College Football Week 9 – Tua out; back for LSU game?

To Paducah and back,
Just in time for football


To serious quilters in this country, there are four Meccas – Sisters, Oregon; Hamilton, Missouri; Paducah, Kentucky, and the Houston Quilt Show.

Swamp Mama, a serious quilter, had been to two of those. As of last week, she has now been to three of the four Meccas. In June 2011, I took her to Sisters, during our nine-day drive around the state of Oregon. In October 2017, she visited Hamilton, during our several-days drive around the state of Missouri, with our Nebraska friends – Sue and Dave Brolhorst.

Last week, Swamp Mama and I drove to Paducah, Kentucky, so she could visit the National Quilt Museum and several quilt shops in the area. The idea and decision to make the trip kind of popped up on the spur of the moment just a few weeks prior. But you can do things like that when you are retired. Just take off when you want to.

My only requirement was we had to do it between football weekends. Not a problem. We left home on a Monday morning. Now you know why you got last week’s CFW on Sunday night. And we arrived back home on Friday afternoon.

Monday, we drove to Adairsville, Georgia, north of Atlanta. The scourge of every Floridian driving to the north central area of the U.S. is the fear and angst of driving through Atlanta. There is no way of escaping it. Unless you drive out of your way hundreds of miles, you have to drive through Atlanta. And I think most of us know what that is like.

I hadn’t driven through the Atlanta area in years. All my recent drives up north have been on Interstate 95 to more eastern destinations. So I have to tell you, I didn’t know what to expect.

Well, it was a breeze. Swamp Mama and I arrived in the Atlanta area on Interstate 75 late in the afternoon. At that time of the day, the heavy traffic was heading south – out of Atlanta. We were heading north – into Atlanta.

Instead of going through the city, I took I-285 around the westside of the Atlanta. The traffic was busy, but moving. North of Atlanta, at the intersection of I-285 and I-75, I picked up the “Express Lane.” The traffic heading north on I-75 out of Atlanta was bottled up – moving an inch a minute. However, I flew up the “Express Lane” – moving 75 miles an hour.

Our neighbors, Russ and Sandy Grunewald, told me about the “Express Lane” and that it accepts “Florida SunPass,” a prepaid toll program. I had my “SunPass” transponder attached to the windshield.

Actually, the problem areas were Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Nashville. We left Adairsville, Georgia, Tuesday morning and hit the Chattanooga area about an hour later. We entered on Interstate 75 and made the connection onto Interstate 24 going around the town. The combination of rush hour commuters and massive road construction on the Interstate made for many delays and stops. There was just one lane of traffic open for a while.

Nashville was a mess too. I knew to take Briley Parkway around the east side of the city, rejoining Interstate 24 north of Nashville. But I thought what the heck, I’ll stay on I-24 through town. I thought the morning rush hour would be over. Well, that was a mistake – a big one. I don’t think rush hour is ever over in Nashville.

Oh well, the trials and tribulations.

As we traveled Tuesday morning, I was listening to “The 60s on 6” on Sirius XM Radio. Phlash Phelps was the DJ. Somewhere on Interstate 24 between Chattanooga, Tennessee and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a lady from Lincoln, Nebraska, called Phlash. She commented on some 60s band and they chatted a little bit.

As they were talking, Phlash said to her, “How’s your football team doing?”

After a few seconds of dead silence, the lady from Lincoln, Nebraska said, “Can’t we talk about something else?”

Well, wouldn’t you know it, three or four songs later, a man from Norman, Oklahoma, called Phlash Phelps. They chatted for a while. As they talked, the man appeared to be getting a little irritated. Finally, the man from Norman, Oklahoma said to Phlash, “Aren’t you going to ask me about my football team?”

I think I was still laughing, as we traversed through Nashville.

Crossing from Tennessee into Kentucky on Interstate 24, the condition of the highway deteriorates considerably. I was thinking to myself, “Don’t they have civil engineers in Kentucky?”

Or, “Maybe the state doesn’t have any money.” Or, “Both.”

Anyway, we made it too Paducah. Swamp Mama was in a state of intense happiness and bliss. She was in seventh heaven.

The best part of the National Quilt Museum for me was “Quilts of Valor – A 50 State Salute” exhibit. The Quilts of Valor Foundation was established in 2003 to present a quilt to every American serviceman – active or veteran – who has been touched by war. Every state participates in the program and every state has a quilt. Today, more than 200,000  Quilts of Valor have been presented to wounded American servicemen. Each of the unique 50 state quilts were on display at the National Quilt Museum.

At lunch on Wednesday, I have to tell you that Swamp Mama and I had two of the best sandwiches we have ever eaten. Mine was a grilled fried-green tomato BLT and Swamp Mama’s was a grilled pimento-cheese and bacon sandwich. To make lunch even better, we accompanied our sandwiches with the best French onion soup we have ever had. The lunch spot was Kirchoff’s Deli and Bakery in Paducah.

Later in the day on Wednesday, I had the best ever chocolate chip cookie. It was a sweet and salty, caramel, dark-chocolate chip cookie from a bakery called Confleur.

For you Tennesseans out there, Paducah, Kentucky, is where the Tennessee River empties into the Ohio River.

The two of us bid farewell to Paducah on Thursday morning and began our trek back to Florida. The Thursday drive took us from Paducah to Tifton, Georgia. Traveling through Nashville, Chattanooga and Atlanta was basically a charm – we sailed. I took the Briley Parkway in Nashville this time

Following an overnight in Tifton, Swamp Mama and I arrived home around midday on Friday – just in time for a football weekend.

I can’t believe I began writing this football blog with quilts as the subject matter. But I must admit the combination of the two – football and quilts – made me think of former Penn State defensive lineman Roosevelt Grier. After his Penn State days in the 1950s, Rosey went on to become an All-Pro, playing for the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. Then, of all things, after retiring from football, Grier took up needlepoint and macramé as a hobby. He even wrote a book about it.

And speaking of Penn State, the Nittany Lions sure added to Jim Harbaugh’s woes Saturday night. In the Game of the Week, amidst a white-out in Beaver Stadium, Penn State slapped a 28-21 defeat on Michigan.

At one point, it looked like the game was going to be a rout. With 7:22 to go in the second quarter, Penn State scored its third touchdown and went up 21-0 on the Wolverines. But Michigan did come back. With 1:05 to go in the third quarter, the Wolverines scored and trailed the Nitts, 21-14.

About three minutes later, Penn State scored and increased its lead to 14 points again at 28-14. Less than five minutes later, Michigan scored and trailed 28-21 with 8:48 remaining in the game. But the Nitts held on to win.

The loss for the Wolverines was Michigan’s second this season, dropping them to 5-2. Even more damaging to Michigan, it was the second conference loss for the Wolverines. Ohio State and Penn State are still undefeated in Big Ten play and overall. Ohio State hosts Penn State on November 23 in Columbus. Stay tuned!

And speaking of Big Ten play, how about Illinois? How about those Banned Indians? Illinois’ James McCourt kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Banned Indians a 24-23 upset win over Wisconsin. It was the Badgers first loss of the season.

Most perplexing, Wisconsin maintained possession of the ball for almost 41 minutes. Illinois never led in the entire game until McCourt’s game-winning field goal as the clock expired. Wisconsin’s loss leaves Minnesota as the only undefeated team in the Big Ten West Division. The Gophers toppled Rutgers on Saturday, 42-7.

Wisconsin wasn’t the only team to suffer a big-time upset. In the SEC, Vanderbilt, yes Vandy, knocked off Missouri, 21-14. It was Missouri’s first loss and Vanderbilt’s fist win in SEC play. And the Commodores didn’t win off of Missouri turnovers. Each team had one turnover. Vandy simply outplayed the Tigers.

Elsewhere in the SEC, Florida was on the verge of losing to South Carolina until the fourth quarter. That’s when the Gators outscored the Gamecocks 21-7 and won the game 38-27. After looking like a champ last week, South Carolina coach Will Muschamp has fallen back to the moniker Will Mustake, as he was erupting and popping corpuscles on the sideline.

Georgia, losers to South Carolina last week, managed to beat Kentucky, 21-0. But the Dawgs are still searching for an offense, especially a passing offense. That’s not the case with LSU and Alabama. LSU’s offense is still rolling. The Tigers dumped Mississippi State, 36-13. Joe Burrow passed for 327 yards and four touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Alabama’s offense suffered a setback, but survived, as the Tide took care of Tennessee, 35-13. Bama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the game late in the second quarter with a high-ankle sprain.

In the Big 12, Oklahoma’s offense is still rolling, but the Sooner Schooner isn’t. OU passed and ran past West Virginia, 52-14. Jalen Hurts passed for 316 yards, scoring three touchdowns and rushed for 75 yards scoring two more touchdowns. Hurts was 16-for-17 passing.

While Hurts was at the top of his game, OU’s Sooner Schooner was at the bottom of its game. Making a sharp turn around the field, following an Oklahoma touchdown, the Schooner wagon flipped over on its side, tossing its two occupants onto the field. The Sooner Schooner, the official mascot of the Oklahoma football team, failed to make another appearance after the mishap.

Also in the Big 12, Iowa State, following a 2-2 start, won its third-straight game. The Cyclones downed Texas Tech in Lubbock, 34-24. Brock Purdy passed for 378 yards and three touchdowns. Baylor remained undefeated. The Bears toppled Oklahoma State in Stillwater, 45-27.

But the interesting game in the Big 12 took place in Austin. Heavily favored Texas had to kick a 33-yard field goal as time expired to subdue lowly Kansas, 50-48. Until the end, the Mad Hatter was working his magic.

Thursday night, the Pac-12 got the weekend off to an early start. In Palo Alto, UCLA stunned Stanford, 34-16. The Bruins held the Trees to 198 total yards, while UCLA running back Joshua Kelley rushed for 192 yards.

In the Pac-12’s second stunner, Oregon State surprised California. The Beavers beat the Bears, 21-17. The win was Oregon State’s second this season in Pac-12 play – the first time since 2016 that the Beavers have had two wins in the conference. In the Pac-12’s feature game, Oregon scored with 5:10 left to knock off Washington in Seattle, 35-31.

North Carolina and Virginia Tech had a wild affair in the ACC. It took the Hokies six overtimes to finally beat the Tar Heels, 43-41. The score was 31-31 at the end of regulation. The game marked the debut of college football’s new overtime rules, which call for going for two points after the fourth overtime. No more starting at the 25-yard line after four OTs.

Georgia Tech and Miami (Florida) also played an overtime game. But it only took the Yellow Jackets one overtime to down the Hurricanes, 28-21. The win was Georgia Tech’s first in ACC play this season. Meanwhile, Miami continues to falter under first-year coach Manny Diaz.

Florida State continues to suffer too. The Seminoles fell to Wake Forest, 22-20. The Deacons’ Nick Sciba kicked a 25-yard field goal with 4:18 left and Wake Forest held on to win.

A third team lost for the first time Saturday. It wasn’t necessarily a big-time upset, like the other two (Wisconsin and Missouri), but it was an upset none the less. Boise State fell to a 2-4 BYU, 28-25. Boise State’s loss is detrimental to the Broncos’ chances of making a New Year’s Six bowl game as the top rated Group of Five team in the CFP poll.

Replacing Boise State as the top-rated Group of Five team is SMU. The Mustangs remained undefeated, beating Temple, 45-21. SMU quarterback Shane Buechele passed for 457 yards and six touchdowns. Also in the AAC, Memphis remained a contender. The Tigers downed Tulane, 47-17. Memphis quarterback Brady White passed for 358 yards and five touchdowns.

After Week Eight, 10 teams remain undefeated – eight Power Five teams and two Group of Five teams. The Power Five teams are Clemson (7-0) from the ACC, Baylor (7-0) and Oklahoma (7-0) from the Big 12, Minnesota (7-0), Ohio State (7-0) and Penn State (7-0) from the Big Ten and Alabama (7-0) and LSU (7-0) from the SEC.

The two Group of Five teams are SMU (7-0) from the AAC, and Appalachian State (6-0) from the Sun Belt.

This week, Clemson (Boston College), Oklahoma (at Kansas State), Minnesota (Maryland), Alabama (Arkansas), SMU (at Houston) and Appalachian State (at South Alabama) should roll. However, it could be interesting for three of the undefeated teams – Ohio State hosts Wisconsin, Penn State travels to Michigan State and LSU entertains Auburn. Stay tuned!

Baylor is off this week.

My Top Four teams in alphabetical order are Alabama, LSU, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Breathing down their throats are Penn State and Clemson. Waiting in the wings are Baylor and Minnesota.

My three top players for the Heisman Trophy in alphabetical order are Joe Burrow (LSU), Justin Fields (Ohio State) and Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma).

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should be out for two weeks with his high-ankle sprain. He had surgery for the sprain on Sunday morning. Bama doesn’t need him this week against Arkansas. The Tide could beat the Razorbacks with Paul Finebaum at quarterback. Alabama is off the following week – November 2. Then comes the meeting with LSU – November 9.

Last week, the Heisman Trophy won by Ricky Williams in 1998 sold for $504,000. Williams played for Texas.  The $504,000 is a record for Heisman Trophy sales. The previous record for a Heisman Trophy sale was set when Tim Brown’s 1987 trophy sold for $435,763 last December. Brown played for Notre Dame. When you need the money, you need the money.

News reports have Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead as the No. 1 candidate for the opening at Rutgers.

So now, to complete the quad, all Swamp Mama needs to do is visit the Houston Quilt Show. It’s held around the end of October/first of November every year. She may have to wait until 2021, as I have my Navy reunion in late October next year.

And what else would you expect from Rockledge Gator. Two weeks ago, at the Auburn-Florida game, when I told him Swamp Mama and I were going to Paducah, he responded by saying, “Remember the Duke of Paducah?”

“No.”

Rockledge remembers all those pre-1960 entertainers. The Duke of Paducah was actually Benjamin Francis Ford, a country music comedian, radio host and banjo layer. A regular on the Grand Ole Opry, he was big in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Interestingly, the Duke of Paducah wasn’t born in Paducah nor did he ever live there. He was born in Missouri and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. He always ended his show by saying, “I’m going back to the wagon, boys, these shoes are killin’ me.”

Obviously, the Duke of Paducah never rode on the Sooner Schooner wagon.

Touchdown Tom
October 21, 2019
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com



Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK:  The Lions Roar – Penn State 28, Michigan 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Penn State 24, Michigan 16). What’s wrong with this picture? Michigan had 26 first downs to 14 for Penn State. Michigan had 417 total yards to 293 for Penn State. Michigan had 141 rushing yards to 111 for Penn State. Michigan had 276 passing yards to 182 for Penn State. Michigan maintained time of possession for almost 38 minutes. Yet Penn State won the game. Attendance in University Park: 110,689

RUNNER UP:  These Devils weren’t hot – Utah 21, Arizona State 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Utah 30, Arizona State 23). Utah’s defense dominated. The Utes held Arizona State to only eight first downs, only 136 total yards and only 25 passing yards. All of this in spite of the fact that Utah had four turnovers. Attendance in Salt Lake City: 46,402

REST OF THE BEST:  Quack attack – Oregon 35, Washington 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 33, Washington 30). Except for about five minutes in the first quarter, Washington never trailed in the game until the last five minutes of the game. The teams were well-matched in the stats – pretty even. Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert passed for 280 yards and four touchdowns, while Washington quarterback Jacob Eason passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns. Washington running back Salvon Ahmed rushed for 140 yards. Attendance in Seattle: 70,867

The Ponies are for real – SMU 45, Temple 21 (Touchdown Tom said: SMU 30, Temple 27). SMU amassed 655 total yards and 34 first downs to 273 and 15 for Temple. The Mustangs defense held Temple to 69 yards rushing. SMU quarterback Shane Buechele passed for 457 yards and six touchdowns. Attendance in Dallas: 23,132

No Wave – Memphis 47, Tulane 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Memphis 34, Tulane 27). Three turnovers – all interceptions – befuddled Tulane. Memphis quarterback Brady White passed for 358 yards and five touchdowns. Attendance in Memphis: 30,221

The Bears have it – Baylor 45, Oklahoma State 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 27, Oklahoma State 25). Tight game in the first half. Oklahoma State led 13-10 at the break. Then Baylor outscored the Pokes 35-14 in the second half. Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer passed for 312 yards. Bears running back JaMycal Hasty rushed for 146 yards, while Okie State running back Chuba Hubbard rushed for 171 yards. Attendance in Stillwater: 55,060

It Hurts – Oklahoma 52, West Virginia 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 41, West Virginia 20). Again, WVU has hurting for a running game. The Mounties only had 51 yards rushing. Oklahoma had 560 total yards. Jalen Hurts was responsible for 391 of those yards – passing for 316 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Attendance in Norman: 82,620

Mustake comes through in the pinch – Florida 38, South Carolina 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 24, South Carolina 22). As the fourth quarter began, South Carolina led Florida, 20-17. The Gators outscored the Gamecocks 21-7 in the final 15 minutes. Florida scored 21 unanswered points to go up 38-20. South Carolina scored a “who cares” touchdown with 1:53 left in the game. South Carolina running back Tavien Feaster rushed for 175 yards. Attendance in Columbia: 78,883

Dookless in Charlottesville – Virginia 48, Duke 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia 30, Duke 21). The Dookies had five turnovers – three fumbles and two interceptions. Neither team had much offense. They combined for only 557 total yards. Attendance in Charlottesville: 52,847

Southern missed – Louisiana Tech 45, Southern Miss 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisiana Tech 29, Southern Miss 26). At half time, Southern Miss led 27-24. The third quarter was scoreless. Then La Tech outscored the Eagles, 21-3 in the fourth quarter. Southern Miss quarterback Jack Abraham threw four interceptions. Attendance in Ruston: 23,419



….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

Brock Purdy held a block party – Iowa State 34, Texas Tech 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa State 33, Texas Tech 31). The teams combined for 971 total yards. The Cyclones had most of them. Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy passed for 378 yards and three touchdowns. Cyclones running back Breece Hall rushed for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Attendance in Lubbock: 52,315



YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Dull – Georgia 21, Kentucky 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 32, Kentucky 15). Boring game in the first half. The score was 0-0 at the break. Neither team had any offense – least of all Kentucky. The Wildcats only had 180 totals yards – only 17 yards passing. Georgia wasn’t much better with only 35 yards passing. The Dawgs did find a ground attack. D’Andre Swift rushed for 179 yards. Attendance in Athens: 92,746

Wild one – Texas 50, Kansas 48 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 37, Kansas 17). As the fourth quarter began, the game was tied, 24-24. The Longhorns’ Cameron Dicker kicked a 33-yard field goal as time expired to win the game. The teams combined for 1,207 total yards. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger passed for 399 yards and four touchdowns. Kansas running back Pooka Williams rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Attendance in Austin: 97,137

The Hawkeyes are back in the winning column – Iowa 26, Purdue 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa 27, Purdue 23). Purdue has had rushing problems all season. Against Iowa, the Boilers only had 33 yards rushing. Iowa maintained time of possession for almost 36 minutes. The game wasn’t quite as close as the score indicates. Purdue’s final touchdown came with 24 seconds left in the game. But the fourth quarter was frantic, with 23 points put on the board in the final 15 minutes.  Attendance in Iowa City: 69,250

Week 8 Results:  14 winners, 0 fumbles (100 percent)
For the Season:   89 winners, 28 fumbles (76.1 percent)



ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Marshall 36, Florida Atlantic 31 – Attendance in Boca Raton: 15,138
Georgia Tech 28, Miami 21 (OT) – Attendance in Miami Gardens: 54,106
Stetson 38, Dayton 21 – Attendance in Deland: 1,407
Davidson 49, Jacksonville U. 14 – Attendance in Jacksonville: 2,732 

West Florida 30, West Georgia 2 – Attendance in Carrollton: 1,092
Valdosta State 55, Florida Tech 28 – Attendance in Valdosta: 4,631
Navy 35, South Florida 3 – Attendance in Annapolis: 29,774
Bethune-Cookman 35, Norfolk State 22 – Attendance in Daytona Beach: 2,135 

Florida A&M 34, North Carolina A&T 31 (OT) – Attendance in Tallahassee: 1,061
FIU 32, UTEP 17 – Attendance in Miami: 13,951
UCF 41, East Carolina 28 – Attendance in Orlando: 42,906
Wake Forest 22, Florida State 20 – Attendance in Winston-Salem: 24,782



Superlatives

Impressive Passers:

SMU’s Shane Buechele – 30-53-1 for 457 yards (6TDs); Hawaii’s Cole McDonald – 34-52-1-404 (3TDs); Texas’ Sam Ehlinger – 31-44-1-399 (4TDs); Iowa State’s Brock Purdy – 23-32-1-378 (3TDs), and North Texas’ Mason Fine – 33-45-2-375 (1TD).

Also, Washington State’s Anthony Gordon – 35-51-1 for 369 yards (4TDs); UCF’s Dillon Gabriel – 22-35-0-365 (2TDs); (Florida Atlantic’s Chris Robinson – 21-39-1-362 (1TD); Memphis’ Brady White – 21-29-0-358 (5TDs); Eastern Michigan’s Preston Hutchinson – 31-36-0-357 (3TDs), and Liberty’s Stephen Calvert – 23-35-0-351 (5TDs).

Also, North Carolina’s Sam Howell – 26-49-0 for 348 yards (5TDs); Ohio’s Nathan O’Rourke – 19-28-0-342 (2TDs); LSU’s Joe Burrow – 25-32-0-327 (4TDs); Purdue’s Jack Plummer – 30-50-1-327 (2RDs), and Louisiana Tech’s J’mar Smith – 14-21-1-325 (1TD).

Impressive Rushers:

Marshall’s Brenden Knox – 224 yards (2TDs); Boston College’s A.J. Dillon – 223 yards (3TDs); Clemson’s Travis Etienne – 192 yards (1TD); Kansas’ Pooka Williams – 190 yards (2TDs); Navy’s Malcolm Perry – 188 yards (2TDs); Iowa State’s Breece Hall – 183 yards (2TDs), and Georgia’s D’Andre Swift – 179 yards (2TDs).

Also, UCLA’s Joshua Kelley – 176 yards (1TD); South Carolina’s Tavien Feaster – 175 yards (1TD); Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard – 171 yards (2TDs); Arkansas State’s Marcel Murray – 164 yards; Maryland’s Javon Leake – 158 yards (2TDs); Florida State’s Cam Akers – 157 yards (1TD), and Baylor’s JaMycal Hasty – 146 yards 2TDs).



Quotes of the Week

“There’s a high school team in Arkansas that does an onside kick for every kickoff and never punts. If we could do that and never give Alabama the football, that would be a great game plan,” Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt, on his game plan prior to the Alabama game.

“You heard it from the fans all offseason – with a second-year in coach X’s system we’ll start to see results on the field. The culture has been built. The payoff is near. Here’s the update on that: It’s not working for Scott Frost at Nebraska. Or Chip Kelly at UCLA. Or Willie Taggart at Florida State. Or Jeremy Pruitt at Tennessee. Or Chad Morris at Arkansas. Or Joe Moorhead at Mississippi State. Or Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M. Their combined record in Year 2: 18-25. Their combined record against Power Five competition: 8-19. Their combined salary in Year 2: $31.35 million. It is, however, working for Sonny Dykes, 6-0, at SMU. And Dan Mullen, 6-1, at Florida. And Herm Edwards, 5-1, at Arizona State,” Yahoo Sports college football analyst Pat Forde.

“The SEC Championship Game, national championship two years ago, this game (South Carolina-Georgia). There are several, there’s a large enough sample size for us to see this now and go, you know, Kirby is costing his team in big-time crunch situation games,” former Georgia quarterback Hutson Mason, saying that Kirby Smart got caught with his pants down again.

“No, it’s not something that is under consideration. My focus is here at Mississippi State. This is where we want to be. That’s is what we’re going to do,” Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead, on rumors he is the No. 1 candidate for the Rutgers job.

“The guy ran 40 yards away and dropped the flag. I have no idea. I’d rather him drop it on my feet. Drop it on my feet next time. Gutless,” South Carolina coach Will Muschamp on his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the Florida game.



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

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Auburn (6-1) at LSU (7-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – The pressure is on LSU. It’s hard to stay undefeated. Auburn has already had a loss. So the Tigers should be a little more relaxed. But, Bo Nix is a freshman; Joe Burrow is not – LSU 30, Auburn 24.

RUNNER UP:  2. Wisconsin (6-1) at Ohio State (7-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – Obviously, Wisconsin was caught looking ahead to Ohio State at Illinois last week. How else can you explain it? With Justin Fields, Ohio State rules. Miracles never cease to happen, but there will be no miracles in Columbus on Saturday – Ohio State 28, Wisconsin 16.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Notre Dame (5-1) at Michigan (5-2) – (Ind. vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Can Jim Harbaugh survive if Michigan loses to Notre Dame? I doubt it. While the Wolverines were wearing themselves out against Penn State, the Irish were relaxing. Notre Dame should be well rested. Harbaugh doesn’t survive –  Notre Dame 27, Michigan 24.

4. Oklahoma (7-0) at Kansas State (4-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – Kansas State could give the Sooners some fits. But Jalen Hurts will give the Wildcats more fits. Sooner Schooner stays home this week. But the football team doesn’t –  Oklahoma 35, Kansas State 17.

5. Penn State (7-0) at Michigan State (4-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Now, Penn State could have a letdown following the big win over Michigan. Spartans coach Mark Dantonio has been under attack. He should be angry. Angry can be dangerous. But even if there is a letdown by the Nitts, the Michigan State offense won’t master the Penn State defense. Nittany survives – Penn State 20, Michigan State 14.

6. Washington State (4-3) at Oregon (6-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Oregon just beat Washington. Now the Ducks have to beat the other Washington team – the crazy one. It should be wild. But the Ducks prevail – Oregon 37, Washington State 30.

7. Tulane (5-2) at Navy (5-1) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN – Tulane has already defeated Army. But Navy is a different story. The Green Wave are a good team, but they seem to be wearing down. Navy seems to be getting better. Malcolm Perry has a heyday – Navy 29, Tulane 24. 

8. UCF (5-2) at Temple (5-2) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – After suffering two losses, UCF is coming back. But Temple will give them a fight. The Knights struggle a bit then win – UCF 30, Temple 27.

9. California (4-3) at Utah (6-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Cal can play defense. But Utah plays better defense. And the Utes have a better offense. Still, this one could have some interesting moments. More interesting for the Utes – Utah 26, California 14.

10. Oklahoma State (4-3) at Iowa State (5-2) – ( Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Iowa State is on a roll. The Cyclones had a tough start, but they have their act together now. Okie State is still trying to get it together – Iowa State 33, Oklahoma State 29.



….AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

11. Indiana (5-2) at Nebraska (4-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – After a week of rest in the cornfields, the Huskers should be a renewed team. Indiana can score but the Hoosiers have no defense. Neither does Nebraska. But it holds its own against the Hoosiers – Nebraska 32, Indiana 28. 



YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Duke (4-3) at North Carolina (3-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – The Dookies often start the season out strong and then peter out. Although, after six overtimes, North Carolina should be petered out. That was tiresome watching it – six overtimes. Regardless, the Tar Heels prevail – North Carolina 30, Duke 25.

Texas (5-2) at TCU (3-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Texas can’t afford to play against TCU the way they did against Kansas. If the Horns do, they will lose. The Horns get their act together – Texas 33, TCU 23.

Illinois (3-4) at Purdue (2-5) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, BTN – Purdue was respectable in its loss to Iowa. And you figure Illinois will still be hungover from the win against Wisconsin. Yeah, the Banned Indians have a hangover – Purdue 30, Illinois 29.

Florida (7-1), Georgia (6-1) and West Virginia (3-4) are off.



ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Miami (3-4) at Pitt (5-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday ,ESPN….
West Florida (5-1) at Florida Tech (3-4) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Stetson (5-1) at Valparaiso (0-7) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Jacksonville U. (2-5) at Butler (1-6) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday…. 

Florida A&M (5-1) at Morgan State (1-6) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3….
Syracuse (3-4) at Florida State (3-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2....

Florida Atlantic (4-3) at Old Dominion (1-6) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
FIU (4-3) at Middle Tennessee (2-5) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, NFLN…. 

South Florida (3-4) at East Carolina (3-4) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 3:45 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU….
South Carolina State (4-2) at Bethune-Cookman (6-1) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3….

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com 

P.S.

Not exactly college football related, but as the days were getting shorter, the nights were getting colder, the leaves were falling, the frost was on the pumpkins, and Halloween was just around the corner, the number one song in the country…

…75 years ago this week in 1944 was “You Always Hurt The One You Love” by The Mills Brothers, and “(There’ll Be A) Hot Time In The Town Of Berlin (When The Yanks Go Marching In)” by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters

…70 years ago this week in 1949 was “That Lucky Old Sun” by Frankie Lane

…65 years ago this week in 1954 was “Hey There” by Rosemary Clooney

…60 years ago this week in 1959 was “Mack The Knife” by Bobby Darin

…55 years ago this week in 1964 was “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” by Manfred Mann

…50 years ago this week in 1969 was “I Can’t Get Next To You” by The Temptations

…45 years ago this week in 1974 was “Nothing From Nothing” by Billy Preston, and “Then Came You” by Dionne Warwick and The Spinners

…40 years ago this week in 1979 was “Rise” by Herb Alpert

…35 years ago this week in 1984 was “I Just Called To Say I Love You” by Stevie Wonder

…30 years ago this week in 1989 was “Miss You Much” by Janet Jackson

…25 years ago this week in 1994 was ““I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men



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

Representative Elijah Cummings, a son of sharecroppers who rose to become one of the most powerful Democrats in Congress, died last week in his hometown of Baltimore. He was 68. Cummings was serving his 13^th term in the House. Elijah Eugene Cummings was born on January 18, 1951, in Baltimore. His parents were former sharecroppers from South Carolina. Cummings graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Howard University in Washington, DC, with a degree in political science. He was student government president at Howard. He earned a law degree from the University of Maryland.