College Football
Week 7 – Georgia No. 1, Alabama drops to No. 3
Turn Out the
Lights,
And the highs and lows at midseason. But first, the busted honeymoons.
When Oklahoma hired Brent Venables after last season, the feeling was almost like Nebraska when the Huskers hired Scott Frost – the return of the native. No, Venables wasn’t a native of Oklahoma, nor did he go to OU. However, he had been the defensive coordinator at OU for 12 seasons – 1999 to 2011. Then he left to become the defensive coordinator at Clemson.
For years, schools tried to hire Venables away from Clemson to become their head coach. He always turned them down. That is until last winter when he accepted the offer from Oklahoma. OU fans were downright giddy, getting Venables back. They were as high as an elephant’s eye.
All began well. Oklahoma won its first three games, including a 49-14 win over old rival Nebraska. Then the trouble in the marriage began. Two weeks ago, Oklahoma lost its opening Big 12 game to Kansas State, 41-34. Last week, the Sooners lost to TCU, 55-24. Saturday, it was the worst of all nightmares. OU not only lost to Texas, but the Sooners lost big time – 49-0. They were shutout. Oklahoma is 0-3 in Big 12 play – unheard of. And the Sooners are one of the worst defensive teams in the country. Let’s just say, all is not well in Norman.
When Arkansas hired Sam Pittman after the 2019 season, pundits called it a bad hire. Sam Pittman? Who is he? Pittman had been the offensive line coach at Georgia for four years. And the OL coach at Arkansas for three years before Georgia. But he had never been a head coach at a four-year college. Nor had he been a coordinator.
Although Arkansas was only 3-7 in Pittman’s first year, he ignited a spark in the team. They played with spirit, something Arkansas hadn’t done in years. It was the COVID-hampered season – 2020. No Razorback fan was expecting miracles. But Arkansas did beat Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee. The Hogs beat Auburn, but the SEC refs stole that game from them. In losses, they played respectable against Texas A&M, LSU and Missouri.
Last year, Arkansas improved to 9-4. Pittman was a hero. He was the darling of Fayetteville. Two of the four losses were by 7 points or less – 42-35 to Alabama in Tuscaloosa and 52-51 to Ole Miss in Oxford. Again, Pittman’s teams played with pride and spirit.
All began well this year. After three games, Arkansas was 3-0. But now, the Razorbacks have lost three-straight games. Two of the three losses weren’t close. Saturday, Mississippi State put a big-time hurtin’ on the Hogs – 40-17. Now, Arkansas fans are starting to wonder about Pittman. All is not well in Fayetteville.
When Miami (Florida) hired Mario Cristobal last winter, it was like the Scott Frost hiring at Nebraska. Cristobal was truly a native son. He was born and raised in Miami and he played for and graduated from the University of Miami. It was the perfect marriage.
All began well for Cristobal. Miami won its first two games. But now the Canes have lost three-straight games, including a 45-31 loss to Middle Tennessee State at home. Saturday, Miami lost to North Carolina, 27-24. The perfect marriage has gotten bumpy. All is not well in Miami.
I’ve often read and heard the Cristobal is a great recruiter but a lousy coach.
Then there is Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M. Granted, after 4-plus years, Fisher is on an extended honeymoon. And all has been mostly copasetic during Fisher’s first four seasons. After all, the Aggies beat Alabama last year. But the situation isn’t copasetic this season.
Texas A&M lost to Appalachian State, 17-14. Last week the Aggies were blown out by Mississippi State, 42-24. Saturday night, Texas A&M, although the Aggies played well, lost their third game. Alabama beat Texas A&M, 24-20. The close loss to Alabama may give Fisher a reprieve. But it will be a brief reprieve if there are more losses this season. The Aggies have one of the worst offenses in the country. The honeymoon is over in College Station. Will the marriage survive?
Saturday was basically the mid-point of the season – seven weeks down and seven to go. Most teams have played half of their games. Some teams, like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Clemson, USC and Penn State are riding their expected highs. All seven of those teams are undefeated and ranked in the Top 10. Saturday, Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Clemson and USC won big. Alabama had a close call but won. Penn State was off.
Then there are the teams who are having an unexpected high this season. Three that stand out are Tennessee, UCLA and TCU. All three are undefeated. Saturday, Tennessee (5-0) blasted LSU, 40-13. The Vols had 503 total yards. UCLA (6-0) upset Utah, 42-32. Bruins running back Zach Charbonnet rushed for 198 yards. And TCU (5-0) knocked off previously undefeated Kansas, 38-31. Frogs quarterback Max Duggan passed for 308 yards.
And how about Syracuse, Oklahoma State and Ole Miss? – all undefeated. Syracuse (5-0), a real surprise, was off Saturday. Oklahoma State (5-0) rallied to beat Texas Tech 41-31. Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders passed for 297 yards. Ole Miss (6-0) started off slow but settled down to whip Vanderbilt, 52-28. The Magnolias had 591 yards on offense.
We can’t forget the Sun Belt darlings James Madison and Coastal Carolina. Both are undefeated at 5-0 and 6-0 respectively. James Madison beat Arkansas State, 42-20. Dukes quarterback Todd Centeio was 28-37-0, passing for 394 yards and four touchdowns. JMU racked up 598 total yards. Coastal Carolina beat ULM, 28-21.
Some teams have suffered one loss at midseason, but they are enjoying great seasons all the same. Even with a loss, you can’t take away the high Kansas (5-1) is enjoying. Jayhawks basketball coach Bill Self said, “This is the most juiced I have ever seen Lawrence.”
Still in the Sunflower State, Kansas State (5-1) is having a great season too. Saturday, the Wildcats played defense, beating Iowa State, 10-9.
And how about Wake Forest (5-1), Illinois (5-1) and Tulane (5-1)? The Demon Deacons deposed of Army, 45-10. In his second season, Bret Bielema has Illinois playing well, especially on defense. In six games, the Banned Indians are giving up only 8 points a game. Saturday, Illinois beat Iowa, 9-6. With just one loss, Tulane is a surprise. Earlier in the season, the Green Wave gave Kansas State its only loss, 17-10. Saturday, Tulane beat East Carolina, 24-9. Green Wave quarterback Michael Pratt was 27-34-0, passing for 326 yards and two touchdowns.
The two North Carolina schools – State and UNC – are playing well with only one loss each. NC State (5-1) downed Florida State, 19-17, while North Carolina (5-1) edged Miami (Florida), 27-24.
Oregon and Mississippi State are holding their own, both at 5-1. Saturday night, Oregon took care of Arizona, 49-22. The Ducks had 580 total yards, as Bo Nix was 20-25-0, passing for 265 yards. As mentioned above, Mississippi State beat Arkansas, 40-17.
And kudos to San Jose State (4-1), Liberty (5-1) and South Alabama (4-1).
Cincinnati (5-1) UCF (4-1) and Minnesota (4-1) are having good seasons too.
Those are the expected and unexpected highs at midseason. Unfortunately, there a few lows at the mid-point – some expected and some not. The lowest of the lows has to be Colorado. The Buffs have yet to win a game – 0-5. Colorado has the worst defense in the country and the Buffs offense isn’t much better. They fired their coach last week.
A surprisingly bad team is Michigan State. The Spartans were a Top-15 team at preseason. At midseason, Michigan State is 2-4, 0-3 in Big Ten play. Saturday, the Spartans lost to Ohio State, 49-20.
Northwestern, Stanford and South Florida are suffering at midseason. Northwestern is off to a 1-5 start. Stanford is no better than 1-4. Saturday, Stanford lost to Oregon State, 28-27. South Florida is a miserable 1-5. But the Bulls gave Cincinnati a good game Saturday. South Florida lost to the Bearcats, 28-24.
Also hurting at midseason is Colorado State. But the Rams (1-4) won their first game over the weekend, beating Nevada, 17-14.
In late April, ESPN said the following teams would be the surprise teams of 2022 – surprisingly good. The teams were BYU, Florida State, Miami (Florida), Mississippi State, Nebraska and NC State. Well, so far, ESPN made the right call on Mississippi State and NC State. They made the wrong call on Nebraska. And the jury is still out on BYU, Florida State and Miami.
College football Week 6 began on Wednesday night in Orlando, Florida. In an Ian-delayed game, UCF downed SMU, 41-19. SMU led at the break, 13-10, but UCF outscored the Mustangs 31-6 in the second half. Knights quarterback John Rhys Plumlee was 20-29-0, passing for 316 yards and three touchdowns.
There were no games on Thursday night. Friday night, however, had four games on its docket. The featured game of the night was a Big Ten encounter – Nebraska at Rutgers. An ugly contest, the Huskers beat the Knights,14-13.
Houston takes the award for the comeback of the night. Trailing 32-19 and with only 1:17 to go in the game, the Cougars scored two touchdowns in 59 seconds to beat Memphis, 33-32. When Houston went up 33-32 with 0:18 on the clock, it was the Cougars first lead in the game. Early in the fourth quarter, Houston trailed Memphis, 26-7. Houston quarterback Clayton Tune passed for 366 yards and three touchdowns.
The two nightcap contests on Friday were Mountain West Conference games – one a rout, one close. In the rout, San Jose State built up a 33-0 third-quarter lead over UNLV. The Spartans went on to beat the Rebels, 40-7. In the close one, Colorado State and Nevada were tied 14-14 as time was running out in the fourth quarter. Then, as the clock expired the Rams Michael Boyle kicked a 43-yard field goal and Colorado State upset Nevada, 17-14. The Rams Avery Morrow rushed for 168 yards. The win was the first for Colorado State this season.
In other action Saturday, Shane Beamer got a big win, as South Carolina knocked off Kentucky, in Lexington, 24-14. The game was tied up at 7-7 after two quarters. Then the Gamecocks scored 17 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters to take a 24-7 lead.
In Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Notre Dame beat BYU, 28-20. The Irish had 496 total yards to 276 for BYU. Also, out west, Arizona State upset Washington, 45-38 and USC downed Washington State, 30-14. With the game tied 38-38, Arizona State scored on a 2-yard pass, with 7:27 to go in the game. The Sun Devils hung on to win. Washington totally dominated the stats but not the score. USC and Washington State were close at the halftime break. The Trojans led 17-13. Then USC skunked the Cougars in the second half, 13-0. Trojans running back Travis Dye rushed for 149 yards.
In the only overtime game of the weekend, Georgia Tech upset Duke, 23-20 (OT). With less than six minutes to go in regulation, Georgia Tech led Duke, 20-6. The Dookies scored two touchdowns in the final 5:55 of the fourth quarter to tie the game.
The late-late show Saturday night ended with Boise State beating Fresno State, 40-20.
Only one undefeated team – Kansas – lost over the weekend. Fifteen teams remain undefeated.
Multiple SMU players and a Baylor running back have decided to sit out the remainder of the season and enter the transfer portal when the season is over. To preserve their redshirt and to avoid the chance of getting injured, players who plan to enter the transfer portal at the end of the season are opting to sit out. Under the new NCAA rules, players now can only enter the transfer portal two times during a year – from December 6 to January 20, and between April 15-30. Previously, players could enter the transfer portal any day of the year. The SMU players and Baylor running back plan to enter the portal on December 6. If this becomes a trend, it will drive football coaches crazy. It also will drive away college football fans.
Fired Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst was due to get a $16.4 million buyout, according to his contract. However, Wisconsin officials have negotiated Chryst’s buyout down to $11 million.
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano fired his offensive coordinator Sean Gleeson yesterday. Out of 132 FBS teams, Rutgers was 110th in the country in total yards, 113th in passing yards and 104th in points scored per game.
Watching “SEC Nation” Saturday morning, Rockledge Gator was enamored with Laura Rutledge’s thigh-high boots. Actually, I think he was enamored with Laura Rutledge in her thigh-high boots. He told Bootsie he was going to get her a pair of thigh-high boots. Bootsie said get me a pair of Laura’s legs too.
The four of us, Rockledge Gator, Bootsie, Swamp Mama and I, will be at the LSU-Florida game in Gainesville this weekend.
Touchdown Tom
Weekend Recap
GAME OF THE WEEK: The Chalk wasn’t Rock – TCU 38, Kansas 31 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 44, Kansas 35). ESPN College GameDay was in Lawrence, Kansas, for this game. It was GameDay’s first visit to Lawrence. Both teams were undefeated coming into the game. They didn’t disappoint. The Frogs and the Jayhawks put on a show. The game was a classic. The score was tied four times. Kansas dominated the stats but TCU dominated the score. Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels was injured in the first half and didn’t return. Attendance in Lawrence: 47,233
RUNNER-UP: Bruins are for real – UCLA 42, Utah 32 (Touchdown Tom said: Utah 38, UCLA 24). UCLA took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter and never trailed for the rest of the game. Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was 18-23-1, passing for 299 yards and four touchdowns. Attendance in Pasadena: 42,038
REST OF THE BEST: Smoked – Tennessee 40, LSU13 (Touchdown Tom said: Tennessee 27, LSU 23). At the end of three quarters, Tennessee led 38-7. LSU was never in the game. The Tigers only had 55 yards rushing. Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker passed for 239 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 56 yards. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels passed for 300 yards and one touchdown. He rushed for 38 yards. But ultimately, LSU had no running game. Tennessee running back Jabari Small rushed for 127 yards. Attendance in Baton Rouge: 102,321
Cougars tamed – USC 30 Washington State 14 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 40, Washington State 26). The Trojans struggled with Washington State in the first half. They shut down the Cougars in the second half. Attendance in Los Angeles: 63,204
Osceola couldn’t dance with the Wolves – NC State 19, Florida State 17 (Touchdown Tom said: NC State 28, Florida State 27). After NC State took a 3-0 first quarter lead, Florida State scored 17 points in the second quarter and led 17-3 at the break. At the end of three, the Wolfpack had cut the lead to 17-13. NC State kicked two field goals, one a 53-yarder, in the fourth quarter and led for the first time since early in the second quarter. FSU was scoreless in the second half. The Noles were driving in the closing seconds, but quarterback Jordan Travis threw his second interception of the game. Attendance in Raleigh: 56,919
Not this time, Jimbo – Alabama 24, Texas A&M 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 35, Texas A&M 20). Alabama had no passing game and Texas A&M had no running game. The Aggies only had 70 yards rushing. The Tide only had 111 yards passing. The game was close throughout. Alabama’s biggest lead was 10 points for 7:44 minutes in the third quarter. The Tide were sloppy – four turnovers. Bama’s Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 154 yards. Backup quarterback Jalen Milroe played the entire game for Alabama. Attendance in Tuscaloosa: 100,077
Red Raiders ran out of steam – Oklahoma State 41, Texas Tech 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 39, Texas Tech 22). Texas Tech led 7-0 in the first quarter. Oklahoma State went up 17-7 still in the first quarter. Texas Tech retook the lead at 21-17 early in the second quarter. The Red Raiders held the lead until 3:18 to go in the third quarter when the Cowboys tied the score at 31-31. Okie State actually scored the final 18 points of the game. Texas Tech had 527 total yards. Attendance in Stillwater: 55,509
No end zone for the Cyclones – Kansas State 10, Iowa State 9 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 23, Iowa State 20). In a defensive struggle, Kansas State went up 7-0 in the first quarter. The Wildcats held the lead until 0:48 to go in the third quarter. That’s when Iowa State went up 9-7. The Wildcats kicked a 30-yard field goal with 7:14 to go in the game and held on to win. K-State quarterback Adrian Martinez passed for 246 yards and rushed for 77 yards. Attendance in Ames: 60,561
Makin’ bacon – Mississippi State 40, Arkansas 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Mississippi State 31, Arkansas 28). Miss State took a quick lead and never looked back. The Bulldogs racked up 568 total yards and 33 first downs. They controlled possession for 35:31. Miss State quarterback Will Rogers passed for 395 yards and three touchdowns. Attendance in Starkville: 57,849
Smackdown – Texas 49, Oklahoma 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 33, Oklahoma 25). Texas had 585 total yards to 195 for Oklahoma. The Longhorns had 36 first downs to 11 for OU. The Sooners only had 39 yards passing. Injured quarterback Dillon Gabriel did not play for OU. Previously injured quarterback Quinn Ewers returned to play for Texas. Ewers passed for 289 yards and four touchdowns. Horns running back Bijan Robinson rushed for 130 yards. Attendance in Dallas: 92,100
YE OLDE STOMPING
GROUNDS:
Albert gets by – Florida 24, Missouri 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 30, Missouri 20). Florida jumped out to a 10-0 first quarter lead. But Missouri responded with 10 in the second quarter – 10-10 at the break. The Gators added two touchdowns and went up 24-10 in the second half. Missouri pulled within 7, scoring with 5:58 to go in the game to make it 24-17. Gators hung on. Missouri controlled time of possession for 36:09. Florida only had 66 yards passing. Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson played an inconsistent game – good one minute, bad the next. Missouri came to play. I’m not sure Florida did. But the Gators won. Gators secondary is still suspect – very suspect. Attendance in Gainesville: 88,471
Ugly game – Nebraska 14, Rutgers 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 28, Rutgers 26). Rutgers won the first half, 13-0. Nebraska won the second half, 14-0. It wasn’t a pretty game. Between the two teams, there were 18 penalties (9 on each team), and five turnovers. There was no offense to speak of. The Huskers scored their go ahead touchdown with 8:54 to go in the game. Nebraska only had 72 yards rushing. Attendance in Piscataway: 53,752
Stung – Georgia Tech 23, Duke 20 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 31, Georgia Tech 22). Georgia Tech led throughout the game, including a 20-6 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Late in the final period, Duke scored two touchdowns – the second coming with just 0:08 on the clock. That one tied the score in regulation. But the Dookies couldn’t convert in the overtime. Duke only had 278 total yards. Devils quarterback Riley Leonard had his worst game of the season. Conversely, Tech quarterback Jeff Sims had his best game of the season. Sims passed for 227 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 77 yards. Attendance in Atlanta: 32,041
Uga licks his chops – Georgia 42, Auburn 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 28, Auburn 14). Auburn only had 10 first downs. The Tigers only had ball possession for 24:31. Georgia tallied 500 total yards. Stetson Bennett passed for 208 yards and rushed for 64 yards. He had one touchdown rushing. Georgia led 35-3 early in the fourth quarter. Attendance in Athens: 92,746
Surprising Boilers – Purdue 31, Maryland 29 (Touchdown Tom said: Maryland 24, Purdue 23). Maryland led 7-3 after one quarter. The game was 17-17 at halftime and after three quarters. Maryland scored first in the fourth quarter and led 23-17. Purdue proceeded to score 14 points and went up 31-23 with 1:20 to go in the game. Maryland scored with 0:35 on the clock but the Terps two-point conversion attempt failed. Purdue only had 15 yards rushing. Maryland only had 72 yards rushing. Boilers quarterback Aidan O’Connell was 30-41-1, passing for 360 yards and two touchdowns. Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was 26-38-1, passing for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Attendance in College Park: 36,204
Week 6 Results: 12 winners, 3 fumbles (80 percent)
ELSEWHERE AROUND
FLORIDA:
UCF 41, SMU 19 – Attendance in Orlando: 27,495
Cincinnati 28, South Florida 24 – Attendance in Cincinnati: 38,577
Tennessee State 41, Bethune-Cookman 17– Attendance in Nashville: 22,231
Superlatives
Impressive Passers:
Miami of Florida’s Tyler Van Dyke – 42-57-1 for 496 yards (3TDs); Ohio’s Kurtis Rourke – 24-27-0-427 (3TDs); Akron’s D.J. Irons – 43-54-0-418; Mississippi State’s Will Rogers – 31-48-0-395 (3TDs); Appalachian State’s Chase Brice – 40-53-1-395 (3TDs), and James Madison’s Todd Centeio – 28-37-0-394 (4TDs).
Also, Texas Tech’s Behren Morton – 39-62-1-379 (2TDs); Western Kentucky’s Austin Reed – 35-49-0-373 (2TDs); Houston’s Clayton Tune – 36-57-1-366 (3TDs); Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud – 21-26-1-361 (6TDs), and Purdue’s Aidan O’Connell – 30-41-1-360 (2TDs).
Impressive Rushers:
Pitt’s Israel Abanikanda – 320 yards (6TDs); UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet – 198 yards (1TD); Cincinnati’s Charles McClelland – 179 yards (2TDs); Colorado State’s Avery Morrow – 168 yards; Navy’s Daba Fofana – 159 yards (3TDs); Boise State’s George Holani – 157 yards, and Buffalo’s Mike Washington – 155 yards (2TDs).
Quotes of the Week
“We’re happy here.
We have no plans on going anywhere. Anything else is rumors,” Kansas coach Lance
Leipold, on the rumors of his potential departure for Wisconsin, Nebraska,
etc.
He is the most talked about coach in college football right now because he is vastly and woefully underperforming,” Paul Finebaum, on Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.
"Texas A&M couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat,” CBS Sports Rick Neuheisel.
“To be honest, it didn’t even feel like we were on the road,” Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, after Tennessee beat LSU in Baton Rouge.
“The only difference between Jimbo Fisher and Gus Malzahn is Jameis Winston,” a texter to the Paul Finebaum Show.
“Take Jameis Winston out of Jimbo Fisher’s arsenal and Jimbo may not be a head coach right now,” Paul Finebaum.
Touchdown Tom’s
Predictions for
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Alabama (6-0) at Tennessee (5-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – Tennessee last beat Alabama in 2006. The Vols won that game 16-13. But it has been 16 years since Tennessee last won. The Vols are certainly capable of doing it this year. But the Tide is certainly capable of keeping their winning streak going. It’s reasonable to think that Bama was looking past Texas A&M to Tennessee. That along with the absence of Bryce Young can explain the Tide’s weak performance against the Aggies. Not only weak but sloppy. Bama generally doesn’t have two games in a row like that. I’m sure Young will be back against Tennessee. Without Young, Bama’s passing game is hurting. Tennessee can’t take anything for granted. Tennessee can’t assume anything. If the Vols stay focused, they are capable of beating the Tide. It should be one heck of a game. Can you say Rocky Top? – Tennessee 27, Alabama 24.
RUNNER-UP: 2. Penn State (5-0) at Michigan (6-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – Penn State was off last week, while Michigan was looking ahead to Penn State as the Wolverines were sloppily beating Indiana. Neither team has really been tested to date. This will be a test for both. The Wolverines pass the test; the Nittany Lions fail it – Michigan 24, Penn State 21.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. Oklahoma State (5-0) at TCU (5-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – This one has the makings of a typical wild Big 12 game. The lead could go back and forth. Both teams can score. But TCU has the home field – TCU 37, Oklahoma State 35.
4. NC State (5-1) at Syracuse (5-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – While Syracuse was resting up, NC State spent itself on Florida State. And the Cuse are home. Syracuse likes being undefeated – Syracuse 27, NC State 22.
5. Clemson (6-0) at Florida State (4-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Clemson is for real. Florida State is almost, but not quite, for real. Three straight losses for FSU? Looks like it – Clemson 30, Florida State 23.
6. USC (6-0) at Utah (4-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Utah lost last week to the other L.A. team. The Utes won’t lose to this one – Utah 28, USC 27.
7. Illinois (5-1) at Minnesota (4-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, BTN – Will either team score a touchdown? It may be all field goals. The Gophers have the better offense. The Banned Indians have the better defense. The better offense wins, but just barely – Minnesota 16, Illinois 15.
8. Mississippi State (5-1) at Kentucky (4-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – I’m thinking Mike Leach has Miss State on a roll. Kentucky was flat against South Carolina. There’s nothing flat about Leach. The Bulldogs roll over the Cats – Mississippi State 30, Kentucky 25.
9. Duke (4-2) at North Carolina (5-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – This could be a good game. The Dookies are competitive this year. But the Heels are more competitive – North Carolina 26, Duke 21.
10. LSU (4-2) at Florida (4-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Florida has a real problem with its defensive secondary – a real problem. And you never know which Anthony Richardson will show up for a game. Anthony is due to have a good one. The Tigers can’t take advantage of Florida’s problem – Florida 30, LSU 27.
Five other games to keep your eyes on during Week 7 are: Kansas (5-1) at Oklahoma (3-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2…..Iowa State (3-3) at Texas (4-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC…..Arkansas (3-3) at BYU (4-2) – (SEC vs. Ind.) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN…..Washington State (4-2) at Oregon State (4-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 9 pm ET, Saturday, P12N….. and Air Force (4-2) at UNLV (4-2) – (MWC vs. MWC) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN.
YE OLDE STOMPING
GROUNDS:
Baylor (3-2) at West Virginia (2-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7 pm ET, Thursday, FS1 – I’m thinking WVU will play better than the Eers did against Texas. But will they play better than Baylor? Doubtful – Baylor 24, West Virginia 23.
Nebraska (3-3) at Purdue (4-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, BTN – It’s hard to figure both of these teams. Just when you think they’ll win, they don’t. Just when you think they’ll lose, they don’t. Go figure – Purdue 27, Nebraska 26.
Vanderbilt (3-3) at Georgia (6-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – Another easy game for Uga. And the Dawgs are No. 1 again this week. They stay in the top spot – Georgia 45, Vanderbilt 11.
ELSEWHERE AROUND
FLORIDA:
West Florida (4-1) at Shorter (2-4) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 12 noon ET, Saturday….
Tulane (5-1) at South Florida (1-5) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU….
Rice (3-2) at Florida Atlantic (2-4) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 6 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Touchdown Tom
P.S.
Not exactly college football related, but in the autumn of October, as the college football season approached its halfway point, the number one song in the country…
…80 years ago, this week in 1942, was “(I’ve Got A Gal In) Kalamazoo” by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra
…75 years ago, this week in 1947, was “Near You” by Francis Craig and His Orchestra
…70 years ago, this week in 1952, was “You Belong To Me” by Jo Stafford
…65 years ago, this week in 1957, was “Honeycomb” by Jimmie Rodgers, and “Wake Up Little Susie” by The Everly Brothers
…60 years ago, this week in 1962, was “Sherry” by The Four Seasons”, and “Monster Mash” by Bobby ‘Boris’ Pickett & The Crypt-Kickers
…55 years ago, this week in 1967, was “The Letter” by The Box Tops
…50 years ago, this week in 1972, was “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me” by Mac Davis, and “Ben” by Michael Jackson
…45 years ago, this week in 1977, was “Stars Wars Theme/Cantina Band” by Meco
…40 years ago, this week in 1982, was “Jack & Diane” by John Cougar
…35 years ago, this week in 1987, was “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake
…30 years ago, this week in 1992, was “End Of The Road” by Boyz II Men
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