College Football Week 1 – Five-straight days of football!

It’s the time…of the season

For football! 

Yes, it is the time of the season, college football fans. We don’t have to wait any longer. It’s finally here. 

“It’s the time of the season
When the love runs high” 

Before we get started with the 2019 season, we have to be aware of the new rules that go into effect this year. There are six rules changes in college football. Two of the new rules impact overtime and two impact targeting. 

1.       Overtime Change: Teams will rotate two-point conversion tries, beginning in the fifth overtime. This eliminates possessions starting at the opposing 25-yard lines. After the fourth overtime, each offense will have just one chance to convert the two-point try before the other team gains possession.

2.       Overtime Breaks: A two-minute break will be added after the second and fourth overtime periods.

3.       Targeting Reviews: Replay reviews on targeting calls must either be confirmed or overturned by reviewing all aspects of the play. If the review cannot confirm that all elements of targeting exist, the targeting call will be overturned.

4.       Targeting Suspension: Players who commit three targeting penalties in the same season will receive a one-game suspension in addition to any ejection penalties for the third targeting penalty.

5.       Two-Man Wedge: The two-man wedge on kickoffs is no longer allowed.

6.       Blindside Blocking: Blindside blocks delivered with forcible contact will be considered a personal foul and draw a fifteen yard penalty. If elements of targeting exist, the player delivering the block will be subject to ejection and suspension if it is his third targeting foul of the season. 

“What’s your team?
(What’s your team?)
Who’s your coach?
(Who’s your coach? He rich?)
Is he rich like Nick? 

There may be six rules changes, but surprise, surprise, there are no changes to the 10 FBS conferences. The Power Five conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC) and the Group of Five conferences (AAC, C-USA, MAC, MWC and Sun Belt), and I might add the Independents, all remain the same in membership this year – no additions to any of the conferences and no subtractions. That’s a first in many, many years. 

As a post-script, Connecticut will leave the AAC after this season. The Huskies will be an Independent in 2020. 

FBS football still consists of 130 teams – 65 Power Five teams and 65 Group of Five teams. 

“Has he taken
(Has he taken)
Any time
(Any time to show)
To show you what you need to live?” 

With the five-day opening weekend upon us, it’s never too early to start making your plans 

First, it’s important that you get prepared for some serious TV viewing – five days of it. You want to make sure you are well-stocked with your favorite snacks, munchies and beverages. You don’t want to run out, especially in the fourth quarter of a close game. 

And, might I suggest that if your spouse/partner or whomever isn’t a college football fan, why not have them go spend the weekend with one of the in-laws. You certainly don’t want them interrupting your viewing. You won’t have time to do any honey-dos. 

Of course it would be a good idea if your spouse/partner came by on a daily basis during the five-day weekend and dropped off some proper food for you to consume – wings, cheeseburgers, onion rings, tacos, pizza, chili dogs – you get the picture. Just make sure they come by between games or at halftime. And as much as they may insist, don’t let them stay. Just give them a good tip and send them back to the in-laws or wherever. 

So with the preparations out of the way, here’s your recommended viewing schedule for five days of football. 

The opening game (first kickoff) of the five-day weekend is at 7 p.m. ET, Thursday – UCLA at Cincinnati on ESPN. Last year, Cincinnati surprised UCLA in Pasadena, beating the Bruins, 26-17. This year everyone will be surprised if UCLA wins. Yes, Chip Kelly is off to a rough start with the Bruins, going 3-9 last year in his debut season. But he did beat USC. This season doesn’t hold much hope for UCLA, but never underestimate Kelly. Meanwhile, at Cincinnati, third-year coach Luke Fickell is an up-and-comer. The Bearcats were 11-2 last season. Another good year and Fickell will be coaching a Power Five school next year. He almost got the West Virginia job. 

Now, if the UCLA-Cincinnati game is a bummer, just 30 minutes later (7:30 p.m. ET), UCF opens its 2019 campaign against Florida A&M on CBSSN. Are the Knights going to be as good as they have been the past two seasons? Former Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush is calling the signals for UCF. 

If Florida A&M-UCF doesn’t turn you on then just 30 minutes later you can turn them off. At the 8 p.m. ET, the reigning national champions come on. It’s Georgia Tech at Clemson on ACCN. This is the debut season for the ACC Network and Georgia Tech-Clemson is the debut game on the network. This is your chance to check out Trevor and Travis as in Lawrence and Etienne. 

Now many of you may not get the ACC Network. If you don’t, I guess you’ll just have to stick with UCLA-Cincinnati or Florida A&M-UCF. There are three other games on, starting at 8:30, 9:00 and 10:00, but all three are some Power Five schools playing some rinky-dink kindergarten teams. Unless you are a graduate of Texas A&M, Minnesota or Arizona State, I think you can skip those games. You may want to skip them even if you are an Aggie, Gopher or Sun Devil. 

But the nightcap, and hopefully by now you haven’t had to many nightcaps, should be a good one – Utah at BYU on ESPN. The game starts at 10:15 p.m. ET. Not bad for those of you in time zones west of ET. Utah is in just about everyone’s preseason Top 20. The Utes are stacked with good players – offense and defense. However, BYU is a big rival. 

Friday night is a bit of a letdown, but there are some games that could be interesting. The evening begins early – 6 p.m. ET – with Rice at Army on CBSSN. Rice, unfortunately, will most likely be dreadful, but Army should be fun to watch. Many pollsters have the Cadets in their Top 25. Army has an exceptional quarterback in Melvin Hopkins. My prediction is Army will beat Rice into krispies. 

If Rice-Army isn’t your bag, may I suggest Wisconsin at South Florida an hour later – 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. You can check out Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor. South Florida is coached by former Louisville and Texas coach Charlie Strong. Strong’s Bulls had a disastrous season last year. 

There are a mish-mash of other games on but they are pretty much just that – Mish vs. Mash. Utah State at Wake Forest (8 p.m. ET on ACCN) could be fun. Utah State has one of the country’s most exciting quarterbacks – Jordan Love. I’m sure Steve Klingberg, Kim Mallory and Roger Schenk will want to check out Purdue at Nevada – 9:30 p.m. ET on CBSSN. 

There are two choices for nightcap games – again, if your liquid nightcaps haven’t been too strong. First at 10:10 p.m. ET on ESPN is Colorado vs. Colorado State in Denver. Neither of these teams are supposed to be any good this year. Colorado has a new coach – Mel Tucker – and Colorado State’s coach – Mike Bobo – will be fired by the end of the season. But this game is always fun to watch. It’s a good rivalry. Colorado does have a good quarterback – Steven Montez – and one of the best wide receivers in the country – Laviska Shenault. 

If Colorado-Colorado State doesn’t stir your grits then in the other nightcap you can watch Oklahoma State at Oregon State – 10:30 p.m. ET on FS1. Okie State should be pretty good. Oregon State should be pretty bad. But the Beavers do have one of the best running backs in the country – Jermar Jefferson. And when the games are in Corvallis, it’s always fun to watch Benny the Beaver. He puts on a pretty good show. Usually better than the football team’s. 

That game should be over by around 2 a.m. ET which will leave you with a few hours of sleep before the BIG day – Saturday. Saturday is the biggest football day of the Labor Day weekend. And it all begins at 12 noon ET. 

Of the 11 televised games that are starting at 12 noon ET, the biggest of the bunch is probably Ole Miss at Memphis on ABC. Memphis is a hot Group of Five team. The Tigers better be hot to counter Rich Rodriguez’s always fun offense. Rich Rod is the new offensive coordinator at Ole Miss this season. But his offense may be the only thing fun about Ole Miss. 

Elsewhere at 12 noon, you can watch East Carolina at NC State (ACCN), Florida Atlantic at Ohio State (FOX). Last year Lane Kiffin opened against Oklahoma. This year he opens against the Buckeyes. You can watch Indiana at Kansas (FSN). Les Miles’ debut with the Jayhawks. Northern Iowa at Iowa State (FS1). The Cyclones are supposed to be hot this year. South Alabama at Nebraska (ESPN). Huskers Quarterback Adrian Martinez in his second season with second-year coach Scott Frost. Or there is always Toledo at Kentucky (SECN). The Rockets could give the Wildcats some trouble. 

The next time slot Saturday is 3:30 p.m. ET with five games on tap. The best of the bunch here should be North Carolina vs. South Carolina from Charlotte on ESPN. This is Mack Brown’s debut with the Tar Heels. He’ll look like a heel after this game. 

If North Carolina-South Carolina is a bummer, then switch over to Alabama vs. Duke from Atlanta on ABC. Not that this will be a good game, but it’s always worth checking out Bama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Along with running back Najee Harris, the Tide should take the dirt out of the Dookies. 

Now if those two 3:30 games are duds, then 30 minutes later at 4 p.m. ET you can catch Northwestern at Stanford on FOX. That should be a good game. And if it isn’t a good one, at the same time you can watch Virginia Tech at Boston College on the ACCN. 

The evening viewing Saturday really gets good. For starters at 7 p.m. ET, I would recommend Boise State vs. Florida State from Jacksonville on ESPN. Boise State is always tough, but what will Florida State have this year? Second-year coach Willie Taggart better hope the Noles have something. 

Thirty minutes later at 7:30 p.m. ET, it’s the game of the day – Auburn vs. Oregon from Arlington, Texas. Will the Gus Bus have any wheels this season? The Ducks are quacking with quarterback Justin Herbert. 

Auburn-Oregon is one of six games on at 7:30. You might want to peek in on Georgia at Vanderbilt (SECN) or Virginia at Pitt (ACCN). The Dawgs should be fun to watch with quarterback Jake Fromm and running back D’Andre Swift. 

And the nightcap (there’s always room for a nightcap), try Fresno State at USC, 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. This could be a heck of a game. Fresno State can be tough and the pressure is on Clay Helton at USC. 

After three full days of football and a trio or so of nightcaps, you can sleep all day Sunday. The first and only game Sunday commences at 7:30 p.m. ET. That would be Houston at Oklahoma on ABC. Wild and unpredictable Houston coach Dana Holgorsen goes up against Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley again, only this time coaching the Cougars instead of the Mountaineers. Look for Jalen to put the hurts on Holgorsen. 

If you didn’t catch up on your sleep on Sunday, then you can sleep most of Monday to make up for it. Labor Day’s one and only game starts at 8 p.m. ET – Notre Dame at Louisville on ESPN. With Ian Book quarterbacking the Irish, this game could be over early. Notre Dame is predicted to be a Top 10 team, while Louisville is predicted to be the worst team in the ACC.

How’s that for five days of football viewing? And don’t forget to tell your spouse/partner or whomever that they can return home on Tuesday morning. Just don’t complain about the food they dropped off while you were watching football. After all, you want to live to watch 15 more weekends of football.

With your opening weekend viewing schedule set, it would be good to know who are supposed to be the winners and who are supposed to be the losers in each of the 10 FBS conferences. This is the consensus of what the preseason predictors say. Read ’em and cheer or read ’em and weep. Here goes. 

Among the Power Five conferences, starting the ACC: 

In the ACC Atlantic Division, Clemson is the strong favorite. Syracuse and Florida State come in as the challengers, while NC State is the dark horse. Boston College, Wake Forest and Louisville are the losers. 

In the ACC Coastal Division, Miami and Virginia are the favorites. Virginia Tech comes in as the challenger and Pitt is the dark horse. Duke, North Carolina and Georgia Tech are just fiddling their thumbs until basketball season. 

Clemson is favored to beat either Miami or Virginia for the ACC championship. 

In the Big 12, Oklahoma is everyone’s favorite. Texas and Iowa State figure to be the challengers, while TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma State are the dark horses. Texas Tech, West Virginia, Kansas State and Kansas can forget it. 

Oklahoma is favored to beat Texas in the Big 12 championship game. 

Meanwhile, the Big Ten: 

In the Big Ten East Division, Michigan and Ohio State are the co-favorites. Michigan State and Penn State come in as the challengers and Indiana is the dark horse. Maryland and Rutgers are big time losers. 

In the Big Ten West Division, Nebraska slips in as the favorite. Iowa and Wisconsin will challenge, while Northwestern is the dark horse. Minnesota, Purdue and Illinois are the cellar dwellers. 

Michigan or Ohio State will beat Nebraska for the Big Ten championship. 

Pac-12: In the Pac-12 North Division, Oregon and Washington are tied as the favorites. Stanford and Washington State are valid challengers. There are no dark horses, while California and Oregon State are the losers. 

In the Pac-12 South Division, Utah is the favorite. USC is the challenger and Arizona State and UCLA are dark horses. Arizona and Colorado can forget it. 

Oregon or Washington is favored to beat Utah for the Pac-12 championship. 

SEC: In the SEC East Division, Georgia is the favorite. Florida is the challenger, while Missouri and South Carolina are the dark horses. Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt are the bottom feeders. 

In the SEC West Division, Alabama is the favorite with LSU and Texas A&M coming in as the challengers. Auburn and Mississippi State are the dark horses. Ole Miss and Arkansas are the doormats. 

Alabama is picked to beat Georgia for the SEC championship. 

Among the Group of Five conferences, starting with the AAC: 

In the AAC East Division, UCF is the favorite. Cincinnati is the challenger with South Florida and Temple being the dark horses. East Carolina and Connecticut are sucking air. 

In the ACC West Division, Memphis is the favorite. Houston is the challenger and Tulane is the dark horse. SMU, Navy and Tulsa are the cellar dwellers. 

UCF is favored to beat Memphis in the AAC title game. 

C-USA: In the C-USA East Division, Marshall is the favorite. FIU and Florida Atlantic make up the challengers, with Middle Tennessee being the dark horse. Western Kentucky, Old Dominion and Charlotte are the losers. 

In the C-USA West Division, North Texas and Southern Miss are the co-favorites. Louisiana Tech and UAB are the challengers, while UTSA is the dark horse. UTEP and Rice can forget it. 

Marshall is favored to beat either North Texas or Southern Miss for the C-USA championship. 

MAC: In the MAC East Division, Ohio is the favorite. Buffalo is the challenger and Miami and Kent State are the dark horses. Akron and Bowling Green are the doormats. 

In the MAC West Division, Toledo is the favorite. Western Michigan is the challenger, while Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan are the dark horses. Ball State and Central Michigan are the bottom feeders. 

Ohio is favored to beat Toledo in the MAC championship game. 

MWC: In the MWC Mountain Division, Boise State is the favorite. Utah State is the challenger, with Air Force and Wyoming being the dark horses. Colorado State and New Mexico are sucking air. 

In the MWC West Division, Fresno State and San Diego State are the favorites. Hawaii and Nevada are the challengers, while UNLV is the dark horse. San Jose State is at the bottom – the very bottom. 

Boise State is favored to beat either Fresno State or San Diego State for the MWC championship. 

And finally, the Sun Belt: In the Sun Belt East Division, Appalachian State is the favorite. Troy is the challenger, while Georgia Southern is the dark horse. Georgia State and Coastal Carolina are the doormats. 

In the Sun Belt West Division, Arkansas State and Louisiana are the favorites. ULM is the challenger and Texas State is the dark horse. South Alabama comes in at the bottom. 

Appalachian State is favored to beat either Arkansas State or Louisiana for the Sun Belt title. 

“To take you in the sun
To promised lands
To show you everyone
It’s the time of the season for football” 

Now that you know who is going to win the conferences, who is going to make the playoffs? We’ll know on Sunday, December 8 when the final College Football Playoff Rankings are announced – 12 noon to 4 p.m. ET on ESPN. 

The first Playoff Poll of the season will be announced on Tuesday evening, November 5 on ESPN – 10 weeks into the season. Succeeding Playoff Rankings will be announced weekly on the next four Tuesday evenings to December 3, leading up to the final announcement on December 8. 

The semifinal games of the College Football Playoff will be played in the Peach and Fiesta Bowls on December 28. The national championship game will be played on Monday, January 13 in New Orleans. 

Just as there were no changes to the conferences this year, likewise, there are no changes to the season ending bowl games – both in name and number. Again this season there will be 39 bowl games (all with the same name), plus the national championship game. The Bahamas Bowl will kick off the bowl season on December 20. 

Speaking of bowls, Florida and Hawaii got off to a good start Saturday night for making a season-ending bowl game. The Gators looked awful, I mean really bad, in beating Miami (Florida), 24-20. Florida wasn’t prepared for the game, especially quarterback Feleipe Franks. Franks is a terrible quarterback. Hopefully, he’ll get his head straightened out and turn things around. 

Meanwhile, in Honolulu, the Rainbow Warriors outscored Arizona, 45-38, before 22,306 fans. The game was a thriller, tied 35-35 as the fourth quarter began. The game ended with Arizona on Hawaii’s one-yard line. Both quarterbacks passed for more than 350 yards each. Arizona’s Khalil Tate threw for 361 yards, while Hawaii’s Cole McDonald passed for 378 yards. McDonald also threw four interceptions. I don’t think Arizona coach Kevin Sumlin is long for Tucson. 

In some final news, and sadly, Wendy Anderson, the wife of Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson, died last week. The cause was breast cancer. Arkansas State defensive coordinator David Duggan will be the interim head coach until Blake returns from an indefinite leave of absence. 

Last week, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn announced that Bo Nix would be the Tigers starting quarterback. Nix is the first true freshman to start as quarterback for Auburn since 1946. 

Danny Sheridan and Paul Finebaum were busy last week dissing Clemson’s schedule. They made it sound like Syracuse was the only respectable team on the Tigers’ schedule. If I was Texas A&M, I would be offended. Heads up, Jimbo Fisher. This is locker room material for the Aggies. 

So now you know everything you need to know about the 2019 college football season. Everything, perhaps, except the answers to these questions: 

1.       How will the transfer quarterbacks – Jalen Hurts, Kelly Bryant, Justin Fields, Jacob Eason, Brandon Wimbush, Austin Kendall, Shane Buechele and Tommy Stevens – perform this season? 

2.       Will a quarterback from Oklahoma win the Heisman Trophy for the third-straight year? 

3.       Can either Mack Brown or Les Miles find a way to salvage a winning season in 2019? 

4.       Will Dana Holgorsen find comfort at Houston? 

5.       Can anybody beat Clemson in the ACC, Alabama in the SEC or Oklahoma in the Big 12? And for that matter, Boise State in the MWC, UCF in the AAC and Appalachian State in the Sun Belt? 

6.       Is this the year that Jim Harbaugh finally beats Ohio State? 

7.       Will Urban Meyer be the coach of USC come January 1? 

8.       Will Willie Taggart still be the coach of Florida State come January 1? 

9.       Will Lane Kiffin, Luke Fickell, Seth Littrell or Mike Norvell be coaching a Power Five team next year? 

10.   Can South Carolina beat Clemson, Georgia, Kentucky or Texas A&M in 2019? 

1          11.  With no clear-cut favorite, who will win the Big Ten West and the ACC Coastal Divisions? 

12.   Whose restaurant will be more successful – Urban Meyer’s or Steve Spurrier’s? 

Enjoy your cold pizza, chili dogs and beer. College football is here.

“Tell it to me slowly
Tell you what?
I really want to know
It’s the time of the season for football”

Touchdown Tom
August 26, 2019
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com



(Note: Next week’s CFW – Week Two will be posted on Tuesday morning – September 3 – the day after Labor Day.)



Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK: Sloppy Feleipe – Florida 24, Miami (Florida) 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 27, Miami 17). Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks was terrible, both in his on-field performance and his sideline behavior. Somebody needs to knock some sense into the guy. Actually, the entire Gator offense was terrible – no quarterback, no running back, no receivers, no offensive line. At best, the Gator defense was inconsistent. At worse, the Gator defense was self-destructive in the closing minutes of the game when Miami was driving for a winning score. Twice, Florida’s secondary was called for pass interference when the Gators had the Canes stopped on their drive. Of course, this all came after Franks threw a stupid interception – his second of the game. Fortunately for Florida, Miami’s play was just as sloppy. The teams combined for five turnovers and 23 penalties. Even the referees performance was sloppy. The Gators won but it was an awful win. Fortunately for the Gators, they play nobody the next two weeks – literally next week and figuratively in two weeks. Attendance in Orlando: 66,543

Week Zero Result:  1 winner; 0 fumbles (100 percent)



Quotes of the Week

“The four playoff teams will be Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and either Ohio State or Michigan. Alabama will lose in the semifinals, regardless of who they play. Georgia has the players to win the championship. The Bulldogs will take it all,” College football oddsmaker Danny Sheridan.

“Clemson has a Charmin tissue schedule. Syracuse is the only decent team the Tigers play and Clemson will clobber Syracuse,” College football oddsmaker Danny Sheridan.

“After Florida, Miami has nobody on its schedule,” ESPN college football analyst Joey Galloway.

“Their schedule is so easy, Clemson can’t miss making the playoffs,” ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum.

“This has to be one of the worst wins ever. You just can’t get excited about that. No running game, a cocky QB that has no right to be and DBs that can’t cover without mugging a WR and a bazillion mistakes by the entire team. Hope they get it together soon,” Gator fan Kris Hansen, on the Florida’s win over Miami.

“ Well I wish I could be all happy and say a win is a win as I’ve been reading all morning from fellow fans. Certainly winning is better than losing but I can’t imagine our QB not immediately heading to the opposing QB and shaking his hand rather than gloating over a rough performance and look how great I am attitude. I have never seen a Gator QB do this and can’t remember any college QB doing this. Maybe Cam a little bit. The quarterback whisperer needs to whisper a lot louder about many things but the first of these in my opinion is to show a little class,” Rockledge Gator, on Florida quarterback Feleipe Franks, after the Miami game.



Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
Opening Weekend’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games.…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Auburn vs. Oregon  – (SEC vs. Pac-12) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – This will be a rematch of the January 2011 game when Auburn beat Oregon for the BCS national championship, following the 2010 season. The Tigers beat the Ducks, 22-19, on a 19-yard field goal as time expired. That was the only time these two teams have met on the football field. So Oregon should have a little revenge in mind. The Ducks definitely have the better quarterback – Justin Herbert. Auburn is starting a true freshman – Bo Nix. In fact, overall, Oregon should have the better offense. But it is a different story on defense. The Tigers come out on top there. SEC teams definitely play better defense than Pac-12 teams. Aubie beats the quack out of Puddles – Auburn 27, Oregon 23. 

RUNNER UP:  2. Houston at Oklahoma – (AAC vs. Big 12) – 7:30 pm ET, Sunday, ABC – Three years ago these two teams opened the season against each other. Houston won that game, 33-23. Tom Herman was coaching Houston then. Dana Holgorsen is coaching Houston now. Holgorsen is 0-7 against the Longhorns. The only thing Houston has is a decent quarterback in D’Eriq King. Oklahoma has everything, including quarterback Jalen Hurts and coach Lincoln Riley. Holgorsen will be 0-8 against the Sooners – Oklahoma 35, Houston 20.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Northwestern at Stanford – (Big Ten vs. Pac-12) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Neither team is great, but both are good – perhaps better than good. This has the makings of a great game. Northwestern has a fair quarterback in Hunter Johnson – a Clemson transfer. Stanford has a great quarterback in K.J. Costello. Both teams are definitely rebuilding, but they have some good stock. Stanford has the better stock. The Trees shed on the Wildcats – Stanford 26, Northwestern 20.

4. Alabama vs. Duke – (SEC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Would you believe this is the toughest non-conference game Alabama has all season? Believe it! The past few years, Alabama’s non-conference schedule has been made up of the likes of Florida Atlantic, Southern Miss, Western Carolina, Middle Tennessee, ULM, Charleston Southern, Western Kentucky, Kent State, Chattanooga, Fresno State, Colorado State, Mercer, Arkansas State. Louisiana, New Mexico State and The Citadel. I’m surprised they scheduled Duke. That’s kind of brave of them. Daniel Jones graduated so the Dookies don’t have anything this year. But Bama does – Tua Tagovailoa, Najee Harris, Jerry Jeudy, Nick Saban, etc. etc. Need I say more? Bama nukes the Dooks – Alabama 45, Duke 15.

5. Utah at BYU – (Pac-12 vs. Ind.) – 10:15 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – Utah is loaded – a Top 15 team in the country. BYU isn’t. But this is one of those games where you can throw out the records and the stats. It’s a rivalry game. And BYU will be tougher at home. Utah definitely has its work cut out for it. But Kyle Whittingham has developed a consistent winner in Salt Lake City. BYU coach Kalani Sitake is on the hot seat in Provo. He’s desperate and a desperate coach can be like a wounded animal – dangerous. The Utes book the Mormons – Utah 26, BYU 19.

6. Boise State vs. Florida State – (MWC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – This could be one of the better games of the weekend. Boise State is always tough – not as tough as they were under Chris Petersen – but still a very competitive team. Nobody is really sure what FSU will do this season. The Noles better do good or it is bye, bye Willie Taggart. FSU could come out swinging and do very good. On the other hand, it could be another disappointing season in Bingo Town. As a team, Boise State should be strong on defense. FSU should be strong at the running back with Cam Akers. Bingo for the Broncos – Boise State 29, Florida State 27. 

7. Georgia at Vanderbilt – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – On paper, this should be a rout for Georgia. And it probably will be. But Vandy has some talent, especially at running back with Ke’Shawn Vaughn and Derek Mason is a desperate coach. And you know what I say about desperate coaches – they can be dangerous. Mason knows this could be his last year in Nashville. Sadly for Mason, Georgia is loaded, especially on offense. The Dawgs have Jake Fromm and D’Andre Swift. If there is a weakness, it is on defense, and that’s not much of a weakness. Uga eats Vandy like candy – Georgia 32, Vanderbilt 15. 

8. Fresno State at USC – (MWC vs. Pac-12) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – These California Group of Five teams love to play the Pac-12 teams. They love it better when they beat the Pac-12 teams. It doesn’t always happen but it does happen. Fresno State looks good on defense, but awful on offense. USC is really somewhat of a question mark. But quarterback J.T. Daniels should be good. Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford used to coach in the Pac-12 at Cal. He knows the Pac-12. This could be an interesting game. Even more so because USC coach Clay Helton is on the hot seat. The Bulldogs can’t find a wooden horse – USC 30, Fresno State 27.

9. UCLA at Cincinnati – (Pac-12 vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – Last season was a flop for Chip Kelly at UCLA. Then again, Jim Mora didn’t leave him with a lot of material. This is the year Chip is supposed to pop out. But before he does, he’ll probably get popped by the Bearcats. Cincy had a good team last year and most of it is back. Bearcats coach Luke Fickell has his eyes on a Power Five job. But he has to stay focused on having another good season in Cincinnati. The Bruins are Bears but so are the Cats – Cincinnati 30, UCLA 24.

10. Virginia Tech at Boston College – (ACC vs. ACC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – Boston College coach Steve Addazio is on the hot seat. Believe it or not, some people think Hokie coach Justin Fuentes is on the hot seat too. That makes for an interesting game. The Hokies are supposed to be a contender in the ACC Coastal. BC is supposed to be a cellar dweller in the ACC Atlantic. But BC has running back A.J. Dillon. The Hokies have to stop him. They should. Tech is solid and experienced on defense. And Bud Foster wants to go out a winner. Hokies spill the Beans – Virginia Tech 27, Boston College 22.



…AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

11. Virginia at Pitt – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – Virginia is a favorite to win the ACC Coastal. Pitt is a dark horse in the ACC Coastal. After three years on the job in Charlottesville, you feel like coach Bronco Mendenhall is ready to breakout – in a big way. This could be the year he does. Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi seems to be treading water. The Cavaliers return more experience. You can only tread water for so long – Virginia 27, Pitt 25. 



YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

James Madison at West Virginia – (Colonial vs. Big 12) – 2 pm ET, Saturday, AT&TSN – West Virginia fans must really be excited about new coach Neal Brown. The game is a sellout. This is definitely a rebuilding year for the Mounties, along with a new system. That could be ingredients for a mistake-filled first game. WVU can’t afford to make too many mistakes. James Madison is the No. 2 FCS team in the country. We know JMU is a strong FCS team. We know WVU has good running backs. But that’s all we know about the Mounties. Everything else is a question mark. For WVU fans it will be like opening a package on Christmas day when you don’t have any idea what is inside. Hopefully, Mountie fans are pleasantly surprised. The Eers make James look like Jimmy – West Virginia 30, James Madison 14.

South Alabama at Nebraska – (SBC vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – All right. This is the year. This is Scott Frost’s second year in Lincoln. In his second year at UCF, he was 13-0. He went from 6-7 to 13-0. Last year in Lincoln, his first, Frost was 4-8. What will the Huskers be this year? A lot of people think Frost’s team is good enough to win the Big Ten West. Fortunately, for Nebraska, South Alabama isn’t a Big Ten team. The Jaguars are a good team for the Huskers to cut their teeth on. South Alabama should be soft like soybeans. Easy to cut your teeth into. Adrian Martinez is too sharp for the Jaguars. Frost has a breather this week. Herbie takes the Jag out of the Uars – Nebraska 48, South Alabama 10.

Purdue at Nevada – (Big Ten vs. MWC) – 9:30 pm ET, Friday, CBSSN – Purdue came on pretty strong last year. The Boilers beat Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska. Oops, everybody beat Nebraska. Then the Boilers ran into Auburn in the Music City Bowl and got beat 63-14. Ouch! The Boilers should have a potent defense. There are a lot of returning starters. But the offense could be a disaster. Fortunately, for Purdue, Nevada is a rebuilding team – offense and defense. But the Wolf Pack will be feisty in Reno. Boilers have the Wolves squealing – Purdue 30, Nevada 20.

Louisiana Tech at Texas – (C-USA vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, LHN – In spite of what Terry Bradshaw says, Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger is a good quarterback – a very good quarterback. Ehlinger will have the Bulldog defense sucking air – maybe as early as the second quarter. This is the year for the Longhorns to say, “We’re back.” It began at the end of last season when the Horns beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. I never have thought much of La Tech coach Skip Holtz. He’s lazy. This is an easy start for Bevo. Longhorns stampede the Bulldogs – Texas 40, Louisiana Tech 11.

Florida is off.



ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Jacksonville U. at Richmond – (Pioneer vs. Colonial) – 7 pm ET, Thursday….
Florida A&M at UCF – (MEAC vs. AAC) – 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, CBSSN….
Florida International at Tulane – (C-USA vs. AAC) – 8 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN3…. 

Wisconsin at South Florida – (Big Ten vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Friday, ESPN…. 

Florida Atlantic at Ohio State – (C-USA vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX….
Presbyterian at Stetson – (Big South vs. Pioneer) – 7 pm ET, Saturday….

Bethune-Cookman vs. Jackson State – (MEAC vs. SWAC) – 3 pm ET, Sunday, ESPN2….

Miami, Florida Tech and West Florida are off.

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

P.S.

Not exactly college football related, but as the Labor Day weekend approached and college football fans were hyped for the start of another great season, the number one song in the country…

…75 years ago this week in 1944 was “Swinging On A Star” by Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra

…70 years ago this week in 1949 was “Some Enchanted Evening” by Perry Como

…65 years ago this week in 1954 was “Sh-Boom” by The Crew Cuts

…60 years ago this week in 1959 was “The Three Bells” by The Browns

…55 years ago this week in 1964 was “Where Did Our Love Go” by The Supremes

…50 years ago this week in 1969 was “Honky Tonk Women” by The Rolling Stones

…45 years ago this week in 1974 was “(You’re) Having My Baby” by Paul Anka and Odia Coates

…40 years ago this week in 1979 was “My Sharona” by The Knack

…35 years ago this week in 1984 was “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker, Jr., and “What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner

…30 years ago this week in 1989 was “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx

…25 years ago this week in 1994 was “Stay (I Missed You)” by Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories, and “I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men



Not exactly college football related, but there were two passings of note last week – Jim Hardy and Jack Perkins.

Jim Hardy, the oldest living USC Trojans and Los Angeles Rams football player and MVP of the 1945 Rose Bowl, died last week in La Quinta, California. He was 96. Hardy also played for the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions and Chicago Cardinals in the NFL. He was a quarterback. At USC he also played defensive back. Hardy also played third base for the USC baseball teams for three seasons. He remained a USC football fan until two years ago, driving himself to practices and games. Hardy attended more than 80 Rose Bowl games.

Jack Perkins, a former NBC News reporter and anchor and host of the A&E program “Biography,” died last week at his home in Nokomis, Florida – near Sarasota. He was 85. Perkins started as a writer for NBC news in the early 1960s. As a reporter, he went on to cover the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War and the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in a 25-year career with the network. He made appearances on “The Nightly News,” the “Today” show and the series “NBC Magazine” and “Prime Time Sunday.” He was also the host of “Biography” from 1994 to 1999. After Perkins left television, he wrote several books in the early 2000s. Jack Morton Perkins was born on December 28, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in Wooster, Ohio. He attended Western Reserve University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1956.