CFW Week 18 Results/19 Forecast - Whittingham a Michigan man

 CFW Week 18 Results/19 Forecast – Whittingham a Michigan man

Minnesota, BYU, North Texas and Houston

survive, while Army and UTSA thrive, and

the coaching carousel appears to be over  

 

Is the coaching carousel over and done with? It is unless an NFL team or two comes calling on a college coach in January.

 

The two remaining college head coaching jobs that were yet to be filled were both secured on Boxing Day – the day after Christmas. Ohio and Michigan now have coaches.

 

After last season, Ohio promoted its offensive coordinator Brian Smith to head coach when Tim Albin left to become the coach at Charlotte. A few weeks ago, Ohio fired Brian Smith for misconduct and inappropriate behavior. Again this year, Ohio stayed home and promoted its defensive coordinator John Hauser to head coach. Let’s hope Hauser avoids inappropriate behavior. Hauser has been Ohio’s interim coach since Smith was fired. He coached the Bobcats to their 17-10 Frisco Bowl win over UNLV.

 

First thing on Boxing Day, sources said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham had become the leading candidate for the Michigan head coach job. Whittingham was the preferred candidate over Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Washington’s Jedd Fisch.

 

By mid-day on December 26, reports were saying that Whittingham and Michigan were in talks, working on a deal.

 

That afternoon, sources were reporting that Whittingham was the new head coach at Michigan. Whittingham and the Wolverines had agreed to a five-year deal. Michigan will pay Whittingham $8.2 a year over the five-year contract.

 

Whittingham informed his team that he will not be coaching them against Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 31. As it was, Whittingham had already announced that he was stepping down at Utah after the bowl game. The Utes had already named their defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley to replace Whittingham.

 

So again, unless an NFL team comes after a college coach in January, that should be it for the coaching carousel in college football. Thirty-three schools will have a new head coach in 2026.

 

Friday – Boxing Day – was a pleasant and beautiful day in Julington Creek Plantation. The temperature was in the mid-70s and the humidity was low. Swamp Mama was getting antsy, so Princess Gator and I took her to a quilt shop so she could get her fix – fabric.

 

In the Sports Bowl in Detroit, Northwestern beat Central Michigan, 34-7. The Chippewas had four turnovers, and Northwestern turned all four of them into touchdowns.

 

Next up, Minnesota and New Mexico met in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix. The Gophers beat the Lobos, 20-17 (OT). Minnesota won its ninth-straight bowl game.

 

In the night cap on December 26, UTSA obliterated FIU, 57-20, in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas. FIU definitely needed some first responders after that game.

 

Saturday morning Swamp Mama and I bid farewell to the kids. We made our way east to I-95 and headed south. It turned out to be a good day for travel. The skies were mostly sunny and the traffic was moderate.

 

We arrived home in time for me to catch the first of eight bowl games. Saturday was the busiest day of the bowl season. No other day had as many as eight games being played. The first game – the Military Bowl – began at 11:00 a.m. ET. The final game of the day – the Texas Bowl – commenced at 9:15 p.m. ET.

 

They saved the best until the last. The best of the eight bowls on Saturday was the last of the eight bowls – the Texas Bowl between LSU and Houston. The Tigers beat the Cougars, 38-35, in a wild and entertaining game. It was a game of swings in the first half. LSU swung first, then Houston. It was a toss up in the second half.

 

The worst game of the day was the Arizona Bowl – Fresno State outkicked Miami (Ohio), 18-3. If you like field goals, then it was your kind of game. At the end, there were five field goals and only one touchdown.

 

Aside from the Houston-LSU game, the best of the bunch was the Pop-Tarts Bowl, featuring Georgia Tech and BYU. The Cougars survived a closing-seconds drive by the Yellow Jackets. BYU edged Georgia Tech, 25-21.

 

A close third, behind BYU and Georgia Tech was the New Mexico Bowl. North Texas outlasted and outscored San Diego State, 49-47. The two teams combined for 1,150 total yards. North Texas had 618 of those total yards – 368 from rushing.

 

A few teams were missing their quarterbacks – all opt-outs – and it showed. One of the teams barely survived, while the other two lost. Playing without starting quarterback Beau Pribula, Missouri fell to Virginia in the Gator Bowl, 13-7. The lack of a passing attack all but shut down Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy.

 

UConn was severely missing quarterback Joe Fagnano. In the Fenway Bowl, the Huskies had no offense, losing to Army, 41-16. Army more than made up for its loss to Navy. Plows had to remove snow from the field at Fenway Park before the game.

 

In the Military Bowl, East Carolina, playing without quarterback Katin Houser, managed to slip by Pitt, 23-17. The Pirates got a boost from Pitt’s five turnovers.

 

Playing in his seventh start since Drew Allar was lost to an injury, Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkenmeyer, made a big impression in the Pinstripe Bowl. Grunkenmeyer passed for 262 yards and two touchdowns, as the Nittany Lions subdued Clemson, 22-10. The Pinstripe Bowl was played in frigid conditions. The temperature at kickoff was 28°. Before the game, plows had to remove the snow from the field. After the game, Clemson fans took to social media to torch Dabo Swinney.

 

Saturday was a long day, but the excitement of the Houston-LSU game at the end of the day made it all worthwhile. Needless to say, I slept good – very good – Saturday night.

 

Sunday was truly a day of rest – a lull between games.

 

French actress, singer, model and activist Brigitte Bardot died yesterday. She was famous for portraying characters with hedonistic lives. Bardot was one of the best-known symbols of the sexual revolution. She acted in 47 films and recorded more than 60 songs. A native of Paris, France, Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot was 91.

 

Happy New Year!

 

Touchdown Tom

December 29, 2025

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

 

Review of the Last 11 Bowl Games

 

Wooly Wildcats – (in the Sports Bowl) – Northwestern 34, Central Michigan 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Northwestern 24, Central Michigan 22). This game started off slow. It was 0-0 at the end of the first quarter. Then Northwestern got hot, mostly taking advantage of Central Michigan miscues. Northwestern led 21-0 at halftime. The Wildcats continued their run in the third quarter, adding 13 more points. With the score 34-7, CMU finally scored a touchdown with 6:11 remaining in the game. Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone passed for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Wildcats receiver Griffin Wilde had 10 catches for 97 yards. Neither team had a running game. CMU actually had a 5-minute edge in time of possession. Attendance in Detroit: 27,857

 

Holey Gophers – (in the Rate Bowl) – Minnesota 20, New Mexico 17 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Minnesota 23, New Mexico 20). A low-scoring game. Minnesota led 7-6 at halftime. No one scored in the third quarter. Each team got a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The score was 14-14 at the end of regulation. In the overtime, the Lobos got a field goal; the Gophers got a touchdown. Combined, the two teams only had 454 total yards. New Mexico couldn’t pass – only 88 passing yards. There were 15 penalties in the game. Attendance in Phoenix: 27,439

 

The Panther couldn’t catch the Roadrunner – (in the First Responder Bowl) – UTSA 57, FIU 20 (Touchdown Tom said: UTSA 31, FIU 30). Would you believe UTSA spotted FIU 14 points? Five and a half minutes into the first quarter, FIU led 14-0. Then UTSA scored 38 unanswered points. The rout was on. It was an embarrassing game for FIU. UTSA quarterback Owen McKown passed for 295 yards and three touchdowns. FIU quarterback Joe Pesansky only completed 35% of his passes. He was 11-for-31, with one interception. UTSA had 481 total yards. FIU only had 79 yards rushing. There were 15 penalties in the game – 11 on UTSA. Attendance in Dallas: 8,671

 

Pirates prevail – (in the Military Bowl) – East Carolina 23, Pitt 17 (Touchdown Tom said: East Carolina 30, Pitt 27). The lead in this game changed hands four times. However, when East Carolina retook the lead at 17-14 with 3:58 to go in the third quarter, the Pirates never relinquished it for the remainder of the game. The Pirates increased their lead to 23-14 and held on to beat the Panthers. East Carolina receiver Anthoiny Smith had four catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Pitt receiver Justin Holmes had six receptions for 100 yards. Pitt dominated all the stats. The Panthers had more first downs (24 to 11), more total yards (376 to 249), more passing yards (256 to 177), more rushing yards (120 to 72), fewer penalties (3 to 5) and a 7-minute edge in time of possession. But the Panthers had more turnovers (5 to 1). Attendance in Annapolis: 17,016

 

Dabo doesn’t do it – (in the Pinstripe Bowl) – Penn State 22, Clemson 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Penn State 26, Clemson 24). Penn State never trailed throughout the game. It was briefly tied at 3-3 in the second quarter. The Nittany Lions built their lead to 15-3 and held off Clemson. Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkenmeyer passed for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Penn State had more first downs (20-16), more total yards (397 to 236), more passing yards (262 to 193), more rushing yards (135 to 43), more penalties (3 to 1) and a 7-minute edge in time of possession. You gotta love Penn State interim coach Terry Smith. Attendance in The Bronx: 41,101

 

The Cassons were rolling – (in the Fenway Bowl) – Army 41, Connecticut 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Connecticut 30, Army 24). UConn scored first and led 7-0 at the 9:17 mark in the first quarter. But it was all Army after that. At one point in the second quarter, Army scored 20 consecutive points. Army running back Godspower Nwawuihe almost single-handedly beat the Huskies. Nwawuihe rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Army quarterback Cale Hellums was 7-8-0, passing for 108 yards and one touchdown. Hellums also rushed for 45 yards and scored two more touchdowns. Army slotback Noah Short caught all seven of Hellum’s completions, scoring one touchdown. Army had more first downs (23 to 14), more total yards (476 to 267), more passing yards (108 to 84), more rushing yards (368 to 183) and a 13-minute edge in time of possession. UConn had more penalties (5 to 0). Attendance in Boston: 22,461

 

Down to the closing seconds – (in the Pop-Tarts Bowl) – BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21 (Touchdown Tom said: BYU 28, Georgia Tech 25). This game went back-and-forth, with BYU leading 10-7 at the 9:49 mark in the second quarter. Then Georgia Tech scored 14 unanswered points before halftime. The Jackets led at the break, 21-10. There was no scoring in the third quarter. BYU countered Tech, plus one. The Cougars scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to go up, 25-21. BYU’s winning touchdown came with 2 minutes remaining in the game. The game remained tense. Tech mounted a drive deep into BYU territory. But on a fourth down play in the waning seconds, the Cougars intercepted a Georgia Tech pass in the end zone. Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King passed for 270 yards and two touchdowns. BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier passed for 325 yards and one touchdown. Both quarterbacks threw an interception. Georgia Tech receiver Malik Rutherford had 8 catches for 105 yards. BYU receiver Carsen Ryan had 8 catches for 120 yards. Both teams suffered two turnovers. Attendance in Orlando: 34,126

 

The Bulldogs can kick – (in the Arizona Bowl) – Fresno State 18, Miami (Ohio) 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Fresno State 23, Miami 21). Miami’s best and only effort came early in the first quarter when the RedHawks led 3-0. It was all Fresno State after that. But in small doses. The first half was all field goals. Fresno State led at the break, 9-3. Fresno Stat got the game’s only touchdown at the 11:12 mark in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs led, 15-3. Late in the game, Fresno State added yet another field goal. Fresno State quarterback E.J. Warner was 16-23-0, passing for 214 yards and one touchdown. Fresno State receiver Josiah Freeman had 7 catches for 143 yards. Fresno State had more first downs (18 to 12), more total yards (391 to 192), more passing yards (214 to 72), more rushing yards (177 to 120), more penalties (8-4) and a 17-minute edge in time of possession. Attendance in Tucson: 37,232

 

The Mean Green were enchanted – (in the New Mexico Bowl) – North Texas 49, San Diego State 47 (Touchdown Tom said: North Texas 28, San Diego State 27). The game wasn’t quite as close as it looks. Trailing North Texas 49-40, San Diego State scored its final touchdown with 0:01 remaining in the game. Still it was an exciting game with lots of touchdowns. North Texas never trailed in the game. Leading 42-20 as the fourth quarter began, it looked like North Texas was going to blow San Diego State out of the stadium. But the Aztecs scored two back-to-back touchdowns. Just like that, the Aztecs trailed the Mean Green 42-34. Four minutes later, North Texas added to its lead, 49-34. It was that type of game. The teams scored in spurts. North Texas running back Caleb Hawkins rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns. North Texas running back Ashton Gray ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns. San Diego State running back Bert Emanuel rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns. There were five turnovers in the game – three by the Aztecs. Attendance in Albuquerque: 18,867

 

The Tigers weren’t great – (in the Gator Bowl) – Virginia 13, Missouri 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Missouri 26, Virginia 25). Missouri didn’t have its starting quarterback Beau Pribula. Pribula opted out of the game. That made a big difference for Mizzou’s offense. Without Pribula, the Tigers were hurting on offense. Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy started out strong. Then it looked like he was being held out. Don’t know what that was about. Missouri scored three minutes into the game and took a 7-0 lead. The Tigers never scored again for the rest of the game. Virginia didn’t score much more than that. Just enough to win. In the closing seconds, Mizzou drove deep into Virginia territory. But the Tigers couldn’t get the job done. Virginia’s best effort in the game was controlling the clock. The Cavaliers did an excellent job at that. They had a 17-minute edge in time of possession over Mizzou. Attendance in Jacksonville: 31,802

 

Cat fight – (in the Texas Bowl) – Houston 38, LSU 35 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 24, Houston 20). Playing without Garrett Nussmeier, LSU seemed to have a better offense. But the Tigers’ defense was a no show. Actually, just four minutes into the game, LSU had a 14-0 lead. This one looked like it could be a rout for the Tigers. Then Houston scored the next 21 points. The game was on. There were two more ties at 21-21 and 28-28. With 2:23 remaining on the clock, Houston went up 38-28 and the game was all but over. But it had a frenetic second half. LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren passed for 267 yards and three touchdowns. Houston quarterback Conner Weighman passed for 236 yards and four touchdowns. Houston had 32 first downs to 17 for LSU. The Cougars also had a 17-minute edge in time of possession. Attendance in Houston: 63,867

 

Last 11 Bowl Game Picks:         8 winners, 3 fumbles (72.7 percent)

Total Bowl Game Picks To Date:  14 winners, 9 fumbles (60.9 percent)

 

 

Superlatives

 

Impressive Passers

 

BYU’s Bear Bachmeier – 27-38-1-325 (1TD).

 

Impressive Rushers

 

North Texas’ Caleb Hawkins – 198 yards (2TDs); Army’s Godspower Nwawuihe – 171 yards (2TDs); San Diego State’s Bert Emanuel – 170 yards (2TDs), and North Texas’ Ashton Gray – 152 yards (2TDs).

 

 

Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for the Next Eight Bowl Games

and One College Football Playoff Game

 

Georgia Southern (6-6) vs. Appalachian State (5-7) – (Sun Belt vs. Sun Belt) – Birmingham Bowl (Protective Stadium – Birmingham, Alabama) – 2 pm ET, Monday, ESPN – This is a rematch. The teams met during the season, with Georgia Southern winning, 25-23. When the Eagles are good, they are a pretty good football team. But when they are bad, they are really bad. The Eagles are led by quarterback J.C. French. He passed for 2,758 yards. He has a good receiver in Camden Brown. Brown caught 63 passes for 1,049 yards. Defensively, Georgia Southern is one of the worst teams in the country. Appalachian State finished the season poorly. They lost five of their last six games. The time off before the bowl may do them some good. The Eagles by a feather – Georgia Southern 28, Appalachian State 27.

 

Coastal Carolina (6-6) vs. Louisiana Tech (7-5) – (Sun Belt vs. C-USA) – Independence Bowl (Independence Stadium – Shreveport, Louisiana) – 2 pm ET, Tuesday, ESPN – Coastal Carolina made it to a bowl game, but the Chanticleers fired their coach. Coastal enters the game riding a three-game losing streak. There is nothing impressive about the Chanticleers. They have one of the worst defenses in the country. The offense has no stars. Next season, Louisiana Tech will be in the same conference as Coastal Carolina. This is the Bulldogs last game as a member of C-USA. The best part of La Tech is its defense. They aren’t bad. The offense isn’t good. But they generally get the job done. The Bulldogs can bark and bite – Louisiana Tech 31, Coastal Carolina 24.

 

Tennessee (8-4) vs. Illinois (8-4) – (SEC vs. Big Ten) – Music City Bowl (Nissan Stadium – Nashville, Tennessee) – 5:30 pm ET, Tuesday, ESPN – Tennessee has one of the best offenses in the country – primarily from passing, but the Vols can run too. The team is led by quarterback Joey Aguilar. He passed for 3,444 yards and threw 24 touchdown passes. That’s impressive. The weakness is the Vols defense. They generally are not good. The offense always hopes to outscore the opponents. Aguilar’s favorite target is receiver Chris Brazzell. He caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards. Overall, Illinois is a generally good football team. Nothing splashy about the Banned Indians. But they play basically good offense and defense. They are led by quarterback Luke Altmyer. He passed for 2,811 yards and threw 21 touchdown passes. His favorite target is receiver Hank Beatty. Beatty had 64 catches for 826 yards. The Vols play the music – Tennessee 33, Illinois 29.

 

USC (9-3) vs. TCU (8-4) – (Big Ten vs. Big 12) – Alamo Bowl (Alamodome – San Antonio, Texas) – 9 pm ET, Tuesday, ESPN – Both teams are hurting from opt-outs. USC star receiver Makai Lemon won’t be playing. TCU starting quarterback Josh Hoover won’t be playing. USC has a strong offense. They can get the job done in a lot of ways. The defense is so-so, but not bad. TCU has a good offense. The Horned Frogs can score. The defense, like USC’s, is so-so. It can be pretty good. Then again, it can be pretty bad. This game will come down to attitude, and which coach has his team better prepared. The Frogs aren’t leaping – USC 33, TCU 26.

 

Iowa (8-4) vs. Vanderbilt (10-2) – (Big Ten vs. SEC) – ReliaQuest Bowl (Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, Florida) – 12 noon ET, Wednesday, ESPN – This will be Diego Pavia’s first public appearance since he mouthed off on social media after the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Iowa fans could come up with some cruel, but funny, signs at the game. Maybe they will. Maybe they won’t. Iowa’s defense will be challenged to stop Pavia. Iowa’s offense is not explosive. It’s just methodical. But the Hawkeyes defense is awesome. Vandy comes into the game riding a three-game winning streak. Pavia passed for 3,192 yards and 27 touchdowns. His favorite target is Eli Stowers. Stowers caught 62 passes for 769 yards. Pavia is also the leading rusher with 826 yards and nine touchdowns. Vandy’s offense is better than Iowa’s. But the Commodores defense is not as good as Iowa’s defense. Fair winds and following seas for the Commodores – Vanderbilt 27, Iowa 23.

 

Arizona State (8-4) vs. Duke (8-5) – (Big 12 vs. ACC) – Sun Bowl (Sun Bowl – El Paso, Texas) – 2 pm ET, Wednesday, CBS – The best thing about Arizona State is usually running back Raleek Brown. Brown rushed for 1,141 yards. The Sun Devils have a sound offense. The defense can be porous at times. Michigan tried to get ASU coach Kenny Dillingham. But he stayed put. Duke enters the game on a three-game winning streak. The Dookies are led by quarterback Darian Mensah. He passed for 3,646 yards and 30 touchdowns. His favorite target is receiver Cooper Barkate. Barkate had 68 catches for 1,069 yards. The Duke defense is poor. The Blue Devils don’t get enough sun – Arizona State 27, Duke 25.

 

Michigan (9-3) vs. Texas (9-3) – (Big Ten vs. SEC) – Citrus Bowl (Camping World Stadium – Orlando, Florida) – 3 pm ET, Wednesday, ABC – Michigan will be playing under an interim coach. The Wolverines have a fair offense with a good defense. The offense is led by quarterback Bryce Underwood. He passed for 2,229 yards. Michigan’s running game is generally better than the passing game. Texas, being Texas, will get the Wolverines fired up. The Longhorns have a good offense and defense. The offense relies on passing more than running. The Horns offense is led by quarterback Arch Manning. He passed for 2,942 yards and 24 touchdowns. Texas came close to making the CFP. The Longhorns miff Biff – Texas 27, Michigan 24

 

Nebraska (7-5) vs. Utah (10-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big 12) – (Las Vegas Bowl (Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas, Nevada) – 3:30 pm ET, Wednesday, ESPN – Nebraska won’t have the fire power that got them here – quarterback Dylan Raiola and running back Emmett Johnson are off to the portal. That leaves the Nebraska offense questionable – especially against a good Utah defense. Utah enters the game on a five-game winning streak. But the coach who got them here won’t be around. Kyle Whittingham is no longer a Ute. He is a Wolverine. The Utes have a darn good offense and a pretty decent defense. The offense is led by Devon Dampier. He can be tricky. Herbie swallows the corn – Utah 30, Nebraska 24.

 

 

Miami (10-2) vs. Ohio State (12-1) – (ACC vs. Big Ten) – College Football Playoff, Quarterfinal – Cotton Bowl Classic (AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas) – 7:30 pm ET, Wednesday, ESPN – Okay, the first of the four quarterfinal games is upon us. Urban Meyer says that Miami doesn’t have the speed to stay with Ohio State. The Canes enter the contest on a four-game winning streak. The Miami offense is led by Carson Beck. He’s seen it all. Beck passed for 3,175 yards and 26 touchdowns. His favorite target is receiver Malachi Toney. Toney is a good one. He had 89 receptions for 992 yards. Also good is running back Mark Fletcher. He ran for 857 yards. The Canes have a good offense and a better defense. The Buckeyes are loaded and going for their second-straight national championship. They only lost one game and that was just by 3 points. The Buckeyes offense is led by Julian Sayin. He passed for 3.323 yards and 31 touchdowns. His favorite target is none other than Jeremiah Smith. Smith had 80 catches for 1,086 yards. Running back Bo Jackson racked up 1,035 yards rushing. The Buckeyes look awesome compared to the Canes. But Miami is deceptively good. The Canes run out of wind – Ohio State 26, Miami 19.

 

 

Quotes of the Week

 

“This is the greatest moment of my life,” Penn State interim coach Terry Smith, after the win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl.

 

“Michigan stumbles into the one coach who can eliminate years of shame,” USA Today sports writer Matt Hayes, on Kyle Whittingham.

 

“Kyle Whittingham is an upgrade for Michigan, just not a home run,” USA Today sports writer Blake Toppmeyer.

 

Touchdown Tom

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

P.S.

 

Not exactly college football related, but as the year was about to come to an end and college football fans, still in the midst of bowl games, were about to celebrate New Year’s Eve, the number one song in the country…

 

…85 years ago, this week in 1940, was “Frenesi” by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra

 

…80 years ago, this week in 1945, was “It’s Been A Long, Long Time” by Henry James and His Orchestra, and “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby

 

…75 years ago, this week in 1950, was “The Tennessee Waltz” by Patti Page, and “The Thing” by Phil Harris

 

…70 years ago, this week in 1955, was “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford

 

…65 years ago, this week in 1960, was “Are You Lonesome Tonight” by Elvis Presley

 

…60 years ago, this week in 1965, was “Over And Over” by The Dave Clark Five

 

…55 years ago, this week in 1970, was “My Sweet Lord” by George Harrison

 

…50 years ago, this week in 1975, was “Let’s Do It Again” by The Staple Singers

 

…45 years ago, this week in 1980, was “(Just Like) Starting Over” by John Lennon

 

…40 years ago, this week in 1985, was “Say You, Say Me” by Lionel Richie

 

…35 years ago, this week in 1990, was “Because I Love You” by Stevie B

 

The next CFW – Week 19 Results/Forecast – will be posted Thursday morning, New Year’s Day.

CFW Holiday Bonus - What Year Was It?

 CFW Holiday Bonus – What Year Was It?

‘Here’s my story, it’s sad but true’

 

“It’s about a girl that I once knew”

 

A famous rock band was surfacing, Barbie got a boyfriend and American television programming was called “a vast wasteland.” It was a year that a legendary actor died, a legendary singer made a comeback, and a famous tenor had his debut.

 

The space activity between the U.S. and the Soviet Union was competitive, a theme park opened in Texas and construction began on a famous wall. It was a bad year for the B-52. A ballet dancer defected and movies were shown on airplane flights for the first time.

 

There was a famous trial, the 23^rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified and a morning show host announced his retirement. The year marked the birth of modern genetics and Amnesty International.

 

What year was it?

 

The first day of the year was a Sunday. Two days later, January 3, the United States severed diplomatic and consular relations with Cuba. And two days after that, “Mister Ed” debuted on CBS TV.

 

As January was drawing to a close, a B-52 carrying two nuclear bombs crashed near Goldsboro, North Carolina. The bombs did not explode. Three days later, Soviet submarine S-80 sank in the Barents Sea, killing the crew of 68.

 

On the last day of January, Ham, a 37-pound male chimpanzee was rocketed into space aboard Mercury-Redstone 2. It was a test of the Project Mercury spacecraft, designed to carry U.S. astronauts into space.

 

The following day, February 1, the United States tested its first Minuteman I intercontinental ballistic missile.

 

Eight days later, The Beatles performed for the first time since their return to England from Hamburg, Germany. And they were performing for the first time under the name The Beatles. The performance took place at an old favorite location – The Cavern Club in Liverpool. It was George Harrison’s first appearance at The Cavern Club.

 

In mid-February, The Miracles “Shop Around” became Motown’s first million-selling single. Sabena Flight 548 crashed near Brussels, Belgium, killing 73, including the entire U.S. figure skating team and several of the team’s coaches. Still in mid-February, soul singer Jackie Wilson was shot and seriously wounded at his Manhattan apartment by Juanita Jones, a jealous girlfriend.

 

Near the end of February, Elvis Presley made his first public appearance in four years, playing two shows in Memphis, Tennessee.

 

On March 8, aviator Max Conrad circumnavigated the earth in a light plane in eight days, 18 hours and 49 minutes, setting a new world record.

 

Three days later, Barbie got a boyfriend. Ken doll was introduced.

 

Then it happened again. On March 13, a B-52 crashed near Yuba City, California, after cabin pressure was lost and the fuel ran out. The two nuclear bombs did not explode.

 

“She took my love, then ran around

With every single guy in town”

 

The 6^th Annual Eurovision Song Contest was held on March 18 in Cannes, France. Luxembourg’s entry, “Nous Les Amoureux” sung by Jean-Claude Pascal, won the Best Song Award.

 

A week later, the Final Four of the NCAA Basketball Championship took place in Kansas City, Missouri. Cincinnati beat Ohio State, 70-65, in the championship game. Cincinnati was coached by Ed Jucker. Ohio State was coached by Fred Taylor. Ohio State’s Jerry Lucas was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. The other two teams in the Final Four were Utah and St. Joseph’s. St. Joseph’s was later forced to vacate its Final Four spot due to a cheating scandal.

 

On the same day – March 25 – Elvis Presley performed a benefit concert at the Block Arena in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The show raised $62,000 for the USS Arizona Memorial Fund.

 

Four days later, the 23^rd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The amendment gave residents of Washington, DC, the right to vote in presidential elections.

 

In Augusta, Georgia, on April 10, Gary Player became the first international player to win the Masters Golf Tournament. Player beat Arnold Palmer and amateur Charles Coe by one stroke. Heavy rains and flooding forced the fourth round to be played on Monday.

 

The following day, the trial of Nazi Adolph Eichmann began in Jerusalem. Also, the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship. The Celtics beat the St. Louis Hawks, 4 games to 1. The Celtics were coached by Red Auerbach. The Hawks were coached by Paul Seymour.

 

On April 12, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space. Gagarin orbited the earth once before parachuting to the ground.

 

The next day, the 3^rd Annual Grammy Awards Show was held in Los Angeles. Ray Charles won the most awards with four. It was a night for themes. Percy Faith’s “Theme from a Summer Place” won Record of the Year. Ernest Gold’s “Theme from Exodus” won Song of the Year.

 

The Chicago Black Hawks won the Stanley Cup on April 16. The Black Hawks beat the Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 2.

 

A day later, the 33^rd Academy Awards presentation was held at the Santa Monica Auditorium in Santa Monica, California. “The Apartment,” directed by Billy Wilder, won the Best Picture Award. For her role in “Butterfield 8,” Elizabeth Taylor won the Best Actress Award. Burt Lancaster won the Best Actor Award for his role in “Elmer Gantry.”

 

On April 23, Judy Garland performed a legendary comeback concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

 

The following day, the Swedish warship Vasa, which sank on its maiden voyage in 1628, was recovered from Stockholm Harbor.

 

As April came to an end, Sierra Leone became independent from the United Kingdom, Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti made his operatic debut and “Wide World of Sports” debuted on ABC TV.

 

May began with a bang. National Airlines Flight 337 was hijacked to Cuba.

 

Four days later on May 5, Alan Shepard became the first American in space, aboard Mercury-Redstone 3.

 

The next day, the Tottenham Hotspurs became the first English soccer team in the 20^th century to win the English League 1 and the FA Cup in the same year. The Spurs won the FA Cup, beating Leicester City, 2-0. Earlier, Tottenham won the English Division I League.

 

On the same day – May 6 – the 87^th running of the Kentucky Derby took place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Carry Back, ridden by jockey Johnny Sellers won the roses.

 

“Yes, I should have known it from the very start

This girl would leave me with a broken heart”

 

On May 8, British intelligence officer George Blake was sentenced to 42 years imprisonment for spying for the Soviet Union.

 

The next day, in a speech to the National Association of Broadcasters titled “Television and the Public Interest,” FCC Chairman Newton Minow called commercial television programming in the United States “a vast wasteland.”

 

In mid-May, legendary actor Gary Cooper died in Los Angeles at the age of 60. Cooper died from colon and prostate cancer. A Freedom Riders bus was firebombed near Anniston, Alabama. Civil rights protestors were beaten by an angry mob of Ku Klux Klan members. Still in mid-May, J. Heinrich Matthaei became the first person to recognize and understand the genetic code. May 15 became the birth date of modern genetics.

 

Six days later, Alabama Governor John Patterson declared martial law in Alabama, after race riots broke out around the state.

 

At the French Open Tennis Championships at Roland Garros Stade in Paris on May 27, Great Britain’s Ann Haydon defeated Mexico’s Yola Ramirez, 2-0, to win the Women’s Singles Title. The next day, Spain’s Manuel Santana defeated Italy’s Nicola Pietrangeli, 3-2, to win the Men’s Singles Title.

 

Peter Benenson’s article “The Forgotten Prisoners” was published in several international newspapers. May 28 became the founding date of the human rights organization Amnesty International.

 

As May was winding down, Dave Garroway announced his decision to leave NBC’s “Today Show,” and Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, ruler of the Dominican Republic since 1930, was killed in an ambush.

 

On the final day of May, Benfica of Lisbon, Portugal, beat FC Barcelona, 3-2, at Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, Switzerland, to win the European Cup.

 

Summer was underway, and while not yet able to listen to the games on the radio, college football fans were listening and singing along to “A Hundred Pounds Of Clay” by Gene McDaniels; “Mother-In-Law” by Ernie K-Doe; “Bonanza” by Al Caiola and His Orchestra; “Lullaby Of Love” by Frank Gari; “Hello Walls” by Faron Young; “Running Scared” by Roy Orbison; “Tragedy” by The Fleetwoods; “I’m A Fool To Care” by Joe Barry; “Peanut Butter” by The Marathons; “Travelin’ Man” by Ricky Nelson; “Tossin’ and Turnin’” by Bobby Lewis, and “Little Devil” by Neil Sedaka.  

 

Two weeks into June, Patsy Cline was hospitalized as the result of a car collision. While she was in the hospital, her song “I Fall to Pieces” became a big hit.

 

Two days later on June 16, Soviet ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev defected to the West at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. Nureyev was on tour with the Kirov Ballet.

 

The following day, a Paris to Strasbourg train derailed near Vitry-le-Francois, France, killing 24 and injuring 105. Also, on the same day, at the Oakland Hills Country Club in Birmingham, Michigan, Gene Littler won the U.S. Open Golf Championship. Littler beat out Bob Goalby and Doug Sanders by one stroke.

 

“Now, listen people what I’m telling you

I’d keep away from a Runaround Sue”

 

Meantime, the preseason college football magazines were on the shelves, while the radio stations were playing “That Old Black Magic” by Bobby Rydell; “Those Oldies But Goodies” by Little Caesar and The Romans” “Moody River” by Pat Boone; “Hello Mary Lou” by Ricky Nelson; “Raindrops” by Dee Clark “Stand By Me” by Ben E. King; “I Feel So Bad” by Elvis Presley; “Barbara-Ann” by The Regents; “You Always Hurt The One You Love” by Clarence Henry; “The Writing On The Wall” by Adam Wade; “It’s Keep Rainin’” by Fats Domino; “Every Beat Of My Heart” by Gladys Knight & The Pips, and “The Boll Weevil Song” by Brook Benton.

 

As July began, Stu Sutcliffe left The Beatles and returned to Hamburg, Germany.

 

On July 4, Soviet submarine K-19 suffered a reactor leak in the North Atlantic.

 

Three days later, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, England, Great Britain’s Angela Mortimer defeated Great Britain’s Christine Truman, 2-1, to win the Women’s Singles Title. The next day, Australia’s Rod Laver defeated America’s Chuck McKinley, 3-0, to win the Men’s Singles Title at Wimbledon.

 

As the summer air grew warmer and thicker, the DJs were playing and college football fans were listening to “Heart And Soul” by The Clefftones; “Tell Me Why” by The Belmonts; “Quarter To Three” by Gary U.S. Bonds; “I Fall To Pieces” by Patsy Cline; “Dance On Little Girl” by Paul Anka; “Sacred” by The Castells; “Yellow Bird” by The Arthur Lyman Group, and “My Kind Of Girl” by Matt Munro.  

 

A Czechoslovakian Airline plane crashed while attempting to land at Casablanca, Morocco, on July 12. All 72 on board the Ilyushin II-18 aircraft were killed. A few days later, at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, Arnold Palmer won the British Open Golf Championship. Palmer beat Dai Rees by one stroke.

 

In mid-July, Billboard Magazine published its first Easy Listening chart. The first No. 1 song on the chart was “The Boll Weevil Song” by Brook Benton. Several years later, the chart was renamed the Adult Contemporary chart.

 

“I might miss her lips and the smile on her face

The touch of her hand and this girl’s warm embrace”

 

Airline news made the headlines on July 19. Trans World Airlines became the first airline to show regularly scheduled movies to first class passengers. The initial showings were “Come September” starring Rock Hudson, Gina Lollobrigida, Sandra Dee, Bobby Darin, Walter Slezak and Joel Grey, and “By Love Possessed,” starring Lana Turner, George Hamilton, Jason Robards, Efrem Zimbalist Jr, Carroll O’Connor and Barbara Bel Geddes.

 

And on the same day, Aerolineas Argentinas Flight 644, a Douglas DC-6, encountered severe turbulence not long after takeoff from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The plane crashed, killing all 67 on board.

 

The summer airwaves continued to be filled with good music, including “Wild In The Country” by Elvis Presley; “Ole Buttermilk Sky” by Bill Black’s Combo; “Please Stay” by The Drifters; “San Antonio Rose” by Floyd Cramer; “Cupid” by Sam Cooke; “Hats Off To Larry” by Del Shannon, and “I’m Comin’ On Back To You” by Jackie Wilson.

 

On July 21, Gus Grissom, piloting the Mercury-Redstone 4 spacecraft Liberty Bell 7, became the second American to go into space. After splashdown, the hatch prematurely opened. Grissom escaped before the spacecraft sank. Thirty-eight years later, the spacecraft was retrieved from the ocean floor.

 

Three noteworthy events occurred on the last day of July. Ireland submitted the first application from a non-founding member country to join the European Economic Community. At the Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois, Jerry Barber won the PGA Championship. Barber beat Don January by one stroke in an 18-hole Monday playoff. And finally, on July 31, at Fenway Park in Boston, the first Major League All-Star Game tie occurred. With the score 1-1, the game was halted in the 9^th inning due to heavy rain.

 

On the first day of August, the Six Flags Over Texas theme park officially opened to the public.

 

Five days later – on August 6 – Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov became the second human to orbit the earth and the first to be in outer space for more than one day.

 

The United Kingdom applied for membership in the European Economic Union on August 10.

 

As summer was coming to an end, college football fans could not wait for the season to begin. In the preseason polls, the Iowa Hawkeyes were the No. 1 team in the country. The top songs on the radio were “Never On Sunday” by The Chordettes; “Dum Dum” by Brenda Lee; “I’m Gonna Knock On Your Door” by Eddie Hodges; “Sea Of Heartbreak” by Don Gibson; “Let’s Twist Again” by Chubby Checker; “Quite A Party” by The Fireballs; “Together” by Connie Francis, and “Wooden Heart” by Joe Dowell.

 

In mid-August, construction of the Berlin Wall began, restricting movement between East Berlin and West Berlin. The wall formed a clear boundary between East Germany and West Germany.

 

“So, if you don’t wanna cry like I do

I’d keep away from Runaround Sue”

 

Near the end of August, a French military airplane clipped a cable of the aerial tramway connecting Pointe Helbronner and the Aiguille du Midi in the French Alps. Three cars of the tramway fell, killing five people. The remaining 63 cable car passengers were rescued. The pilot of the airplane landed safely.

 

Just days before the first games of the season, college football fans were grillin’ and chillin’ to “I’ll Be There” by Damita Joe; “I Dreamed Of A Hill-Billy Heaven” by Tex Ritter; “Last Night” by The Mar-Keys; “Don’t Bet Money Honey” by Linda Scott; “My True Story” by The Jive Five; “As If I Didn’t Know” by Adam Wade; “Michael” by The Highwaymen, and “The Astronaut” by Jose Jimenez.  

 

Seven days into September, “Tom and Jerry” made a return with their first cartoon short in three years – “Switchin’ Kitten.”

 

On September 9, at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York City, America’s Darlene Hard defeated Great Britain’s Ann Haydon, 2-0, to win the Women’s Singles Title at the U.S. Open Tennis Championship. The next day, Australia’s Roy Emerson defeated Australia’s Rod Laver, 3-0, to win the Men’s Singles Title.

 

The same day Emerson won at Forest Hills, a crash occurred during the F1 Italian Grand Prix. German Wolfgang von Trips, driving a Ferrari, crashed into a stand, killing himself and 14 spectators.

 

The following day – September 11 – Hurricane Carla made landfall on Matagorda Island in Texas as a strong Category 4 storm, killing 34 and causing $300 million in damage to the state.

 

“She likes to travel around

She’ll love you but she’ll put you down”

 

Meanwhile, the college football season was underway and fans were tailgating to “I’m A Telling You” by Jerry Butler; “Let The Four Winds Blow” by Fats Domino; “School Is Out” by Gary U.S. Bonds; “I Just Don’t Understand” by Ann-Margaret; “I’ll Never Smile Again” by The Platters; “Hurt” by Timi Yuro; “Amor” by Ben E. King; “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine” by Ike & Tina Turner, and “When We Get Married” by The Dreamlovers.

 

Two weeks into September, London police arrested more than 1,300 protestors in Trafalgar Square during a rally for nuclear disarmament. Also, the world’s first retractable roof stadium – the Civic Arena – opened in Pittsburgh.

 

On September 18, Secretary-General of the United Nations Dag Hammarskjold was killed in an airplane crash en route to Katanga, Congo.

 

The next day, an American couple from New Hampshire – Barney and Betty Hill – claimed they saw a UFO, as they were driving home from Canada. The sighting occurred in New Hampshire. The couple claimed they were abducted by the aliens.

 

College football fans were celebrating their wins and mourning their losses to “The Mountain’s High” by Dick and DeeDee; “Let Me Belong To You” by Brian Highland; “Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)” by Barry Mann; “Without You” by Johnny Tillotosn; “Take Good Care Of My Baby” by Bobby Vee; “Bless You” by Tony Orlando; “More Money For You And Me” by The Four Preps; “Mexico” by Bob Moore and His Orchestra; “Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor (On The Bedpost Over Night)” by Lonnie Donegan and His Skiffle Group, and “Crying” by Roy Orbison.

 

During the final week of September, the Walt Disney television series – renamed “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” – moved from ABC to NBC, after seven years on the air. The show began telecasting in color for the first time. Years later, the program was renamed “The Wonderful World of Disney.”

 

In late September, “Car 54 Where Are You?” and “Hazel” debuted on NBC TV.

 

In early October, “Ben Casey” debuted on ABC TV and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” debuted on CBS TV.

 

On October 5, the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was released by Paramount Pictures to critical and commercial success.

 

On October 7 at the Los Angeles Coliseum, No. 1 Iowa struggled to beat USC, 35-34. Two days later, following its 33-0 win over Florida State, Ole Miss became the No. 1 team in the country.

 

A few days later, the New York Yankees won the World Series, beating the Cincinnati Reds, 4 games to 1. The Yankees were managed by Ralph Houk. The Reds were managed by Fred Hutchinson. Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford was named the most valuable player of the series.

 

The death penalty was abolished in New Zealand on October 12.

 

On October 14, No. 1 Ole Miss beat Houston, 47-7, while Michigan State beat Michigan 28-0. The pollsters were more impressed by Michigan State’s win. On October 16, Michigan State replaced Ole Miss as the No. 1 team in the country.

 

In mid-October, former schoolmates Mick Jagger and Keith Richards met by chance at the Dartford Railway Station in Kent, England. The two were on their way to their respective colleges.

 

The film “West Side Story” was released on October 18.

 

About a week later, a standoff between Soviet and American tanks at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin heightened cold war tensions.

 

“Now, people let me put you wise

Sue goes out with other guys”

 

With Halloween approaching, college football fans were carving their pumpkins, while listening to “Frankie And Johnny” by Brook Benton; “Little Sister” by Elvis Presley; “One Track Mind” by Bobby Lewis; “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby” by Bobby Darin; “The Way You Look Tonight” by The Lettermen; “Sad Movies (Make Me Cry) by Sue Thompson; “Let’s Get Together” by Hayley Mills; “Marie’s The Name, His Latest Flame” by Elvis Presley; “I Love How You Love Me” by The Paris Sisters; “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes; “Take Five” by The Dave Brubeck Quartet; “Hit The Road Jack” by Ray Charles; “Ya Ya” by Lee Dorsey, and “Bristol Stomp” by The Dovells.   

 

On the last day of October – Halloween – Joseph Stalin’s body was removed from the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow. Also, Hurricane Hattie devastated Belize City, Belize, killing more than 270 people.

 

The price of a first-class postage stamp was 4 cents, and the price of a gallon of gas was 29 cents. A single edition of the New York Times was 5 cents. A loaf of bread cost 21 cents, a gallon of milk was $1.04, while a dozen eggs were 43 cents. The inflation rate was 1.07%.

 

On the first day of November, the Interstate Commerce Commission’s federal order banning segregation at all Interstate public facilities went into effect.

 

Two days later, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously elected Burmese diplomat U Thant to the position of Secretary-General.

 

On November 4, unranked Minnesota upset No. 1 Michigan State, 13-0. Two days later, following its 27-0 win over SMU, Texas became the No. 1 team in the country.

 

The U.S. Postal Service issued a stamp on November 6, honoring the 100^th birthday of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball.

 

Two days later, Imperial Airlines Flight 2018 crashed while attempting to land at Richmond, Virginia, killing 77 people on board.

 

“Here’s the moral and the story from the guy who knows

I fell in love and my love still grows”

 

“Catch 22,” by Joseph Heller, was published. The following day, on November 11, Stalingrad was renamed Volgograd.

 

In mid-November, Michael Rockefeller, son of New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller, disappeared in the jungles of New Guinea. Lucille Ball married Gary Morton in New York City. And “La Ronde,” the first revolving restaurant in the United States, opened in Honolulu.

 

On November 18, unranked TCU upset No. 1 Texas, 6-0. Two days later, following its 10-0 win over Georgia Tech, Alabama became the No. 1 team in the country.

 

At Thanksgiving, college football fans were stuffing themselves on turkey and pumpkin pie, while listening to “This Time” by Troy Shondell; “I Understand (Just How You Feel)” by The G-Clefs; “(He’s My) Dreamboat” by Connie Francis; “Moon River” by Jerry Butler; “The Fly” by Chubby Checker; “Runaround Sue” by Dion; “Everlovin’” by Ricky Nelson; “Tower Of Strength” by Gene McDaniels; “Fool #1” by Brenda Lee; “Big Bad John” by Jimmy Dean; “Town Without Pity” by Gene Pitney; “Heartaches” by The Marcels; “A Wonder Like You” by Ricky Nelson, and “Moon River” by Henry Mancini.  

 

Near the end of November, the Everly Brothers enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve.

 

Alabama (10-0) and Rutgers (9-0) were the only Division I teams to finish the regular season undefeated.

 

The consensus All-American college football first-team consisted of end Gary Collins – Maryland (6-3, 205) Williamstown, PA; end Bill Miller – Miami (Florida) (6-0, 188) McKeesport, PA; tackle Billy Neighbors – Alabama (5-11, 229) Tuscaloosa, AL; tackle Merlin Olsen – Utah State (6-5, 265) Logan, UT; guard Roy Winston – LSU (6-1, 225) Baton Rouge, LA; guard Joe Romig – Colorado (5-10, 199) Lakewood, CO; center Alex Kroll – Rutgers (6-2, 228) Leechburg, PA; running back Ernie Davis – Syracuse (6-2, 210) Elmira, NY; running back Bob Ferguson – Ohio State (6-0, 217) Troy, OH; running back Jimmy Saxton – Texas (5-11, 160) Palestine, TX, and quarterback Sandy Stephens – Minnesota (6-0, 215) Uniontown, PA.

 

On December 8, the Beach Boys released their debut 45rpm single “Surfin’.” The very next day, The Beatles played their first gig in the south of England at Aldershot. Only 18 people turned out for the show.

 

Syracuse running back Ernie Davis won the Heisman Trophy. In the balloting, Davis beat out (2) Ohio State running back Bob Ferguson, (3) Texas running back Jimmy Saxton and (4) Minnesota quarterback Sandy Stephens.

 

The Maxwell Ward for the most outstanding college football player went to Bob Ferguson. Utah State’s Merlin Olsen won the Outland Trophy for the most outstanding interior lineman.

 

Some of the best albums of the year were “Wonderland by Night” by Bert Kaempfert; “Exodus” by Ernest Gold; “Lonely and Blue” by Roy Orbison; “Runaround Sue” by Dion; “New Juke Box Hits” by Chuck Berry; “Runaway” by Del Shannon; “The Shadows” by The Shadows, and “The Ventures” by The Ventures.

 

Also, “The Genius Sings the Blues” by Ray Charles; “Two Steps from the Blues” by Bobby Bland; “West Side Story” by Various Artists; “Something for Everybody” by Elvis Presley; “My Kind of Blues” by Sam Cooke; “Please Mr. Postman” by The Marvelettes, and “Ring-A-Ding Ding!” by Frank Sinatra.

 

The Soviet Union severed diplomatic relations with Albania on December 10.

 

“Ask any fool that she ever knew

They’ll say keep away from Runaround Sue”

 

Some of the more popular movies of the year were “101 Dalmatians;” “The Absent Minded Professor;” “The Misfits;” “One-Eyed Jacks;” “La Dolce Vita;” “Return to Peyton Place:” “The Parent Trap;: “The Guns of Navarone;” “Come September;” “Splendor in the Grass;” “The Hustler;” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s;” “West Side Story,” and “Flower Drum Song.”

 

December 11 marked the official beginning of America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The first American helicopters arrived in Saigon, along with 400 U.S. military personnel. Also, Adolph Eichmann was found guilty of crimes against humanity for his part in the Holocaust.

 

Four days later, Adolph Eichmann was sentenced to death.

 

The best reads of the year included “Hawaii” by James Michener; “Advise and Consent” by Allen Drury; “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee; “Decision at Delphi” by Helen MacInnes; “Sermons and Soda Water” by John O’Hara; “The Last of the Just” by Andre Schwartz-Bart; “A Burnt-Out Case” by Graham Greene; “The Agony and the Ecstasy” by Irving Stone; “The Rise and the Fall of the Third Reich” by William L. Shirer, and “Fate is the Hunter” by Earnest K. Gahn.

 

Also, “Who Killed Society?” by Cleveland Amory; “Midcentury” by John Dos Passos; “China Court” by Rumer Godden; “A Nation of Sheep” by William J. Lederer; “Mila 18” by Leon Uris; “The Edge of Sadness” by Edwin O’Connor; “The Winter of Our Discontent” by John Steinbeck; “Tropic of Cancer” by Henry Miller; “The Carpetbaggers” by Harold Robbins; “Inside Europe Today” by John Gunther; “Franny and Zooey” by J.D. Salinger, and “Spirit Lake” by MacKinlay Kantor;

 

With Christmas and bowl games in the air, college football fans were doing their holiday shopping to “I Wanna Thank You” by Bobby Rydell; “God, Country And My Baby” by Johnny Burnette; “September In The Rain” by Dinah Washington; “Gypsy Woman” by The Impressions; “Till” by The Angels; “Tonight” by Ferrante & Teicher; “Goodbye Cruel World” by James Darren; “Crazy” by Patsy Cline; “Walk On By” by Larry Van Dyke; “Let There Be Drums” by Sandy Nelson, and “Unchain My Heart” by Ray Charles.  

 

In mid-December, a circus tent fire in Niteroi, Brazil, killed 323 people.

 

On December 16, Syracuse won the Liberty Bowl, beating Miami (Florida), 15-14.

 

Three days before Christmas, the first U.S. soldier was killed in Vietnam.

 

“So, if you don’t wanna cry like I do

I’d keep away from Runaround Sue”

 

Well-known people who were born during the year included Julia Louis-Dreyfus; Mark Messier; Wayne Gretzky; James Worthy; Mike Leach; Susan Boyle; Eddie Murphy; Boomer Esiason; George Clooney; Dennis Rodman; Melissa Etheridge; Michael J. Fox; Aaron Sorkin; Boy George; Ricky Gervais, and Greg LeMond.

 

Also, Diana, Princess of Wales; Carl Lewis; Toby Keith; Forest Whitaker; Elizabeth McGovern; Woody Harrelson; Laurence Fishburne; Brad Gilbert; Billy Ray Cyrus; James Gandolfini; Bonnie Hunt; Heather Locklear; Wynton Marsalis; Dylan McDermott; k.d. lang; Meg Ryan; Mariel Hemingway, and Kim Delaney.

 

Famous people who died during the year included Dashell Hammett; Gary Cooper; Joan Davis; Carl Jung; Jeff Chandler; Ernest Hemingway; Whitaker Chambers; Ty Cobb; Marion Davies; Sumner Welles; Chico Marx; James Thurber; Sam Rayburn, and Moss Hart.

 

The most popular TV shows of the year were “Wagon Train;” “Bonanza;” “Gunsmoke;” “Hazel;” “The Red Skelton Show;” “Perry Mason;” “Dr. Kildare;” “My Three Sons;” “The Gary Moore Show;” “Rawhide;” “Real McCoys;” “Ben Casey,” and “Car 54 Where Are You?”

 

On December 29, Lamar beat Middle Tennessee, 21-14, to win the Tangerine Bowl. The following day, Villanova won the Sun Bowl, beating Wichita State, 17-9, and Penn State beat Georgia Tech, 30-15, in the Gator Bowl.

 

During the last few days of the year and on New Year’s Eve, college football fans were partying, drinking, celebrating, dancing and singing to “Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen” by Neil Sedaka; “Run To Him” by Bobby Vee; “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens; “The Twist” by Chubby Checker; “Revenge” by Brook Benton; “There’s No Other (Like My Baby)” by The Crystals; “When The Boy In Your Arms (Is The Boy In Your Heart)” by Connie Francis; “When I Fall In Love” by The Lettermen; “Peppermint Twist” by Joey Dee & The Starliters; “Cotton Fields” by The Highwaymen; “Can’t Help Falling In Love” by Elvis Presley; “Small Sad Sam” by Phil McLean; “Norman” by Sue Thompson, and “The Wanderer” by Dion.

 

On December 31, Ireland’s first national television station began broadcasting.

 

“Now, listen people what I’m telling you

I’d keep away from a Runaround Sue”

 

At the end of the year, the unemployment rate was 5.5%. The GDP growth rate was 2.6%. On the last day of the year, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 691.73. The year-end Federal Reserve rate was 5.13%.

 

On January 1 of the following year, Texas beat Ole Miss, 12-7, in the Cotton Bowl, while Alabama downed Arkansas, 10-3, to win the Sugar Bowl. Minnesota won the Rose Bowl, beating UCLA, 21-3, and LSU beat Colorado, 25-7, in the Orange Bowl.

 

Finishing first in the AP and UPI Polls, Alabama (11-0), coached by Paul “Bear” Bryant, was named the national champion.

 

“Runaround Sue” is a rock and roll song, in a modified doo-wop style, recorded by Dion DiMucci. It was written by Dion and Ernie Maresca. According to Dion, he started putting the song together at a friend’s birthday party. He later took what he had started to his friend Ernie Maresca. Together they developed the tune and lyrics. This was about a year after Dion split from The Belmonts. The song was recorded at the Bell Sound Studios in New York City. A vocal group called The Del-Satins provided the background vocals on the recording.

 

“Runaround Sue” entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart on September 25, during the first month of the college football season. It peaked at No. 1 on October 23, where it remained for two weeks. The song was on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for 14 weeks, throughout the football season, until January 1. “Runaround Sue” also peaked at No. 1 on the charts in Canada, New Zealand and the UK. It peaked at No. 2 in Australia. The song was Dion’s second solo hit single after leaving The Belmonts. His first was “Lonely Teenager.”

 

In his autobiography, The Wanderer, Dion said the inspiration for “Runaround Sue” came from the song “Quarter To Three” by Gary U.S. Bonds. Sixteen years later, “Runaround Sue” was covered by then 15-year-old singer Leif Garrett. Garrett’s recording of the song reached No. 13 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Many other singers and groups covered the song, including Chubby Checker, Del Shannon, Gary Glitter and Human Nature.

 

“Now, people let me put you wise

Sue goes out with other guys”

 

The year was 1961

 

Happy New Year!

 

Touchdown Tom

December 27, 2025

https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

 

The next CFW – Week 18 Results/19 Forecast – will be posted on Monday morning, December 29.