College Football Week 3 – Big Ten vote forthcoming
Dream along with me
“I’m on my way to a game”
I feel terrible for my friends whose favorite team or teams are in the Big Ten or Pac-12 Conferences. No team to cheer for this fall. I know they are going through hell. It’s got to be terrible for them.
“Come along, come along, leave your worries where they are”
I’ve been thinking lately about all my Husker friends – Dave Brolhorst, Larry Brewer, Scott Greenwood, Don Haddix, Dan Kleinbeck, Becci Ragatz, Terry Schumacher, Gary Schwartzkopf, Jess Schwartzkopf, Brian Smith and Rory Zink. Can you imagine being a Nebraska fan and having to go through the fall without any football in Lincoln.
Can you imagine what Alabama fans would be like if the Crimson Tide wasn’t playing football. I wouldn’t go near the state of Alabama. I know I would be miserable if West Virginia wasn’t playing. Swamp Mama would be downright intolerable if Florida wasn’t playing football.
“Up and beyond the sky, watching college football roll by
I imagined that my Nebraska friend Rory Zink had a dream the other night. The dream was so good he woke up the next morning glowing from head to toe. He told Randi, his wife, that he had the most wonderful dream. Randi could tell from looking at him that it must have been a sweet dream.
She thought maybe Rory had a romantic dream of the two of them together at some luxurious spa somewhere in the South Pacific.
Rory said, “Randi, I dreamed the Big Ten reversed its decision and Nebraska will start playing football in October.
But even more importantly, the Big Ten recently formed a Return to Football task force chartered with preparing an outline and plan for a safe resumption of football in October 2020. If the committee’s plan is encouraging and provides a process for proceeding smoothly and safely, then the Big Ten council of presidents and chancellors could reverse its original decision and vote to start football in October.
The council of presidents and chancellors met yesterday (Sunday). It was hoped that a vote would be taken. But it wasn’t. However the council said a vote would be forthcoming in the next couple of days. In order for football to resume in October, at least nine of the 14 members must vote in favor of it. In the August vote, 11 members voted against fall football; three voted for fall football. That means at least six members will have to change their minds when they vote in the next few days. Stay tuned! And keep on dreaming, Rory.
Meanwhile, with the Big Ten and the Pac-12 sitting on the sideline, Week 2 of college football experienced a great weekend. Miami, Florida not Ohio, got the weekend started on Thursday night with a 31-14 victory over UAB. But up until four minutes to go in the third quarter, Miami only held a 17-14 lead.
Saturday began with a couple of big upsets. The Sun came into the Heartland and Belted two Big 12 teams. That’s like saying two teams from the Sun Belt Conference surprised two teams from the Big 12 Conference. Then, to add insult to injury, before the day was over, a third Sun Belt team knocked off a favored Big 12 team.
First, in Ames, Iowa, Louisiana smacked Iowa State – big time. The Cajuns were Ragin’ as they knocked off the Cyclones, 31-14. The game was close at halftime. Iowa State led 14-10. But it was all Louisiana in the second half.
Then, in the Little Apple – that’s Manhattan, Kansas – Arkansas State stunned Kansas State, 35-31. It was a wild fourth quarter. When the final 15 minutes began, the game was tied, 21-21. Three minutes and 11 seconds into the fourth, Arkansas State scored a touchdown and went up 28-21. Five minutes and 14 seconds later, Kansas State scored a touchdown and the game was tied again at 28-28.
With 2:30 to go in the game, Kansas State kicked a 35-yard field goal and went up, 31-28. Finally, with only 38 seconds on the clock, Arkansas State scored a touchdown on a 17-yard pass from Lynne Hatcher to Jonathan Adams. After the extra-point kick, the Red Wolves were up 35-31. That was the final score in Manhattan.
And last but not least, in Saturday’s nightcap, Coastal Carolina put the hurtin’ on Kansas, 38-23. The Chanticleers led the Jayhawks, 28-3 at halftime. Year two at Kansas is not starting off well for Les Miles.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown and Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell picked up where they left off last season. North Carolina downed Syracuse, 31-6. Howell passed for 295 yards. But this was a tight game for three quarters. As the fourth quarter began, the Tar Heels only led 10-6. Then they exploded for 21 unanswered points in the final 15 minutes.
West Virginia had two backs rush for more than 100 yards as the Mountaineers creamed Eastern Kentucky, 59-10. Leddie Brown and Alec Sinkfield each rushed for 123 yards.
The Mike Norvell era at Florida State got off to a shaky start. Georgia Tech rallied in the second half to beat the Seminoles, 16-13. FSU led the Yellow Jackets, 10-0 at halftime.
As expected, Clemson and Texas got off to big starts. Trevor Lawrence passed for 351 yards as Clemson downed Wake Forest, 37-13. Sean Ehlinger passed for 426 yards as Texas topped UTEP, 59-3.
Louisville quarterback Micale Cunningham looked good too. Cunningham passed for 343 yards, as the Cardinals downed Western Kentucky, 35-21. Trailing 24-13, Tulane rallied in the fourth quarter to beat South Alabama, 27-24.
Two games in the state of Texas went down to the wire – one beyond the wire. First, in Lubbock, Texas Tech hung on to beat Houston Baptist, 35-33. The teams combined for 1,224 total yards. The two quarterbacks passed for 997 of those yards. Then, in San Marcos, UTSA and Texas State went through two overtimes before UTSA prevailed, 51-48.
Week 2’s losers – Mike Norvell and Les Miles. Week 2’s winner – the Sun Belt Conference. And hat’s off to Louisiana coach Billy Napier and Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson.
Now, on to Week 3 with 24 FBS games on the slate.
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit said last week that Florida State suffers from a culture problem that began under Jimbo Fisher during the Jameis Winston days. “The program became all about me and not about we,” Herbstreit said. He added that Willie Taggart inherited the problem when he became coach in 2018. Herbstreit said Taggart tried to change it but couldn’t. According to Herbstreit, it’s now up to Mike Norvell to change the culture at FSU or the problem will continue.
Washington State joins the schools whose athletic departments are making severe cutbacks. Last week, the Pac-12 school laid off 10 people from its athletic department. The rest of the athletic department staff was forced to take a two-week furlough. Additionally, Washington State cut the salaries of athletic director Pat Chun, football coach Nick Rolovich and men’s basketball coach Kyle Smith by 15%. Women’s basketball coach Kamie Ethridge had her salary cut by 12.5%. All other head coaches and assistant coaches had their salaries reduced by 10%.
Three games scheduled for this weekend have been postponed – Virginia at Virginia Tech, Houston at Memphis and BYU at Army. Virginia Tech, Memphis and BYU have COVID problems.
For two years in the 1960s, I always enjoyed watching “The Avengers” on TV with Diana Rigg as Emma Peel. Diana Rigg died last week (September 10). She was 82.
Did you see where Florida’s Ben Hill Griffin Stadium caught fire over the weekend? I kid you not. There was thick, heavy smoke billowing out of the top of the stadium. When I saw the pictures, my first thought was that FSU’s Chief Osceola had snuck into the stadium to spy on the Gators. When he saw the Gators, ole Osceola began sending smoke signals back to Tallahassee…. “Be glad we aren’t playing Florida this year,” the smoke signals said. “The Gators would clobber us.”
Actually, it turns out a maintenance tractor, sitting on one of the upper levels of the stadium, had caught fire. Fortunately, no one was injured and there was no damage to the stadium. The fire was quickly extinguished by the Gainesville Fire Department.
When Florida coach Dan Mullen learned about the fire he said, “You know the Gators are going to be on fire this year. But we still have two weeks till kick off.”
“Dream along with me. I’m on my way to a game.”
Touchdown Tom
“Dream Along With Me” – my apologies to singer Perry Como and songwriter Carl Sigman.
Weekend Recap
GAME OF THE WEEK: Rajin’ in Ames – Louisiana 31, Iowa State 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa State 31, Louisiana 15). Neither team displayed a lot of offense. Combined they only produced 575 total yards. Two of Louisiana’s touchdowns came from returns – a punt return and a kickoff return. Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy completed less than 50% of his passes.
RUNNER-UP: Cardinals top the Hill – Louisville 35, Western Kentucky 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisville 32, Western Kentucky 25). The second quarter was the difference in the game. Louisville outscored WKU, 21-0 in Q2. Cardinals quarterback Micale Cunningham threw three touchdown passes.
REST OF THE BEST: Irish Book the Dookies – Notre Dame 27, Duke 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 33, Duke 19). A close game for three quarters, Notre Dame led 17-13 at the end of three. But the Irish skunked Duke in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Dookies, 10-0. Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
And it begins – Clemson 37, Wake Forest 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 40, Wake Forest 12). The score was 37-3 at the end of three. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 78.6% of his passes. Running back Travis Etienne averaged 6.0 yards per carry.
What can Brown do for you – North Carolina 31, Syracuse 6 (Touchdown Tom said: North Carolina 30, Syracuse 17). Three turnovers by North Carolina kept the score from being worse. Syracuse only had 202 total yards – just 68 yards rushing.
The Cane was sweet – Miami (Florida) 31, UAB 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Miami 34, UAB 14). Neither team looked particularly good, but obviously Miami looked better. The Canes racked up 492 total yards on offense – 337 yards rushing. Cam’ron Harris rushed for 134 of those yards. Quarterback D’Eriq King added 83 yards rushing. Miami’s defense held UAB to 80 yards rushing.
Postponed – Louisiana Tech at Baylor (Touchdown Tom said: Baylor 35, Louisiana Tech 20). The Louisiana Tech-Baylor game was postponed due to COVID issues at Louisiana Tech. I’ll put it in my pocket and if the teams find a date to play later in the season, I’ll pull it out with the same predicted score.
Big waves in Mobile – Tulane 27, South Alabama 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Tulane 24, South Alabama 21). South Alabama quarterback Chance Lovetich passed for 249 yards. But the Jaguars only had 78 yards rushing. Tulane running back Tyjae Spears rushed for 106 yards.
These Cats weren’t Wild – Arkansas State 35, Kansas State 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 33, Arkansas State 22). And Arkansas State had two turnovers to none for Kansas State. The teams combined for 863 total yards, with 613 of those yards coming through the air. Kansas State only had 91 yards rushing.
Cloudy in Tallahassee – Georgia Tech 16, Florida State 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 27, Georgia Tech 19). Florida State only had 288 total yards. The teams combined for five turnovers – three for FSU and two for Georgia Tech. The game had two weather delays, one that lasted one hour and 15 minutes.
YE OLDE STOMPING
GROUNDS:
The pride of every – West Virginia 56, Eastern Kentucky 10 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 49, Eastern Kentucky 3). Forty-nine of the 66 points tallied were scored in the first half. WVU had 624 total yards to 206 for Eastern Kentucky. The Mountaineers held EKU to 75 yards rushing. WVU had 31 first downs to nine for EKU. WVU starting quarterback Jarret Doege only played the first half but had 228 yards passing. He completed 76% of his passes. Austin Kendall quarterbacked the third quarter and freshman Garrett Greene quarterbacked the fourth.
Bevo rules – Texas 59, UTEP 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 37, UTEP 13). Texas had 690 total yards to 233 for UTEP. The Horns held the Miners to 43 yards rushing. Texas quarterback Sean Ehlinger threw five touchdown passes.
Week 2 Results: 8 winners, 3 fumbles (72.7 percent)
ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:
South Florida 27, Citadel 6
Superlatives
Weekend’s Best Passers:
Texas Tech’s Alan Bowman – 38-52-1 for 430 yards (2TDs); Texas’ Sean Ehlinger – 25-33-0-426 (5TDs); Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence – 22-28-0-351 (1TD); Texas State’s Tyler Vitt – 26-39-2-346 (4TDs), and Louisville’s Micale Cunningham – 19-34-1-343 (3TDs).
Weekend’s Best Rushers:
Arkansas State’s Logan Bonner – 204 yards (2TDs); Georgia Southern’s Shai Werts – 155 yards (1TD); Miami of Florida’s Cam’ron Harris – 134 yards (2TDs); West Virginia’s Leddie Brown – 123 yards (2TDs), and West Virginia’s Alec Sinkfield – 123 yards (2TDs).
Quotes of the Week
“I think there is a big risk to them as far as their reputation and the way they love to think of themselves. All of a sudden they go to the ACC and find themselves battling for their lives. They’re not used to getting themselves compared to other people in a conference. So, they are sharing the limelight. I don’t know if they’re used to it. I don’t know if they like it,” former Georgia and Miami (Florida) coach Mark Richt on Notre Dame competing in the ACC this season.
“Cheap politics. It’s just cheap politics. I want that person to be paying attention to matters of national security and national importance. This does not rise to that level – not for a half second,” Rutgers president Jonathan Holloway, on Donald Trump’s attempt to start the Big Ten football season.
“While I understand the Big Ten Conference’s decision to postpone the football season because of health and safety considerations, the communication of information from the Big Ten following the decision has been disappointing and often unclear. However, we still have an opportunity to give our young men what they have worked so hard for: A chance to safely compete for a national championship this fall,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day.
“I can’t help but think my man D.J. is up there smiling right now,” Louisiana coach Billy Napier, on his former defensive line coach D.J. Looney, after the Cajuns’ win over Iowa State. Looney died from a heart attack on August 1.
Touchdown Tom’s
Predictions for
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Miami (Florida) (1-0) at Louisville (1-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – I’m thinking this game could be a pretty high-scoring affair, unless one or both of the defenses figure out how to stop the other team. Both teams have explosive quarterbacks who can create some excitement. Both teams looked similar in their openers against two teams from the same conference. The Red bird gets the White bird – Louisville 27, Miami 24.
RUNNER-UP: 2. Appalachian State (1-0) at Marshall (1-0) – (Sun Belt vs. C-USA) – 1:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN – This could be one of the more exciting games of the weekend. Appalachian State has been ranked in the Top 25 of some preseason polls. Marshall looked good in its opener. The defenses will be tested. I’m thinking the Herd’s is better – Marshall 29, Appalachian State 27.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. Houston (0-0) at Baylor (0-0) – (AAC vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – This is a make-up game when Baylor’s game against Louisiana Tech and Houston’s game against Memphis were canceled/postponed. Both due to COVID. This is Dave Aranda’s first year at Baylor and Dana Holgorsen’s second year at Houston. The first-year coach wins – Baylor 34, Houston 17.
4. UCF (0-0) at Georgia Tech (1-0) – (AAC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Georgia Tech surprised all of us with its win over Florida State. Can the Jackets keep it up? UCF hasn’t played, but the pundits think the Knights are loaded with talent. The Knights show the Seminoles how to do it – UCF 20, Georgia Tech 17.
5. Navy (0-1) at Tulane (1-0) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – Navy looked downright awful in its opener. Tulane looked pretty bad for three quarters. Then the Wave came alive. The Green Wave picks up where it left off in Mobile – Tulane 29, Navy 25.
6. Syracuse (0-1) at Pitt (1-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ACCN – For a while, Syracuse looked good in its opener against North Carolina. But then the real Syracuse surfaced. Pitt looked good in its opener, but the competition – well there was no competition. The Panthers will face some competition this week, but not much – Pitt 29, Syracuse 17.
7. Wake Forest (0-1) at N.C. State (0-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – This game could go either way. Wake Forest has a game under its belt. But State got to scout that game. The Deacons have no scouting reports on the Wolfpack. The Pack is prepared – N.C. State 26, Wake Forest 23.
8. Boston College (0-0) at Duke (0-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN3 – Duke looked good at times against Notre Dame. Just not good enough. The Dookies will be more than good enough against the Eagles – Duke 21, Boston College 20.
9. Tulsa (0-0) at Oklahoma State (0-0) – (AAC vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – This game was supposed to have been played last week. But Tulsa had a date with COVID. The Cowboys are anxious, I’m sure. These Tornadoes aren’t Golden – Oklahoma State 41, Tulsa 13.
10. SMU (1-0) at North Texas (1-0) – (AAC vs. C-USA) – 6 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN – Both teams displayed a lot of offense in their openers. This will be a high-scoring affair. The Mustangs have the better quarterback – SMU 30, North Texas 27.
ELSEWHERE AROUBND
FLORIDA:
South Florida (1-0) at Notre Dame (1-0) – (AAC vs. ACC) – 2:30 pm ET, Saturday, USAN….
Touchdown Tom
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