College Football
Week 13 – Vols QB Hooker out with torn ACL
Living on a prayer,
needed a prayer,
Those one-liners depict Saturday’s performance by the top five teams in the CFP rankings, and the performance of a player on a sixth team high in the rankings.
What a Saturday! What a day and night of college football! Simply put, Saturday knocked your socks off. Saturday was the most thrilling, the most exciting, the most surprising, the most interesting, the craziest and the strangest day in college football this season. It had every possible thrill, excitement and disappointment that football can provide.
Just when it looked like the playoff hopes and chances of Michigan and TCU had come to an end, a miracle occurred. The Horned Frogs and Wolverines were living on a prayer. They were definitely living on the edge.
The two playoff contenders were facing certain defeat. And certain elimination from making the playoff. But in the closing seconds, both pulled a rabbit out of the hat. No. 3 Michigan and No. 4 TCU kicked game winning field goals.
Trailing Illinois, 17-16, Michigan kicked its game winner (a 35-yarder) with 0:09 on the clock. The Wolverines beat Illinois, 19-17. Trailing Baylor, 28-26, TCU kicked its game winner (a 40-yarder) as time expired. The Horned Frogs beat Baylor, 29-28. You can’t get any closer than that.
Two more top-ranked teams – the Top 2 – looked perilously shaky on Saturday. No. 1 Georgia struggled to put away Kentucky. Kentucky, a team that lost 44-6 to Tennessee. Kentucky, a team that lost to Vanderbilt last week. The Dawgs could only manage 9 points – 3 field goals – in the first half. Georgia finally saw the end zone in the 3rd quarter and went up 16-0. But with almost 10 minutes to go in the game, Kentucky scored. The Georgia lead was 16-6. The Dawgs hung on for the 10-point win.
No. 2 Ohio State had a tougher time with Maryland. The Buckeyes trailed the Terps, 13-10, at halftime. Ohio State took the lead in the third quarter, but the game remained close. The Ohio State lead was only 33-30 with about 10 minutes to go in the game. With less than a minute to go, the Buckeye lead was still only 3 points – 33-30. Ohio State added a field goal and a fumble recovery for a touchdown to subdue Maryland, 43-30. The Buckeyes were definitely shaky on Saturday.
Then the unexpected happened. I mean, the really unexpected. No. 5 Tennessee lost to South Carolina. Yes, to unranked South Carolina, a team that lost 38-6 to Florida the previous week. A team that lost to Missouri. A team that lost 48-7 to Georgia. Not only did Tennessee lose to South Carolina, but the Vols lost 63-38 to the Gamecocks. Tennessee’s chances for a spot in the playoff all but went down the drain.
Michigan and TCU were living on a prayer. Tennessee needed a prayer.
And finally, a game for the ages in the Rose Bowl. In a donnybrook, No. 7 USC beat No. 16 UCLA, 48-45. The game was a thriller. The game was exciting. There was never a dull moment. But more exciting than the game itself was the incredible performance by USC quarterback Caleb Williams. It was a Heisman-winning performance. Passing for 470 yards, Williams led the Trojans back from a 14-0 second quarter deficit to win the game. He threw two touchdown passes and he ran for 33 yards and another touchdown. He completed 74.4% of his passes.
Williams still has two tough assignments coming up – a November 26 encounter with Notre Dame (8-3), and a December 2 meeting with either Oregon (9-2) or Washington (9-2) in the Pac-12 championship game. Win both of those games and USC is in the playoff. Win both of those games and Caleb Williams will win the Heisman Trophy.
Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was your day?
College football Week12 began, as in recent weeks, with MACtion on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday night Bowling Green jumped out to a 21-0 second quarter lead and then survived a rally to beat Toledo, 42-35. Trailing BG throughout, Toledo took its first and only lead with just 0:51 left in the game. The Rockets scored a touchdown to go up 35-34. But it wasn’t over. With 0:09 to go, BG scored the winning touchdown on a 42-yard pass from Matt McDonald to Ta’Ron Keith.
That same night, Ohio downed Ball State, 32-18. Bobcats running back Sieh Bangura rushed for 148 yards. Ohio dominated time of possession for 36:38. The Bobcats improved to 8-3.
Wednesday night began with a thriller in Kent, Ohio. In a game that was tied 7-7 in the first quarter and 17-17 in the third quarter, Eastern Michigan outlasted Kent State, 31-24. EMU quarterback Taylor Powell was 30-39-0, passing for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Eastern Michigan controlled time of possession for 39:19.
The following game was even more exciting. In a contest where the lead changed hands three times, Miami (Ohio) survived Northern Illinois, 29-23. With 8:24 to go in the third quarter, the Red Hawks went up 19-17 and never trailed again. Miami maintained time of possession for 34:32.
In the nightcap on Wednesday, Western Michigan and Central Michigan gave us another thriller. Trailing CMU 10-7, WMU scored 5 points (a safety and a field goal) in the final 3:57 to beat the Chippewas, 12-10. Western Michigan running back Sean Tyler rushed for 177 yards and one touchdown.
Thursday night, the action moved from the MAC to the AAC. SMU and Tulane met in New Orleans. It was a good meeting for Tulane and a bad meeting for SMU. The Green Wave bludgeoned the Mustangs, 59-24.
The action Friday night began in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In a game between two of college football’s most woeful teams, the offense was abundant, the defense was lacking. Tulsa beat South Florida, 48-42. The teams combined for 1,072 total yards. After trailing South Florida for the first 20 minutes of the game, Tulsa went up 14-13 in the second quarter and never trailed again.
In the only other game on Friday, San Diego State beat New Mexico, 34-10. The Aztecs racked up 459 total yards, while possessing the ball for 34:38. San Diego State improved to 7-4.
In addition to TCU-Baylor, Illinois-Michigan, etc., Saturday was full of thrillers. Oregon kicked a field goal in the fourth quarter to beat Utah, 20-17. Boise State scored a touchdown with 7 minutes left in the game to beat Wyoming, 20-17.
Navy kicked a field goal in the third quarter and held on to upset UCF, 17-14. Trailing Nebraska, 14-9, Wisconsin scored with 0:35 on the clock to survive the Huskers, 15-14. Indiana and Michigan State went two overtimes, before the Hoosiers could prevail over the Spartans, 39-31 (2OT). Trailing Michigan State, 31-14, with 6 minutes to go in the third quarter, Indiana scored 17 unanswered points to put the game into overtime.
Trailing Pitt, 28-14, in the fourth quarter, Duke scored two touchdowns in the final 9 minutes – the second touchdown coming with 0:44 on the clock. But after the second touchdown, the Dookies 2-point conversion attempt failed. Duke lost to Pitt, 28-26. Trailing North Carolina, 17-0, in the second quarter, Georgia Tech scored 21 unanswered points to upset the Tar Heels, 21-17.
With 0:28 left in the game, Iowa kicked a 21-yard field goal to beat Minnesota, 13-10. Trailing Georgia State, 34-14, James Madison scored 28 unanswered points to take 42-34 fourth quarter lead over the Panthers. Georgia State scored a touchdown with 2:30 remaining, but the Panthers failed on their 2-point conversion attempt. James Madison beat Georgia State, 42-40.
Trailing Iowa State, 10-7, Texas Tech scored a touchdown with 6 minutes left on the clock to beat the Hawkeyes, 14-10. And trailing San Jose State, 31-28, Utah State scored a touchdown with 2:49 left in the game to beat the Spartans, 35-31.
In the “Big Game,” Cal beat Stanford, 27-20. As the fourth quarter began Cal trailed Stanford 17-6. But the Golden Bears rallied in the final quarter, outscoring Stanford, 21-3. And in “The Game,” Yale downed Harvard, 19-14. Trailing Harvard, 14-13, in the fourth quarter, Yale scored a touchdown with 6:29 remaining and held on to win.
Yes, Saturday was full of cliff hangers.
So, after all the turmoil, my CFP rankings would look like this: 1. Georgia (11-0), 2. Ohio State (11-0), 3. Michigan (11-0), 4. TCU (11-0), 5. USC (10-1), 6. Clemson (10-1), 7. Tennessee (9-2), 8. LSU (9-2), 9. Washington (9-2), 10. Oregon (9-2). Alabama (9-2) is 11th. Stay tuned until tomorrow evening when the latest CFP rankings will be released.
A week ago today, West Virginia announced that athletics director Shane Lyons had resigned. It was obviously a forced resignation. Lyons became athletics director at WVU in 2015, replacing Oliver Luck. The firing of an athletic director is often a precursor to the firing of the football coach. It’s commonly known that WVU football coach Neal Brown is on the hot seat. Stay tuned!
Charlotte has hired Michigan associate head coach Biff Poggi as its new football coach. Poggi replaces Will Healy who was fired in October. Prior to Michigan, Poggi was a successful high school coach in Maryland.
“Love is like a cloud. Holds a lot of rain. Love hurts.” Dan McCafferty, the front man and lead singer of the Scottish rock band Nazareth, died last week. Nazareth’s biggest hit was their recording of “Love Hurts,” which reached No. 8 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 1976, staying on the chart for 23 weeks. “Love Hurts,” written by Boudreaux Bryant, was originally recorded as a country ballad by The Everly Brothers (1960) and later by Roy Orbison (1962). A soulful version of “Love Hurts” by Gram Parsons and Emmy Lou Harris was released in 1974, after Parsons’ death. But Nazareth had the biggest hit with the song, turning “Love Hurts” into a powerful, classic rock ballad, with McCafferty’s rich and distinctive vocals. I first became familiar with Nazareth during the year I lived in Scotland while in the Navy – 1972-73. The band hit No. 9 on the U.K. charts in 1973 with “Broken Down Angel,” another good song. Dan McCafferty, a native of Dunfermline, Scotland, was 76. “Love is like a flame. It burns you when it’s hot. Love hurts. Ooh, ooh, love hurts.”
Touchdown Tom
Weekend Recap
GAME OF THE WEEK: Heisman clincher? – USC 48, UCLA 45 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 40, UCLA 34). This was a classic USC-UCLA game, reminiscent of their games in the 1960s and 1970s. UCLA won the first quarter 14-0. USC won the second quarter 20-7. The teams were pretty even in the third and fourth quarters. The two teams combined for 1,172 total yards – 779 yards from passing. Four turnovers hurt UCLA. USC running back Austin Jones rushed for 120 yards. Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams had an amazing game. It was a Heisman-winning performance. Attendance in Pasadena: 70,865
RUNNER-UP: Too close for comfort – Michigan 19, Illinois 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 26, Illinois 11). Michigan had to have its mind on Ohio State. How else do you explain it? The Wolverines only had 10 points going into the fourth quarter. Illinois does have a good defense. Time of possession favored Michigan – 35:03. Illinois running back Chase Brown rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Attendance in Ann Arbor: 110,433
REST OF THE BEST: Ducky – Oregon 20, Utah 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 33, Utah 28). Oregon only had 67 yards rushing, but Bo Nix passed for 287 yards. Utah quarterback Cameron Rising threw three interceptions. Oregon kicked a 41-yard fourth quarter field goal to win the game. Both defenses played well. Attendance in Eugene: 57,009
Uga must have been bored – Georgia 16, Kentucky 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 31, Kentucky 15). The Dawgs defense played well. The Dawgs offense was absent. Likewise, Kentucky played pretty good defense. The Wildcats offense was AWOL. Georgia running back Kenny McIntosh won the game for the Dawgs. He had 143 yards rushing and Georgia’s only touchdown. Stetson Bennett was not sharp. Attendance in Lexington: 61,022
Still alive – TCU 29, Baylor 28 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 33, Baylor 27). It seems like TCU has frequently been rallying late in the game to win. This rally was really late. Baylor had 501 total yards and possessed the ball for 33:58. TCU quarterback Max Duggan was 24-35-1, passing for 327 yards and one touchdown. Attendance in Waco: 44,393
Feelin’ Cocky – South Carolina 63, Tennessee 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Tennessee 30, South Carolina 16). South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler finally had the game Gamecocks fans have been waiting for. Oklahoma fans were waiting for it too. Rattler had a sensational game. He was 30-37-0, passing for 438 yards and six touchdowns. South Carolina racked up 608 total yards. The teams combined for 1,115 yards. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker was 25-42-0, passing for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Hooker suffered a non-contact injury to his left knee late in the game. The injury turned out to be a torn ACL. If there had been any doubts about the coaching ability of Shane Beamer, there shouldn’t be now. Beamer is a first-class coach. The Gamecocks have a winner. Tennessee has a winner too in Josh Heupel, but this game belonged to Beamer. Attendance in Columbia: 79,041
Cowboys can’t pass – Boise State 20, Wyoming 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 25, Wyoming 22). Wyoming led for most of the game. Boise State briefly led in the third quarter for about four minutes, and then for seven minutes at the end. Wyoming only had 11 first downs and only 30 yards passing. The Broncos dominated ball possession for 36:29. The Cowboys Titus Swen rushed for 212 yards. Attendance in Laramie: 17,345
Mustangs caught in a tidal wave – Tulane 59, SMU 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Tulane 34, SMU 32). With five turnovers, SMU was never in the game. Tulane led 49-7 in the third quarter. Ironically, Tulane had 141 passing yards and SMU had 141 rushing yards. Tulane running back Tyjae Spears rushed for 121 yards. Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt was responsible for six touchdowns: three passing and three rushing. Pratt was 9-14-09, passing for 141 yards and he rushed for 70 yards. The Green Wave improved to 9-2. Attendance in New Orleans: 20,894
Not a Dookie day – Pitt 28, Duke 26 (Touchdown Tom said: Pitt 31, Duke 29). Neither team had much on offense. Duke only had 63 yards rushing. Duke led for most of the first half. Pitt led in the second half. Both teams are 7-4 overall and 4-3 in ACC play. Attendance in Pittsburgh: 45,362
Defense rules – Iowa 13, Minnesota 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa 23, Minnesota 20). Iowa scored the first 10 points of the game – all in the first quarter. Then the Hawkeyes never scored again until a field goal at the end of the game. Ball possession favored Minnesota – 35:13. Minnesota only had 87 yards passing, but 312 rushing. Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim rushed for 263 yards. Iowa is one win away from the Big Ten West Division title. Attendance in Minneapolis: 45,816
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
Dismal Eers – Kansas State 48, West Virginia 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Kansas State 35, West Virginia 27). This was a first half game. Kansas State led at the break, 41-25. Both teams had trouble finding the end zone in the second half. Of course, K-State didn’t need to find it. WVU started quarterback Garrett Greene. J.T. Daniels never played. Greene threw three TD passes, but he also threw two interceptions. With athletic director Shane Lyons fired, WVU fans just sit around waiting for coach Neal Brown to be fired. Brown’s firing will be a day of celebration. It can’t come soon enough. Attendance in Morgantown: 37,055
No music for the Gators – Vanderbilt 31, Florida 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 27, Vanderbilt 19). I have to say, Florida was not only an undisciplined football team, but also the Gators were an unprepared football team. This was the most disappointed I have been with Billy Napier all season. To be honest, Florida played like it didn’t care. And maybe they didn’t. The Gators had 80 yards of mostly foolish penalties. Florida only had 45 yards rushing. Quarterback Anthony Richardson did pass for 400 yards and three touchdowns. He also tossed an interception. Maybe their minds were on FSU. Attendance in Nashville: 30,136
Another one – Wisconsin 15, Nebraska 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 22, Nebraska 18). Nebraska’s story line just gets weirder and weirder each week. Just when you think the Huskers are going to win, they lose it with 0:35 to go in the game. In fact, Nebraska never trailed until the final 0:35. The Huskers only had 12 first downs and only 172 total yards. Good defense and pathetic offense. Wisconsin did hold ball possession for 36:57. No running backs for either team rushed for more than 98 yards. No quarterbacks from either team passed for more than 106 yards. Attendance in Lincoln: 86,068
Sluggish – Purdue 17, Northwestern 9 (Touchdown Tom said: Purdue 33, Northwestern 17). To say the least. The teams only combined for 541 yards of offense. Northwestern had three turnovers and only 78 yards passing. You have to wonder if Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald will be fired. Attendance in West Lafayette: 54,016
Bevo was horny – Texas 55, Kansas 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 30, Kansas 27). Texas took charge early and led 31-0 at halftime. The Horns didn’t let up in the second half. Texas racked up 539 total yards, primarily on the running of Bijan Robinson. Robinson rushed for 243 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 9.7 yards per carry. Texas contained Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Devin Neal, Attendance in Lawrence: 38,246
Week 12 Results: 13 winners, 2 fumbles (86.7 percent)
ELSEWHERE AROUND
FLORIDA:
Tulsa 48, South Florida 42 – Attendance in Tulsa: 13,819
Stetson 42, Presbyterian 21 – Attendance in Deland: 1,076
Middle Tennessee 49, Florida Atlantic 21 – Attendance in Murphysboro: 9,958
Superlatives
Impressive Passers:
USC’s Caleb Williams – 32-43-1 for 470 yards (2TDs); BYU’s Jarred Hall – 23-35-1-456 (5TDs); Middle Tennessee’s Chase Cunningham – 40-54-1-448 (5TDs), and South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler – 30-37-0-438 (6TDs).
Also, Houston’s Clayton Tune – 32-44-1 for 435 yards (4TDs); Florida’s Anthony Richardson – 25-42-1-400 (3TDs); Bowling Green’s Matt McDonald – 20-36-1-395 (4TDs), and Fresno State’s Jake Haener – 29-42-0-361 (2TDs).
Impressive Rushers:
Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim – 263 yards (1TD); Texas’ Bijan Robinson – 243 yards (4TDs); Arkansas’ Raheim Sanders – 232 yards (3TDs); Tulsa’s Deneric Prince – 220 yards (2TDs); Wyoming’s Titus Swen – 212 yards (1TD), and Air Force’s Brad Roberts – 184 yards (1TD).
Also, Western Michigan’s Sean Tyler – 177 yards(1TD); South Florida’s Brian Battie – 169 yards (1TD); Alabama’s Jase McClellan – 156 yards (2TDs), and Fresno State’s Jordan Mims – 156 yards (1TD).
Quotes of the Week
“Obviously disappointed in the performance and the result tonight. We didn’t coach or play well enough tonight. We didn’t do anything well enough. We have to evaluate everything,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, after the loss to South Carolina.
“For us to grow as a program, you have to look at this opportunity and understand what happened. Let it hurt and remember it as you move forward,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, after the loss to South Carolina.
“That was one of the best wins ever in college football history,” South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler, after the win over Tennessee.
Touchdown Tom’s
Predictions for
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Michigan (11-0) at Ohio State (11-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – If Ohio State loses, some think the Buckeyes may just fall from 2 to 4 in the CFP rankings. If Michigan loses, most believe the Wolverines would fall out of the Top 4. Neither team looked good in their game last week. There was probably a reason for that. It appears that Ohio State has the better offense and Michigan has the better defense. The winner goes to the Big Ten title game. Harbaugh gets hit by a Buckeye – Ohio State 28, Michigan 26.
RUNNER-UP: 2. Notre Dame (8-3) at USC (10-1) – (Ind. vs. Pac-12) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Notre Dame is a vastly different team than the Irish were at the beginning of the season, especially on offense. ND has found an offense. They always had a defense. It’s just gotten better. That could spell trouble for the Trojans, who need the win to keep their playoff hopes alive. If Caleb Williams has another good game, he is one step closer to the Heisman. The Irish don’t have a horse – USC 33, Notre Dame 30.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. Tulane (9-2) at Cincinnati (9-2) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Friday, ABC – Tough game to pick. Either team could win. Cincinnati is better on paper. Tulane is better at heart. Green Wave quarterback Michael Pratt could make the difference for Tulane. Tulane has been the Cinderella team all season. The winner goes to the AAC Tile game to play UCF. Both lost to UCF by a touchdown during the season. The Green Wave still have more time of the clock – Tulane 24, Cincinnati 22.
4. Oregon (9-2) at Oregon State (8-3) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Big rivalry game. Upsets aren’t uncommon. Oregon State has been the darlings of the Pac-12 this season. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix may be back to full strength. He has been hampered by an injured ankle. Oregon will be playing for a spot in the Pac-12 title game. Benny the Beaver gets a toothache – Oregon 30, Oregon State 28.
5. South Carolina (7-4) at Clemson (10-1) – (SEC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – Big question? Can South Carolina maintain their momentum from the Tennessee game? Or will the Gamecocks be pooped? If they can keep it going, the Tigers are in trouble. But that is a big if. Regardless, it should be a hell of a ballgame – Uiagalelei vs. Rattler. Or will it be Klubnik vs. Rattler? The Tigers roast a Chicken – Clemson 33, South Carolina 32.
6. Coastal Carolina (9-1) at James Madison (7-3) – (Sun Belt vs. Sun Belt) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPNU – Win or lose, Coastal Carolina is in the Sun Belt title game, most likely playing Troy. But the Chanticleers will still be out to win this game. If there is a question, it is the status of Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Chadwell at the end of the season. He is always rumored as a candidate at a bigger school. The Chanticleers roost on James – Coastal Carolina 30, James Madison 21.
7. NC State (7-4) at North Carolina (9-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Friday, ABC – NC State is not the same team it was at the beginning of the season. The Wolfpack are weaker. They have dropped two-straight. The Tar Heels weren’t so good last week either. Both may have been focused on this contest. It won’t be easy for either team. But it will be harder for the Wolfpack – North Carolina 34, NC State 28.
8. Washington (9-2) at Washington State (7-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Another big rivalry game in the Pac-12. Both teams have had good seasons. Both have been a bit of a surprise. A win sends the Huskies to the Pac-12 title game if Oregon loses to Oregon State. Washington quarterback Michael Penix could make the difference. He’s had a great season. Huskies get the apples – Washington 32, Washington State 26.
9. Mississippi State (7-4) at Ole Miss (8-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – Oh, the good old Egg Bowl. There is usually a lot of extracurricular activity in this game. Lane Kiffin needs a win. His luck hasn’t been so good lately with losses to Alabama and Arkansas. We all know Mike Leach likes a good fight. Should be a fun game. More fun for the Magnolias – Ole Miss 35, Mississippi State 29.
10. Air Force (8-3) at San Diego State (7-4) – (MWC vs. MWC) – 9 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN – Troy Calhoun has put together another good team at Air Force. He does a good job there. San Diego State is a formidable team too. But the Aztecs have to stop AF running back Brad Roberts. The Falcons fly circles around the Aztecs – Air Force 24, San Diego State 23.
Keep an eye on these eight games during Week 13: Bowling Green (6-5) at Ohio (8-3) – (MAC vs. MAC) – 7 pm ET, Tuesday, ESPNU…..Utah State (6-5) at Boise State (8-3) – (MWC vs. MWC) – 12 noon ET, Friday, CBS…..Wyoming (7-4) at Fresno State (7-4) – (MWC vs. MWC) – 10 pm ET, Friday, FS1…..and Louisville (7-4) at Kentucky (6-5) – (ACC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, SECN.
Also, Minnesota (7-4) at Wisconsin (6-5) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN…..Memphis (6-5) at SMU (6-5) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU…..Oklahoma (6-5) at Texas Tech (6-5) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, FS1…..and Kansas (6-5) at Kansas State (8-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, FOX.
YE OLDE STOMPING
GROUNDS:
West Virginia (4-7) at Oklahoma State (7-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – This may be Neal Brown’s last game coaching West Virginia. Then again, it may not. I can’t imagine it will make a difference in how the Mounties play. They haven’t played well on the road this year. Okie State was hot for a while. But the Cowboys have cooled off lately. But they are still too hot for the Mounties – Oklahoma State 31, West Virginia 21.
Florida (6-5) at Florida State (8-3) – (SEC vs. ACC) – 7:30 pm ET, Friday, ABC – Florida better find out what went wrong in Nashville. They better find out pretty quick. Florida State is on a roll. The Noles may be unstoppable. They are rolling up big numbers. If Anthony Richardson is having a good day, then the Gators may be able to score. It’s the Gators defense that worries me. They rarely show up. Defenseless in Tallahassee – Florida State 33, Florida 27.
Nebraska (3-8) at Iowa (7-4) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 4 pm ET, Friday, BTN – It’s been a tough year in a lot of places, but it has really been a tough year in Lincoln. The Huskers would love nothing more than winning their last game. The pressure is on Iowa. The Hawkeyes are playing for a spot in the Big Ten Title game. But they need to win. They do, but barely – Iowa 17, Nebraska 12.
Wake Forest (7-4) at Duke (7-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – Both teams have had good seasons. Wake is a little disappointed in their season. It could have been better. Duke is ecstatic about its season. Seven wins under a first-year coach. That wasn’t expected. The Demons don’t allow the Dookies to get eight wins – Wake Forest 27, Duke 24.
Georgia Tech (5-6) at Georgia (11-0) – (ACC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – This should be an easy contest for the Dawgs. They can use it as a practice game for the SEC Title game. The Jackets may have surprised North Carolina, but they won’t surprise the Dawgs. Dawgie biscuits – Georgia 30, Georgia Tech 11.
Baylor (6-5) at Texas (7-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Friday, ESPN – Both teams were expected to do better this season. Both have been up and down. But the Longhorns have been more up lately. Running back Bijan Robinson has been up too. Bevo eyes a Bear – Texas 35, Baylor 27.
Purdue (7-4) at Indiana (4-7) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – Now, if Iowa loses and Purdue wins, the Boilers go to the Big Ten Title game. So the Boilers have an incentive. The Hoosiers may be inspired after the win over Michigan State last week. But the Boilers douse that inspiration – Purdue 27, Indiana 20.
ELSEWHERE AROUND
FLORIDA:
Western Kentucky (7-5) at Florida Atlantic (5-6) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, CBSSN….
UCF (8-3) at South Florida (1-10) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2….
Touchdown Tom
P.S.
Not exactly college football related, but as the regular season was coming to an end and Thanksgiving turkey and pumpkin pies were almost in the oven, the number one song in the country…
…80 years ago, this week in 1942, was “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby
…75 years ago, this week in 1947, was “Near You” by Francis Craig and His Orchestra
…70 years ago, this week in 1952, was “It’s In The Book (Parts 1 & 2)” by Johnny Standley
…65 years ago, this week in 1957, was “Jailhouse Rock”/“Treat Me Nice” by Elvis Presley
…60 years ago, this week in 1962, was “Big Girls Don’t Cry” by The Four Seasons
…55 years ago, this week in 1967, was “To Sir With Love” by Lulu, and “Incense And Peppermints” by Strawberry Alarm Clock
…50 years ago, this week in 1972, was “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash
…45 years ago, this week in 1977, was “You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone
…40 years ago, this week in 1982, was “Up Where We Belong” by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes
…35 years ago, this week in 1987, was “Mony Mony” by Billy Idol
…30 years ago, this week in 1992, was “How Do You Talk To An Angel” by The Heights
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