College Football
Week 12 – Ankle injury sidelines Auburn’s Bo Nix
Crazy little thing
called football
Each week, when you think it can’t get any crazier, it does. It’s that crazy little thing called football.
Where to begin?....Kansas 57, Texas 56....Mississippi State 43, Auburn 34....Baylor 27, Oklahoma 14....Florida 70, Samford 52....Texas Tech 41, Iowa State 38.... or Florida State 31, Miami 28.
Nobody loses to Kansas. For the past five seasons, coming into this season, the Jayhawks were 9-48. That’s basically averaging a 2-10 season for the past five seasons. Coming into the game against Texas on Saturday, Kansas was 1-8. The one win was by 3 points over South Dakota, in the first game of the season. Since that win on September 3, Kansas has lost eight-straight games. In those eight-straight losses, the Jayhawks averaged losing 46-14.
Well, the eight-game losing streak came to an end in Austin, Texas, on Saturday in one of the craziest games ever to be played in Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. With the game tied 14-14 late in the second quarter, Kansas scored three touchdowns in just 85 seconds to take a 35-14 halftime lead over Texas. That’s a touchdown every 28 seconds.
When the fourth quarter began, the Jayhawks led the Longhorns, 42-21. Late in the fourth quarter, Kansas led Texas, 49-35. But back came the Longhorns. Texas scored two touchdowns in the final 4:39 of the game. At the end of regulation, the score was 49-49. In the overtime, Texas got the ball first. The Longhorns scored and went up 56-49.
But the Jayhawks weren’t finished. Kansas scored and trailed Texas, 56-55. The Jayhawks weren’t giving up. First-year Kansas coach Lance Leipold decided to go for two. The Jayhawks were successful on the two-point conversion. Game over. Kansas, a 31-popint underdog, shocked Texas in Austin, 57-56 (OT). After the game, Texas fans were calling for the removal of first-year coach Steve Sarkisian.
Mississippi State has developed somewhat of a reputation this season. A reputation of starting slow and coming on strong at the end. That reputation continued Saturday. Late in the second quarter in Auburn, Alabama, Mississippi State trailed Auburn, 28-3. It looked like it was going to be an easy win for the Tigers.
But wait! This is Mississippi State. Between 1:55 to go in the second quarter and 5:31 to go in the game, the Bulldogs scored six touchdowns – 40 unanswered points – to take a 43-28 lead over Auburn. The Tigers added a touchdown with 3:37 left on the clock. It was Auburn’s first score since midway through the second quarter. But the one final touchdown was the best Auburn could do. As the time expired, Mississippi State beat Auburn, 43-34. The two teams combined for 970 total yards. As typical for the Bulldogs, Miss State won with only 72 yards rushing.
Undefeated Oklahoma has been living on the edge all season. The Sooners beat Tulane by 5 points. They beat Nebraska by 7 points. OU kicked a last second field goal to beat West Virginia, 16-13. They beat Kansas State by 6 points. Oklahoma trailed Texas 41-23 with less than two minutes to go in the third quarter, yet came back to win 55-48. The Sooners trailed Kansas, 17-7, with less than a minute to go in the third quarter, yet came back to win, 35-23.
Well, Oklahoma’s luck ran out Saturday. Baylor’s shocking 17-point lead over the Sooners, with 3:57 to go in the game, was too much for OU to overcome. Baylor even added insult to injury. With just 3 seconds left on the clock, the Bears kicked a 32-yard field goal. Baylor beat Oklahoma, 27-14, giving the Sooners their first loss of the season.
When Oklahoma struggled to beat West Virginia earlier in the season, OU fans were chanting, “We want Caleb. We want Caleb.” Caleb Williams being the back-up quarterback to Spencer Rattler. They didn’t get Caleb in that game, but they did in the Texas game. Trailing Texas, Williams replaced Rattler and rallied the Sooners to victory. That performance by Williams got him the starting position. Well, Saturday against Baylor and after Williams had thrown two interceptions, the Oklahoma fans in the stands were chanting, “We want Spencer. We want Spencer.” They got Spencer, but he couldn’t rally the Sooners to a win. Oklahoma only had 260 total yards in the game – just 78 yards rushing.
Was Florida basketball coach Mike White coaching the Gator football team Saturday against Samford? The final score looked like the game was played in the O’Dome instead of The Swamp.
With less than two minutes to go in the second quarter, Florida trailed Samford, 42-28. The Gators came to their senses in the second half, took control and went on to beat Samford, 70-52. But it was a chore. The teams combined for 1,247 total yards. Florida had 717 of those yards.
In spite of the win, Florida fans were like the Texas fans. After the game, they were calling for Dan Mullen’s ouster. The decision on Mullen may come down to how Florida performs in its final two games against Missouri and Florida State. Once thought to be easy wins, those two games can’t be taken for granted now. Stay tuned!
Coming into the weekend, the Iowa State-Texas Tech game wasn’t considered to be a marquee contest. After all, Texas Tech fired its coach earlier in the season and with three losses, Iowa State had gone from a preseason Top 10 team to a big disappointment. The Red Raiders were 5-4 and the Cyclones were 6-3.
At halftime, Texas Tech led Iowa State, 31-14. But the Cyclones rallied and trailed Texas Tech, 31-28, early in the fourth quarter. Still early in the fourth quarter, Texas Tech scored a touchdown and increased its lead to 38-28. With 6:20 to go in the game, Iowa state came back. The Cyclones scored a touchdown and now trailed the Red Raiders, 38-35.
The outcome of the game was decided in the final minute with two field goals. First Iowa State kicked a 29-yard field goal with exactly one minute to go in the game. The score was tied 38-38. Iowa State kicked off to Texas Tech. In the ensuing drive, with less than a minute, the Red Raiders could only advance the ball to the Cyclones’ 45 yard line, before stopping the clock with a couple seconds left. Enter Texas Tech field goal kicker Jonathan Garibay. Figure the odds. Garibay, however, boomed a 62-yard field goal through the uprights as time expired. Texas Tech beat Iowa State, 41-38.
For years, the Florida State-Miami (Florida) games were classics. That was during the 1980s, 1990s and for a few years after the turn of the century. Whether in Tallahassee or Miami, the games were always sold out. But for several years now, the games have meant very little. Nothing has been on the line. The teams were simply playing for pride and there wasn’t always a lot of that. The games no longer sold out.
That was the case Saturday in Tallahassee. The Noles hosted the Canes. No sellout and nothing on the line. Ho-hum. FSU came into the game with a 3-6 record. Miami was a little better at 5-4. But the Canes were on a three-game winning streak. And Miami was favored.
Surprisingly, Florida State jumped out to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter. The Noles led 20-7 at halftime. Miami, however, rallied in the second half, scoring three unanswered touchdowns. Early in the fourth quarter, the Canes led, 28-20. With 4:43 to go in the game, Florida State kicked a 29-yard field goal – Miami 28, FSU 23. Then, with just 0:26 on the clock, Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis crossed the goal line on a one-yard sneak. To that Travis added a three-yard run for a two-point conversion. Florida State upset Miami, 31-28.
All of a sudden, Mike Norvell’s fate is looking brighter, while the fate of Manny Diaz is looking dimmer. Stay tuned!
Kansas scoring 57 points against Texas and beating the Longhorns in Austin. Mississippi State rallying from a 25-point deficit, scoring 40 unanswered points, to beat Auburn in Auburn, 43-34. Baylor holding on to knock Oklahoma from the undefeated, beating the Sooners, 27-14. Florida, trailing Samford by two touchdowns before beating the Bulldogs by an unbelievable score of 70-52. Texas Tech kicking a 62-yard field goal as time expired to beat Iowa State, 41-38. And Florida State holding off Miami to beat the Canes, 31-28.
It doesn’t get any crazier than that!
College football Week 11 began with three Mid-American Conference games on Tuesday night. In the first contest, Miami (Ohio) clobbered Buffalo, 45-18. Miami quarterback Brett Gabbert passed for 351 yards and four touchdowns.
The second game saw Western Michigan score a touchdown with one minute left in the game to beat Akron, 45-40. WMU running back Sean Tyler rushed for 147 yards. In the night cap, Ohio surprised Eastern Michigan, 34-26. In the loss, EMU quarterback Ben Bryant passed for 354 yards.
There were another trio of games on Wednesday night – all MAC affairs too. Toledo smashed Bowling Green, 49-17. Toledo racked up 539 total yards to just 196 for Bowling Green. In the best of the three games, Northern Illinois edged Ball State, 30-29. NIU kicked a 32-yard field goal as time expired to win the game.
The final game Wednesday night was all offense and no defense. Central Michigan beat Kent State, 54-30. The teams combined for 961 total yards. CMU’s Lew Nichols rushed for 215 yards and four touchdowns.
Thursday night’s contest between North Carolina and Pitt was a donnybrook. Pitt led at halftime, 23-7. At the end of the third quarter, the Panthers led the Tar Heels, 23-13. At the end of regulation, the game was tied, 23-23. Pitt won in overtime, 30-23. Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett passed for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
In the first of two games on Friday night, Cincinnati smashed South Florida, 45-28. The game was plagued with seven turnovers – 3 by Cincinnati and 4 by South Florida. The Bearcats tallied 506 total yards – 304 passing and 202 rushing.
Boise State fought its way past Wyoming, 23-13, in Friday’s second game. The Broncos limited the Cowboys to just 11 first downs.
In other games on Saturday, Michigan scored a touchdown with 3:29 left in the game to beat Penn State, 21-17. The Wolverines Hassan Haskins rushed for 156 yards.
Also in the Big Ten, Purdue, victors over Iowa and Michigan State, was no match for Ohio State. The Buckeyes polished off the Boilermakers, 59-31. Ohio State racked up 624 total yards. Iowa kept its West Division hopes alive, beating Minnesota, 27-22. The Hawkeyes won with only 277 total yards – 71 yards rushing.
In the AAC, SMU got back on the winning track, trouncing UCF, 55-28. SMU’s Tanner Mordecai passed for 377 yards and three touchdowns. For the thriller in the AAC, East Carolina knocked off Memphis, 30-29 (OT). Memphis kicked a 24-yard field goal as time expired to tie the game at the end of regulation.
For a while, Tennessee gave Georgia a contest. But ultimately the Dawgs pulled away and beat the Vols, 41-17. Missouri caught South Carolina still celebrating its win over Florida. Trailing 31-14, the Gamecocks rallied in the fourth quarter but came up short, losing to Missouri, 31-28.
Ole Miss proved to be too much for Texas A&M. The Sharks downed the Aggies, 29-19. Ole Miss running back Jerrion Ealy rushed for 152 yards.
In the two MWC late shows, San Diego State kicked a 35-yard field goal with 1:21 on the clock to edge Nevada, 23-21. In the loss, Nevada quarterback Carson Strong passed for 350 yards and three touchdowns. And Utah State plastered San Jose State, 48-17. The Aggies held the Spartans to 150 total yards – 12 yards rushing.
Meanwhile, in the Pac-12’s double feature late shows, UCLA thumped Colorado, 44-23, and Oregon took care of Washington State, 38-24. The Bruins racked up 502 total yards against the Buffaloes.
Is Texas coach Steve Sarkisian one and done. After Saturday’s loss to Kansas, Texas fans were calling for Sarkisian to be fired. The Longhorns have lost five-straight games. Stay tuned! And speaking of Texas coaches, I’d have to say for the money he is getting, Jimbo Fisher has been a disappointment at Texas A&M. The Aggies lost their third game Saturday.
With Oklahoma losing, only three teams remain undefeated – Cincinnati (10-0), Georgia (10-0) and UTSA (10-0).
Six Group of Five teams are in both the AP and Coaches Polls. In the AP and (Coaches Poll), they are Cincinnati 3 (3), BYU 14 (15), UTSA 15 (18), Houston 17 (17), Louisiana 22 (21) and San Diego State 23 (23).
The third CFP rankings poll will be released Tuesday evening on ESPN. My Top 4 are 1. Georgia, 2. Cincinnati, 3. Oregon and 4. Alabama. My first six out are 5. Ohio State, 6. Michigan. 7. Oklahoma State, 8. Michigan State, 9. Notre Dame and 10. Wake Forest.
College football suffered its first COVID postponement of the season. The USC-California game scheduled for this past weekend has been postponed to December 4 due to COVID issues with the California team. Interesting that California is where Aaron Rodgers played his college ball. Sounds like they must be anti-vaxers in Berkeley.
Texas Tech hired Baylor associate head coach Joey McGuire as its new head coach.
Nebraska announced last week it is retaining Scott Frost for another year under a restructured contract. Frost is 15-27 in almost four years at Nebraska. It sounds like Frost has been put on probation and has been given one more year to show some serious progress. Frost took a cut in pay and the restructured contract makes it less costly for Nebraska to terminate Frost next year should they decide to do so – $7.5 million instead of $15 million. In addition, Frost was forced to fire four of his assistant coaches – offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Matt Lubick, offensive line coach Greg Austin, running backs coach Ryan Held and quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco.
It appears the raiding of conferences for new members has come to an end – at least for now. Middle Tennessee State informed the MAC that it is staying in C-USA. The MAC had recently expressed interest in Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky, also of C-USA. However, Middle Tennessee has chosen to stay put. The MAC followed up, saying it didn’t want one without the other. So Western Kentucky has no alternative but to remain in C-USA.
In an interesting move, Connecticut hired former NFL and UCLA coach Jim Mora to be the Huskies new football coach. Mora, 59, coached UCLA for four seasons from 2012 to 2017, where he was 46-30. Since then he has been a college football analyst for ESPN. Prior to UCLA, Mora spent 25 years coaching in the NFL, including head coaching at the Atlanta Falcons (2004-2006) and Seattle Seahawks (2009).
Sunday, Washington fired football coach Jimmy Lake. Lake was just in his second season with the Huskies. He was 7-7. Defensive coordinator Bob Gregory will serve as interim coach.
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix suffered an ankle injury in Saturday’s loss to Mississippi State. He will undergo surgery and be out for the rest of the regular season. Nix is hopeful he can return for Auburn’s bowl game but there are no guarantees. Nix, a junior, has completed 197 of 323 passes for 2,294 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
Crazy little thing called football.
“The Violent World of….” Legendary linebacker Sam Huff died Saturday. A native of Farmington, West Virginia, Huff played four years for the West Virginia Mountaineers (1952-55) before embarking on a 13-year NFL career with the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins. In 1959, he became the first NFL player to make the cover of TIME magazine. CBS featured Huff in a 1960 television special “The Violent World of Sam Huff,” hosted and narrated by Walter Cronkite. Sam Huff was 87.
Remember the song “Nights In White Satin” by the Moody Blues? How could you forget it? Graeme Edge, the drummer and co-founder of the British band the Moody Blues and writer of “Nights In White Satin” died last week. Originally released in 1967, “Nights In White Satin” – Never reaching the end. Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send – didn’t become a hit until it was rereleased in 1972, when it peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Other Moddy Blues hits included “Go Now,” “Your Wildest Dreams,” “Tuesday Afternoon,” “I’m Just A Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)” and “Ride My See-Saw.” Graeme Edge was 80.
….Beauty I’d always missed, with these eyes before. Just what the truth is, I can’t say anymore….
Touchdown Tom
Weekend Recap
GAME OF THE WEEK: It was only a matter of time – Baylor 27, Oklahoma 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 31, Baylor 23). Oklahoma has had so many close calls and it finally caught up with the Sooners. Baylor’s defense totally shutdown OU. The Bears had two running backs rush for more than 100 yards. Abram Smith tallied 148 yards, while Gerry Bohanon had 107 yards rushing. Both teams had two turnovers. Attendance in Waco: 46,782
RUNNER-UP: Blinded by the Forest – Wake Forest 45, NC State 42 (Touchdown Tom said: Wake Forest 35, NC State 28). This game was much like Wake’s game against North Carolina last week. Only difference – Wake won this week. The Deacons held State to 74 yards rushing. The score may have been worse had Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman not thrown three picks. NC State quarterback Devin Leary passed for 408 yards and four touchdowns. Attendance in Winston-Salem: 34,503
REST OF THE BEST: Jimbo couldn’t hold the Magnolia – Ole Miss 29, Texas A&M 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 27, Ole Miss 26). Ole Miss had good balance on offense – 504 total yards with 257 yards rushing and 247 passing. Aggies quarterback Zach Calzada threw two picks. The Ole Miss lead was 29-13 until 3:11 left in the game. Attendance in Jackson: 64,425
Harbaugh was no hair ball – Michigan 21, Penn State 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 26, Penn State 21). As the fourth quarter began, Michigan led 14-6. Penn State then took a 17-14 lead with 5:55 to go in the fourth quarter. Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara threw three touchdown passes. The game was primarily a defensive battle. Attendance in State College: 109,534
The third time wasn’t a charm – Ohio State 59, Purdue 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 31, Purdue 23). The teams combined for 1,105 total yards – 624 for Ohio State. Ohio State’s offense was well-balanced – 263 rushing yards and 361 passing yards. Purdue was all passing and no rushing. Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud was 31-of-38, passing for 361 yards and five touchdowns. Ohio State running back Miyan Williams rushed for 117 yards. Attendance in Columbus: 101,009
Green day – Notre Dame 28, Virginia 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia 38, Notre Dame 36). Without quarterback Brennan Armstrong, the Cavaliers had no offense. Notre Dame’s defense shut down the Cavs. Attendance in Charlottesville: 48,584
Who let the Dawgs out – Georgia 41, Tennessee 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 35, Tennessee 17). The Dawgs defense held Tennessee to 55 yards rushing. Georgia running back James Cook rushed for 104 yards. Attendance in Knoxville: 100,074
Goldy was tarnished – Iowa 27, Minnesota 22 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa 23, Minnesota 20). Minnesota never led in the game, although there were two ties at 3-3 and 10-10. Minnesota totally dominated the stats – first downs, total yards, passing yards, rushing yards and time of possession. Minnesota possessed the ball for 40:19 of the game. But the Gophers couldn’t score. Minnesota running back Ky Thomas rushed for 126 yards. Attendance in Iowa City: 69,250
The Bus ran out of gas – SMU 55, UCF 28 (Touchdown Tom said: SMU 34, UCF 26). A close game for one quarter. SMU ran away from UCF in the second quarter when the Mustangs outscored the Knights, 17-0. SMU had 36 first downs to 15 for UCF. The Mustangs racked up 631 total yards. Attendance in Dallas: 23,175
Sacked – Louisiana 35, Troy 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisiana 30, Troy 20). Troy had no running game – only 51 yards rushing. But the Trojans quarterback – Gunnar Watson – passed for 350 yards. Troy was plagued with three turnovers. Attendance in Troy: 24,738
In the five games I recommended you keep a very close eye on: Pitt beat North Carolina, 30-23 (OT)….. Mississippi State rallied big-time to beat Auburn, 43-34…. UAB downed Marshall, 21-14…. Texas Tech squeaked by Iowa State, 41-38…. And San Diego State slipped by Nevada, 23-21.
YE OLDE STOMPING
GROUNDS:
Has Neal Brown been fired yet? – Kansas State 34, West Virginia 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 23, West Virginia 17). A coach in his third season should be showing some improvement. WVU coach Neal Brown isn’t. In fact, Brown has the Mountaineers going in the wrong direction. WVU hasn’t been able to run the ball all season. Against K-State the Mounties only had 77 yards rushing. K-State running back Deuce Vaughn rushed for 121 yards. Attendance in Manhattan: 43,932
A lot of three-point baskets? – Florida 70, Samford 52 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 56, Samford 6). Samford gave Florida a scare. That’s for sure. Samford scored a record 42 points on the Gators in the first half. Eventually, the Gators woke up. Florida outscored Samford 35-10 in the second half. Florida racked up 717 total yards – 464 of it was passing. Florida quarterback Emory Jones 28-of-34, passing for 464 yards and six touchdowns. Attendance in Gainesville: 70,098
No Turkey for the Dookies – Virginia Tech 48, Duke 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 30, Duke 21). The Hokies racked up 573 total yards – 297 rushing and 276 passing. That’s good balance. Tech’s Raheem Blackshear rushed for 117 yards. The Dookies are 0-6 in ACC play. Attendance in Blacksburg: 56,730
Bye-bye Sark? – Kansas 58, Texas 56 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 35, Kansas 13). Texas was snakebit. The Longhorns also lost for the fifth-straight time. Four turnovers didn’t help Texas any. Kansas running back Devin Neal rushed for 143 yards. Attendance in Austin: 100,119
Week 11 Results: 10 winners, 4 fumbles (71.4 percent)
ELSEWHERE AROUNBD FLORIDA:
Cincinnati 45, South Florida 28 – Attendance in Tampa: N/A
Florida A&M
37, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 7 – Attendance in
Pine Bluff: 3,451
Middle Tennessee
State 50, FIU 10
– Attendance in Murfreesboro: 10,606
Impressive Rushers:
UNLV’s Charles Williams – 266 yards (3TDs); Central Michigan’s Lew Nichols – 215 yards (4TDs); Missouri’s Tyler Badie – 209 yards (1TD); Arizona State’s Rachaad White – 184 yards (2TDs); Massachusetts’ Ellis Merriweather – 177 yards; Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen – 173 yards (3TDs); ULM’s Malik Jackson – 166 yards (2TDs), and Old Dominion’s Blake Watson – 163 yards (1TD).
Also, Michigan’s Hassan Haskins – 156 yards; Northern Illinois’ Jevyon Ducker – 155 yards (1TD); Ole Miss’s Jerrion Ealy – 152 yards; Air Force’s Brad Roberts – 151 yards (2TDs); Baylor’s Abram Smith – 148 yards; Western Michigan’s Sean Tyler – 147 yards (1TD); Kansas’ Devin Neal – 143 yards (3TDs); Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker – 143 yards (2TDs), and New Mexico’s Aaron Dumas – 143 yards (1TD).
Quotes of the Week
“That performance at South Carolina was embarrassing,” Steve Spurrier on Florida.
“Scott Frost is very close. Proof is in the games. Not equating to wins at this point and the mistakes need to change to win these games. It’s a longer than three year rebuild. Hoping next year it really turns around,” FOX college football analyst Matt Leinart, on Nebraska deciding to give Scott Frost another year.
“Nebraska football finally figured it out – you’re not the coaching destination you think. Keep a guy that loves the Huskers and has shown that he can win as a coach. It’s a six-year rebuild. Not three,” sports commentator Colin Cowherd, on Nebraska deciding to give Scott Frost another year.
“Any LSU fan who thinks Jimbo Fisher is going to leave Texas A&M for LSU has been sniffing too much swamp gas,” Bob from Fort Worth, Texas, on the Paul Finebaum Show.
“We want Deion Sanders,” TCU running back Zach Evans, on who he wants for a head coach.
“The state of Florida has never been so irrelevant in college football,” USA Today sports writer Dan Wolken.
“The road to recovery begins tomorrow,” Auburn quarterback Bo Nix on his ankle injury.
Signs of the Day
My Other Sign Got Ejected For Targeting
Jimbo Sleeps With His Socks On
Jimbo Fisher Is Lee Corso’s Grandmother
Please Don’t Throw Golf Balls And Mustard At Us
Congratulations Mom & Dad, You’re Grandparents
Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Michigan State (9-1) at Ohio State (9-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – These next two weeks will decide everything in the Big Ten East Division. The front runners are playing each other – Ohio State-Michigan State this week and Ohio State-Michigan next week. A good defense coupled with a good offense will beat Ohio State. Spartans running back Kenneth Walker should be able to run through the Buckeyes defense. It will be interesting to see how Michigan State’s defense handles Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. No party for Sparty – Ohio State 30, Michigan State 24.
RUNNER-UP: 2. SMU (8-2) at Cincinnati (10-0) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – The showdown in the AAC. Unfortunately, SMU couldn’t stay undefeated before meeting Cincinnati. Still the Mustangs should give the Bearcats a good battle – likely a high-scoring affair. SMU is pass happy. Cincinnati tries to mix it up. Mustangs corralled – Cincinnati 46, SMU 34.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. Oregon (9-1) at Utah (7-3) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Oregon will have a tough time in Salt Lake City. A loss ruins Oregon’s playoff chances. Like wine, Utah got better with age this season. The Utes wear Duck feathers – Utah 26, Oregon 23.
4. Arkansas (7-3) at Alabama (9-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – Arkansas is capable of spoiling Bama’s party. The Hogs are a crazy team, but dangerous. That’s why they are 7-3 against some good competition. Bama quarterback Bryce Young needs to have his “A” game ready. The Elephant does some pickin’ – Alabama 31, Arkansas 23.
5. Wake Forest (9-1) at Clemson (7-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Wake Forest has a good offense, but a weak defense. Fortunately for the Deacons, Clemson is weak on offense. But the Tigers can play some defense. Wake quarterback Sam Hartman can’t afford to throw any picks this week. The Deacons give the Tigers some hell, fire and damnation – Wake Forest 27, Clemson 22.
6. UAB (7-3) at UTSA (10-0) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+ – Two more wins and UTSA can complete an undefeated season. But UAB will be a test for the Roadrunners. This one will be for the C-USA West Division title. The Roadrunner sleighs the Blazer – UTSA 27, UAB 14.
7. Oklahoma State (9-1) at Texas Tech (6-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Oklahoma State is sitting pretty. Win out and they stand a good chance of making the playoff – two regular season wins and a win in the Big 12 title game. The Cowboys play the best defense in the Big 12. Texas Tech does have an offense, but the Red Raiders have no defense. The Cowboys raid Red – Oklahoma State 35, Texas Tech 25.
8. Baylor (8-2) at Kansas State (7-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 5:30 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – At preseason, Baylor was picked to finish next to last in the Big 12. Now, here the Bears are, sitting near the top. Win out and they could finish at the top. Kansas State is also playing better football than predicted. The Wildcats are dangerous, but the Bears are better – Baylor 34, Kansas State 23.
9. Louisiana (9-1) at Liberty (7-3) – (Sun Belt vs. Ind.) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU – I’m thinking Louisiana gets tripped up this week. The Cajuns have had some close calls. Liberty has played the tougher schedule. And the Flames are home. The Cajuns get burned – Liberty 33, Louisiana 29.
10. Iowa State (6-4) at Oklahoma (9-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – Everything caught up with Oklahoma last week. The pressure got to the Sooners. Now it’s out of their system and they can relax and play better. Iowa State is an unhappy team. Cy goes sigh – Oklahoma 35, Iowa State 33.
I suggest you keep a very close eye on these games:
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
Texas (4-6) at West Virginia (4-6) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – I’ve given up all hope for West Virginia. Having said that, I think there is something in them that pulls out a victory against Texas. The Longhorns have lost five-straight games. That will make them hungry. But WVU is hungrier – West Virginia 30, Texas 27.
Florida (5-5) at Missouri (5-5) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – If Florida loses to Missouri and Florida State, Dan Mullen will lose his job. He may have already lost it. But he has a chance to hang on with two more wins. Missouri is the first of the two. The Tigers are an up and down team. They are due to be down this week – Florida 27, Missouri 22.
Nebraska (3-7) at Wisconsin (7-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Wisconsin is a good team and you know what that means. It’s going to be a close game. Nebraska always plays a tough game against the good teams – especially Nebraska’s defense. Plus the Huskers had the week off. An extra week to prepare. Watch out Wisconsin. Bucky butters the Corn – Wisconsin 30, Nebraska 20.
Louisville (5-5) at Duke (3-7) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – The Dookies are going for 0-7 in ACC play. There is little doubt the Cardinals will win this game. It’s just a matter of how much – a big win or a close win. Duke may have a new coach next year. The Dookies become bird seed – Louisville 29, Duke 21.
Charleston Southern (4-5) at Georgia (10-0) – (Big South vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN+ – This is purely an exhibition game for the Dawgs. You hate to see a team as good as Georgia is play someone like Charleston Southern. It will be nothing but B-O-R-I-N-G in Sanford Stadium. More boring than watching the grass grow. Uga gets a treat – Georgia 52, Charleston Southern 3.
Purdue (6-4) at Northwestern (3-7) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, BTN – No challenge for the Boilers this week so they might lose this one. One thing is for certain. The Boilers won’t run against Northwestern. They haven’t run against anybody all season. Purely a passing experience for the Boilers. It’s been a tough year for the Wildcats. It gets tougher – Purdue 27, Northwestern 15.
ELSEWHERE AROUNBD FLORIDA:
Florida State (4-6) at Boston College (6-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ACCN….
San Diego (6-4) at Stetson (4-6) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3….
North Texas (4-6) at FIU (1-9) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3….
Touchdown Tom
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