio 52, Buffalo 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Buffalo 25, Ohio 21). Buffalo was only in this game for two minutes and 18 seconds. That’s when the Bulls went up 7-0 early in the first quarter. Then Ohio scored 31 unanswered points and the rout was on. The Bobcats racked up 646 total yards and 32 first downs to only 277 total yards and 13 first downs for Buffalo. Ohio also maintained time of possession for more than 43 minutes. Five turnovers didn’t help Buffalo any. Attendance in Athens: 13,839


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Albert loves fries – Florida 63, Idaho 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 47, Idaho 9). Florida led 49-0 at halftime and went into cruise control in the second half. The Gators had 603 total yards to 227 for Idaho. The Vandals only managed 73 yards passing. Backup quarterback Emory Jones played a good bit of the game for the Gators. Jones passed for two touchdowns. Combined Jones and Feleipe Franks were 31-for-43 passing for 399 yards and five touchdowns. Attendance in Gainesville: 81,467
                                     

Soccer match – Nebraska 9, Michigan State 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 28, Michigan State 24). Neither team had more than 290 total yards. Combined they just had 537 total yards. Both quarterback completed less than 50% of their passes. Barret Pickering’s 47-yards field goal with 5:13 left on the clock was the game winner for the Huskers. All 15 of the game’s points came off of field goals. Attendance in Lincoln: 88,793

Mass chewing by Uga – Georgia 66, Massachusetts 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 49, Massachusetts 13). Georgia racked up 701 total yards – 426 of those yards rushing. The Dawgs played three quarterbacks. UMass managed to score in each of the four quarters. Attendance in Athens: 92,746

Too much Taylor – Wisconsin 47, Purdue 44 (3OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 28, Purdue 23). After two overtimes, Purdue could only manage a field goal, while Wisconsin managed a touchdown. There was no stopping Jonathan Taylor. The Badgers running back rushed for 321 yards. The teams combined for 1,053 yards. Wisconsin accounted for 385 yards rushing, while Purdue accounted for 386 yards passing. The Boilers only had 76 yards rushing. Attendance in West Lafayette: 46,114

Week 12 Results: 13 correct picks, 2 fumbles (86.7 percent)
For the Season:    128 correct picks,  53 fumbles (70.7 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Temple 27, South Florida 17 – Attendance in Philadelphia: 21,029
Florida State 22, Boston College 21 – Attendance in Tallahassee: 57,274
Miami 38, Virginia Tech 14 – Attendance in Blacksburg: 62,379

FIU 42, Charlotte 35 – Attendance in Charlotte: 13,371
North Texas 41, Florida Atlantic 38 – Attendance in Denton: 18,338

Bethune-Cookman 33, Florida A&M 19 – Attendance in Orlando: 52,142
Stetson 45, Valparaiso 31 – Attendance in Deland: 1,961
Dayton 34, Jacksonville U. 7 – Attendance in Jacksonville: 1,492


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  

Washington State’s Gardner Minshew – 43-55-0 for 473 yards (7TDs); Ole Miss’s Jordan Ta’amu – 32-53-2-457 (2TDs); Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor – 321 yards (3TDs), and Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins – 28-38-1-405 (3TDs).

Also, Marshall’s Isaiah Green—19-36-0 for 387 yards (2TDs); Purdue’s David Blough – 31-48-0-386 (4TDs); West Virginia’s Will Grier – 27-48-2-364 (2TDs), and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa – 18-22-0-340 (3TDs);

Impressive Rushers:  

Maryland’s Anthony McFarland – 298 yards (2TDs); UCLA’s Joshua Kelley – 289 yards (2TDs); Kansas’ Pooka Williams – 252 yards (2TDs); Western Michigan’s LeVante Bellamy – 213 yards (1TD); Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins – 203 yards (1TD), and Ohio’s A.J. Ouellette – 196 yards (2TDs).

Also, North Texas’ Deandre Torrey – 184  yards (1TD); Oklahoma’s Kennedy Brooks – 171 yards (2TDs); Texas A&M’s Trayveon Williams – 167 yards (2TDs); Charlotte’s Benny LeMay – 159 yards (4TDs), and BYU’s Lopini Katoa – 155 yards.


Quotes of the Week:

“We’re better than Notre Dame,” UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton.

“I think it’s the first time most of the people have gotten the chance to see what our university is all about, the size of it, the energy, the passion from our fan base and what a game-day atmosphere looks like inside our stadium. This is big-time football. We’ve got great players on the field. I think everybody saw that tonight, and again we’ve got an opportunity to go 13-0 and add another tally to our season, and hopefully people enjoyed what they saw,” UCF coach Josh Heupel.

“That’s a great question for Mr. Swann, and out of honor and respect to him, I’ll let you ask him that,” USC coach Clay Helton, when asked if he will be back next season. (Swann is Lynn Swann the USC athletic director.)


Signs of the Day:

Welcome To Your Worst Knightmare

After Party Is At Corso’s


Touchdown Tom’s predictions for
This Week’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Michigan (10-1) at Ohio State (10-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – My, my, it’s been a long time since these two teams have come into this game so highly rated and with such good records. Mainly, Michigan has been the problem in recent years. Both were looking ahead to this game last week. The Buckeyes nearly stumbled against Maryland and the Wolverines didn’t exactly roll over wimpy Indiana. Winner goes to the Big Ten title game. Michigan has the good defense. Ohio State has the better offense. Defense wins – Michigan 26, Ohio State 21.

RUNNER UP:  2. Utah State (10-1) at Boise State (9-2) – (MWC vs. MWC) – 10:15 pm Saturday, ESPN – This is a real opportunity for Utah State. If the Aggies beat Boise State and then beat Fresno State in the MWC championship game, and if UCF should stumble against South Florida or in the AAC championship game, then Utah State would most likely replace UCF as the highest rated Group of Five team. The Aggies would go to a New Year’s Six bowl. But that is a big IF. First Utah State has to beat the Broncos on the Blue Carpet. They do – Utah State 26, Boise State 22.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Oklahoma (10-1) at West Virginia (8-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Friday, ESPN – West Virginia had its chance last week and blew it. The Mounties get one more chance. Beat Oklahoma and the Eers are in the Big 12 championship game – against Oklahoma again. This will be another game like the Oklahoma State game. Lots of points. Lots of points. The Mountaineers score the most points – West Virginia 47, Oklahoma 45.

4. Washington (8-3) at Washington State (10-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 8:30 pm ET, Friday, FOX – Ah, the ole Apple Cup. The winner wins the Pac-12 North Division. Washington State is a hot team. But Chris Petersen is a crafty coach. Mike Leach can be crafty too. Gardner Minshew makes the difference – Washington State 32, Washington 30.

5. Auburn (7-4) at Alabama (11-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – I know it’s a rivalry, but I just have this feeling that Auburn isn’t much of a rival this year. The Tigers have struggled. The Tide hasn’t. Saban takes the car, not the bus – Alabama 34, Auburn 17.

6. South Carolina (6-4) at Clemson (11-0) – (SEC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – This is similar to the Auburn-Alabama game. This is a big rivalry and South Carolina isn’t much of a rival this year. I just can’t see the Gamecocks moving the ball against Clemson’s defense. And I just can’t see South Carolina’s defense stopping Clemson’s offense. Not with Mustake at the helm – Clemson 33, South Carolina 16.

7. UCF (10-0) at South Florida (7-4) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 4:15 pm ET, Friday, ESPN – South Florida used to be a hot team. Not anymore. The Bulls can’t win for losing. And besides, Charlie Strong has his eyes on the Louisville job. McKenzie Milton runs with the Bulls – UCF 32, South Florida 19. 

8. Troy (9-2) at Appalachian State (8-2) – (Sun Belt vs. Sun Belt) – 2:30 pm ET, Saturday – Two excellent Group of Five teams. Most Power Five teams wouldn’t want to play these two. Winner goes to the Sun Belt championship game. App State has the home field, but Troy has the better team. The better team wins – Troy 27, Appalachian State 24.

9. Georgia Tech (7-4) at Georgia (10-1) – (ACC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, SECN – Georgia needs this win to keep its hopes alive for the college football playoff. The game means nothing to Tech, except for pride. And that could be a problem for Georgia. The pressure is on the Dawgs. Pride comes close, but doesn’t win – Georgia 28, Georgia Tech 21.

10. Syracuse (8-3) at Boston College (9-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Both of these teams fell flat on their faces last week. They looked awful. But one will recover this week. It’s the Eagles – Boston College 30, Syracuse 27.


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

11. LSU (9-2) at Texas A&M (7-4) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – These teams are jockeying for pride in the SEC West and a better bowl come the holidays. It’s been a better than expected year for LSU. It’s been a disappointing year for A&M. This week the Aggies disappoint the Tigers – Texas A&M 25, LSU 23.

12. Notre Dame (11-0) at USC (5-6) – (Ind. vs. Pac-12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Notre Dame doesn’t have a conference championship game. This is it for the Irish. This is their conference championship game. This is their last chance to stake their spot in the playoffs. Will Clay Helton be fired after the game? – Notre Dame 33, USC 21.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Florida (8-3) at Florida State (5-6) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – This looked like a runaway for Florida. Then Florida State up and showed some signs of life last week. Could be problems for the Gators. But Mullen takes the Noles off life support – Florida 27, Florida State 23.

Nebraska (4-7) at Iowa (7-4) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Friday, FOX – You have to admit, Nebraska has showed signs of brilliance in some recent games, after showing signs of futility in some earlier games. Yes, the Huskers are a better team than they were in September. But so are the Hawkeyes – Iowa 27, Nebraska 24.

Wake Forest (5-6) at Duke (7-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12:30 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – Wake Forest needs the win to qualify for a bowl game. Duke needs the win to go to a better bowl game. No bowl for the Deacons – Duke 31, Wake Forest 26.

Texas (8-3) at Kansas (3-8) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Friday, FS1 – If Texas wins and West Virginia loses to Oklahoma, the Longhorns are in the Big 12 title game. Well, we all know nobody loses to Kansas. Well, maybe TCU does. But the Horns are no TCU – Texas 33, Kansas 23.

Purdue(5-6) at Indiana (5-6) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Purdue has had some big wins this year. Then again, the Boilers have had some big losses too. The records are the same but Indiana hasn’t really had any big wins. The Hoosiers still don’t have any big wins – Purdue 33, Indiana 28.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Pitt (7-4) at Miami (6-5) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN….
Marshall (7-3) at FIU (8-3) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 12 noon ET, Saturday  

Charlotte (4-7) at Florida Atlantic (5-6) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 6 pm ET, Saturday…. 

Florida A&M (6-5), Bethune-Cookman (7-5), Jacksonville U. (2-8) and Stetson (8-2)  have completed their seasons.

Touchdown Tom


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…

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

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

…65 years ago this week in 1953 was “Rags To Riches” by Tony Bennett, and “You, You, You” by The Ames Brothers

…60 years ago this week in 1958 was “Tom Dooley” by The Kingston Trio, and “It’s Only Make Believe” by Conway Twitty.

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

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

…45 years ago this week in 1973 was “Keep On Truckin’ (Part 1) by Eddie Kendricks, and “Photograph” by Ringo Star

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

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

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

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


Not exactly college football related, but there was one passing of note last week – Roy Clark.

Roy Clark, the country singer and multi-instrumentalist best known as a longtime host of the television show “Hee Haw,” died last week at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 85. Clark was a genial banjo-wielding presence on “Hee Haw” for the show’s entire run of more than two decades. “Hee Haw” aired on CBS for two seasons – 1969 to 1971 – before being canceled. Then the show became a syndicated hit, running from 1971 to 1992. At the peak of its popularity, the show reached 30 million viewers a week. Clark was a regular guest and occasional guest host on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” He also appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show” and on sitcoms like “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “The Odd Couple.” Clark also had a long-running stage act in Las Vegas. In August 1983, he played a pivotal roll in establishing Branson, Missouri, as a tourist destination when he became the first major country star to open a music venue there – the 1,500 seat Roy Clark Celebrity Theater. In the 1950s, Clark played in the bands of singers Jimmy Dean and George Hamilton IV. In 1960, he joined Wanda Jackson’s band. During the 1960s and 1970s, he placed a total of 24 singles in the Country Top 40 – nine of them in the Top 10. Roy Linwood Clark was born on April 15, 1933, in Meherrin, Virginia. By the time he was 14 he had won two national banjo championships. In 1969, Clark’s version of Charles Aznavour’s “Yesterday When I Was Young” made the Top 10 on the Country charts and the Top 20 on the Pop charts. Clark was the Country Music Association’s entertainer of the year in 1973, and the musician of the year in 1977, 1978 and 1980. In 1983, his “Alabama Jubilee” won a Grammy Award for best country instrumental performance. Clark became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1987 and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009.   


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