College Football Week 7 – South Carolina at LSU
‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’
“Well, I said shake, rattle and roll.”

That’s exactly what we experienced Saturday.  It was as if someone had taken the Top 25 poll and given it a shake, a rattle and a roll.  It was as if we experienced an earthquake and the ground shook beneath us.  The poll was all shook up.

“Please don’t ask me what’s on my mind
I’m a little mixed up, but I’m feelin’ fine.”

Ten teams in the Top 25 lost Saturday.  Seven of those teams lost for the first time.  Three of those teams were Top 5 teams.  Six of those teams lost to other teams ranked in the Top 25.

Top 5-ranked LSU, Florida State and Georgia all lost.  LSU and Florida State were sadly lacking offenses in their losses.  The Tigers fell to Florida, 14-6, and the Seminoles were stunned by unranked NC State, 17-16.  Georgia was sadly lacking an offense and a defense in its 35-7 shellacking from South Carolina.

Outside the Top 10, Texas, TCU, Nebraska, Northwestern and Texas Tech all lost.  All five of those teams were lacking defenses in their losses.  Texas couldn’t keep up with West Virginia, losing to the Mountaineers, 48-45.  TCU, playing without its starting quarterback, was shaken by unranked Iowa State, 37-23. 

Nebraska couldn’t stop Braxton Miller.  The Huskers lost to Ohio State, 63-38.  Northwestern turned out to be a pretender.  The Wildcats fell to unranked Penn State, 39-28.  Texas Tech suffered its first loss of the season.  The Red Raiders were raided by Oklahoma, 41-20.

And finally, the remaining two Top 25 teams that lost Saturday were Washington and UCLA.  The Huskies were humiliated by Oregon, 52-21.  UCLA fell to California, 43-17.

Shakedown Saturday.  That’s what they call it.  Ten Top 25 teams got the shakedown.  And seven of the 23 undefeated teams lost for the first time.  That leaves 16 undefeated teams all feeling the pressure as Week 7 awaits their performance.
    
“My hands are shaky and my knees are weak
I can’t seem to stand on my own two feet.”

The pressure is off four teams who won for the first time Saturday.  In Week 6, Army, Idaho, Memphis and UAB each experienced their first win.  Four teams – Eastern Michigan, Massachusetts, Southern Miss and Tulane – remain winless.

The pressure also is off three teams who qualified for a bowl game Saturday.  Ohio, Oregon and South Carolina are all 6-0.  Ohio State is 6-0 as well, but the Buckeyes are on probation this season and banned from going to a bowl game. 

There were three overtime games Saturday – all settled in the first OT.  In perhaps the wildest of the three, Stanford, down 14 points to Arizona in the fourth quarter, scored two touchdowns in the final six minutes of regulation to tie the game at 48-48.

The Cardinal continued scoring in the first overtime and went on to beat Arizona, 54-48 (OT).  Nevada scored with 1:18 on the clock and held on to tie Wyoming, 28-28.  In the first overtime, the Wolf Pack scored and Wyoming didn’t.  Nevada won, 35-28 (OT).

In Colorado Springs, Navy, trailing Air Force, 21-13, scored with 6:35 remaining in the fourth quarter and was successful executing a two-point conversion to tie the Falcons, 21-21.  Neither team scored again in regulation and the game ended in a tie.  Navy scored in the first overtime, while Air Force didn’t.  The Middies won, 28-21 (OT).

The other service academy, Army, won its first game of the season.  The Cadets surprised Boston College, 34-31.  Army won the game, scoring on a 29-yard touchdown run with 0:45 left on the clock in the fourth quarter.

In a few other interesting games Saturday, Temple won its first ever Big East game.  The Owls stunned South Florida, 37-28.  Vanderbilt won its first SEC game of the season.  The Commodores shocked Missouri in Columbia, 19-14.  Newcomer Mizzou is still looking for its first SEC win.  And finally, Duke, yes Duke, won its second ACC game and moved to 5-1 on the season.  The Blue Devils burned Virginia, 42-17.

In perhaps the craziest stunt of the weekend, Georgia State dropped $10,000 in $5 bills from the rafters of the Georgia Dome during halftime of its game against New Hampshire.  Attendance has been down at Georgia State games this season.  The money drop was an inducement to get more people out to the game.  Now I’m wondering if “Something in the Air” and/or “Come and Get It” was playing over the public address system in the Georgia Dome while the money was dropping.

Earlier in the week, when I was reading about the scheduled money drop at the Georgia State game, I couldn’t help but think of the movie “The Magic Christian” with Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr.  There is a famous scene in the movie where an above-ground swimming pool (vat) is set up somewhere in the center of London.  The pool is then filled with animal blood, urine and feces.  Next, several thousand British pound-sterling bank notes are dropped into the pool.

Once the bank notes are dropped into the excrement, you begin to see people, who were passing by, climb into the pool to get at the money.  While this is happening, you hear “Something in the Air” by Thunderclap Newman and then “Come and Get It” by Badfinger, playing on the background soundtrack of the movie. 

By the way, Georgia State lost to New Hampshire, 44-21.  The Panthers are 0-6.  Attendance at the game was 9,531. 

Watching the LSU-Florida game Saturday, I had to scratch my head when I saw LSU coach Les Miles.  On a day when the temperature was listed at 86 at kickoff with about 80 percent humidity, Miles was standing on the sideline throughout the game with a long-sleeve jacket on.  Everyone else was in shirt-sleeves. 

Then I figured that Miles, a Michigan graduate, must have watched a Wolverine game in the recent past and noticed Michigan coach Brady Hoke on a hot day in his shirt-sleeves.  Believe me, Hoke in a wet shirt is not a pretty sight.         

The good news for Arkansas coach John L. Smith:  The Razorbacks beat Auburn, 24-7.  The bad news:  Smith’s debt rose from $25.7 million to $40.7 million.  Meanwhile, Louisville coach Charlie Strong remains everyone’s best guess as Smith’s replacement at Arkansas at the end of the season.  Stay tuned.    

“My hands are shaky and my knees are weak
I can’t seem to stand on my own two feet.”

I have to tell you that if the West Virginia games continue like they have been the past two weeks – WVU 70, Baylor 63 and WVU 48, Texas 45 – I may not make it through the season without suffering a heart attack or some kind of seizure. 

And finally, Rockledge Gator behaved last week.  I think Bootsie has him in a straight jacket.

Touchdown Tom
October 8, 2012
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


Week Six Review

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Georgia bows to Spurrier again – South Carolina 35, Georgia 7 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 26, Georgia 25).  Steve Spurrier always loves to beat Georgia and he generally gets his way.  Spurrier and the entire Gamecock team got their way.  The Cock defense kept the Dawgs muzzled throughout the contest.  Aaron Murray was a pathetic 11-for-31 passing.  And running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall were no shows.  As bad as the score was, it was worse.  The Dawgs’ lone touchdown came with 1:55 remaining in the game when the South Carolina cheerleaders were playing defense for the Gamecocks.  Mark Richt hasn’t won a big game in four years.  A crowd of 85,199 attended the game in Columbia.

RUNNER UP:  That’s Mus with a champ, not Mus with a take – Florida 14, LSU 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 23, LSU 21).  Yes, he’s no longer Will Mustake; he’s Will Muschamp.  For the third time out of four SEC games, the Gators trailed their opponents at the half, but came back to win the game in the second half.  We knew LSU didn’t have an offense.  Auburn showed us that.  And the Tigers still don’t have an offense – only eight first downs and 42 yards rushing against the Gators.  But the LSU defense was still something to respect.  And it still is.  However, Mike Gillislee’s 146 yards rushing and Jeff Driskel’s steady play were enough to give the Gators the edge.  A crowd of 90,824 attended the game in Gainesville.

REST OF THE BEST:  Bevo tasted good – West Virginia 48, Texas 45 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 38, Texas 37).  Well, I have to say, there was an 18-point improvement in the WVU defense.  Giving up 45 points to Texas in Austin is better than giving up 63 points to Baylor in Morgantown.  Texas came into the game averaging 48 points a game.  I’ll take it.  Oddly enough, there were times the defense actually looked good.  They kept the Horns scoreless in the fourth quarter, until the final 15 seconds.  Texas’ defense was the best the Mounties had faced this season.  WVU’s offense was certainly challenged at times, but in general the Mountie offense held up very well – especially when it had to on the final drive in the fourth quarter which gave WVU a 10-point lead.  Geno Smith’s numbers were good and he should remain the No. 1 candidate for the Heisman.  The star of the game for the Mounties was Andrew Buie – 207 yards rushing.  The lead in the game changed hands four times.  A record crowd of 101,851 attended the game in Austin.

We ain’t come to play school – Ohio State 63, Nebraska 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Ohio State 25, Nebraska 23).  This was still a contest until halfway through the third quarter.  But after that, it was pretty much all Ohio State as the Huskers ran out of steam.  It definitely wasn’t one of Taylor Martinez’s better games – three interceptions.  And the Husker defense couldn’t contain the running of Braxton Miller or Carlos Hyde.  A crowd of 106,121 attended the game in Columbus.

Animal Quackers - Oregon 52, Washington 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 37, Washington 19).  Washington might have had a chance in this game if the Huskies didn’t have five turnovers.  It’s hard to come out on top when you have three fumbles and two interceptions.  Don’t know if anyone in the Pac-12 can stop Oregon, but the Ducks have some challenges coming up – Arizona State, USC, Cal, Stanford and Oregon State.  A crowd of 58,792 attended the game in Eugene.

Tommy Tumbleville – Oklahoma 41, Texas Tech 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas Tech 31, Oklahoma 29).  The Sooners were warming up for their encounter with Texas this week.  Texas Tech was the appetizer.  A crowd of 60,800 attended the game in Lubbock.

Gigged – Iowa State 37, TCU 23 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 23, Iowa State 12).  Obviously, without Casey Pachall, the Horned Frogs are a different team.  And what happened to the TCU defense?  Five turnovers killed the Frogs.  A crowd of 42,152 attended the game in Fort Worth.

Jimbo is Dumbo again – NC State 17, Florida State 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 37, NC State 26).  Jimbo Fisher is back to being Dumbo Fisher.  Actually, the Noles’ defense played good.  NC State only had 66 yards rushing.  But, except for the running of Chris Thompson (141 yards), the Noles’ offense was flat.  Trailing 16-10, State scored with 0:16 left on the clock to win the game.  Give the Wolfpack credit.  They have a knack for giving FSU headaches.  A crowd of 54,962 attended the game in Raleigh.

Who said Chicago is a windy city? – Notre Dame 41, Miami (Florida) 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 24, Miami 23).  The Hurricanes certainly didn’t generate any wind.  They couldn’t against the Irish defense.  Notre Dame’s defense has held its opponents to an average of 7.8 points a game this season.  The Irish offense, which had only been averaging 17 points a game in its last three encounters, found itself against Miami.  Notre Dame rushed for 376 yards.  A crowd of 62,871 attended the game in Chicago.

Trees grow over time – Stanford 54, Arizona 48 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 28, Arizona 23).  What a game.  The lead changed hands no less than nine times – five times alone in the third quarter.  The teams combined for 1,234 yards of offense – 851 passing.  A crowd of 48,204 attended the game in Palo Alto.

Trojans loot the Ute – USC 38, Utah 28 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 33, Utah 16).  This was still a game at the end of the third quarter – USC led 24-21.  Then the Trojans got two quick scores early in the fourth to put the game away.  Matt Barkley had a good game.  A crowd of 46,037 attended the game in Salt Lake City.

Tigers wax the Bees – Clemson 47, Georgia Tech 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 34, Georgia Tech 23).  The lead in this game changed hands six times.  It was pretty much anyone’s ballgame until late in the fourth quarter when Clemson put it away.  A crowd of 81,000 attended the game in Clemson.

Beavers paddle the Cougars – Oregon State 19, Washington State 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon State 32, Washington State 19).  Combined, the two teams had eight turnovers.  But five of them belonged to Washington State.  The Cougars also only had 20 yards rushing.  A crowd of 46,579 attended the game in Corvallis. 

Steamless in West Lafayette – Michigan 44, Purdue 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Purdue 27, Michigan 26).  Michigan scored the first 21 points and the final 13 points.  Denard Robinson rushed for 235 yards.  The Wolverine defense held the Boilers to 56 yards rushing.  Purdue also suffered four turnovers.  A crowd of 50,105 attended the game in West Lafayette.

Huskies in a Rut – Rutgers 19, Connecticut 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Rutgers 28, Connecticut 20).  UConn had five turnovers and was held to 53 yards rushing.  A crowd of 50,870 attended the game in Piscataway.

Mama mia Giovani – North Carolina 48, Virginia Tech 34 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 27, North Carolina 24).  The Hokies’ offense has suffered all season and they can no longer depend on their defense – not this year.  Tech only had 40 yards rushing, while Giovani Bernard rushed for 262 yards.  A crowd of 54,000 attended the game in Chapel Hill.

Nitters aren’t quitters – Penn State 39, Northwestern 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Northwestern 25, Penn State 24).  Trailing 28-17 early in the fourth quarter, the Nitts scored 22 unanswered points to win the game.  Penn State had 30 first downs to Northwestern’s 14.  A crowd of 95,969 attended the game in State College.

Southern missed – Boise State 40, Southern Miss 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 30, Southern Miss 19).  After suffering a close call to New Mexico last week, the Broncos got off to a big start against the Eagles.  Boise State led 30-0 early in the third quarter.  Southern Miss has yet to win a game.  A crowd of 25,337 attended the game in Hattiesburg.

Tedford Bears have a picnic – California 43, UCLA 17 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 32, California 19).  Combined, there were nine turnovers in the game – six by UCLA.  Cal’s C.J. Anderson rushed for 151 yards and Zach Maynard passed for 295 (25-30-1), which was a big boost for the Bears.  A crowd of 57,643 attended the game in Berkeley.

Oh what a Knight – UCF 40, East Carolina 20 (Touchdown Tom said: UCF 30, East Carolina 23).  Halfway through the third quarter, this was anybody’s ball game – UCF led 23-20.  Then the Knights scored 17 unanswered points.  UCF held the Pirates to only 64 yards rushing.  A crowd of 32,181 attended the game in Orlando.

AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

Soccer match? – BYU 6, Utah State 3 (Touchdown Tom said: BYU 32, Utah State 30).  All of the scoring, what little of it there was, took place in the first quarter.  BYU held the Aggies to 41 yards rushing.  A crowd of 63,086 attended the game in Provo.

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Dookies divide the Cavs in halves – Duke 42, Virginia 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 29, Virginia 27).  The Devils trailed 17-14 at the half and then scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.  The Dookies are 2-0 in ACC play and 5-1 overall.  Could a bowl game be on the horizon?  A crowd of 26,856 attended the game in Durham.

Week 6 Picks:    15 Correct,   7 Wrong   (68.2 percent)
On the Season:  104 Correct,   36 Wrong   (74.3 percent)

ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

South Florida fell to Temple, 37-28.  A crowd of 25,796 attended the game in Philadelphia….  Florida International lost to Arkansas State, 34-20.  A crowd of 13,612 attended the game in Miami.

Florida A&M fell to Howard, 17-10.  A crowd of 3,589 attended the game in Washington, DC….  Bethune-Cookman beat North Carolina A&T.   A crowd of 10,181 attended the game in Daytona Beach….  Jacksonville U. downed Morehead State, 38-17.  A crowd of 3,817 attended the game in Morehead.

Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Arizona’s Matt Scott – 45-69-1-491 yards; Ball State’s Keith Wenning – 42-71-2-434; Clemson’s Tajh Boyd – 26-41-2-397; Marshall’s Rakeem Cato – 31-44-1-391; Stanford’s Josh Nunes – 21-34-0-360; Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas – 26-49-1-354, and Central Michigan’s Ryan Radcliff – 28-44-2-327.

Also, Houston’s David Piland – 31-41-0-321 yards; Pitt’s Tino Sunseri – 25-33-0-319; Louisiana Tech’s Colby Cameron – 31-45-0-316; New Mexico State’s Andrew Manley – 28-45-2-309; Ole Miss’s Bo Wallace – 20-34-2-305; Idaho’s Dominique Blackman – 26-48-1-304, and USC’s Matt Barkley – 23-30-0-303.

Also, East Carolina’s Shane Carden – 23-36-1-298 yards; California’s Zach Maynard – 25-30-1-295; Michigan State’s Andrew Maxwell – 24-40-0-290; Louisiana-Monroe’s Kolton Browning – 26-38-1-285; Western Michigan’s Tyler Van Tubbergen – 23-28-1-283; Penn State’s Matt McGloin – 35-51-0-282, and Indiana’s Cameron Coffman – 33-48-0-282.

Impressive Rushers:  North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard – 262 yards; Michigan’s Denard Robinson – 235 yards; Houston’s Charles Sims – 210 yards; West Virginia’s Andrew Buie – 207 yards; Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch – 207, and Air Force’s Cody Getz – 202 yards.

Also, New Mexico’s Kasey Carrier – 191 yards; Boston College’s Andre Williams – 191 yards; Ohio State’s Braxton Miller – 185 yards; Army’s Raymond Maples – 184 yards; Buffalo’s Devin Campbell – 160 yards, and California’s C.J. Anderson – 151 yards.


Quotes of Last Week

“This is how things like Penn State get started,” The State sports columnist Ron Morris, on Steve Spurrier becoming too powerful for his own good.

“Georgia’s defense will be better than in the Tennessee game.  Aaron Murray will make plays in the fourth quarter.  Spurrier will blame a writer.  Then his head will explode,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz, on the Georgia-South Carolina game.

“A bankruptcy filing shows John L. Smith is $40.7 million in debt.  He should open a lemonade stand with Jim Donnan,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“Brace yourself Florida fans because it’s not going to be pretty,” Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi, on the LSU-Florida game.

“Why should we have to go to class if we came here to play football?  We ain’t come to play school.  Classes are pointless,” Ohio State back-up quarterback Cardale Jones.

“This was Urban Meyer’s statement game and it wasn’t a very pleasant statement for Nebraska,” CBSSports.com writer Gregg Doyel, on the Nebraska-Ohio State game.

“Apparently, you can mess with Texas after all,” Charleston Gazette columnist Mitch Vingle, after the WVU-Texas game.

“The ‘N’ on Nebraska’s helmets stands for ‘no defense’,” ESPN analyst Rece Davis, after the Nebraska-Ohio State game.


The 20 Hottest and Most Intriguing Games of Week 7…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. South Carolina (6-0) at LSU (5-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – It will be interesting to see how these two respond to last week’s events – The Gamecocks blasted previously unbeaten Georgia, while the Tigers lost to Florida, their first loss of the season.  Will South Carolina continue on a roll?  Or will LSU bounce back?  Both play good defense.  The Cocks have the better offense.  Cocky spurs Mike – South Carolina 16, LSU 14.  

RUNNER UP:  2. West Virginia (5-0) at Texas Tech (4-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC/ESPN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – WVU’s last two games have all but given me a heart attack.  This contest has the potential of being another cardiac thriller.  When hot, Tech’s Seth Doege can put up the numbers through the air.  Throw in WVU’s offense and the game could easily become a turbulent airplane ride.  Interesting that WVU’s first three Big 12 games are against three Texas schools.  Mounties sage the brush – West Virginia 42, Texas Tech 29.  

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Stanford (4-1) at Notre Dame (5-0) – (Pac-12 vs.  Ind.) (TV: NBC, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Irish have been playing amazing defense.  But until the Miami game last week, they haven’t showed much offense.  Stanford has the potential to test the Irish defense.  Irish chop down the Trees – Notre Dame 30, Stanford 18.  

4. Texas (4-1) vs. Oklahoma (3-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – The Sooners warmed up for this game by disposing of Texas Tech.  The Horns lost to West Virginia.  Both teams can score.  OU may have the better defense.  But in this rivalry, throw out the stats.  Bevo gets bar-b-cued – Oklahoma 29, Texas 27.  

5. Kansas State (5-0) at Iowa State (4-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FX, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – K-State has been playing amazing football.  And Collin Klein is an amazing quarterback.  When the Wildcats have the ball, expect the unexpected.  Still, Iowa State is no slouch.  The Cyclones are competitive.  It all makes for an interesting game.  Wildcats shoot the Bird – Kansas State 27, Iowa State 14.  

6. TCU (4-1) at Baylor (3-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FSN, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Don’t know how long Casey Pachall will be suspended.  The Frogs missed him last week.  But TCU can win without him.  However, can the Frogs’ defense stop Baylor’s offense led by Nick Florence?  Not likely – Baylor 34, TCU 26.

7. USC (4-1) at Washington (3-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Fox, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – The Huskies can be a different team at home – much better.  They knocked off Stanford in Seattle a couple weeks back.  Now they have their shot at the Trojans.  Good luck.  Matt Barkley’s on a roll – USC 30, Washington 22.

8. Texas A&M (4-1) vs. Louisiana Tech (5-0) – (SEC vs. WAC) (TV: ESPNU, 9:15 pm ET, Saturday) – La Tech hit the Top 25 this week.  Beat Texas A&M and the Bulldogs will become a potential BCS bowl-buster.  An undefeated La Tech at the end of the season would most likely have the Bulldogs positioned high enough in the BCS poll to get into a BCS bowl.  A loss to A&M would kill any chances.  This game was originally scheduled for Labor Day weekend.  But Hurricane Isaac postponed it.  Bulldogs bust the Aggies – Louisiana Tech 25, Texas A&M 22.  

9. Oregon State (4-0) at BYU (4-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Ind.) (TV: ABC/ESPN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – BYU, normally a high-scoring team, has had some low-scoring games this season when up against stiff competition.  Oregon State has had a few low-scoring affairs too.  If Sean Mannion is on, the Beavers should win.  Beavers engineer a victory – Oregon State 18, BYU 12.  

10. Florida (5-0) at Vanderbilt (2-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPNU, 6 pm ET, Saturday) – After the big win over LSU, the Gators could easily go up to Nashville and have a letdown against the Dores.  Vandy is wedged between LSU and South Carolina on the Gator schedule.  That makes Vandy a potential trap game for Florida.  Mus remains a champ – Florida 27, Vanderbilt 15.  

11. Alabama (5-0) at Missouri (3-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – New in the SEC, Mizzou is off to an 0-3 start in conference play.  That means the Tigers should be out to prove something.  And what a better chance?  Top-ranked Alabama coming to Columbia.  Slim chance – Alabama 28, Missouri 13.

12. Tennessee (3-2) at Mississippi State (5-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN2, 9 pm ET, Saturday) – Miss State isn’t flashy, but the Bulldogs win games.  All of them so far this season.  Tennessee is having a tough time.  But the Vols are tough enough to give the Bulldogs some problems.  If not, Derek Dooley is going to have some problems.  Dooley may be like Chipper Jones.  This is his farewell tour around the SEC this season.  Bully says goodbye to Derek – Mississippi State 26, Tennessee 17.  

13. Louisville (5-0) at Pitt (2-3) – (Big East vs. Big East) (TV: ESPNU, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Pitt is 2-3, but the Panthers are 0-2 in Big East play.  Make it 0-3 – Louisville 27, Pitt 19.

14. Northwestern (5-1) at Minnesota (4-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN2, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – A couple weeks ago, both of these teams were undefeated.  The Gophers will have two losses after this game – Northwestern 26, Minnesota 23.

15. Fresno State (4-2) at Boise State (4-1) – (MWC vs. MWC) (TV: NBCSN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Boise State will most likely go through the MWC undefeated.  But Fresno State is one of those conference teams who could potentially knockoff the Broncos.  Potentially, but not likely – Boise State 31, Fresno State 17.  

16. Wisconsin (4-2) at Purdue (3-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – We thought the Boilers might have something this season.  But after the Michigan game, it looks like the Boilers are just pretenders – pretending to be good.  Still, Wisconsin isn’t all that great.  Boilers pretend again – Wisconsin 28, Purdue 23.  

17. North Carolina (4-2) at Miami (Florida) (4-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 2:30 pm ET, Saturday) – So, which one of these teams will show up Saturday.  If Giovani Bernard is on, the Heels will be tough.  If Stephen Morris is on, the Canes will be tough.  Should be interesting.  Heels squeeze the plantains – North Carolina 34, Miami 32.

18. Utah State (4-2) at San Jose State (4-1) – (WAC vs. WAC) (TV: Cable, 4 pm ET, Saturday) – San Jose State has been a surprise team of 2012.  The Spartans only loss was to Stanford by just three points.  The winner of this game will challenge Louisiana Tech for the WAC title.  Aggies don’t know the way to San Jose – San Jose State 20, Utah State 16.  

19. Duke (5-1) at Virginia Tech (3-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ACCN, 12:30 pm ET, Saturday) – I’m tempted to pick the Dookies again this week.  But Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.  I don’t think so.  But it could be a good one.  Then again, it might not be – Virginia Tech 32, Duke 21.  

20. Auburn (1-4) at Ole Miss (3-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: SECN, 12:20 pm ET, Saturday) – Talk about two teams having a tough season.  Neither has won a game in SEC play.  Well, that will change this week.  One has to win.  We don’t have ties anymore.  The Black Bear ties Aubie’s tail into a knot – Ole Miss 20, Auburn 18.  

AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

21. Western Michigan (3-3) at Ball State (3-3) – (MAC vs. MAC) (TV: None, 3 pm ET, Saturday) – So far, WMU has been a disappointment.  Ball State has been playing about as expected.  The winner will stay in the running for the MAC West Division title.  The loser is out of the race.  Horses have teeth; Birds don’t – Western Michigan 32, Ball State 28.  


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Nebraska (4-2) and Georgia (5-1) are off this week.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Florida State (5-1) is hosting Boston College (1-4) (TV: ESPN2, 5:30 pm ET, Saturday)….  UCF (3-2) is home against Southern Miss (0-5) (TV: CBSSN, 8 pm ET, Saturday)….  Florida Atlantic (1-4) is at Louisiana-Monroe (3-2) (TV: SUN, 8 pm ET, Saturday)….  Florida International (1-5) entertains Middle Tennessee (3-2) (TV: None, 7 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida A&M (2-4) hosts Savannah State (0-5) (TV: None, 6 pm ET, Saturday)….  Jacksonville U. (5-1) travels to Davidson (0-5) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday)….  South Florida (2-4) and Bethune-Cookman (4-2) are off. 


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Ohio State and TCU will play a home-and-home series in 2018 and 2019….  The ACC will keep an eight-game conference schedule when it expands to 14 teams next season.  Originally, the ACC had planned to play a nine-game conference schedule, starting in 2013.

Miami (Florida) athletic director Shawn Eichorst has been named the new athletic director at Nebraska.  Eichorst replaces Tom Osborne who had announced he is stepping down December 31….  The Ticket City Bowl in Dallas, Texas, has been renamed the Heart of Dallas Bowl. 

Touchdown Tom
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but in the autumn of October as the college football season approached its halfway point, the number one song in the country…

…70 years ago this week in 1942 was “(I’ve Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo” by Glenn Miller

…65 years ago this week in 1947 was “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” by Tex Williams

…60 years ago this week in 1952 was “You Belong to Me” by Jo Stafford

…55 years ago this week in 1957 was “That’ll Be the Day” by Buddy Holly and the Crickets

…50 years ago this week in 1962 was “Sherry” by The 4 Seasons

…45 years ago this week in 1967 was “The Letter” by The Box Tops

…40 years ago this week in 1972 was “Baby don’t Get Hooked on Me” by Mac Davis

…35 years ago this week in 1977 was “Stars Wars Theme/Cantina Band” by Meco

…30 years ago this week in 1982 was “Jack & Diane” by John Cougar

…25 years ago this week in 1987 was “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake

…20 years ago this week in 1992 was “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men


Not directly college football related, but on a sad comment, there was one passing of note last week – R. B. Greaves.

R.B. Greaves, an R&B singer whose 1969 hit “Take a Letter Maria” reached No. 2 on the Billboard pop chart, died last week in Los Angeles.  He was 68.  Greaves recorded “Take a Letter Maria” at the hit-making Muscle Shoals studio in Alabama.  He also wrote the song.  Greaves 1970 version of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “Always Something There to Remind Me” reached No. 27 on the Billboard chart.  Ronald Bertram Aloysius Greaves was born on November 28, 1943, at an Air Force base in Georgetown in what was then British Guyana.  He grew up in California.  Greaves was the nephew of soul singer Sam Cooke. 

Football Week 6 – Uga-Cocks, LSU-Florida and WVU-Texas
‘Oh, but ain’t that America’
“For you and me
Ain’t that America
Something to see”

There was something to see in college football all across America on Saturday.

If you like offense and records, and more offense, there was Morgantown, West Virginia, where Baylor and WVU combined to put 133 points on the scoreboard.  The score was 35-35 at the half and 70-63 at the end, in favor of West Virginia.  The 133 points set a record for the highest-scoring Big 12 game in history.

The two quarterbacks, WVU’s Geno Smith and Baylor’s Nick Florence, combined for 1,237 yards passing – 656 for Smith and 581 for Florence.  The two teams combined for 1,507 yards of offense – 807 for WVU and 700 for Baylor.  Smith had eight touchdown passes, a new WVU record, breaking the previous record of seven touchdown passes held by Mark Bulger. 

Three WVU receivers each had more than 100 yards receiving, including Stedman Bailey, with 13 catches for 303 yards.  And, not to be outdone, three Baylor receivers each had more than 100 yards receiving, including Terrance Williams, with 17 catches for 314 yards.

And sitting in the stands watching the offensive display was none other than Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck.  (The Colts were off on Sunday.)  Luck was watching the game with his father, West Virginia athletic director Oliver Luck.

If you like cheering and pulling for the little guy, there was West Point, New York.  Little FCS Division Stony Brook was playing Army in Michie Stadium.  And Stony Brook pulled off the upset, beating Army handily, 23-3.  Stony Brook’s Miguel Maysonet rushed for 220 yards in the game.

If you like cheering for undefeated Big Ten teams who aren’t used to being undefeated at this stage, there was Evanston, Illinois, and Iowa City, Iowa.  However, one of the teams remained undefeated, while the other one didn’t.  In Evanston, Northwestern moved to 5-0 on the season, beating Indiana, 44-29. 

The Wildcats’ Kain Colter rushed for 161 yards and his teammate Venric Mark rushed for 139 yards.  Northwestern quarterback Trevor Siemian passed for 308 yards, as the Wildcats set a school record with 704 yards of total offense.  Northwestern is also ranked for the first time since 2008 at No. 22 in the USA Today (Coaches) Poll and No. 24 in the AP Poll.

The Big Ten team who lost for the first time this season was Minnesota.  The Golden Gophers fell to Iowa, 31-13.  Turnovers killed Minnesota. 

If you like lots of family drama and angst with your football, there was Athens, Georgia, where Tennessee was in town, playing the Dawgs.  It was like a scene out of a soap opera.  Tennessee coach Derek Dooley, a coach on the hot seat, is the son of former Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley.

Vince’s wife (and Derek’s mother) Barbara was at the game dressed in Tennessee orange and cheering wildly for the Vols.  Vince, on the other hand, was at his home in Athens with the curtains and blinds shut, watching the game on TV – alone.  He didn’t want anyone to know who he was cheering for.

Georgia won the game, much closer than anticipated, 51-44.  The Dawgs led 27-10 early in the second quarter.  Then the Vols scored three-straight touchdowns and took the lead, 30-27.  But as time expired in the first half, Georgia kicked a field goal and tied the score 30-30.  The Dawgs outscored Tennessee 21-7 in the third quarter and led 51-37 as the fourth quarter began.  About halfway through the final quarter, the Vols scored a touchdown and closed the gap to seven points – 51-44.  Neither team scored again as Georgia hung on to win.  Meanwhile, the seat got hotter for Derek.

If you like a veteran, big-time coach, coaching his first Big Ten Conference game, there was East Lansing, Michigan, where first-year Ohio State coach Urban Meyer was leading his Buckeyes against Michigan State.  Meyer had Ohio State off to a 4-0 start on the season in non-conference action.  Now, he was about to encounter his first Big Ten opponent.

The Buckeyes’ defense held Spartan running back Le’Veon Bell to 45 yards rushing and Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller passed for 179 yards and rushed for 136, as the Buckeyes narrowly beat Michigan State, 17-16.

If you like to see non-BCS conference schools make a run at an undefeated season, there was Foxboro, Massachusetts, Charlottesville, Virginia and Las Cruces, New Mexico.  In Foxboro, undefeated Ohio, the team that opened the season with a win over Penn State, kept its perfect record intact, but just barely.  The Bobcats (5-0) escaped Massachusetts, 37-34.

In Charlottesville, Louisiana Tech extended its record to 4-0, beating Virginia, 44-38.  And in Las Cruces, first-year FBS school Texas-San Antonio remained unbeaten, as the Roadrunners downed New Mexico State, 35-14.  UTSA is 5-0.

If you like exciting games in America’s heartland, there was Ames, Iowa, Stillwater, Oklahoma and Lincoln, Nebraska.  In Ames, two undefeated Big 12 teams, Texas Tech and Iowa State, tangled.  Texas Tech prevailed, literally passing its way over the Cyclones, 24-13.  The Red Raiders had 332 yards passing and 63 rushing.

In Stillwater, undefeated Texas went up against a 2-1 Oklahoma State.  The Longhorns had not beaten the Pokes since 2009.  In a see-saw game that went back-and-forth, Texas scored in the closing seconds to beat Oklahoma State, 41-36.  The Longhorns extend their record to 4-0.

In Lincoln, the game between Wisconsin and Nebraska was almost halfway through the third quarter, with the Badgers leading the favored Huskers, 27-10.  But the Huskers rallied, scoring 17 points before the quarter ended to tie the game at 27 all.  The two teams knocked heads in the fourth quarter.  With 9:41 remaining in the game, Nebraska kicked a 41-yard field goal to take a 30-27 lead.  The Huskers and Badgers continued to knock heads, but Nebraska held onto its three-point lead to win the game.

If you like to pull for an unheralded, but undefeated, team in the Pac-12, there was action in Tucson, Arizona, where upstart Oregon State was playing Arizona.  The Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion passed for 433 yards and their running back Storm Woods rushed for 161 yards, as Oregon State scored late in the final quarter to beat Arizona, 38-35.

There was one thing you couldn’t see Saturday – an overtime game.  For the first weekend this season, there were no overtime games in FBS college football.  And after five weeks of college football, 23 teams remain undefeated, while eight teams are winless.  Stay tuned!

“Oh, but ain’t that America
For you and me”

The ACC had to be disappointed over the weekend.  There were six games played at ACC stadiums and not one drew as much as 40,000 or so.  Miami (hosting NC State), Georgia Tech (hosting Middle Tennessee), North Carolina (hosting Idaho), all played before half-full stadiums with crowds of 35,000, give or take a couple of thousand.  Wake Forest (hosting Duke) drew less than 30,000 fans.  Boston College (hosting Clemson) and Virginia (hosting Louisiana Tech) barely had 40,000 fans, if that.

A couple weeks back, I wrote that Notre Dame and the $50 million exit fee had solidified the ACC, especially Florida State, Clemson, Virginia Tech and NC State who had given hints of their dissatisfaction with the conference.  Well if most ACC schools, Maryland and Duke included with the six above, continue to have non-BCS-type crowds, I can’t believe the Seminoles, Tigers, Hokies and Wolfpack will want to remain in the conference.  All four of those schools draw good crowds at their home games. 

And the situation won’t improve any with the addition of Syracuse and Pitt.  The Orange and the Panthers can’t draw ants to a picnic.  Both have poor attendance at their home games.  Plus Pitt, like Miami, doesn’t even have its own stadium.  The Panthers have to play their home games in the Pittsburgh Steelers stadium.          

Between Arkansas, Auburn and Tennessee, all SEC schools, it is certain that one of those three will have a new coach next season.  It is a good bet that two of the three will have a new coach next season.  And, it is certainly possible that all three will have a new coach next season.

Already, there is speculation about who the new coach or coaches will be.  Heading the list are Louisville’s Charlie Strong, Louisiana Tech’s Sonny Dykes, Western Kentucky’s Willie Taggart, Northern Illinois’ Dave Doeren, Florida International’s Mario Cristobal and Baylor’s Art Briles.  Also on the list are Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris.  Stay tuned!

Rockledge Gator had an adventure last week.  He always has an adventure.  Rockledge Gator encountered a rattlesnake and posted pictures of the snake on Facebook.  I saw the pictures and commented, “You didn’t tell me you were going to be visiting Urban Meyer.”  But I have to tell you Rockledge Gator must have had a high-powered lens on his camera.  Knowing him as I do, he wouldn’t get anywhere near a rattlesnake, not even a garden snake. 

“Ain’t that America
Something to see”

Touchdown Tom
October 1, 2012
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


Weekend Review

GAME OF THE WEEK:  Sweet and Sour – West Virginia 70, Baylor 63 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 49, Baylor 35).  Geno Smith was sweet.  The defense was sour.  J.D. Woods was sweet.  The defense was sour.  The offensive line was sweet.  The defense was sour.  Tavon Austin was sweet.  The defense was sour.  Stedman Bailey was sweet.  The defense was sour.  The amazing catches were sweet.  The defense was sour.  Andrew Buie was sweet.  The defense was sour.  The gold and blue striped stadium was sweet.  The defense was sour.  The two teams combined for 1,507 yards, Geno Smith passed for 656 yards and eight touchdowns.  It was a spectacular day.  It was a spectacular game.  Did I mention the defense was sour?  A crowd of 60,012 attended the game in Morgantown.

RUNNER UP:  Pokes get poked – Texas 41, Oklahoma State 36 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 40, Oklahoma State 39).  Okie State kicked a 24-yard field goal with 2:34 remaining to take a 36-34 lead.  But Texas drove down the field and scored with 0:29 remaining to win the game.  The stats favored the Pokes, especially with Joseph Randle rushing for 199 yards, but the Horns came out on top.  A crowd of 56,709 attended the game in Stillwater.

REST OF THE BEST:  Buckeyes put a crack in Le’Veon’s Bell – Ohio State 17, Michigan State 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan State 20, Ohio State 18).  Michigan State has no offense.  The Spartans have only scored 42 points total in their past three games.  That’s about what West Virginia scores in a half.  Ohio State held the Spartans to 34 yards rushing.  The difference in the game was Braxton Miller rushing for 136 yards.  A crowd of 76,705 attended the game in East Lansing.

Closer than expected – Georgia 51, Tennessee 44 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 32, Tennessee 23).  Almost all the points were scored in the first three quarters.  Georgia led 51-37 at the end of the third.  The running of Keith Marshall (164 yards) and Todd Gurley (130 yards) was the difference in the game for Georgia – plus Tyler Bray’s three interceptions.  Georgia’s defense is still suspect.  A crowd of 92,746 attended the game in Athens.

Nothing like a good ol’ rally – Nebraska 30, Wisconsin 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 28, Wisconsin 18).  Almost halfway into the third quarter, Wisconsin led 27-10.  Then it was all Nebraska after that.  The Huskers held the Badgers to 56 yards rushing.  Taylor Martinez passed for 181 yards and rushed for another 107.  A crowd of 85,692 attended the game in Lincoln.

Beavers persist – Oregon State 38, Arizona 35 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon State 29, Arizona 24).  Trailing 35-31, Oregon State scored on a 9-yard pass with 1:09 remaining and then held on to win.  The lead in the game changed hand six times, all in the second half.  Both quarterbacks passed for more than 400 yards each.  A crowd of 44,153 attended the game in Tucson.

Tuberville shines – Texas Tech 24, Iowa State 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Iowa State 23, Texas Tech 19).  Texas Tech took the lead 14-13 with 1:01 remaining in the third quarter and never relinquished it.  The Red Raiders held the Cyclones to 73 yards passing and only 189 yards total.  Iowa State suffered four turnovers – three of them interceptions.  A crowd of 54,149 attended the game in Ames.

Ho hum – Alabama 33, Ole Miss 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 38, Ole Miss 10).  Alabama jumped out to a 27-7 halftime lead and then went into neutral, only scoring two field goals in the second half.  The tide was scoreless in the third quarter.  Ole Miss suffered three turnovers and only had 80 yards rushing.  A crowd of 101,821 attended the game in Tuscaloosa.

Revenge – Florida State 30, South Florida 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 47, South Florida 17).  FSU led 30-10 at the end of the third quarter.  USF suffered three turnovers.  A crowd of 69,383 attended the game in Tampa.

Thriller – Cincinnati 27, Virginia Tech 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Cincinnati 22, Virginia Tech 20).  The lead in this game changed hands six times.  Cincinnati took the final lead on a 39-yard pass with 0:13 remaining.  The Hokies’ offense is still trying to find itself and their defense isn’t up to par.  A crowd of 46,026 attended the game in Landover.

Cardinal sin – Washington 17, Stanford 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 28, Washington 19).  Josh Nunes and Stepfan Taylor were no shows as the Huskies held the Trees to only 10 first downs and 65 yards rushing.  A crowd of 55,941 attended the game in Seattle.

Stumble, Fumble and Bumble – Miami (Florida) 44, NC State 37 (Touchdown Tom said: Miami 34, NC State 28).  Miami led 23-7 at the end of the first quarter.  Playing catch-up, NC State finally tied the score at 37-37 with 1:58 left in the fourth quarter.  The Canes won the game, scoring on a 62-yard pass with 0:19 on the clock.  The two teams combined for 1,315 yards offense, but Miami only had 85 yards rushing.  The Wolfpack had an amazing six turnovers – four of them fumbles.  A crowd of 38,510 attended the game in Miami Gardens.

Cocky needed a pick-me-up – South Carolina 38, Kentucky 17 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 32, Kentucky 9).  South Carolina got off to a slow start, trailing 17-7 at the half.  But it was all Gamecocks in the second half, as South Carolina scored 31 unanswered points.  Marcus Lattimore rushed for 120 yards.  A crowd of 49,810 attended the game in Lexington.

Balding Eagles – Clemson 45, Boston College 31 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 30, Boston College 16).  BC led 21-17 late in the second quarter.  But the Eagles were outscored 28-10 after that.  BC only had 51 yards rushing.  A crowd of 40,138 attended the game in Chestnut Hill.

No offense here – TCU 24, SMU 16 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 33, SMU 6).  Combined, the two teams only had 376 yards of offense and 23 first downs.  TCU had 54 yards rushing to SMU’s 30.  The Mustangs were victims of six turnovers.  A crowd of 28,436 attended the game in Dallas.

And the skies opened up – Louisville 21, Southern Miss 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisville 37, Southern Miss 22).  Played in a monsoon, Louisville trailed throughout most of the game.  The Cardinals finally took the lead with 5:35 left in the fourth and held on to win.  Neither team could pass.  Louisville had 85 yards throwing to the Eagles’ 25.  A crowd of 23,492 attended the game in Hattiesburg.

Still undefeated – Louisiana Tech 44, Virginia 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisiana Tech 29, Virginia 20).  Virginia led 24-10 halfway through the second quarter.  Then Louisiana Tech went on a rampage, scoring 34 unanswered points.  The Cavaliers scored 14 points in the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter.  Three turnovers, all interceptions, didn’t help the Cavaliers any.  A crowd of 42,027 attended the game in Charlottesville.

Fallen Knights – Missouri 21, UCF 16 (Touchdown Tom said: UCF 22, Missouri 19).  Mizzou was only 1-11 in third down efficiency, only had 89 yards rushing and finished with 49 yards less offense than UCF, but the Tigers still managed to win the game.  It’s definitely time for George O’Leary to go.  A crowd of 35,835 attended the game in Orlando.

Aggies beat Alabama….I mean….Arkansas – Texas A&M 58, Arkansas 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 39, Arkansas 22).  Arkansas led 10-7 at the end of the first quarter and then the Aggies scored 51 unanswered points.  A&M tallied 716 yards offense.  The Hogs suffered three turnovers – two coming off Tyler Wilson interceptions.  How low can John L. Smith drag the Hogs?  A crowd of 86,442 attended the game in College Station.

Bears don’t look Golden – Arizona State 27, California 17 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona State 23, California 16).  Cal’s Zach Maynard was a paltry 9-28 passing.  A crowd of 51,634 attended the game in Berkeley.


AND ONE WORTH KEEPING AN EYE ON: 

Boilers were turned on in the second quarter – Purdue 51, Marshall 41 (Touchdown Tom said: Marshall 24, Purdue 23).  This game was tied 14-14 early in the second quarter.  Then Purdue put 28-straight points on the board before the half, taking a 42-14 halftime lead.  Marshall went to work in the second half, outscoring the Boilers, 27-9.  But it was not enough to overtake the lead.  The Herd suffered from four turnovers – three of them interceptions.  Marshall led in total yardage, but only had 95 yards rushing.  A crowd of 45,481 attended the game in West Lafayette.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

This isn’t a typo – Duke 34, Wake Forest 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Wake Forest 37, Duke 29).  Tied 20-20 at the end of the third quarter, Duke dominated the final period, taking a 34-20 lead.  Wake finally scored with only 0:42 left on the clock.  Deacons suffered four turnovers.  A crowd of 28,743 attended the game in Winston-Salem.

Week 5 Picks:    16 Correct,   6 Wrong   (72.7 percent)
On the Season:  89 Correct,    29 Wrong   (75.4 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Florida Atlantic lost to North Texas, 20-14.  A crowd of 13,888 attended the game in Boca Raton….  Florida International was downed by Louisiana-Lafayette, 48-20.  A crowd of 21,109 attended the game in Lafayette.

Florida A&M fell to Southern U., 21-14.  A crowd of 41,042 attended the game in Atlanta….  Bethune-Cookman thumped Hampton, 38-26.  A crowd of 1,200 attended the game in Hampton….  Jacksonville U. beat Marist, 26-14.  A crowd of 3,323 attended the game in Jacksonville.


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  West Virginia’s Geno Smith – 45-51-0-656 yards; Baylor’s Nick Florence – 29-47-1-581; Miami of Florida’s Stephen Morris – 26-49-1-566; Fresno State’s Derek Carr – 42-56-2-536; Miami of Ohio’s Zac Dysert – 34-49-0-516; Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel – 29-38-0-453; Akron’s Dalton Williams – 32-42-1-446; Ball State’s Keith Wenning – 32-43-0-445, and NC State’s Mike Glennon – 24-42-2-440.

Also, Oregon State’s Sean Mannion – 29-45-0-433 yards; Arizona’s Matt Scott – 31-53-2-403; Utah State’s Chuckie Keeton – 20-33-1-402; Massachusetts’ Mike Wegzyn – 27-51-0-373; Clemson’s Tajh Boyd – 28-38-1-367; Houston’s David Piland – 26-43-1-361; Washington State’s Connor Halliday – 33-60-1-348; Boston College’s Chase Rettig – 25-43-2-341; UAB’s Austin Brown – 20-30-1-337, and Central Michigan’s Ryan Radcliff – 20-39-1-332.

Also, Texas Tech’s Seth Doege – 28-44-2-313 yards; Boise State’s Joe Southwick – 24-34-0-311; Northwestern’s Trevor Siemian – 22-32-1-308; Texas’ David Ash – 30-37-1-304; Oklahoma State’s J.W. Walsh – 18-27-1-301; Kent State’s Spencer Keith – 16-31-1-295; Purdue’s Caleb TerBush – 27-37-1-294; Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly – 26-45-0-292; UCLA’s Brett Hundley – 25-38-0-287, and Bowling Green’s Matt Schilz – 20-27-0-281.


Impressive Rushers:  Ohio’s Beau Blankenship – 269; Air Force’s Cody Getz – 222 yards; Middle Tennessee’s Benjamin Cunningham – 217 yards; Western Kentucky’s Antonio Andrews – 215 yards; Toledo’s David Fluellen – 213 yards; Oklahoma State’s Joseph Randle – 199 yards; Oregon’s Kenjon Barner – 195 yards; Nevada’s Stefphon Jefferson – 178 yards, and Iowa’s Mark Weisman – 177 yards.

Also, Georgia’s Keith Marshall – 164 yards; Northwestern’s Kain Colter – 161yards; Oregon State’s Storm Woods – 161 yards; Houston’s Charles Sims – 158 yards; Akron’s Jawon Chisholm – 156 yards; BYU’s Jamaal Williams – 155 yards; Northern Illinois’ Leighton Settle – 152 yards, and East Carolina’s Vintavious Cooper – 151 yards. 


Quotes of Last Week

“That’s my baby and I’m pulling for Tennessee.  If the Georgia people don’t understand that then I just don’t get it,” Barbara Dooley, mother of Tennessee coach Derek Dooley and wife of former Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley.

“Of course I’m worried.  I was worried when Vince was coaching.  Are you kidding? Come on, I’ve been there,” Barbara Dooley on the status of her son at Tennessee.

“I remember Vince once saying, ‘Keep a suitcase ready because we never know when they’re going to throw us out of here.’  So I didn’t clean house for 25 years,” Barbara Dooley.

“I have to pull for my son because if I don’t I won’t stay married much longer,” former Georgia coach and athletic director Vince Dooley, on the Tennessee-Georgia game.

“It will be the first Bulldogs’ game that won’t have a player suspended for past sins,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz, on the Tennessee-Georgia game.     

“I wouldn’t swap him for 10 Nick Sabans,” former Auburn coach Pat Dye, on Gene Chizik.

“John L. Smith, the gift that keeps on giving, mistakenly referred to Arkansas as Alabama in a speech this week.  Hey, he was only talking to Razorbacks fans.  For a moment they all thought they had died and gone to heaven,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz.

“The Tide has won four games by an average score of 42-5.  Of course, Nick Saban is worried and says Mississippi’s option offense gets ‘defenses out of their comfort zone.’ I think Patton said that just before he took Casablanca,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Schultz. 

“Just landed in East Lansing.  Damn, I hate the smell of this state,” Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby, prior to the Michigan State game.

“Something is rotten in the state of Arkansas,” ESPN GameDay’s Chris Fowler.

“Huggins would hope for a score like this,” Sally Kirk Adkins, on West Virginia’s 70-63 win over Baylor.

“No, I don’t enjoy that win at all.  I feel like the offense won.  The defense lost.  But we’re a team, so we win as a team,” West Virginia safety Darwin Cook, after the Baylor game.

 
The 20 Hottest and Most Intriguing Games of Week 6…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1. Georgia (5-0) at South Carolina (5-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Always a fun game, as Georgia is Steve Spurrier’s favorite team to beat.  Spurrier annually clobbered Georgia when he was at Florida.  It’s been a little tougher since he’s been at South Carolina – much tougher.  Georgia has the better offense.  South Carolina has the better defense.  Defense wins – South Carolina 26, Georgia 25.

RUNNER UP:  2. LSU (5-0) at Florida (4-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – If Florida wins, we can remove the “take” from Will’s last name and replace it with the “champ.”  Auburn revealed LSU’s vulnerabilities.  Now, Florida has to take advantage of those vulnerabilities.  Against the Tigers, that’s easier said than done.  Let’s just hope it doesn’t come down to LSU lining up for a field goal in the closing seconds of the game.  The “champ” returns – Florida 23, LSU 21.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. West Virginia (4-0) at Texas (4-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Any bets on how many points will be scored this week?  Not as many as the Baylor-WVU game.  Texas plays better defense and the Horns offense isn’t as explosive as Baylor’s.  Still, a few points will be put on the board.  Obviously, WVU’s defense has to show up for this contest.  Beef, it’s what’s for dinner – West Virginia 38, Texas 37.

4. Nebraska (4-1) at Ohio State (5-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – Both teams eked out wins last week – the Huskers by three points, the Bucks by one.  The margin of victory may be similar in this game – somewhere between one and three points.  Stop Braxton Miller and the Huskers can win.  Ohio State doesn’t have much else, other than a pretty decent defense.  But Cal found holes in the Bucks’ defense.  Miller weaves through the Corn maze – Ohio State 25, Nebraska 23.

5. Washington (3-1) at Oregon (5-0) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN, 10:30 pm ET, Saturday) – I’m not sure anybody in the Pac-12 is going to stop Oregon.  The Ducks have too many weapons.  But if the Huskies can beat Stanford, they have a shot against Oregon.  Huskies caught sleeping in the Duck blind – Oregon 37, Washington 19.

6. Oklahoma (2-1) at Texas Tech (4-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – You better believe the Sooners will be out for revenge.  The Red Raiders spoiled OU’s party last year in Norman.  But I’m not sure the Sooners are any better this year.  And the Red Raiders are – Texas Tech 31, Oklahoma 29.

7. Iowa State (3-1) at TCU (4-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FSN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – It’s amazing how TCU wins its games on defense.  But that’s how the Frogs get it done.  And it shouldn’t be too tough this week as the Cyclones aren’t much on offense.  The defense is Mr. Toad’s wild side – TCU 23, Iowa State 12.

8. Florida State (5-0) at NC State (3-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPN2, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – The Wolfpack has shown a tendency to make a lot of mistakes.  They can’t afford to make any mistakes against the Noles.  Even without any mistakes, it won’t be easy.  But it could be high scoring.  Sammy goes hunting as these Wolves aren’t on the protection list – Florida State 37, NC State 26.

9. Miami (Florida) (4-1) vs. Notre Dame (4-0) – (ACC vs. Ind.) (TV: NBC, 7:30 pm ET, Saturday) – If Miami has a chance, it will be in the hands of Stephen Morris.  Notre Dame hasn’t faced a quarterback as good as Morris this season – not even Denard Robinson.  Morris can’t run like Robinson, but he is a better passer – much better.  So the Irish secondary will be tested.  Chicago is windy, but it doesn’t experience Hurricanes – Notre Dame 24, Miami 23.

10. Arizona (3-2) at Stanford (3-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: Fox, 3 pm ET, Saturday) – Rich Rod got off to a good start (3-0), but it has all come crumbling down since.  The Trees add to the crumbles – Stanford 28, Arizona 23.

11. USC (3-1) at Utah (2-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN, 9 pm ET, Thursday) – After the loss to Stanford, the Trojans have been working their way back to respectability.  The Utes give them a boost – USC 33, Utah 16.

12. Georgia Tech (2-3) at Clemson (4-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Something tells me the collapse against Miami took the sting out of Buzz.  How else do you explain the loss to Middle Tennessee?  Tech is likely to be one of those up-and-down teams all season.  But mostly down.  The Tigers make it three losses in a row for Buzz – Clemson 34, Georgia Tech 23.

13. Washington State (2-3) at Oregon State (3-0) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: P12N, 6 pm ET, Saturday) – The Beavers got a scare in Tucson last week, but they survived.  They should engineer an easier win this week – Oregon State 32, Washington State 19.

14. Michigan (2-2) at Purdue (3-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 4 pm ET, Saturday) – The Boilers may be the surprise team of the season in the Big Ten.  The Wolverines could be the most disappointing team.  Boilers surprise the Brady Bunch – Purdue 27, Michigan 26.

15. Connecticut (3-2) at Rutgers (4-0) – (Big East vs. Big East) (TV: ESPNU, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – The Scarlet Knights are off to a great start.  It’s about to get greater – Rutgers 28, Connecticut 20.

16. Virginia Tech (3-2) at North Carolina (3-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ACCN, 12:30 pm ET, Saturday) – These two teams are going to be tough to figure this year.  You don’t know who or which one is going to show up from one week to another.  The Hokies show up this week – Virginia Tech 27, North Carolina 24.

17. Northwestern (5-0) at Penn State (3-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ESPN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – After an 0-2 start, the Nitts have won three straight.  But the competition has been weaker.  It gets tougher this week – Northwestern 25, Penn State 24.

18. Boise State (3-1) at Southern Miss (0-4) – (MWC vs. C-USA) (TV: FSN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Southern Miss may be the best winless team in the country.  The Eagles almost surprised Louisville.  But that was in a downpour.  The Broncos pour it on this week – Boise State 30, Southern Miss 19.

19. UCLA (4-1) at California (1-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: P12N, 10 pm ET, Saturday) – Jeff Tedford has to be counting the days in Berkeley – the days left that is.  UCLA has a good thing going and the Bears won’t stop the going – UCLA 32, California 19.

20. East Carolina (3-2) at UCF (2-2) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) (TV: CBSSN, 8 pm ET, Thursday) – The Knights are 2-2 in non-conference play.  Now, it’s time to take care of business in the conference.  First up – East Carolina.  The Knights go about their business – UCF 30, East Carolina 23.


AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

21. Utah State (4-1) at BYU (3-2) – (WAC vs. Ind.) (TV: ESPN, 10:15 pm ET, Friday) – Both teams are playing well.  The Aggies beat Utah, while the Cougars didn’t.  Something tells me this game could be fun.  More fun for the Cougars – BYU 32, Utah State 30.

YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Virginia (2-3) at Duke (4-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: FSN, 3 pm ET, Saturday) – Well, I didn’t pick the Dookies to beat Wake Forest and they won.  So if I pick them to beat the Cavs will they lose?  Virginia has been a strange team.  Surely the Dookies can beat them.  But can they possibly be 2-0 in the ACC?  When was the last time that happened?  Has the Devil with the blue dress on ever looked better? – Duke 29, Virginia 27.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

South Florida (2-3) visits Temple (1-2) (TV: SUN, 12 noon ET, Saturday)….  Florida International (1-4) hosts Arkansas State (2-3) (TV: ESPNU, 7:30 pm ET, Thursday)….  Florida A&M (2-3) travels to Howard (3-1) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday).

Bethune-Cookman (3-2) entertains North Carolina A&T (2-2) (TV: None, 4 pm ET, Saturday)….  Jacksonville U. (4-1) plays at Morehead State (1-3) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday)….  Florida Atlantic (1-4) is off.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Six cities are still in the running to host the first playoff national championship game in January 2015.  The cities are Arlington (Texas), Atlanta (Georgia), Glendale (Arizona), Miami (Florida), New Orleans (Louisiana) and Pasadena (California).

Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne announced his retirement, effective January 1, 2013.  Osborne has been the Husker’s athletic director since 2007….  Mississippi State and Oklahoma State are finalizing a deal to open the 2013 season on August 31 in Houston’s Reliant Stadium.  Reliant Stadium is joining the ranks of Atlanta’s Georgia Dome and Arlington’s Cowboys Stadium as sites that host Labor Day weekend season-opening college football games. 

Touchdown Tom
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but on a sad comment, there were four passings of note last week – Andy Williams, Herbert Lom, Chris Economaki and Arthur Ochs Sulzberger.

Andy Williams, whose languid crooning style and disarming presence propelled him to recording and television stardom in the 1960s, with hits including “Moon River” and the holiday jingle “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” died last week at his home in Branson, Missouri.  He was 84.  “The Andy Williams Show” aired on NBC from 1962 to 1967 and again from 1969 to 1972.  There were early attempts to make Williams a rock star in the Elvis Presley mold; one rock-tinged song, “Butterfly,” hit No. 1 on the pop charts in 1957.  Howard Andrew Williams was born December 3, 1927, in Wall Lake, Iowa. 

Herbert Lom, a Czech-born actor of dynamic range who excelled in menacing roles but is best remembered for playing the long-suffering Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus in the “Pink Panther” films opposite Pete Sellers, died last week at his home in London, England.  He was 95.  Lom’s career spanned eight decades and more than 100 films.  Lom played a Moorish warlord who battled Charlton Heston’s noble Spaniard in “El Cid” (1961), Captain Nemo in “Mysterious Island” (1961) and the title role in “The Phantom of the Opera” (1962).  Lom was born in Prague on September 11, 1917.  

Chris Economaki, a journalist long regarded as the authoritative voice in motor sports, died last week.  He was 91.  Economaki worked in television for more than 30 years with stints at ABC, CBS and ESPN.  He was part of ABC’s first telecast from Daytona International Speedway in 1961 and became a commentator for the network’s “Wide World of Sports” until 1983.  After moving to CBS in 1984, he called races for that network until 1993.  He also covered Formula One races for ESPN in the late 1980s.  Economaki was born October 15, 1920 in New York City and grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey.  He also edited, published and wrote for National Speed Sport News for more than 60 years. 

Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times from 1963 to 1992, died Saturday.  He was 86.  Sulzberger was born on February 5, 1926.

College Football Week 5 – WVU’s First Big 12 Game
Kentucky should drop football,
Florida should downsize its stadium
And Tim Tebow is no Jeff Driskel.  Jeff Driskel knows how to pass.

Just a few reflections while sitting in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Saturday, watching Florida beat Kentucky.  Maybe it was the heat that gave me those reflections.  It was hot.

As to Kentucky dropping football, it was the Wildcats losing, 38-0.  It was the Wildcats losing to Florida for the 26th time since 1986.  It was the 13th time since 1986 that I have witnessed Kentucky losing to Florida in Gainesville.  I think I saw the other 13 – the ones in Lexington – on TV.

Kentucky is a basketball school pure and simple.  I don’t think the administration at Kentucky ever intends for the school to be any good in football.  Whenever an opening pops up for a new football coach at Kentucky, the athletic director always seems to hire the worst coach he can find.  They don’t want football competing with basketball in Lexington.

As long as the Kentucky football team loses, the coach’s job is always secure.  He can stay there for seven, eight or more years as long as the team loses.  But, heaven forbid, if the Wildcats should start winning in football.  The coach’s job would be in jeopardy.  He’d be fired on the spot.

Kentucky has a great image in basketball, but a lousy one in football.  All through the game Saturday, my 4-year-old granddaughter kept calling Kentucky the Bobcats.  I repeatedly told her that they are the Wildcats.  But she insisted they are the Bobcats.  Even a 4-year-old recognizes that Kentucky’s football team has had their tails bobbed. 

Yeah, it was hot at the game Saturday.  Maybe it was the heat.  Maybe it was the Bobcats….I mean….the Wildcats.  Maybe Florida has become an Ivy League school.  But I couldn’t help but notice that Ben Hill Griffin Stadium wasn’t full Saturday.  And I got to thinking that I haven’t seen the stadium full since Steve Spurrier was the coach.  Spurrier left after the 2001 season.  That’s 11 years ago.

The only games that fill Ben Hill Griffin to capacity since Spurrier left are the Alabama, Florida State, LSU and Tennessee contests in Gainesville.  Maybe Auburn.  And South Carolina ever since Spurrier has been the coach of the Gamecocks.  A Lou Holtz South Carolina team never filled the stadium.

So I got to thinking Saturday, that along with Kentucky dropping football, maybe Florida should just downsize Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to a smaller capacity.  That way there might be more capacity crowds at the games.  Maybe it was just the heat.

Last week, before the Kentucky-Florida game, a number of pundits were comparing current Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel with Tim Tebow.  Primarily, they were commenting that Driskel reminds them of Tebow. 

Now I know that Driskel may not lead Florida to a national championship.  And I know he may not win the Heisman Trophy.  But, at the game Saturday, I got to thinking that Driskel is no Tebow.  Driskel knows how to pass.  Maybe it was the heat.

In spite of the heat, Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama, Princess Gator, Bama Gator, Gator Gabe and Gator Babe (the one who kept calling Kentucky the Bobcats) and I all had a good weekend in Gainesville for the Kentucky game.  One of the good things about going to a Kentucky-Florida game: You know you’ll never see the Gators lose.

The guys left the hotel first on Saturday morning to pick up a few last minute supplies at Publix and then stake out our tailgate site.  We like to tailgate at a spot on the west side of Newell Drive on the Florida campus.  Panic struck when we learned that our usual tailgate spot had been converted this season into a pre-paid lot. 

We continued on up Newell Drive and turned right on Union Road.  Luck was with us as we found a spot on the south side of Union Road on the campus.  By now, the girls were on their way and we phoned to tell them about the change in location.  There was one spot left for their vehicle.

As it turned out, we liked the new spot better than the old one.  More shade and the Florida band provides some pre-game entertainment nearby.  A new tradition has begun.  Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and I will be back there for the Missouri-Florida game on November 3.

Saturday was a great day for the Mid-American Conference.  Four MAC teams engineered some good wins.  Central Michigan beat Iowa, 32-31.  The Chippewas kicked a 47-yard field goal with three seconds left to stun the Hawkeyes.  Just 42 seconds before the field goal, CMU scored a touchdown to pull within 31-29.  The Chippewas missed the two-point conversion.  But they recovered an onside kick and moved the ball to the Iowa 30-yard line for the winning field goal.

Ball State scored on a 19-yard pass with 1:02 left and held on to shock South Florida, 31-27.  Northern Illinois, trailing Kansas 23-13 early in the fourth quarter, scored 17 unanswered points in the final period to beat the Jayhawks, 30-23.  And finally, Western Michigan surprised Connecticut, 30-24.

Marshall and Rice gave us one of the wildest games on Saturday.  In Houston, the Owls, trailing the Herd 41-31, scored 10 points in the final 3:17 to put the game in a 41-41 tie at the end of regulation.  Marshall finally pulled it out in the second overtime, beating Rice, 54-51.

For the second week in a row, Army was involved in another donnybrook.  The Cadets lost a wild one to Wake Forest, 49-37.  There were four big upsets: Oregon State beat UCLA, 27-20; Colorado beat Washington State, 35-34, Rutgers downed Arkansas, 35-26 and Kansas State beat Oklahoma, 24-19.  Colorado scored with 0:09 remaining (and kicked the extra point) in the Buffaloes upset of Washington State.             

And finally there were no overtimes this week for Louisiana-Monroe.  But the Warhawks were every bit as exciting.  ULM pushed Baylor to the edge, before falling to the Bears in regulation, 47-42.

Rockledge Gator went hip-hoppin' last week.  While out for his early morning walk, he realized he had forgotten to put on his belt.  Not long into the walk, his pants were falling below his underwear.  He had to walk with his hand in his crotch to keep his pants up.  Rockledge Gator claimed that since he started walking in the mornings, he no longer has a butt.  That’s why his pants were falling.  Bootsie said, “Yeah, you still have a butt.  It just moved to another spot.”   

Touchdown Tom
September 24, 2012      
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


Week 4 Review

GAME OF THE WEEK:  New Heisman candidate – Florida State 49, Clemson 37 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida State 33, Clemson 30).  Three minutes into the third quarter, the Tigers led 28-14.  Even nine minutes into the third period, the Tigers led 31-21.  Then it was all FSU after that.  The Noles scored 28 unanswered points.  FSU racked up an impressive 667 yards offense, while E.J. Manuel entered the Heisman picture with his 380 yards passing and 102 yards rushing.  Clemson has problems on defense.  A crowd of 83,231 attended the game in Tallahassee.

RUNNER UP:  Bill Snyder does amazing things at K-State – Kansas State 24, Oklahoma 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 29, Kansas State 23).  Landry Jones passed for 298 yards, but K-State held the Sooners to 88 yards rushing.  OU also suffered three turnovers.  A crowd of 85,276 attended the game in Norman.

REST OF THE BEST:  Ducks skunk the Wildcats – Oregon 49, Arizona 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 37, Arizona 24).  A game of turnovers – five by Arizona and three by Oregon.  The Ducks only led 13-0 at the half.  Then they wore Arizona down, scoring 36 in the second half.  A crowd of 58,334 attended the game in Eugene.

Robinson’s old nemesis returns – Notre Dame 13, Michigan 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 24, Michigan 16).  Michigan suffered six turnovers, including four by Denard Robinson.  Robinson threw four picks.  He has been plagued in the past with interceptions.  A crowd of 80,795 attended the game in South Bend.

Beavers dam up Franklin – Oregon State 27, UCLA 20 (Touchdown Tom said: UCLA 34, Oregon State 22).  Oregon State may be the surprise team of 2012.  The Beavers held the Bruins to 72 yards rushing.  Johnathan Franklin was held to 45 yards.  Oregon State never trailed in the game.  A crowd of 54,636 attended the game in Pasadena.

Broncos beat Bronco – Boise State 7, BYU 6 (Touchdown Tom said: Boise State 29, BYU 20).  For the second time in three games, Boise State’s offense failed to score a touchdown.  I think the Broncos must be missing Brent Pease.  But the Boise State defense held BYU to 61 yards passing.  A crowd of 36,864 attended the game in Boise.

Did Aubie expose Mike? – LSU 12, Auburn 10 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 33, Auburn 17).  Eleven minutes into the first quarter, LSU led 9-0 and it appeared the game could become a rout for the Cajun Tigers.  But give Auburn some credit.  The Aubie Tigers played some defense.  Problem is LSU played better defense.  The Cajun Tigers held Auburn to only nine first downs and less than 100 yards passing and fewer than 100 rushing.  A crowd of 86,721 attended the game in Auburn.

Back in the saddle again – USC 27, California 9 (Touchdown Tom said: USC 34, California 19).  Matt Barkley threw two interceptions, but that didn’t seem to bother the Trojans.  USC held Cal to 77 yards rushing as the Bears could only manage three field goals in the game.  A crowd of 83,421 attended the game in Los Angeles.

Toads take the Cavs on a wild ride – TCU 27, Virginia 7 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 27, Virginia 15).  The Cavs were plagued with four turnovers.  Casey Pachall passed for 305 yards.  A crowd of 46,330 attended the game in Fort Worth.

Uga eats Vandy like candy – Georgia 48, Vanderbilt 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 26, Vanderbilt 12).  Todd Gurley gave the Dawgs 130 yards rushing and Aaron Murray was steady, as Georgia methodically put away the Dores.  A crowd of 92,746 attended the game in Athens.

Near perfect – South Carolina 31, Missouri 10 (Touchdown Tom said: South Carolina 30, Missouri 20).  Connor Shaw was about as close to perfect as you can get, connecting on 20 of his 21 tosses.  Mizzou scored its only touchdown with just 17 seconds left in the game.  A crowd of 80,836 attended the game in Columbia.

Seventh straight – West Virginia 31, Maryland 21 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 39, Maryland 18).  Any time West Virginia scores less than 40 points in a game you get the feeling something isn’t right.  It definitely wasn’t right in the third quarter when the Eers were held scoreless.  Geno Smith upheld his end of the offense, passing for 338 yards.  But the Mountie rushing game was a no show – 25 yards total on the ground.  WVU’s defense shutdown Maryland’s rushing – 46 yards total.  But they got a little loose, too loose, with Maryland’s passing, giving up 305 yards.  WVU has now won seven in a row against the Terps.  A crowd of 58,504 attended the game in Morgantown.

Pigs penned – Rutgers 35, Arkansas 26 (Touchdown Tom said: Arkansas 28, Rutgers 26).  Both teams came to pass, totaling 816 yards through the air.  But Tyler Wilson threw two interceptions.  The Hogs were missing a rushing game with only 73 yards on the ground.  If this keeps up, John L. Smith will be more than bankrupt at the end of the season.  A crowd of 72,543 attended the game in Fayetteville.

On the rebound – Virginia Tech 37, Bowling Green 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Virginia Tech 31, Bowling Green 17).  I don’t know if this makes up for the loss to Pitt, but the Hokies were definitely taking out their frustrations on BG.  One thing about the Falcons, they were consistent – 133 yards passings and 133 yards rushing.  A crowd of 65,632 attended the game in Blacksburg.

My old Kentucky losing streak – Florida 38, Kentucky 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 35, Kentucky 13).  Four games into the season and the Gators are 3-0 in SEC play.  Not bad.  But they sure seem to have a problem getting going in the first quarter.  They just don’t get out of the gate quick.  Jeff Driskel threw his first interception of the season, but it wasn’t a bad interception – one of those long bomb mishaps.  Kentucky played without its starting quarterback – Maxwell Smith – and it showed.  The Wildcats only had 60 yards passing.  What was that song…..“Twenty-six Miles Across the Sea?”  How ‘bout “Twenty-six Wins Against Kentucky?”  Twenty-six straight wins that is.  A crowd of 87,102 attended the game in Gainesville.

Devils boot the Ute – Arizona State 37, Utah 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona State 30, Utah 22).  ASU’s Taylor Kelly passed for 326 yards.  Three turnovers didn’t help the Utes any.  In his first season, Todd Graham is off to a pretty good start with the Sun Devils.  A crowd of 58,107 attended the game in Tempe.

Badgers mine some points – Wisconsin 37, UTEP 26 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 28, UTEP 17).  The Badgers scored more points against UTEP than they did in their last two games combined….and in their first two games combined.  Until Saturday, Wisconsin hadn’t scored a lot of points in a game this season.  But the Badger defense gave up the most points of any game this season.  A crowd of 79,806 attended the game in Madison.

No honey for the Bees – Miami (Florida) 42, Georgia Tech 36 (OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Tech 32, Miami 24).  Strange game – Miami won the first and fourth quarters; Tech won the second and third quarters.  The Canes led 19-0 at the end of the first; the Jackets led 22-19 at the half.  Tech led 36-22 at the end of the third.  The game was tied 36-36 at the end of regulation.  A crowd of 50,390 attended the game in Atlanta.

Banned Indians have banned football – Louisiana Tech 52, Illinois 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Louisiana Tech 35, Illinois 31).  High-scoring, but messy game, nine turnovers in all – six for Illinois and three for La Tech.  Eight of the nine turnovers were fumbles.  The Bulldogs are a hot team – 3-0 start.  Where will Sonny Dykes be coaching next year?  A crowd of 46,539 attended the game in Champaign.

Heels plunder the Pirates – North Carolina 27, East Carolina 6 (Touchdown Tom said: North Carolina 34, East Carolina 23).  Bryn Renner had a good game, passing for 321 yards.  A crowd of 59,500 attended the game in Chapel Hill.


AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

Nothing cowardly about this Lion – Penn State 24, Temple 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Penn State 31, Temple 25).  In spite of an interception, Matt McGloin had one of his better games, passing for 318 yards.  The Nitts evened their record at 2-2.  A crowd of 96,680 attended the game in State College.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Did the cheerleaders get in the game? – Nebraska 73, Idaho State 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 52, Idaho State 9).  I sure hope Idaho State got a good payday out of this.  The Huskers outrushed the Bengals 385-31.  A crowd of 84,923 attended the game in Lincoln.

Dookies know the Blues – Duke 38, Memphis 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 45, Memphis 24).  The good days are over for the Dookies.  No more teams like North Carolina Central and Memphis on the schedule.  Sean Renfree passed for 314 yards.  The Dookies’ defense held Memphis to less than 100 yards passing and less than 100 rushing.  A crowd of 23,658 attended the game in Durham.

Week 4 Picks:    19 Correct,    4 Wrong   (82.6 percent)
On the Season:  73 Correct,    23 Wrong   (76.0 percent)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

South Florida was upset by Ball State, 31-27.  A crowd of 16,397 attended the game in Muncie….  Florida International lost to Louisville, 28-21.  A crowd of 12,318 attended the game in Miami….  Florida Atlantic fell to Alabama, 40-7.  A crowd of 101,821 attended the game in Tuscaloosa.

Florida A&M beat Delaware State, 24-22.  A crowd of 2,758 attended the game in Dover….  Bethune-Cookman lost to Tennessee State, 21-14.  A crowd of 9,461 attended the game in Daytona Beach….  Jacksonville U. downed Dayton, 21-17.  A crowd of 2,523 attended the game in Dayton.


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:  Miami of Florida’s Stephen Morris – 31-52-1-436 yards; Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson – 20-39-2-419; Tennessee’s Tyler Bray – 27-43-1-401; Washington State’s Connor Halliday – 32-60-2-401; Rutgers’ Gary Nova – 25-35-0-397; Florida State’s E.J. Manuel – 27-35-0-380; Oregon State’s Sean Mannion – 24-35-1-379; UCLA’s Brett Hundley – 27-42-0-372, and Wyoming’s Brett Smith – 23-35-0-365.

Also, Baylor’s Nick Florence – 26-39-2-351 yards; Colorado’s Jordan Webb – 29-42-1-345; Pitt’s Tino Sunseri – 18-24-0-344; West Virginia’s Geno Smith – 30-43-0-338; Connecticut’s Chandler Whitmer – 28-44-1-333; Arizona State’s Taylor Kelly – 19-26-0-326; North Carolina’s Bryn Renner – 27-43-0-321; Penn State’s Matt McGloin – 24-36-1-318, and Duke’s Sean Renfree – 26-37-1-314.

Also, Rice’s Taylor McHargue – 21-36-0-314 yards; South Florida’s B.J. Daniels – 19-30-2-312; Idaho’s Dominique Blackman – 34-46-0-306; TCU’s Casey Pachall – 21-32-1-305; Maryland’s Perry Hills – 20-29-1-305; Texas State’s Shaun Rutherford – 21-26-0-301; Oklahoma’s Landry Jones – 28-43-1-298; Toledo’s Terrance Owens – 27-36-0-290, and Central Michigan’s Ryan Radcliff – 26-35-0-283.  


Impressive Rushers:  Michigan State’s Le’Veon Bell – 253 yards; Iowa’s Mark Weisman – 217 yards; Utah State’s Kerwy Williams – 205 yards; San Diego State’s Adam Muema – 202 yards; Massachusetts’ Michael Cox – 188 yards; Nevada’s Stefphon Jefferson – 170 yards; Marshall’s Steward Butler – 166 yards; Rice’s Taylor McHargue – 153 yards; USC’s Silas Redd – 158 yards, and Tennessee’s Rajion Neal – 151 yards. 


Quotes of the Week

“Arkansas put a motorcycle and a cardboard cutout of a blonde in John L. Smith’s office, hoping he’d take the bait.  It didn’t work.  They’re stuck with him,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jeff Shultz.

“They ain’t what people think.  They’re good and everything, but they can be beat,” Florida Atlantic defensive end Cory Henry, on Alabama prior to the FAU-Alabama game.


The 20 Hottest and Most Intriguing Games of Week 5…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK:  1.Baylor (3-0) at West Virginia (3-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: FX, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – The wait is over – the Mountaineers finally play their first Big 12 Conference game.  And what a game it could be too.  Baylor is not only undefeated, but also the Bears are averaging better than 51 points-a-game.  Baylor will be the biggest test for the Mountie defense so far this season.  On the other hand, Baylor is giving up about 30 points-a-game.  That could bode well for the Mountie offense.  So we could be looking at a shootout.  Mountaineers love to shoot it out – West Virginia 49, Baylor 35.

RUNNER UP:  2. Texas (3-0) at Oklahoma State (2-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: Fox, 7:50 pm ET, Saturday) – Staying in the Big 12, undefeated Texas travels to Oklahoma State in what could be another shoot out.  Texas is averaging 49 points-a-game, while Okie State is averaging 62.  Something’s got to give.  The Pokes give and the Horns take – Texas 40, Oklahoma State 39.

REST OF THE BEST:  3. Ohio State (4-0) at Michigan State (3-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC/ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The Buckeyes are undefeated, but UCF, California and UAB give you the feeling that Ohio State is vulnerable.  Of course, Michigan State’s poor offensive showing gives you the feeling the Spartans are vulnerable too.  Urban Meyer says that Braxton Miller is the best athlete he has ever coached.  That makes him the best athlete who ever lost to the Spartans – Michigan State 20, Ohio State 18. 

4. Tennessee (3-1) at Georgia (4-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: CBS, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Derek Dooley is still looking for his first big win at Tennessee.  His Mama is still looking for it too.  We’re not sure who Papa will be cheering for, but we know who Mama will be cheering for.  Aaron Murray out duels Tyler Bray – Georgia 32, Tennessee 23.

5. Wisconsin (3-1) at Nebraska (3-1) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) (TV: ABC, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – Okay, no more Arkansas State’s and Idaho State’s for the Huskers.  That part of the schedule is over.  The going gets tough for Nebraska, but I’m not sure Wisconsin is all that tough.  And the Huskers are looking for revenge – big time.  Bo barfs on the Badgers – Nebraska 28, Wisconsin 18.

6. Oregon State (2-0) at Arizona (3-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: P12N, 10 pm ET, Saturday) – Before the season began, Mike Riley was on the hot seat.  Right now, he’s on the throne – King for a Day.  Sean Mannion helps Riley keep his crown – Oregon State 29, Arizona 24.

7. Texas Tech (3-0) at Iowa State (3-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) (TV: None, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Another battle in the Big 12 between two undefeated teams.  But neither one has played anybody.  I’m not convinced either one will have played anybody after this game.  But the Cyclones are the better body of the two – Iowa State 23, Texas Tech 19.

8. Ole Miss (3-1) at Alabama (4-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN, 9:15 pm ET, Saturday) – Ole Miss is 3-1, but the three wins were against nobodies and the one loss was by 35 points.  The Black Bear Rebs are about to be handed another 35-point loss – Alabama 38, Ole Miss 10.

9. Florida State (4-0) at South Florida (2-2) – (ACC vs. Big East) (TV: ESPN, 6 pm ET, Saturday) – FSU is averaging 56 points-a-game.  The Noles would be averaging more, but one of their games was called in the third quarter because of bad weather.  To make matters worse, South Florida’s defense isn’t that good.  And to make matters all the more worse, the Noles will be out for revenge.  B.J. Daniels hung a loss on FSU three years ago.  It won’t be pretty.  E.J. scalps B.J. – Florida State 47, South Florida 17.

10. Cincinnati (2-0) vs. Virginia Tech (3-1) – (Big East vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Both of these teams played Pitt.  Cincy beat the Panthers; Tech lost to the Panthers.  And neither game was close.  That doesn’t make the Bearcats better.  But somebody’s gotta win – Cincinnati 22, Virginia Tech 20.

11. Stanford (3-0) at Washington (2-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: ESPN, 9 pm ET, Thursday) – The Trees continue their march through the Pac-12 toward their showdown with Oregon on November 17.  Next stop Seattle, where the Trees hope to keep the Huskies’ hind legs from lifting.  Trees lower the Price – Stanford 28, Washington 19.

12. NC State (3-1) at Miami (Florida) (3-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPNU, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Stephen Morris had a sensational game against Georgia Tech last week.  Can he make it two weeks in a row?  It won’t be easy.  The Wolfpack can make things tough.  But not tough enough – Miami 34, NC State 28.

13. South Carolina (4-0) at Kentucky (1-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: ESPN2, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – Sorry Wildcats, but we aren’t playing basketball here – this is football.  Not your game.  And besides, Kentucky has only beaten Steve Spurrier one time.  There won’t be a second time, not this year at least – South Carolina 32, Kentucky 9.

14. Clemson (3-1) at Boston College (1-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ESPN2, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – The question here: Can Clemson bounce back from the devastating loss to Florida State.  Against BC, who couldn’t bounce back? – Clemson 30, Boston College 16.

15. TCU (3-0) at SMU (1-2) – (Big 12 vs. C-USA) (TV: FSN, 7 pm ET, Saturday) – SMU is playing out of its class again.  When the Frogs say jump, the Mustangs say how high – TCU 33, SMU 6.

16. Louisville (4-0) at Southern Miss (0-3) – (Big East vs. C-USA) (TV: CBSSN, 8 pm ET, Saturday) – Southern Miss has had a rough start under Ellis Johnson.  But you have this feeling that the Eagles are about ripe to pop someone.  Either that or Johnson shouldn’t be a head coach.  The Cardinals do the popping – Louisville 37, Southern Miss 22.

17. Louisiana Tech (3-0) at Virginia (2-2) – (WAC vs. ACC) (TV: None, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Louisiana Tech is looking more and more like this year’s Cinderella team.  Will Virginia be the ugly step sister?  The Cavs are pretty ugly.  But they won’t turn La Tech’s coach into a pumpkin – Louisiana Tech 29, Virginia 20. 

18. Missouri (2-2) at UCF (2-1) – (SEC vs. C-USA) (TV: FSN, 12 noon ET, Saturday) – Mizzou makes the first of two trips to Florida this season.  The Tigers won’t win the on the second trip and they won’t win on this trip either – UCF 22, Missouri 19.

19. Arkansas (1-3) at Texas A&M – (SEC vs. SEC) (TV: SECN, 12:20 pm ET, Saturday) – What was supposed to be a good, even very good, season for the Hogs has turned into a mess.  The Pigs are getting slopped every week.  And their downfall continues – Texas A&M 39, Arkansas 22.

20. Arizona State (3-1) at California (1-3) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) (TV: FX, 4 pm ET, Saturday) – Each week, Jeff Tedford has been getting another nail hammered into his coffin.  ASU pounds another one – Arizona State 23, California 16.

AND ONE TO KEEP AN EYE ON: 

21. Marshall (2-2) at Purdue (2-1) – (C-USA vs. Big Ten) (TV: BTN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Rakeem Cato is a good enough quarterback to lead Marshall to an upset of Purdue.  This could be an exciting game.  The Herd stampedes the steam out of the Boilers – Marshall 24, Purdue 23.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS: 

Duke (3-1) at Wake Forest (3-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) (TV: ACCN, 12:30 pm ET, Saturday) – Looks like the fun could be over for the Dookies.  But they will make a game of the situation.  The Tanner gets the Dookies hide – Wake Forest 37, Duke 29.

Florida (4-0) is off.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA: 

Florida Atlantic (1-3) hosts North Texas (1-3) (TV: None, 5 pm ET, Saturday)….  Florida International (1-3) travels to Louisiana-Lafayette (2-1) (TV: None, 7 pm ET, Saturday).

Florida A&M (2-2) plays Southern U. (1-2) in Atlanta (TV: NBCSN, 3:30 pm ET, Saturday)….  Bethune-Cookman (2-2) travels to Hampton (0-3) (TV: None, 6 pm ET, Saturday)….  Jacksonville U. (3-1) entertains Marist (2-2) (TV: None, 1 pm ET, Saturday). 


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Notre Dame and Connecticut are in talks about playing a game at Fenway Park in Boston in 2014…. The Big East Conference is looking for a 14th team as a football only member and those under consideration are Air Force, Army and BYU.  Or the conference said it would take all three of those schools making the Big East a 16-team football conference.  One or all three of those schools would join Boise State, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Houston, Louisville, Memphis, Navy, Rutgers, San Diego State, SMU, South Florida, Temple and UCF.  The Big East will split into two divisions for football play with a conference championship game at the end of the season.

Torii Hunter Jr., the son of Los Angeles Angels outfielder Torii Hunter, has committed to Notre Dame.  Hunter Jr. is a 6-foot, 175-pound receiver out of Prosper, Texas.

Touchdown Tom
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


P.S.

Not directly college football related, but at the end of September as the college football season was about to move into its second month, the number one song in the country…

…70 years ago this week in 1942 was “Jingle Jangle Jingle” by Kay Keyser

…65 years ago this week in 1947 was “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” by Tex Williams

…60 years ago this week in 1952 was “You Belong to Me” by Jo Stafford

…55 years ago this week in 1957 was “Honeycomb” by Jimmie Rodgers

…50 years ago this week in 1962 was “Sherry” by The 4 Seasons

…45 years ago this week in 1967 was “The Letter” by The Box Tops


…40 years ago this week in 1972 was “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me” by Mac Davis

…35 years ago this week in 1977 was “Best of My Love” by The Emotions

…30 years ago this week in 1982 was “Hard To Say I’m Sorry” by Chicago

…25 years ago this week in 1987 was “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” by Michael Jackson

…20 years ago this week in 1992 was “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men