CFW Week 12 Forecast – “The Game,” “The Rivalry” and “Big Game”
The Coaching Carousel has begun
What do Dabo Swinney, Deion Sanders, Mike Norvell and Dan Lanning have in common? No, they weren’t fired. The four of them have been busy flattering themselves, saying they aren’t interested in the Texas A&M job. Talk about egos. I seriously doubt that Texas A&M has contacted any of them. Maybe that’s their way of letting Texas A&M know they really are interested, in spite of what they say.
Yes, it’s that time of the year. The coaching carousel has begun. We already know there will be new coaches next season at Texas A&M, Boise State, Mississippi State and San Diego State. There will be others – maybe UCLA. And we can’t forget Michigan State. That was an early season casualty in East Lansing.
On the other hand, speaking of coaches who have done very well this year, there are seven undefeated teams. After 11 weeks of football, the seven undefeated teams are Florida State (ACC), Michigan and Ohio State (Big Ten), Liberty (C-USA), Washington (Pac-12), Georgia (SEC) and James Madison (Sun Belt).
The number of undefeated teams may or may not change after this weekend’s games. The Pac-12 tops the lists this week with three prestige games, starting with the Game of the Week – Washington at Oregon State. The Huskies’ undefeated record will be on the line in Corvallis. The Beavers can smell an upset.
Utah travels to Arizona. That was a disastrous trip this season for Oregon State and UCLA. Washington only won by 7 points in Tucson. The Utes need to be on alert. Then in the Pac-12 we have the crosstown rivalry between USC and UCLA – always a fun game. The Trojans have an offense, but no defense. The Bruins have a defense, but no offense. Something’s got to give. And win or lose, will Chip Kelly still have a job after the game?
There are a couple of goodies in the ACC this weekend. The biggest of the two goodies is Louisville at Miami. A win for the Cardinals puts them in the ACC title game. A loss and who knows. If Miami loses, will Mario Cristobal be looking for a new job? Then we have North Carolina at Clemson. Mack Brown versus Dabo Swinney. Should be fun.
The Big 12 has a pair of doozies taking place. First, it’s Texas at Iowa State. Looks like it’s going to be about 40° in Ames for the kickoff. Could be a little chilly for the Texans. Second, it’s the Sunflower State rivalry – Kansas State at Kansas. Forget the flowers, there is no love lost in this game.
The SEC’s one and only prestige game is a big one – Georgia at Tennessee. The Vols have taken some hits this year from Alabama and Missouri. Georgia is their last chance to win a big one. Who knows?
The Big Ten’s big game is kind of a laugher – Rutgers at Penn State. But except for Michigan and Ohio State, everything in the Big Ten is a laugher. Who will make us laugh the hardest – the Nittany Lions or the Scarlet Knights?
In the Sun Belt, James Madison is still undefeated. The Dukes host Appalachian State. Will JMU stand up to the challenge?
The MWC has a winner with UNLV at Air Force. Both teams are solid, but Air Force has to cut out the turnovers. And finally, there is an interesting affair in the AAC – SMU at Memphis. Both teams are still in the running for the conference title game. Both have exciting quarterbacks. I see lots of points.
Speaking of points, the Top 6 teams in this week’s CFP Rankings are 1. Georgia, 2. Ohio State, 3. Michigan, 4. Florida State, 5. Washington, and 6. Oregon. Tulane, the only Group of Five team in the rankings, is 24.
Personally, my Top 6 this week are 1. Washington, 2. Georgia, 3. Ohio State, 4. Michigan, 5. Florida State, and 6. Oregon. I have Texas at 7.
This week, Georgia visits Tennessee and Ohio State hosts Minnesota. Michigan is at Maryland and Florida State entertains North Alabama. Washington travels to Oregon State and Oregon visits Arizona State. Tulane visits Florida Atlantic.
The Top 5 teams in this week’s FCS Coaches Poll are 1. South Dakota State (10-0), 2. Furman (9-1), 3. Montana (9-1), Montana State (8-2), and South Dakota (8-2). South Dakota State got all 26 of the first-place votes. Florida A&M (9-1) is 7th and Harvard (8-1) is 19th in the FCS Coaches Poll.
In this week’s Division II Coaches Poll, West Florida (8-3) is 23rd.
College football Week 12 began Tuesday night with another evening of MACtion. There were three games and two of the three were about as exciting as you can get. Toledo rallied in the second half to overcome an 18-point deficit and beat Bowling Green, 32-31. The Rockets trailed the Falcons 28-10 at halftime. With 1:45 left in the game, Toledo scored the winning touchdown on a 59-yard pass from Dequan Finn to Jacquez Stuart. Toledo is 10-1.
At the end of regulation, Eastern Michigan and Akron were tied 17-17. After the first overtime, The Eagles and Zips were tied 24-24. In the second overtime, Akron kicked a field goal, while EMU scored a touchdown. Eastern Michigan beat Akron, 30-27.
The third and final game of the night wasn’t so close. Northern Illinois downed Western Michigan, 24-0. NIU running back Antario Brown rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
College football Week 12 continued Wednesday night with two games – both MACtion factions. Miami (Ohio) downed Buffalo, 23-10. Miami took a 3-0 lead in the second quarter and never trailed for the rest of the game. But Buffalo kept it close. The win secures Miami’s spot in the MAC title game against Toledo on December 2. The RedHawks are 9-2.
In the second game, Ohio jumped out to a 10-0 first quarter lead and went on to beat Central Michigan, 34-20. Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke passed for 222 yards. Ohio is 8-3.
The top contenders this week for the Heisman Trophy, in no particular order, are LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Washington quarterback Michael Penix, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
David Braun, Northwestern’s interim head coach this season was named the Wildcats permanent head coach yesterday. Braun became the interim coach last summer when Pat Fitzgerald was fired for locker room hazing issues. Braun has coached Northwestern to a 5-5 record (3-4 Big Ten) this season.
Sunday, Jimbo Fisher and Andy Avalos got the axe. Monday, Mississippi State’s Zach Arnett and San Diego State’s Brady Hoke got the pink slip. Arnett lasted all of 11 months in Starkville – December 15, 2022, to November 13, 2023. His record at Miss State was 5-6 – a bowl victory last season and 4-6 this season.
Hoke’s termination at San Diego State was more of a forced retirement – you will retire, or we will fire you. Hoke chose the retirement. He was 39-31, coaching San Diego State for six seasons over two stints (2009-2010 and 2020-2023). The Aztecs are 3-7 this season, Hoke’s fourth season of his second stint with the Aztecs. He previously coached Michigan for four seasons (2011-2014) with a 31-21 record, and Ball State for six seasons (2003-2008) with a 34-38 record. (34-38). A native of Dayton, Ohio, Hoke played linebacker at Ball State.
Word on the street says that UCLA coach Chip Kelly will be fired this weekend. Stay tuned.
The 2023 Ivy League season comes to a close this weekend. That means it’s the weekend of “The Game” – Harvard-Yale. The schools will be meeting for the 139th time. Harvard and Yale first met on November 13, 1875. Yale leads the series, 69-61-8.
The other season-ending games in the Ivy League are Dartmouth-Brown (100th meeting), Columbia-Cornell (110th meeting) and Princeton-Penn (114th meeting.)
Meanwhile, Lafayette and Lehigh of the Patriot League will be playing for the 159th time this weekend. Their game is called “The Rivalry.” It is the most played and longest uninterrupted rivalry in college football. Lafayette and Lehigh first met on October 25, 1884. Lafayette leads the series, 81-72-5.
And finally, in the Pac-12, it is the weekend of “Big Game” – California-Stanford. Cal and Stanford will be meeting for the 126th time. Stanford and California first met on March 19, 1892. Stanford leads the series, 65-49-11.
Now wouldn’t it be a hoot if Billy Napier, Neal Brown, Mario Cristobal, Dana Holgorsen or Sam Pittman said they aren’t interested in the Texas A&M job?
Enjoy your college football weekend.
Touchdown Tom
November 16, 2023
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
This Week’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Washington (10-0) at Oregon State (8-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Win or lose, Washington is pretty much set to play in the Pac-12 title game. All the Huskies have to do is win one of their final two games. Oregon State will be the tougher of the two – even tougher with the game in Corvallis. The Beavers, on the other hand, need to win this week and next week to make the title game. That’s a near impossible assignment with Washington this week and Oregon next week. But one game at a time. Oregon State is looking to give Washington its first loss – a farewell present from the Pac-12. Harry gives Benny a toothache – Washington 30, Oregon State 27.
RUNNER-UP: 2. Georgia (10-0) at Tennessee (7-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – Win or lose, Georgia is all set to play in the SEC title game. But the Dawgs definitely want to remain undefeated. Georgia is a hard team to defeat. No body may do it. Last year, Tennessee pulled off the big win over Alabama in Knoxville. This is the Vols chance to repeat this year with a big upset win over Tennessee in Knoxville. It’s going to be a fight. It should be a good one. Uga poops in Smokey’s house – Georgia 32, Tennessee 17.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. Utah (7-3) at Arizona (7-3) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 2:30 pm ET, Saturday, P12N – Win out and Arizona has a chance of playing in the Pac-12 title game. It’s not impossible. Utah, on the other hand, is out of the race. The Utes just want to be spoilers. And that they could be. Arizona has been getting better and better. Utah has been getting weaker and weaker. Do the Utes have enough left in them to handle the Wildcats? Swoop dive bombs Wilbur – Utah 26, Arizona 24.
4. Louisville (9-1) at Miami (Florida) (6-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – A Louisville win and the Cardinals are in the ACC title game against Florida State. A Louisville loss and most likely the Cardinals are not in the title game. So, it is basically a must win for Louisville. It’s also a must win for Mario Cristobal. Mario needs the win for security – job security. Miami fans have learned that Cristobal is not Super Mario. Miami has suffered too many losses this year. Kind of like last year. The Canes will be out to win. Cardinal Bird zooms past Ibis – Louisville 29, Miami 26.
5. Texas (9-1) at Iowa State (6-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Texas can’t afford to lose. The Horns basically have to win out to assure themselves a spot in the Big 12 title game. There are four teams on Bevo’s tail. One of them is Iowa State. So, this is a big opportunity for the Cyclones. And the game is in Ames. Could be trouble for Texas. But Bevo is too big for Cy – Texas 27, Iowa State 23.
6. Kansas State (7-3) at Kansas (7-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Kansas can play the spoiler here. The Jayhawks are out of the running for the Big 12 title game. But Kansas State is still a contender. The Wildcats won’t be if Kansas beats them. So, there is a lot of momentum for both teams in this intrastate rivalry game. Big Jay makes Willie pay – Kansas 27, Kansas State 25.
7. Rutgers (6-4) at Penn State (8-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FS1 – Absolutely nothing is riding on this game. Well, maybe pride. Both teams have demonstrated that they are not in the same league with Michigan and Ohio State. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano says the Scarlet Knights are still a work in progress. Who knows what James Franklin is saying. Schiano is right. Rutgers is still a work in progress. Nitt says hush, hush sweet Scarlet – Penn State 24, Rutgers 18.
8. Appalachian State (6-4) vs. James Madison (10-0) – (Sun Belt vs. Sun Belt) – 2 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+ – James Madison just needs to win two more games and the Dukes will finish their season undefeated – perfect. The problem is they can’t go anywhere. JMU is in the second year of its transition to Division I. As a result, they can’t go to a bowl game until next year. So says the NCAA. It doesn’t seem right. App State is playing better football now than they were earlier in the season. So, the Little Mountaineers could be a problem for JMU. But not enough of a problem. Duke Dog crashes the App – James Madison 31, Appalachian State 26.
9. North Carolina (8-2) at Clemson (6-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – North Carolina has a chance of making the ACC title game. The Tar Heels have to win out and Louisville has to lose to Miami. So, the momentum is on the Tar Heels side. Problem is Clemson is playing much better football than they were earlier in the season. Beating Clemson, especially at Clemson, won’t be easy. It will be downright hard. But the Heels find a way. Dabo says, “I’m not interested in the Texas A&M job” – North Carolina 24, Clemson 23.
10. UNLV (8-2) at Air Force (8-2) – (MWC vs. MWC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN – A couple weeks ago, Air Force was undefeated. The Falcons should still be undefeated. But they got turnover disease. Ten turnovers in their last two games. That hurts and it did. Meanwhile, UNLV has been getting better and better each week. So, with or without turnovers, the Rebels are going to be a tough opponent. Hopefully, the Falcons have gotten their turnover vaccine. The Falcons take the Rebels into the wild blue yonder – Air Force 31, UNLV 29.
There are two more interesting and intriguing games you should keep your eye on this weekend. They are SMU (8-2) at Memphis (8-2) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2….. and UCLA (6-4) at USC (7-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC.
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
Cincinnati (3-7) at West Virginia (6-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 2:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+ – I think Neal Brown is still fighting for his job. But all he has to do is win one of the two remaining games and he returns to coach next year. However, if he loses both of the remaining two games, he is a goner. He should have no trouble from Cincinnati. Few teams have had trouble from Cincinnati this year. Bearcat is no scare cat – West Virginia 34, Cincinnati 22.
Florida (5-5) at Missouri (8-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – I think Billy Napier could be fighting for his job. If he loses both remaining games, then I think he could be a goner. And with games against Missouri and Florida State it won’t be easy. But I think he may need to win one of those games to hold onto his job. And I’m not sure how Florida can win one of those games. Missouri is playing amazing football. Truman gives Albert a fever – Missouri 26, Florida 17.
Nebraska (5-5) at Wisconsin (5-5) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, NBC – Nebraska is almost as bad as Air Force. The Huskers have had eight turnovers in their last two games. And just like Air Force, Nebraska lost both of those games. Hopefully, the Huskers have gotten their turnover vaccine. Otherwise, it could be bad in Madison. The Badgers haven’t been playing good football either. They can’t get their offense cranked up. So, this one could be interesting. Which team wants to score more than the other one. But you have to get across the goal line first. Therein lies the problem for both teams. They seem to be goal line adverse. Bucky steals Herbie’s corn – Wisconsin 22, Nebraska 18.
Duke (6-4) at Virginia (2-8) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, CWN – How does Duke get over that devastating loss to North Carolina last week – a two-point loss in two overtimes. It’s going to be tough to emotionally get over that one. And the Dookies are on the road. Virginia’s quarterback Anthony Colandrea has been getting better each week. He can be dangerous. The Dookies are the Hoo’s daddy – Duke 25, Virginia 20.
Purdue (3-7) at Northwestern (5-5) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, BTN – Go figure. When you know Purdue is going to lose, the Boilers up and surprise you. When you know Northwestern is going to lose, the Wildcats up and surprise you. That’s just the way these two teams are. Unpredictable. Purdue Pete predicts a win – Purdue 27, Northwestern 22.
ELSEWHERE AROUNBD FLORIDA:
South Florida (5-5) at UTSA (7-3) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 9 pm ET, Friday, ESPN2….
San Diego (3-7) at Stetson (3-7) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Tulane (9-1) at Florida Atlantic (4-6) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Bethune-Cookman (3-7) vs. Florida A&M (9-1) – (SWAC vs. SWAC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU….
UCF (5-5) at Texas Tech (5-5) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 5 pm ET, Saturday, FS2….
North Alabama (3-7) at Florida State (10-0) – (UAC vs. ACC) – 6:30 pm ET, Saturday, CWN….
FIU (4-6) at Arkansas (3-7) – (C-USA vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU….
Quotes of the Week
“Jim Harbaugh has become the Darth Vader of college football,” Paul Finebaum.
Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
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