College Football
Week 1 – Quarterbacks, start your engines!
All you need is
football, love
“Football is all you need”
It’s here. It’s finally here. After seven long months, college football is finally back. I know, we had a few games this past Saturday. But that was just the appetizer. That was the caprese, the calamari. This week is the entree. This week is the prime rib, the filet mignon, the lobster tail.
This past Saturday was just one day of 11 games. This week is five days of 83 games. Yes, from Thursday night to Monday night – 83 games. I’m high already. Wednesday night, I will be like a five-year-old on Christmas Eve. I won’t be able to sleep.
Thursday night begins with two great games – West Virginia at Pitt, in the resumption of the “Backyard Brawl,” and Penn State at Purdue, in a crucial Big Ten contest for both teams. The WVU-Pitt game begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and the Penn State-Purdue game starts at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Pitt is No. 17 at preseason and Penn State is No. 29.
“There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done
Friday night lacks a marquee game, but two contests could be fun and entertaining to watch. They are Illinois at Indiana and TCU at Colorado. It’s always fun to see Ralphie. The Banned Indians-Hoosiers game is at 8 p.m. ET on FS1, and the Horned Frogs-Buffaloes game is at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. Nothing like a little late-night viewing on Friday night.
Saturday kicks off at midday. Your recommended 12 noon ET viewing is North Carolina at Appalachian State (ESPNU). That could turn out to be some game. It’s going to be rocking in Boone. Two other 12 noon ET contests to keep an eye on are NC State at East Carolina (ESPN) and Rutgers at Boston College (ACCN). NC State is No. 13 at preseason, but East Carolina will be going for an emotional upset.
The 3:30 p.m. ET time slot is headlined by Oregon vs. Georgia from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Dawgs are No. 3 and the Ducks are No. 11. Another good 3:30 p.m. ET game is Cincinnati at Arkansas. The Razorbacks are No. 19 and the Bearcats are No. 23. Cincinnati was last year’s Cinderella team. Also, check out Houston at UTSA (CBSSN). Houston is No. 24, but the Roadrunners were 12-2 last year and will be looking for an upset.
“Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game
Saturday evening has the marquee game of the weekend – Notre Dame at Ohio State (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC). First-year Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman takes his Irish up against his alma mater in Columbus. At preseason, Ohio State is No. 2 and Notre Dame is No. 5. Saturday evening is full of good games. How about Utah at Florida (7 p.m. ET, ESPN). The Utes are No. 7, while Florida is under first-year coach Billy Napier. Two other intriguing games are Memphis at Mississippi State (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU) and Louisville at Syracuse (8 p.m. ET, ACCN). The Cardinals-Orange is the debut game in the newly named Wireless Dome – no more Carrier Dome.
For your late night viewing on Saturday, I suggest Boise State at Oregon State (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Boise State is always good and Oregon State could be a surprise team in 2022.
Moving into the fourth day – Sunday – there is only one game on tap. It should be an interesting one – Florida State vs. LSU from the Superdome in New Orleans (7 p.m. ET, ABC). LSU has a new coach in Brian Kelly, while Mike Norvell is on thin ice at FSU.
“Nothing you can make that can’t be made
The five-day weekend wraps-up on Labor Day night – Clemson vs. Georgia Tech from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (8 p.m. ET, ESPN). Clemson is No. 4 at preseason. Don’t expect this game to be a donnybrook. I once attended a Rugby match in Donnybrook Stadium in Dublin. But, I digress. Last year, the Yellow Jackets did take Clemson down to the wire, barely losing, 14-8.
Before you can watch the games this weekend, you need to be aware of the new rules in college football for the 2022 season. There are a few.
- Targeting
Modification:
Targeting still carries a 15-yard penalty and the ejection of the player.
Those ejected in the second half of games have to sit out the first half
of the next game. But now there is a twist – the conference office can now
request a review from the national coordinator of officials for a second
half targeting penalty. If it is deemed the player was wrongly flagged,
then the player will be cleared to play in the first half of the next
game.
- Fake Injuries: The NCAA is
concerned with the practice of faking injuries, especially as the pace of
college football increases with more up-tempo offenses. Schools and
conferences can report injuries they believe were faked to the national
coordinator of officials. The national coordinator will review and provide
feedback. Any penalties applied will be up to the conference of the school
involved.
- Preventing
Knee Injuries:
The NCAA will now allow linemen and stationary backs in the tackle box to block
opposing players below the waist. Blocking below the waist will be
prohibited outside the tackle box.
- Kenny Pickett
Rule:
Any player that fakes a feet-first slide will be considered down at the
spot where he faked the slide.
- Defensive
Holding Penalty Change: Defensive holding remains a 10-yard penalty,
but will additionally carry an automatic first down.
- Illegal
Touching:
Illegal touching by an ineligible player is penalized five yards from the
previous spot and now includes a loss of down.
- Clock
Adjustment Review: Replay officials will address clock adjustment
only when a ruling is overturned with less than two minutes to go in the
second and fourth quarters.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time
There are also a few conference changes this season. Marshall, Old Dominion and Southern Miss left C-USA on June 30 and joined the Sun Belt Conference on July 1. At the same time, James Madison moved up from FCS to FBS, also joining the Sun Belt. The addition of James Madison gives us a total of 131 FBS teams in 2022.
The Sun Belt will have two divisions of seven teams each. C-USA will have 11 teams with no divisions. Next year, Sam Houston State and Jacksonville State will move up from the FCS level to FBS, both joining C-USA.
The quarterback names you may hear most frequently this year are Spencer, Tanner and Tyler. There are three Spencers – South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders and Iowa’s Spencer Petras; three Tanners – SMU’s Tanner Mordecai, Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan and Stanford’s Tanner McKee, and three Tylers – Miami of Florida’s Tyler Van Dyke, Notre Dame’s Tyler Buchner and Texas Tech’s Tyler Shough. Actually, there are four Tylers, if you count last names – Army’s Tyhier Tyler. You will also hear a Will or two, both in the same conference – Mississippi State’s Will Rogers and Kentucky’s Will Levis.
“All you need is football
The first release of this seasons CFP rankings poll will be broadcast on Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m. on ESPN. The updated rankings will be broadcast weekly on ESPN each of the next four Tuesdays from November 8 to November 29. All will be broadcast at 7 p.m., except for the third poll on November 15. It will be announced at 9 p.m. The final poll will be broadcast at 12 noon on December 4. At that time we will learn the four teams for the playoff and the other eight teams making a New Year’s Six Bowl.
There are 41 bowl games scheduled this season, plus the national championship game. The bowls will be played from December 16 to January 2.
“All you need is football, love
This year, the CFP semifinal games will be played in the Fiesta and Peach Bowls on December 31. The Rose, Orange, Sugar and Cotton Bowls round out the New Year’s Six slate. The national championship game will be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on January 9, 2023.
Next seasons national championship game will take place at NRG Stadium in Houston on January 8, 2024. The 2025 game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and the 2026 game will be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
“There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known
As we begin the season, have you ever wondered which coach has the longest tenure at his school? If you said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, you were right. Of the 131 FBS coaches, Ferentz, age 67, has been coaching Iowa for 23 consecutive years. His record with the Hawkeyes is 178-110. In college, Ferentz played linebacker for Connecticut.
Six other coaches have lengthy tenures, but none are close to Ferentz. The other coaches with the most longevity are:
– Mike Gundy, age 55, has been coaching Oklahoma State for 17 consecutive years. His record with the Cowboys is 149-69. In college, Gundy played quarterback for Oklahoma State.
– Kyle Whittingham, age 62, has been
coaching Utah for 17 consecutive years. His record is 144-70. In college,
Whittingham played linebacker for BYU.
– Pat Fitzgerald, age 47, has been
coaching Northwestern for 16 consecutive years. His record with the Wildcats is
110-90. In college, Fitzgerald played linebacker for Northwestern.
– Rick Stockstill, age 64, has been
coaching Middle Tennessee State for 16 consecutive years. His record with the
Blue Raiders is 101-98. In college, Stockstill played quarterback for Florida
State.
– Troy Calhoun, age 55, has been
coaching Air Force for 15 consecutive years. His record with the Falcons is 111-75.
In college, Calhoun played quarterback for Air Force.
– Nick Saban, age 70, has been coaching
Alabama for 15 consecutive years. His record with the Crimson Tide is 183-25. In
college, Saban played defensive back for Kent State.
Three of those seven coaches were linebackers and three were quarterbacks. And three of those coaches are coaching their alma maters.
“There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be
And before we get started, here’s one last look at what the forecasters predict for each of the 10 FBS conferences.
In the ACC Atlantic Division – Favorite: Clemson, Challenger: NC State, Dark Horse: Wake Forest
In the ACC Coastal Division – Favorite: Miami, Challenger: Pitt, Dark Horse: North Carolina
Clemson is picked to beat Miami in the ACC title game.
In the Big 12 – Favorite: Oklahoma, Challengers: Baylor and Oklahoma State, Dark Horses: Kansas State and Texas
In the Big Ten East Division – Favorite: Ohio State, Challenger: Michigan, Dark Horses: Michigan State and Penn State
In the Big Ten West Division – Favorite: Wisconsin, Challenger: Iowa, Dark Horses: Minnesota, Nebraska and Purdue
Ohio State is picked to beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten title game.
In the Pac-12 – Co-Favorites: Oregon and Utah, Challengers: Oregon State, UCLA and USC, Dark Horse: Washington
In the SEC East Division – Favorite: Georgia, Challengers: Kentucky and Tennessee, Dark Horse: Florida
In the SEC West Division – Favorite: Alabama, Challenger: Texas A&M, Dark Horses: Arkansas and Ole Miss
Alabama is picked to beat Georgia in the SEC title game.
In the AAC – Favorite: Cincinnati, Challengers: Houston and UCF, Dark Horses: East Carolina, Memphis and SMU
In C-USA – Co-Favorites: UAB and UTSA, Challenger: Western Kentucky, Dark Horses: Florida Atlantic, North Texas and UTEP
In the MAC East Division – Favorite: Miami, Challenger: Kent State, Dark Horse: Buffalo
In the MAC West Division – Co-Favorites: Northern Illinois and Toledo, Challenger: Central Michigan, Dark Horses: Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan
In the MWC Mountain Division – Favorite: Boise State, Challengers: Air Force and Utah State, Dark Horse: Colorado State
In the MWC West Division – Favorite: Fresno State, Challenger: San Diego State, Dark Horse: San Jose State
Boise State is picked to beat Fresno State in the MWC title game.
In the Sun Belt East Division – Favorite: Appalachian State, Challenger: Coastal Carolina, Dark Horses: Georgia State and Marshall
In the Sun Belt West Division – Favorite: Louisiana, Challengers: South Alabama and Troy, Dark Horse: Southern Miss
Appalachian State is picked to beat Louisiana in the Sun Belt title game.
Now, I think you should be all set for college football 2022.
“All you need is football
I want to drink beer and watch college football. Have some chili dogs and cold pizza too. As the Pointers Sisters once sang, “I’m so excited, and I just can’t hide it. I’m about to lose control and I think I like it.”
“All you need is football, love
On a sad note, Gary Gaines, the coach of the Texas high school team made famous in the book and movie “Friday Night Lights,” has died. Gaines coached several West Texas high schools but is best known for his four-year (1986-89), highly successful stint at Odessa Permian High School. His 1988 team was chronicled in the best-selling book. Gaines was played by Billy Bob Thornton in the 2004 movie. His 1988 team lost in the semifinals of the state high school playoff. But his 1989 team won the state championship. Gary Gaines was 73.
When I was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany, in the Navy (1970-1972), I worked with a guy from Odessa, Texas. He went to the other high school in Odessa, but he told me all about “Mojo” – football at Odessa Permian High School. Some 20 or so years later, around 1995, Rockledge Gator gave me the book “Friday Night Lights.” I devoured it. I think I read it in a day. Maybe over a weekend. I loved the movie too.
And sadly, Former quarterback Len Dawson passed away. He played in the NFL and AFL for 19 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Texans/Kansas City Chiefs (14 seasons). He led the Texans/Chiefs to three AFL Championships and the franchise’s first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl IV, for which he won the MVP award. Prior to the Chiefs, he briefly played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Purdue (1953-56). A native of Alliance, Ohio, Len Dawson was 87.
A shoutout to friend Brian Smith in Nebraska, who is recovering from gall bladder surgery. A speedy recovery to you, Brian. Hope you can have that Guinness and Jameson soon.
And a shoutout to my Edzell, Scotland, Navy buddies Randy Rollman of Shoemakersville, Pennsylvania, and Graham Sexton of Knoxville, Tennessee. Enjoy the season, guys.
Rockledge Gator, Bootsie, Swamp Mama and I got together last Thursday night at Carrabba’s for our preseason dinner. We went through all of our preseason rituals. Lord knows, Florida, West Virginia and Auburn are going to need all the help they can get this season. But there is always hope.
Northwestern had no sooner kicked off to Nebraska on Saturday when my phone rang. It was Nebraska friend Gary Schwartzkopf. I answered, “Hey, Gary.” And he said, “Football has begun!” Gary grew up in Hastings, Nebraska, but has lived his adult life with his wife and family in Centennial, Colorado, south of Denver. While we were talking, Nebraska scored the first touchdown of the game and went up, 7-0.
With Northwestern up, 17-14, at halftime, I texted Gary. In the text, I said, “Northwestern is playing better than I thought they would. But I still think Nebraska will pull it out.” Little did I know.
My day Saturday began at 10 a.m. with ESPN’s College GameDay. It ended at 2 a.m. Sunday with the conclusion of the Vanderbilt-Hawaii game.
Yeah, football is all you need!
Touchdown Tom
(Note: Next week’s CFW – Week 2 – will be posted on Tuesday, September 6 – the morning after Labor Day. And my apologies to John Lennon.)
Weekend Recap
YE OLE STOMPING GROUNDS:
Déjà vu – Northwestern 31, Nebraska 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 28, Northwestern 14). We’ve seen this before. Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson appears to be a carbon copy of Adrian Martinez. How can I screw up near the end of a game? Let me count the ways. In all, Thompson threw two interceptions. And the frustration continues. Scott Frost has to be wondering what do I have to do to win a close game at Nebraska. Frost is now 5-21 in one score games at Nebraska. His overall record with the Huskers is now 15-30. With 9:09 to go in the third quarter, Nebraska led 28-17. The Huskers never scored again, while Northwestern scored 14 unanswered points. Nebraska’s defense gave up 528 yards to Northwestern. That really surprised me. Scott Frost will be haunted all season by that unsuccessful onside kick. The contest marked Pat Fitzgerald’s 200th game, coaching Northwestern. The Wildcats were quarterbacked by South Carolina transfer Ryan Hilinski. Attendance in Dublin: 42,699
Week 0 Result: 0 winners, 1 fumble (0.0 percent)
In spite of the loss, Nebraska fans, attending the game in Dublin, had something to be happy about. Not just Nebraska fans, but everyone attending the game. The beer was free. That’s right, free! Well, it wasn’t meant to be free. But the credit card machines at the vending stands in Aviva Stadium couldn’t connect with the Internet. And the vendors in the stadium only accept credit cards. They don’t take cash. So they decided to give away the beer – free. What a blessing! I can only imagine the lengths of those beer-cup snakes. Someone said the outcome of the game is proof that Scott Frost took advantage of the free beer.
Where are the editors? FOX and ESPN needed them Saturday on their pregame shows. First, during FOX’s Big Noon Saturday show, before the Nebraska-Northwestern game, the FOX crew was promoting Big Noon games and locations in upcoming weeks. While plugging the Alabama-Texas game, coming up in Week 2, the big background display behind the guys read:
Alabamba-Texas
Alabamba? Are you kidding me? Maybe someone had Richie Valens or Los Lobos on their mind? Or maybe, the 40 Thieves? You know – Ali Baba. I’ll stop.
Then, earlier, on ESPN’s College GameDay, the GameDay crew was discussing Scott Frost’s precarious status at Nebraska. During their conversation, the banner across the bottom of the screen read:
What is Bryan Harsin’s status at Nebraska?
Bryan Harsin?
Maybe they were giving out free beer at ESPN and FOX.
There were 10 other games on Saturday – the appetizers.
Western Kentucky and Austin-Peay put 65 points on the board. The Hilltoppers beat the Governors, 38-27.
Normally, UNLV isn’t a very good team. This year, the Rebels must be really, really good. Either that, or Idaho State is really, really bad – UNLV 52, Idaho State 21. UNLV scored 35 points in the second quarter alone. The Rebels tallied 554 total yards.
Utah State was a 27-point favorite over Connecticut. But early in the second quarter, UConn led the Aggies, 14-0. However, in the end, Utah State came through and beat UConn, 31-20.
In addition to Northwestern, the other Illinois team won too. The Banned Indians beat Wyoming, 38-6. Second-year coach Bret Bielema won his second opener at Illinois. Last year, he beat, who else, Nebraska, in the season opener.
Florida State finally found a FCS team it can beat. The Noles downed Duquesne, 47-7. FSU racked up 638 yards on offense and had three running backs rush for 100 yards. The Noles are 1-0 for the first time since 2016.
Florida Atlantic got off to a great start Saturday. The Owls beat Charlotte, 43-13.
The Florida A&M-North Carolina game almost got called off. Originally it was called off. Then Florida A&M changed its mind. Late Thursday, just two days before the game, 26 Florida A&M players were declared ineligible to play for academic reasons. Sounds irresponsible to me. Shouldn’t the coach be held accountable?
Florida A&M cancelled the game, due to the shortage of players. But North Carolina was paying Florida A&M $450,000 for the contest. If they cancelled, FAMU wouldn’t get its pay check. So, on Friday, Florida A&M reversed its decision and flew to North Carolina for the game. To heck with the health and safety of the players – money rules.
North Carolina rules too. The Tar Heels subdued Florida A&M, 56-24. North Carolina ran and passed for 608 total yards.
Let’s hear it for the Mean and Green. North Texas downed UTEP, 31-13.
Nevada couldn’t pass (78 yards) and New Mexico State couldn’t run (85 yards), but the lack of passing was better than the lack of running, as Nevada beat New Mexico State, 23-12.
In the nightcap, more like the morning cap, Vanderbilt racked up 601 yards on offense, beating Hawaii, 63-10. Is this the year of the Commodore?
That was the caprese, the calamari. This week – the entrees.
Alabamba?
Superlatives
Weekend’s Best Passers:
UNLV’s Doug Brumfield – 21-25-0-356 (4TDs); Northwestern’s Ryan Hilinski – 27-38-0-314 (2TDs), and North Carolina’s Drake Maye – 29-37-0-294 (5TDs).
Weekend’s Best Rushers:
Connecticut’s Nathan Carter – 190 yards; Utah State’s Calvin Tyler – 161 yards, and Illinois’ Chase Brown – 151 yards (1TD).
Quotes of the Week
“Texas A&M is, without question, overrated,” CBS and FOX Sports analyst Tim Brando.
“My counterpart at the University of Georgia (athletic director Josh Brooks) seems committed to keeping the game in Jacksonville based on our conversations. Because of the tradition and the fact that the schools benefit financially from having the game in Jacksonville, I would be surprised if it ever moved,” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin, on the status of the Florida-Georgia game leaving Jacksonville and becoming a home-and-home affair.
“There is no loyalty. This is all fight for yourself and I get it. Money makes the world goes round and right now that’s what’s driving all these decisions,” Urban Meyer, on USC and UCLA joining the Big Ten.
“He plays the position like a point guard in basketball,” Alabama coach Nick Saban, on his quarterback Bryce Young.
“Northwestern versus Nebraska in Dublin. What did the Irish do to deserve this game?,” ESPN contributor and Dallas Morning News sports columnist Tim Cowlishaw.
“No, absolutely not. I love Nebraska. I’m gonna fight with the guys as long as I can fight,” Nebraska coach Scott Frost, when asked if he would consider stepping down, following the loss to Northwester.
“Is this a rerun I’m watching? I’m sure I’ve seen this before. This cannot be happening again,” former Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier, on the Nebraska-Northwestern game.
Touchdown Tom’s
Predictions for
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Notre Dame at Ohio State – (Ind. vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – So you don’t have to go to class to play football at Ohio State. That’s what first-year Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman says. And he should know. Freeman played football for Ohio State. Freeman is a defensive genius. It will be interesting to see how the Irish defend Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and running back TreVeyon Henderson. This is a classic opening weekend game. The Buckeyes have all the class – football, not academic. Stroud is on a cloud – Ohio State 28, Notre Dame 13.
RUNNER-UP: 2. Georgia vs. Oregon – (SEC vs. Pac-12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Last year, Oregon came east and pulled off the unexpected. The Ducks upset Ohio State. This year Oregon comes east again. But the Ducks are not expected to pull off the unexpected and upset Georgia. Not unless Georgia comes into the game living on last year’s glory. And don’t forget, Oregon’s first-year coach Dan Lanning was Georgia’s defensive coordinator. So he knows the Dawgs – real well. The game is in Atlanta. Not Georgia’s home field, but it’s in the Dawgs’ backyard. However, Georgia hasn’t always had the best results in big games in Atlanta. Although the Ducks try to get under Georgia’s skin, Bennett tells them they left their heart in Eugene – that’s Stetson, not Tony. The Georgia fans serenade Stetson with “The Way You Look Tonight” – Georgia 24, Oregon 14.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. Utah at Florida – (Pac-12 vs, SEC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Now this is an interesting matchup. Florida doesn’t play Pac-12 teams very often. Utah is a favorite to win the Pac-12, while it’s supposed to be an off year for the Gators with new coach Billy Napier. Apparently Dan Mullen didn’t leave much in the cupboard when he was terminated. But the game is in The Swamp. And it will be hot and humid – very hot and humid. Maybe rainy. That could be an advantage for the Gators. Do they know what humidity is in Salt Lake City? The Utes overcome the disadvantages – Utah 28, Florida 23.
4. Cincinnati at Arkansas – (AAC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Cincinnati ended last season against an SEC team – losing to Alabama in the playoff. This year, the Bearcats begin the season against an SEC team – Arkansas. The Hogs are no Alabama, but they are tough. Cincinnati is tough too. Luke Fickell has made the Bearcats an established team. Sam Pittman has done wonders at Arkansas too. It’s time to call the Pigs in Fayetteville – Arkansas 28, Cincinnati 26.
5. Penn State at Purdue – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 8 pm ET, Thursday, FOX – This has the makings of an exciting Big Ten opener. Penn State is always good. That’s assuming quarterback Sean Clifford doesn’t go on strike and start singing, “Now, I’m a union man. Amazed at what I am. I say what I think that the company stinks. Yes, I’m a union man.” The Nittany Lions started out good last year, going 5-0. Then the Nitts lost six of their final eight games. Clifford must have gone on strike. James Franklin’s stock suffered. Purdue has gotten a whole lot better. The Boilers finished last season on a three-game winning streak. Jeff Brohm’s stock went up. The Boilers keep winning, while the Nitts keep losing – Purdue 23, Penn State 21.
6. West Virginia at Pitt – (Big 12 vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – Ah, the resumption of the “Backyard Brawl.” How sweet it is. The two teams first met in 1895. They last played in 2011. Pitt leads the series 61-40-3. But WVU won the last three games, and since 1988 WVU leads the series 16-7-1. Interesting in this game are the two quarterbacks. Both played together on the same team at USC in 2019. Pitt quarterback Kedon Slovis transferred from USC to Pitt during the winter, while WVU quarterback J.T. Daniels transferred from USC to Georgia to West Virginia, arriving in Morgantown in March. Mountaineers extend the streak to 4-0 against the Panthers – West Virginia 31, Pitt 30.
7. LSU vs. Florida State – (SEC vs. ACC) – 7:30 pm ET, Sunday, ABC – Now this is another interesting affair. Both teams are somewhat unknown. Both are question marks coming into the 2022 season. Both are coming off poor seasons in 2021. One – LSU – has a new coach – Brian Kelly. The other – FSU – has a coach on the hot seat – Mike Norvell. The game is being played in New Orleans – LSU’s backyard. The Noles go on the warpath, but the Tigers send them back to Tallahassee with a loss – LSU 27, Florida State 20.
8. Boise State at Oregon State – (MWC vs. Pac-12) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – This is a tough opener for both teams. Normally, it wouldn’t be for Boise State, but Oregon State is the real deal this year. And the Beavers have the Broncos in Corvallis. Only four teams in the Pac-12 – Utah, USC, Oregon and UCLA – are rated higher than Oregon State at preseason. And Boise State has slipped some since Chris Petersen left the program after the 2013 season. But the Broncos are always tough. But not quite tough enough. The Beavers pelt them – Oregon State 26, Boise State 25.
9. Houston at UTSA – (AAC vs. C-USA) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN – This is a tough opener for Houston. UTSA was the real deal last year. The Roadrunners finished the season 12-2. They are loaded again this year. But it will be a tough game for UTSA too. Houston was also 12-2 last year. And the Cougars are loaded again this year too. They are more loaded than the Roadrunners. Beep Beep gets caught – Houston 35, UTSA 27.
10. North Carolina at Appalachian State – (ACC vs. Sun Belt) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPNU – The Little Mountaineers have the Tar Heels just where they want them – in Boone. Still, it won’t be easy for App State to upset North Carolina. But easier in Boone than in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels were disappointing last year. They need to turn it around this year. But can they? App State is always tough. Maybe too tough for the Heels. Mack Brown says his North Carolina team is young but good. App State is experienced and good. This one is a tossup. But ultimately, it’s the Heels who get tossed – Appalachian State 34, North Carolina 30.
Seven other games to keep your eye on this Labor Day Weekend are: Illinois at Indiana – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 8 pm ET, Friday, FS1….TCU at Colorado – (Big 12 vs. Pac-12) – 10 pm ET, Friday, ESPN….and Rutgers at Boston College – (Big Ten vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ACCN.
Also, NC State at East Carolina – (ACC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN….Memphis at Mississippi State – (AAC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU….Louisville at Syracuse – (ACC vs. ACC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN….and Clemson at Georgia Tech – (ACC vs. ACC) – 8 pm ET, Monday, ESPN.
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
North Dakota at Nebraska – (MVC vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – Do you know why Nebraska will win this game? Because the score won’t be close. Okay, this contest gives Nebraska a chance to rid the Northwestern loss from its mind and get its act together. We all know the Huskers need to get their act together. Nebraska had a lot of positives in the Northwestern game. They just need to get the dents out of the positives. They need to polish the positives. No free beer this week. Just free touchdowns – Nebraska 38, North Dakota 10.
Temple at Duke – (AAC vs. ACC) – 7:30 pm ET, Friday, ACCN – Both teams have new coaches – Mike Elko at Duke and Stan Drayton at Temple. Both teams are picked to finish dead last in their respective conferences. Elko is rated as one of those defensive geniuses. Drayton is an unknown. In fact, many said his hiring was a poor choice for Temple. Sometimes, those are the ones who turn out to be the best coaches. Sometimes not. Defense wins – Duke 25, Temple 12.
ULM at Texas – (Sun Belt vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, LHN – This could be a tough season for second-year Texas coach Steve Sarkisian. But not this game. This game will only be tough for second-year ULM coach Terry Bowden. Sarkisian named Ohio State transfer Quinn Ewers his starting quarterback. Ewers, a freshman, you may remember, committed to Texas, but signed with Ohio State, only to transfer back to Texas. That’s enough to make you dizzy. The Longhorns will make ULM dizzy. Bevo should stampede all over the Warhawks and leave a few cow piles on them for extra measure – Texas 42, ULM 10.
ELSEWHERE AROUND
FLORIDA:
South Carolina State at UCF – (MEAC vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN+….
Florida Atlantic at Ohio – (C-USA vs. MAC) – 6 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Go Artemis I!
Touchdown Tom
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 season, the number one song in the country…
…80 years ago, this week in 1942, was “Jingle Jangle Jingle” by Kay Keyser
…75 years ago, this week in 1947, was “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” by Tex Williams, and “Peg O’ My Heart” by The Three Suns
…70 years ago, this week in 1952, was “Auf Wiedersehen, Sweetheart” by Vera Lynn
…65 years ago, this week in 1957, was “Tammy” by Debbie Reynolds
…60 years ago, this week in 1962, was “The Loco-Motion” by Little Eva, and “Sheila” by Tommy Roe
…55 years ago, this week in 1967, was “Ode To Billie Joe” by Bobbie Gentry
…50 years ago, this week in 1972, was “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)” by Looking Glass
…45 years ago, this week in 1977, was “Best Of My Love” by The Emotions
…40 years ago, this week in 1982, was “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor, and “Abracadabra”
…35 years ago, this week in 1987, was “La Bamba” by Los Lobos
…30 years ago, this week in 1992, was “End Of The Road” by Boyz II Men
