College Football Week 11 – Can Miss State beat Alabama?
Pleasant in Gainesville, toxic in Athens
and the playoff scenarios abound

Fasten your seatbelts college football fans, it’s going to get bumpy.

A lot went down this past week – both pleasant and unpleasant. Florida won the SEC East, after barely escaping Vanderbilt by the skin of a Gator’s tooth. Florida State lost to Clemson, the Seminoles second loss this season.

Alabama not only beat LSU, the Tide demolished the Tigers, emasculating Leonard Fournette along the way. Nebraska, loser to Purdue last week, knocked off previously undefeated Michigan State, destroying the Spartans playoff hopes.

Arkansas beat Ole Miss, surviving in overtime on one of the wildest and craziest plays of all time. Down and out, Auburn stunned Texas A&M before 105,000 in College Station. Navy not only beat previously undefeated Memphis, the Middies pounded the Tigers, winning by 25 points.

Undefeated Oklahoma State knocked off previously undefeated TCU. Washington State continued its wizardry in the Pac-12. This time Wazzu downed Arizona State. Stanford and North Carolina extended their winning streaks to eight games.

Yes, LSU, TCU, Michigan State and Memphis all lost for the first time. USA Today reported that Mark Richt’s job is in jeopardy, saying the coaching staff at Georgia is toxic and full of dissension. And in Columbia, Missouri, the African-American football players at the University of Missouri have threatened to strike if the school’s president, Tim Wolfe, doesn’t resign or isn’t fired.

Friday, Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and I drove up to Gainesville for another football weekend with the Gators, our last one this season. After a brief trek up I-95, we made our way over to U.S. 17, continuing north through Crescent City to Palatka.

We stopped in Palatka for a mid-day break. The girls checked out a quilt shop in town. The guys headed straight for the husband chairs. After Bootsie and Swamp Mama took care of their business in the quilt shop, the four of us walked down the street for lunch at The Magnolia Café.

Following lunch, it was back on the road, taking Florida 20 west to Gainesville. We arrived in Gainesville just as the homecoming parade was ending. Fortunately, we avoided most of the parade traffic, turning south off University Avenue onto 7th Street, making our way to the Laurel Oak Inn.

Over wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres that evening, we renewed our friendships with Monta and Peggy Burt, Dan and Brenda Brown, Bob and Fern Musselwhite, Jeff and Christy Brigman and Steve Kaplan, and met for the first time Howard and Barbara Greenberg. The college football conversation was well underway.

The Gator game Saturday, against Vanderbilt, was an early start – 12 noon. And for a November game, it was a hot start – 85 degrees. Usually, it’s around 70-75 at the games in November – 50-55 if it’s a night game. We were in for a hot one.

The Gators got off to a hot start too – well briefly. Florida received the opening kickoff and nearly returned it for a touchdown. It was going to be a good game. But the drive stalled out with the Gators facing a 4th-and-3 on the Vanderbilt seven. Field goal? You would think. But the Gators went for the first down and failed. You got the feeling that Jim McElwain wasn’t taking Vandy very seriously.

About halfway through the first quarter, the Gators scored a touchdown, but the extra point kick was wide. Florida led 6-0. With about a minute to go in the first half, the score was still 6-0. What was supposed to be a romp for Florida had become a defensive battle.

Then, with 48 seconds left in the first half and on the only breakdown Florida’s defense had all game, Vandy running back Ralph Webb slipped through the line and ran 74 yards down the field for a Commodore touchdown. The PAT was good and Vandy led, 7-6.

With less than 3 minutes left in the game, Vandy still led 7-6. Four turnovers – three fumbles and an interception – didn’t help the Gators any. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. But the Gators were driving. “Were” is the key word. The drive stalled on the Vandy 26. The Gators had a 4th-and-1.

Should Florida go for the first down or kick a field goal. Twice earlier in the game, the Gators had passed on field goal opportunities. Who knows? Florida could have been winning 9-7 or 12-7 at this point, instead of losing 7-6. Coach McElwain opted for the field goal – a 43-yarder.

Field goals have not been one of Florida’s strong points this season. The crowd was on edge. But Austin Hardin booted the 43-yarder between the uprights and the Gators went up 9-7. What a relief. The crowd was ecstatic.

Florida not only won the game 9-7, but also the win gave Florida the SEC East Division title and the right to play for the SEC championship in Atlanta on December 5.

Back at the Laurel Oak Inn that evening, everyone was delirious, on cloud nine, in a euphoric and cheerful frame of mind – the Browns, the Musselwhites, the Brigmans, the Greenbergs and Steve, along with Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and me.

Monta and Peggy hosted a chili dinner for everyone – white chili and red chili, accompanied with cornbread, salad and ample wine and beer. It was a festive evening.

The evening became more festive as we all gathered around and watched the Florida State-Clemson game on TV. We really should have been cheering for FSU. A Clemson loss would knock the Tigers out of the playoffs. But Gator fans can’t cheer for the Noles. It’s just too hard. It’s just impossible.

Clemson beat Florida State, 23-13. I think we cheered as loud as we did at the end of the Vanderbilt game. The loss dropped FSU to 7-2, and ruined any hopes the Noles might have had of making the playoffs. The two losses are the most FSU has had since the 2012 season when the Noles were 12-2.

Gainesville was a pleasant experience – the Gator win and the good times at the Laurel Oak Inn.

Later Saturday night, Alabama hosted undefeated LSU in Tuscaloosa. The Tide beat the Tigers, 30-16. The game was close throughout the first half, but Bama ran away from LSU in the second half. It was obvious that Bama concentrated on stopping LSU’s running game. The Tide defense restricted Leonard Fournette to 31 yards rushing.

If LSU was going to beat Bama, then Brandon Harris would have to get the job done. The Tide basically dared Harris to beat them through the air. It was a good dare, because Harris crumbled under pressure – 6-for-19 passing, with one interception.

In Lincoln, Nebraska, Saturday night, the Huskers, 3-6 on the season, were playing undefeated Michigan State. With less than two minutes to go in the game, the Spartans led the Huskers, 38-26. At the 1:47 mark, Nebraska scored a touchdown to pull within 5 points of the Spartans. The Huskers trailed 38-33.

Then Nebraska got the ball back with 1:02 left in the game on its own 9-yard line. With 17 seconds on the clock, Tommy Armstrong connected with Brandon Reilly on a 30-yard touchdown pass. Nebraska led 39-38. The two-point conversion attempt failed.

No Hail Mary’s this game. Nebraska held on to beat Michigan State and knock the Spartans from the undefeated list.

Also Saturday evening, Arkansas and Ole Miss had a wild one going in Oxford. At the end of four quarters, the score was tied 45-45. In overtime, Ole Miss scored first and led 52-45.

Arkansas’ ensuing series in the overtime wasn’t going well. On a fourth down play, quarterback Brandon Allen passed to Hunter Henry. Henry caught the ball short of the first down. As he was being tackled, Henry just flung the ball backward over his head. The Hogs Alex Collins picked up the ball off of a bounce and scampered around to the other side of the field and down the sideline for a first down.

Arkansas went on to score and then chose to go for two points to win the game. The first attempt failed. But Ole Miss was charged with grabbing Allen’s face mask. On the second attempt, Allen crossed the goal line and Arkansas won, 53-52. The loss all but knocked Ole Miss out of contention for the SEC West Division title.

Auburn, who had all but become the laughing stock of the SEC West, went into College Station, Texas, Saturday night and knocked off favored Texas A&M, 26-10. It was the best Auburn’s defense has looked all season. And Jeremy Johnson quarterbacked.

Going into the weekend, undefeated Memphis was the highest ranked team from the Group of 5 in the Playoff Poll. The Tigers resume included a big win over Ole Miss. Saturday, a one-loss Navy team went into Memphis and demolished the Tigers, 45-20.

In Stillwater, Oklahoma, in a battle between two undefeated teams, Oklahoma State took advantage of four Trevone Boykin interceptions, and the Cowboys upset TCU, 49-29. Meanwhile, in the Pac-12, Washington State, who began the season losing to Portland State, continued its reversal with another mystical win, beating Arizona State, 38-24. The 6-3 Cougars already have wins this season over Oregon and Arizona. Wazzu only lost to Stanford by two points. Mike Leach is alive and well.

North Carolina and Stanford both won for the eighth-straight time. The Tar Heels improved to 8-1, beating Duke, 66-31; while the Cardinal improved to 8-1, beating Colorado, 42-10.

After Georgia lost to Florida last week, Dawg fans stepped up their calls for Mark Richt to be fired. All matter of stories began to circulate about the coaching staff in Athens, many claiming that defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt was the source and reason for the problems and dissension on the Georgia coaching staff.

Other reports said that even if Richt survives, Pruitt and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will be terminated at the end of the season. USA Today reported that Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity wanted to fire Richt after last season, but was overruled by Georgia’s president Jere Morehead.

Then former Georgia quarterback Fran Tarkenton came out and verbally attacked the coaching staff at Georgia, saying it’s a “bad and sad situation at my alma mater.”

At the University of Missouri, the African-American football players have threatened to strike if the school’s president, Tim Wolf, does not step down or is not removed from his job. The players claim there have been a number of racially charged incidents on campus this fall and Wolfe has failed to respond to or properly handle the issues.

The interesting thing here is that both Missouri football coach Gary Pinkel and athletic director Mack Rhoades support the players. Missouri is scheduled to play BYU in Kansas City this Saturday. The game could be canceled. Stay tuned.

The first Playoff Poll came out last week. It consisted of 1. Clemson, 2. LSU, 3. Ohio State and 4. Alabama. The next two were 5. Notre Dame and 6. Baylor.

Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama, Notre Dame and Baylor all won over the weekend. LSU lost, but the Tigers lost to No. 4 Alabama. Clemson beat Florida State, so they should hold onto the No. 1 spot. Clemson’s remaining games are against Wake Forest, Syracuse, South Carolina and the ACC championship game, perhaps against North Carolina. The Tigers appear to be a safe bet for the playoffs.

With its win over LSU, Alabama could jump to No. 2 this week. The Tide has remaining games against Mississippi State, Charleston Southern, Auburn and the SEC championship game – Florida. I think the Tide has a tougher path than Clemson. But Alabama should be favored in those games.

Ohio State should hold onto to the No. 3 spot. The Buckeyes remaining games are against Illinois, Michigan State, Michigan and the Big Ten title game – Iowa. The Buckeyes are in good shape to make the playoffs, but Michigan State or Michigan could be a problem.

Either Notre Dame or Baylor should move up to the No. 4 spot this week. The Irish still have to play Wake Forest, Boston College and Stanford. A win over Stanford should insure Notre Dame of a playoff spot, but the Irish don’t have a conference championship game. So there is always the possibility Notre Dame could fall a spot after the December 5 conference title games are played – a la TCU last year.

Baylor has the toughest slate. The Bears have games remaining with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas. There is a good chance Baylor could lose one of those games. If they don’t, then the Bears should make the playoffs based on the strength of the teams at the end of their schedule.

Stanford was No. 11 in last week’s poll, but if the Cardinal win out, including the Pac-12 championship, then they should be in the playoffs. Florida was No. 10 last week. If the Gators win out, including a win over Alabama in the SEC title game, then Florida should be in the playoffs.

And keep your eyes on Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and Utah should those teams win out. These next three or four weeks are going to be very interesting. Fasten your seatbelt.

We are down to six undefeated teams: Clemson (9-0), Baylor (8-0), Oklahoma State (9-0), Iowa (9-0) Ohio State (9-0) from the Power 5, and Houston (9-0) from the Group of 5.

And there are 14 one-loss teams: North Carolina (8-1), Oklahoma (8-1), TCU (8-1), Notre Dame (8-1), Michigan State (8-1), Stanford (8-1), Utah (8-1), Alabama (8-1), LSU (7-1), Florida (8-1) from the Power 5, and Memphis (8-1), Navy (7-1), Temple (8-1) and Toledo (7-1) from the Group of 5.

After LSU’s Leonard Fournette was held to 31 yards rushing by Alabama and TCU’s Trevone Boykin threw four interceptions in the Frogs loss to Oklahoma State, the Heisman race is up for grabs. There is no clear cut favorite now. But keep your eyes on Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey, especially if the Cardinal beats Notre Dame and win the Pac-12 championship.

Bootsie and Rockledge Gator are chilling this week, relaxing in a cabin near Hiawassee, Georgia. From Hiawassee, they will make their way to Auburn to take in the Georgia-Auburn game this Saturday.

Last week, when I told my Husker friend (and Colorado resident) Gary Schwartzkopf that Rick Neuheisel picked Nebraska over Michigan State as his “upset of the week,” Gary responded:

“Rick just jinxed Nebraska.”

After Nebraska upset the Spartans, Gary texted:

“Rick finally did something right.”

And I texted: “Never doubt the Neuheisel.”

Saturday, while we were all gathered around at the Laurel Oak Inn talking college football, Jeff Brigman wondered why Vanderbilt would use “Anchor Down” as a rallying cry. After all, as Jeff said, when you are anchored, “You aren’t moving. You aren’t going anywhere. You’re stuck in one spot.”

Oh well, Vanderbilt people never were known for their brains.

Fasten your seatbelt. It’s going to get bumpy. Now, I wonder what Neuheisel’s “upset of the week” will be this week.

Touchdown Tom
November 9, 2015
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK: Hop-less in Stillwater – Oklahoma State 49, TCU 29 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 37, Oklahoma State 35). TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin, uncharacteristically, threw four interceptions, as the Frogs suffered their first loss of the season. Okie State built up a 28-9 halftime lead and TCU couldn’t sustain a rally in the second half. The teams combined for 1,119 total yards – 663 yards belonging to the Frogs. TCU also had 36 first downs to only 16 for Okie State. TCU even controlled the ball for 37 minutes to only 22 minutes for the Cowboys. Attendance in Stillwater: 59,061

RUNNER UP: No rainbow for Jimbo – Clemson 23, Florida State 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 26, Florida State 23). A close game for three and a half quarters, the Tigers put the Noles to bed in the final eight minutes. Clemson had 512 total yards to 361 for the Noles. The Tigers had 29 first downs to 14 for FSU. The Noles were 2-for-12 (17%) in third down efficiency. Clemson’s Deshaun Watson passed for 297 yards and rushed for another 107 yards. Attendance in Clemson: 83,099

REST OF THE BEST: Dance with me Henry – Alabama 30, LSU 16 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 27, Alabama 26). Bama crushed LSU to the tune of Derrick Henry 210 yards rushing to Leonard Fournette 31 yards rushing. The Tide had 434 total yards to 182 for the Tigers, and 30 first downs to 16 for LSU. The Tigers only had 54 yards rushing. Bama controlled the clock, maintaining the ball for 39 minutes to 21 minutes for LSU. The Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris was 6-for-19 passing – 24%. The game was a contest in the first half. Bama led at the break – 13-10. The Tide ran away from the Tigers in the second half. Attendance in Tuscaloosa: 101,821

Anchors away – Navy 45, Memphis 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Memphis 30, Navy 29). Memphis outscored Navy 10-7 in the first quarter. Then the Middies outscored the Tigers 38-10 in the remaining three quarters. As expected, Navy had 375 yards rushing and Memphis had 305 yards passing. The Middies dominated the clock – 37 minutes to 23 minutes. Memphis suffered its first loss of the season. Attendance in Memphis: 55,212

Basketball? – North Carolina 66, Duke 31 (Touchdown Tom said: North Carolina 24, Duke 21). The teams combined for 1,237 total yards – 704 by the Tar Heels. North Carolina’s Marquise Williams passed for 494 yards. The Tar Heels built up a 38-10 halftime lead and continued to add to Duke’s misery in the second half. Attendance in Chapel Hill: 60,000

Pity Pitt – Notre Dame 42, Pitt 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 30, Pitt 19). With 5:47 left in the game, Notre Dame led 42-17. Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer threw five touchdown passes. Attendance in Pittsburgh: 68,400

Still undefeated – Houston 33, Cincinnati 30 (Touchdown Tom said: Houston 35, Cincinnati 26). Cincinnati had 589 total yards to only 427 for Houston. But the Bearcats only had 66 yards rushing. Cincinnati’s Gunner Kiel passed for 523 yards. But Houston controlled the clock – 38 minutes to 22 minutes. Attendance in Houston: 32,889

By a whisker – Northwestern 23, Penn State 21 (Touchdown Tom said: Northwestern 20, Penn State 19). With 9 seconds left in the game, Northwestern’s Jack Mitchell kicked a 35-yard field goal to give the Wildcats the win. Northwestern held a 20-7 lead at halftime. But the Nitts fought back to take a 21-20 lead with 12:22 left in the fourth quarter. The teams were pretty evenly matched in the stats. But the Wildcats Justin Jackson rushed for 186 yards. Attendance in Evanston: 34,116

Duds – Northern Illinois 32, Toledo 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Toledo 29, Northern Illinois 21). Toledo had a running game, but when it came down to it, the failure of its passing game doomed the Rockets. Toledo lost its first game of the season. NIU improved to 6-3. The Huskies defeated the Rockets for the sixth consecutive season. Attendance in Toledo: 23,089

Howls that – Arkansas State 40, Appalachian State 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Appalachian State 33, Arkansas State 30). Appalachian State led 21-17 at halftime, but the Little Eers fell apart in the second half. Ark State outscored Appy State 23-6 after the halftime break. The teams combined for 982 yards. The Red Wolves had 309 yards rushing. The Little Eers had 357 yards passing. Ark State improved to 6-3. Attendance in Boone: 18,721

Sit – Utah 34, Washington 23 (Touchdown Tom said: Utah 18, Washington 16). Early in the fourth quarter, Utah only led by one point – 24-23. But the Utes scored 10 points in the final 3:27 to put the game away. The teams were pretty evenly matched in the stats. Attendance in Seattle: 61,420

Strike! – Bowling Green 62, Ohio 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Bowling Green 33, Ohio 19). The teams combined for 1,124 total yards. The Falcons had 399 yards passing. The Bobcats had 299 yards rushing. BG’s Matt Johnson passed for 365 yards. The Falcons improved to 7-2. Attendance in Bowling Green: 16,233


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

Just Ducky – Oregon 44, California 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Oregon 37, California 30). Oregon racked up 777 total yards – 477 rushing and 300 passing. Cal couldn’t counter. After starting 3-3, Oregon has won three-straight games to improve to 6-3. Conversely, after starting out 5-0, Cal has lost four-straight games. Attendance in Eugene: 56,604

Has Aubie found a defense? – Auburn 26, Texas A&M 10 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 29, Auburn 18). A rushing game, careful passing by Jeremy Johnson and, lo and behold, a defense gave the Tigers their victory over the Aggies. Auburn’s Javon Robinson rushed for 159 yards. Johnson was 13-for-17 passing, with no picks. And Auburn’s defense held A&M to 3 points in the first quarter and 7 points in the third quarter. Attendance in College Station: 104,625


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Terra firma – West Virginia 31, Texas Tech 26 (Touchdown Tom said: West Virginia 34, Texas Tech 31). WVU ended its four-game losing skid, rushing for 300 yards to knock off the Red Raiders. The Eers Wendell Smallwood rushed for 163 yards. Attendance in Morgantown: 54,932

Some growl – Florida 9, Vanderbilt 7 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 28, Vanderbilt 9). Except for a breakdown on one play, Florida’s defense played a perfect game. Problem was, Vanderbilt’s defense played a perfect game too. And the Dores were helped by the Gators four turnovers. Together, the teams only had 433 total yards – only 23 first downs. Vandy only had 30 yards passing. Attendance in Gainesville: 90,061

Neuheisel was right! – Nebraska 39, Michigan State 38 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan State 26, Nebraska 18). With 4:16 left in the game, Michigan State led 38-26. Nebraska scored two touchdowns in the final 1:47 of the game to win – the final TD, a 30-yard pass, with just 17 seconds on the clock. The lead changed hands four times in the game. The teams were about as closely matched in the stats as you can get. Both quarterbacks passed for more than 300 yards. Attendance in Lincoln: 90,094

Claw-less in Athens – Georgia 27, Kentucky 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia 26, Kentucky 15). Kentucky’s hapless defense only had 180 total yards – only eight first downs. Georgia had no passing game – only 90 yards. But the Dawgs Sony Michel made up for the difference – 165 yards rushing. Attendance in Athens: 92,746

And the Boilers beat Nebraska – Illinois 48, Purdue 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Purdue 33, Illinois 20). The game started out bad for the Boilers and it only got worse. Illinois led 41-7 at the end of the third quarter. The Banned Indians racked up 595 total yards to only 263 for Purdue. Illinois had two 100-yard rushers – Ke’Shawn Vaughn (180 yards) and Josh Ferguson (133 yards). Attendance in West Lafayette: 40,197

Bevo shoots the Bird – Texas 59, Kansas 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 33, Kansas 17). Four turnovers crippled the winless Jayhawks. Texas’ D’Onta Foreman rushed for 157 yards. Attendance in Austin: 92,529

Week 10 Picks: 12 correct, 8 wrong (60%)
On the Season: 120 correct, 52 wrong (69.8%)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Tulsa 45, UCF 30 – Attendance in Tulsa: 16,128
Western Kentucky 35, Florida Atlantic 19 – Attendance in Bowling Green: 18,421
Miami 27, Virginia 21 – Attendance in Miami Gardens: 40,963
South Florida 22, East Carolina 17 – Attendance in Greenville: 45,194
Florida International 48, Charlotte 31 – Attendance in Miami: 14,200

Marist 49, Stetson 14 – Attendance in Poughkeepsie: 1,905
Jacksonville U. 42, Davidson 12 – Attendance in Jacksonville: 3,769
Hampton 33, Florida A&M 0 – Attendance in Hampton: 2,211
Florida Tech 28, West Georgia 26 – Attendance in Melbourne: 4,553
Bethune-Cookman 38, Morgan State 14 – Attendance in Daytona Beach: 7,461


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:

Cincinnati’s Gunner Kiel – 28-51-2 for 523 yards; Washington State’s Luke Falk – 36-55-1-497; North Carolina’s Marquise Williams – 23-35-0-494; Arkansas’ Brandon Allen – 33-45-0-442; Baylor’s Jarrett Stidham – 23-35-0-419; Old Dominion’s David Washington – 29-48-1-378; Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly – 24-34-0-368 and Louisville’s Kyle Bolin – 24-35-1-364.

Also, Middle Tennessee’s Brent Stockstill – 21-34-0 for 353 yards; Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph – 16-24-0-352; Arizona’s Anu Solomon – 31-46-1-352Marshall’s Chase Litton – 34-56-1-346; Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield – 23-31-0-342; Michigan’s Jake Rudock – 18-25-0-337; Michigan State’s Connor Cook – 23-37-1-335; UCLA’s Josh Rosen – 22-33-0-333, and Troy’s Brandon Silvers – 22-33-0-326.

Also, Western Michigan’s Zach Terrell – 16-22-0 for 324 yards; Appalachian State’s Taylor Lamb – 22-35-1-321; Nebraska’s Tommy Armstrong – 19-33-2-320; Idaho’s Matt Linehan – 26-39-1-317; Georgia State’s Nick Arbuckle – 22-38-1-313; Memphis’ Paxton Lynch – 26-42-1-305; Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott – 27-40-0-303, and Oregon’s Vernon Adams – 17-29-2-300.


Impressive Rushers:

Alabama’s Derrick Henry – 210 yards; New Mexico State’s Larry Rose – 207 yards; Florida State’s Dalvin Cook – 194 yards; Hawaii’s Paul Harris – 190 yards; Northwestern’s Justin Jackson – 186 yards; Oregon’s Royce Freeman – 180 yards; Illinois’ Ke’Shawn Vaughn – 180 yards, and Indiana’s Jordan Howard – 174 yards.

Also, Western Michigan’s Jamauri Bogan – 171 yards; Tulsa’s Ramadi Warren – 168 yards; Georgia’s Sony Michel 165 yards; West Virginia’s Wendell Smallwood – 163 yards; Auburn’s Javon Robinson – 159 yards; Texas’ D’Onta Foreman – 157 yards; Kansas State’s Joe Hubener – 153 yards, and Utah’s Devontae Booker – 150 yards.


Quotes of the Week

“While many are understandably disappointed in the current record of our football team, I am confident the future is bright because I see it in the eyes of our players and I am impressed by what I know is going on behind the scenes. Though the consistent victories are not there yet, I am confident they will come,” Nebraska athletic director Shawn Eichorst, on the state of the Huskers football program and its coach Mike Riley.

“Mark Richt just isn’t getting enough out of his Dogs anymore,” columnist Tom Brew.

“The staff is not functioning properly. We’ve got troubles in our program that need to be fixed,” Fran Tarkenton, on the Georgia coaching staff.

“I’m not a great fan of Jeremy Pruitt,” Fran Tarkenton, on Georgia’s defensive coordinator.


Sign of the Day

Herbstreit Screams Like A Girl


Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
This Week’s 12 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Oklahoma (8-1) at Baylor (8-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – Last week, Baylor survived Kansas State without quarterback Seth Russell. Now the Bears have to get by Oklahoma without Russell. In fact, Baylor has to get by everybody here on out without Russell. They say at Baylor, it’s the system, not the quarterback. The Bears will need a super system. The Sooners have been playing like an unbeatable team since the lone loss to Texas. But everybody is beatable – Baylor 34, Oklahoma 31.

RUNNER UP: 2. Memphis (8-1) at Houston (9-0) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Houston has the inside track to a New Year’s Six bowl. Win out and the Cougars will be the highest rated Group of 5 team. Heck, it’s not impossible for Houston to make the playoffs – but it’s doubtful. But it could be close. Depends on how the cards fall. First the Cougs have to get by Memphis. They do – Houston 37, Memphis 34.

REST OF THE BEST: 3. Alabama (8-1) at Mississippi State (7-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – Bama looked unbeatable against LSU last week. But Miss State is a vastly improved team. The Bulldogs have been getting better and better each week since the season began. If Dak Prescott is on, he could give the Tide fits – lots of fits. But Bama will pull it out at the bell – the cowbell – Alabama 28, Mississippi State 21.

4. Oregon (6-3) at Stanford (8-1) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Stanford has won eight straight. Oregon has won three straight. Somebody’s straight has to come to an end. A Trees win gives Stanford the Pac-12 North title. The Ducks won’t be able to stop Christian McCaffrey. Donald, as in Duck, goes down – Stanford 31, Oregon 23.

5. Miami (Florida) (6-3) at North Carolina (8-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU – Like Stanford, North Carolina has not lost since its season opener. The Tar Heels have won eight in a row. Since firing Al Golden, Miami has been playing inspired ball. But the Canes aren’t inspired enough to stop Marquise Williams. The Heels spike the Canes’ juice – North Carolina 30, Miami 24.

6. Washington State (6-3) at UCLA (7-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10:45 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Washington State is a much improved team. The Cougars can cause problems for anybody. This could be a wild one – a shooting match between Josh Rosen and Luke Falk. These guys know how to shoot. And the defenses are suspect. Rosen hits the bull’s eye – UCLA 34, Washington State 32.

7. NC State (6-3) at Florida State (7-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12:30 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – The Noles are hurting. They suffered their second loss of the season last week. This may be a good time for NC State to play the Noles. Then again, it could be the worst time. It depends on how the Noles respond to the Clemson loss. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack, the Noles have too many arrows – Florida State 33, NC State 22.

8. Utah (8-1) at Arizona (5-5) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Utah still has its eyes on the playoffs. Win out and the Utes are in. Another loss and they can kiss it all goodbye. Arizona was supposed to be a hot team this year. But the Wildcats are hurting. The Utes make them hurt more – Utah 36, Arizona 27.

9. Bowling Green (7-2) at Western Michigan (6-3) – (MAC vs. MAC) – 8 pm ET, Wednesday, ESPN2 – One more win is all the Falcons need to wrap up the MAC East title. But Western Michigan is on top in the MAC West. And the Broncos want to stay there. This has the makings for a real barn burner. And it’s Matt Johnson who does the burning – Bowling Green 38, Western Michigan 32.

10. Temple (8-1) at South Florida (5-4) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN – After the close loss to Notre Dame, Temple bounced back last week with a win over SMU. The Owls are still on top in the AAC East. But right behind them is South Florida. After beginning the season 1-3, the Bulls have gone 4-1. They are vastly improved. This could be a problem game for Temple. But the Owls are wise – Temple 22, South Florida 20.

11. Minnesota (4-5) at Iowa (9-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – Iowa has to be the most questionable undefeated team in the country. The schedule just hasn’t been that tough. And Minnesota doesn’t give the schedule any credibility. Oh well – Iowa 33, Minnesota 23.

12. Arkansas (5-4) at LSU (7-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:15 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – After Arkansas’ win over Ole Miss last week, this game is looking better and better. LSU is vulnerable. Alabama proved that. The Hogs won’t stop Leonard Fournette like Bama did, but they can score on the Tigers. This has the makings for a donnybrook. The Tigers slice the Pork – LSU 27, Arkansas 26.


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

13. Toledo (7-1) at Central Michigan (5-4) – (MAC vs. MAC) – 8 pm ET, Tuesday, ESPN2 – Toledo and Central Michigan are actually tied in conference play at 4-1. The loser can forget it. The winner is still in the running for the MAC West. The Rockets stubbed their toe last week against Northern Illinois. The Chippewas get their toes stubbed this week – Toledo 29, Central Michigan 22.

14. Pitt (6-3) at Duke (6-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPNNEWS –The Dookies are in a funk. They have dropped two in a row. Both teams still have a shot at the ACC Coastal Division title. Pitt has the better shot. But the Dookies ruin the Panthers shot – Duke 25, Pitt 24.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Texas (4-5) at West Virginia (4-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – After losing four in a row, the Mountaineers bounced back last week. There’s life in the Eers yet. Texas bounced back too after the Horns embarrassing loss to Iowa State. Only one if these teams can keep bouncing. The loser will be deflated. WVU silences the Horns – West Virginia 34, Texas 23.

Florida (8-1) at South Carolina (3-6) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Florida doesn’t need this game to win the SEC East. The Gators have already won it. But Florida does need this win to keep its playoff hopes alive. A two-loss Gator team won’t make the playoffs even if the Gators were to win the SEC championship. Since Steve Spurrier has departed, the Gamecocks have been playing inspired football. Albert takes a chomp out of their inspiration – Florida 21, South Carolina 12.

Nebraska (4-6) at Rutgers (3-6) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, BTN – Nebraska actually won a close game last week. Wonders never cease. Regardless if this game is close or not, the Huskers will win. Rutgers is as bad as Purdue. Oops, I shouldn’t have said that. No, I didn’t jinx the Huskers. Surely not – Nebraska 36, Rutgers 26.

Georgia (6-3) at Auburn (5-4) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, CBS – I have a feeling this is going to be a fun game. Auburn-Georgia games often are. There’s a lot riding on this game, considering that neither team is in contention for their division title. But Mark Richt is in contention for his job. Auburn is in contention to take an embarrassing season and make it halfway decent. Both won last week. The Tigers looked good against Texas A&M. The Dawgs beat Kentucky, but everybody beats Kentucky. Aubie takes Uga for a walk – Auburn 24, Georgia 18.

Purdue (2-7) at Northwestern (7-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, BTN – Northwestern is on its way to a fine season. I can’t say so much for Purdue. After this game, both teams will continue to be identical in reverse 2-8 and 8-2 – Northwestern 30, Purdue 17.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Middle Tennessee (4-5) at Florida Atlantic (2-7) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ASN….
FIU (5-5) at Marshall (8-2) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, FSN….
UCF (0-10) is off.

Florida A&M (1-8) at Morgan State (3-5) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Ave Maria (4-6) at Stetson (2-7) – (Sun vs. Pioneer) – 3 pm ET, Saturday….
Jacksonville U. (7-2) at Campbell (5-5) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Florida Tech (7-3) at Valdosta State (7-2) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 3 pm ET, Saturday….
Bethune-Cookman (8-2) is off.


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . The College Football Playoff National Championship game will be played in Atlanta (2018), in Santa Clara (2019) and in New Orleans (2020). The future championship sites were announced last week. Cities that bid to host the national championship and lost out were Houston, Miami, Charlotte, Detroit, San Antonio and Minneapolis. Next season’s national championship game will be played in Tampa, with the Peach Bowl and Fiesta Bowl serving as the semifinals.

Touchdown Tom
(www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com)


P.S.

Not exactly college football related, but in early November as the college football season began its final stretch, the number one song in the country…

…75 years ago this week in 1940 was “Only Forever” by Bing Crosby

…70 years ago this week in 1945 was “Till The End Of Time” by Perry Como

…65 years ago this week in 1950 was “All My Love (Bolero)” by Patti Page

…60 years ago this week in 1955 was “Autumn Leaves” by Roger Williams

…55 years ago this week in 1960 was “Save The Last Dance For Me” by The Drifters

…50 years ago this week in 1965 was “Get Off Of My Cloud” by The Rolling Stones

…45 years ago this week in 1970 was “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5

…40 years ago this week in 1975 was “Island Girl” by Elton John

…35 years ago this week in 1980 was “Woman In Love” by Barbra Streisand

…30 years ago this week in 1985 was “Miami Vice Theme” by Jan Hammer

…25 years ago this week in 1990 was “Love Takes Time” by Mariah Carey

College Football Week 10 – Frank Beamer, Norm Chow are the latest
Where was the Duke band?

Where was the trombone player?

Reminiscent of the 1982 California-Stanford game, when Cal won the game on a crazy, multi-lateral kickoff return as time expired, Miami beat Duke Saturday night in similar fashion.

Or did they?

In 1982, Stanford kicked a field goal with 4 seconds left on the clock to go ahead of Cal, 20-19.

Saturday night, Duke’s Thomas Sirk scored on a quarterback sneak from the one with six seconds left on the clock to give the Blue Devils a one-point lead over Miami. Following the two-point conversion, Duke led the Canes, 27-24.

On the ensuing kickoff in 1982, California took the ball and proceeded to return it down the field, executing five laterals along the way. Meanwhile, the Stanford band, thinking the game was over, had formed in the end zone and began marching onto the field.

After the fifth lateral, the last Cal player with the ball carried it into the end zone, weaving in and out of Stanford band members along the way. Finally in the end zone, the Cal player slammed into a Stanford trombone player, knocking him to the ground. Cal won 25-20.

On the ensuing kickoff Saturday night, Miami took the ball on its 25, but lost ground as it lateraled the ball to keep it alive. Finally, on the eighth lateral, the Canes’ Corn Elder took the ball on the Miami eight-yard line and ran it 92 yards for the touchdown.
Miami won 30-27.

But when Elder approached the Duke end zone, there were no Duke band members to be dodged. Nor was there a trombone player in the end zone to be knocked to the ground.

In 1982, there were no flags thrown during Cal’s kickoff return for the touchdown. However, it wasn’t without controversy. Some felt that two of the five laterals were illegal, and some believed that a Cal player’s knee touched the ground while he was in possession of the ball. But there was no replay review in 1982. Additionally, video in 1982 wasn’t as detailed and sophisticated as it is today, nor was it as plentiful.

Saturday, during the kickoff return, a flag was thrown for an illegal block in the back. The touchdown was put on hold. Duke still led 27-24. Following a nine-minute review by the replay officials in the booth, the block in the back penalty was reversed.

But, replay officials were also reviewing a possible downing of the ball. When Miami’s Mark Walton possessed the ball during the kickoff return, he was tackled and, before he lateraled, his knee touched the ground while the ball was still in his hand.

However, the replay officials ruled that Walton had lateraled the ball before his knee touched the ground. Touchdown good. Miami wins 30-27.

In 1982, there was no suspension of the referees/officials, following the Cal-Stanford game. Nor was there a call for their suspension.

Yesterday, ACC commissioner John Swofford announced that the on-field crew and replay officials who worked the Miami-Duke game have been suspended for two games.

Some penalty. Personally, I would have suspended the officials for the rest of the season. In addition to the block in the back call that was reversed, I saw at least three other blatant blocks in the back that weren’t called during the play.

In what was supposed to be a mild and quiet weekend before the crush of madness in November, Saturday turned out to be a pretty wild and crazy day. But we should have expected it. After all, it was Halloween. Along with the Miami-Duke affair, there were a number of other haunting games.

If anything, we were forewarned of what was to come on Thursday night. That is if any of you East coasters stayed up late enough. Oregon at Arizona State was a late start East coast time – around 10:30 p.m. ET. But it was worth staying up for. The game was very entertaining.

Oregon beat Arizona State, 61-55 in three overtimes. With 12 seconds to go in regulation, the Sun Devils led the Ducks, 41-34. Oregon had the ball 4th-and-goal on the Arizona State 8-yard line. Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams took the snap. He went back to pass, but was chased out of the pocket. Adams scampered over towards the sideline. As time expired, he tossed a desperation pass into the back of the end zone.

Oregon receiver Dwayne Stanford jumped up, grabbed the ball out of the air and fell back to the ground with his butt landing in the end zone just inside of the back line. After the PAT, the score was tied 41-41 and the teams were into overtime. Three overtimes later, Oregon won.

Early Saturday kickoffs, there was nothing wild or unusual about Florida State’s 45-21 thumping of Syracuse. But I was taken back when, with only 6:08 left in the game, the Noles lined up to kick a 35-yard field goal. After the Georgia Tech debacle last week, I didn’t think FSU would be attempting any more late-game field goals. But I guess when you are winning, 42-14, it really doesn’t matter.

But speaking of Georgia Tech, the poor Yellow Jackets still must have been hung over from their big win over Florida State. How else would you explain Georgia Tech’s 27-21 loss to hapless Virginia, 27-21? Florida State may end up being the only ACC game the Yellow Jackets win all season.

And speaking of not winning a conference game all season, that’s what I had Purdue pegged for. That is until Saturday. Would you believe the Boilermakers beat Nebraska? They did and they beat the Huskers pretty good too – 55-45.

But the Boilers had to hang on for dear life to do it. At the end of the third quarter, Purdue led Nebraska, 42-16. Then the Huskers came alive and scored four touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter was pretty wild.

And talk about pretty wild, well, that’s the way it was in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday. In the highest point total game of the season, Oklahoma State beat Texas Tech, 70-53. But early in the second quarter, the Red Raiders led the Cowboys, 31-14. Then it got wild.

And what’s all this talk about Vanderbilt having a good defense this season. Hey, I believed it too. Until Saturday, that is. Houston beat the Commodores, 34-0. Actually, Vandy’s defense is good against the run. It’s not that good against the pass.

Sometimes it’s good to fire your offensive coordinator. Maybe it should happen more often. Early last week, Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads fired his offensive coordinator – Mark Mangino. Saturday, the Cyclones beat Texas, 24-0.

Then there was Michigan at Minnesota. Talk about clock management, it could not have been mismanaged more poorly than Minnesota mismanaged it Saturday night. Trailing Michigan 29-26, the Gophers had a first down on the Michigan one with 19 seconds left in the game. Minnesota also had one timeout left.

Now I would have executed a running play on first down. If no score, then I immediately would call time out and still have time for two passing plays. Minnesota called a passing play on first down and wasted 17 seconds executing the play. It was an incomplete pass. With only two seconds left, the Gophers tried a quarterback sneak which didn’t come close. Game over. The Wolverines lucked out. I guess after the loss to Michigan State, the Michigan deserved some luck.

In the Game of the Week, Notre Dame played Temple in Philadelphia. Most everyone expected the Irish to crush the Owls. Oh, it might be close in the first half, they said. But Notre Dame will run away from Temple in the second half.

Well, here it was fourth quarter and Temple was still in the game. In fact, the Owls were winning, 20-17, with less than three minutes to go in the game. But Notre Dame scored a touchdown with 2:09 on the clock. The Irish won 24-20. Still, Temple fans have to feel good about the way the Owls played.

Saturday night’s climax was like Thursday night’s climax – another late, late game for East coasters. The Stanford-Washington State game began at 10:30 p.m. ET. It was worth staying up for.

Wazzu was getting the best of Stanford with its passing game. The Cougars led 15-3 early in the third quarter, and 22-10 late in the third. Then it got interesting. Stanford rallied and took a 27-22 lead early in the fourth quarter. Halfway through the quarter, Wazzu retook the lead at 28-27. With 1:54 on the clock, Stanford went back up 30-28. As time expired, the Cougars missed a 43-yard field goal attempt. Stanford won, 30-28. And it rained throughout the game.

With Temple suffering its first loss, we’re down to 11 undefeated teams: Clemson (8-0), Baylor (7-0), Oklahoma State (8-0) TCU (8-0), Iowa (8-0) Michigan State (8-0), Ohio State (8-0) and LSU (7-0) from the Power 5, and Houston (8-0), Memphis (8-0) and Toledo (7-0) from the Group of 5.

Then there are the 12 one-loss teams who are still contenders for big things: Florida State (7-1), North Carolina (7-1), Oklahoma (7-1), Notre Dame (7-1), Stanford (7-1), Utah (7-1) Alabama (7-1) and Florida (7-1) from the Power 5, and Navy (6-1), Temple (7-1), Marshall (8-1) and Appalachian State (7-1) from the Group of 5. Duke and Pitt fell from this list on Saturday.

The first College Football Playoff poll of the 2015 season will be released at 7 p.m. ET, Tuesday night on ESPN.

Three more schools will be looking for new head coaches. Early last week Minnesota’s Jerry Kill announced his immediate retirement from coaching due to medical reasons. Watching his presser was a tear jerker. Then just yesterday, Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer announced he is retiring at the end of the season. It will be hard to think of the Hokies without Beamer. Also yesterday, Hawaii fired Norm Chow. An interim coach will lead the Warriors for the remainder of the season. There are now 10 schools seeking a head coach. Stay tuned!

Former Miami (Florida), Cleveland Browns and North Carolina coach Butch Davis made it known last week that he would love to be the Miami coach again. He said he’d love to have that job. Problem is I don’t think Miami would love to have Davis as its coach again.

Last week, I reported that Florida coach Jim McElwain put out an SOS for a new backup kicker after the Gators first team kicker suffered a season-ending injury in the LSU game. More than 200 students responded to the SOS. After boiling it down to a few candidates in tryouts, Neil MacInnes, a senior at Florida was selected as the new backup kicker.

MacInnes, 21, is studying to be a dental ceramist at Florida. He graduated from Chamberlain High School in Tampa, where he played soccer, ran on the school’s record-breaking 4x100 relay team, and kicked extra points and field goals for the football team. He kicked field goals of 48 and 43 yards in a high school all-star game. MacInnes drew interest from Harvard, both academically and athletically. And, oh yes, MacInnes was valedictorian of his high school class.

Bootsie, Rockledge Gator, Swamp Mama and I got together Friday night for a pep rally dinner prior to the Florida-Georgia game. This weekend, the four of us will be back in Gainesville for the Vanderbilt-Florida game. We’re not only looking forward to the game, but also to our stay at the Laurel Oak Inn.

Bulldog fans Russ and Sandy Grunewald and Betty Pappas watched the Florida-Georgia game with Swamp Mama and me. We made it through the entire game without any fights.

Saturday night was Halloween. I was handing out candy, while I was watching football games. Unfortunately, the doorbell never rang when a commercial was on.

But I was reminded this year of a Halloween night about 12 years ago. I was home alone. Swamp Mama went to Bunco or something and left me at home to handle the trick or treaters.

She didn’t leave me with very much candy either and we had a record turnout that night. I ran out of candy and the doorbell kept ringing. I didn’t know what to do. For a while, I found all the change lying around the house and started handing out coins and dollar bills.

The doorbell kept ringing. Heck, they were probably coming back to the house for more money. Then I ran out of money. I started giving out oranges, bananas, tomatoes, potatoes, lemons, bell peppers, onions. I was getting desperate.

The doorbell kept ringing. Surely they weren’t coming back for fruit and veggies. Now I was out of fruit and veggies. I finished off the evening giving out cans of soup, beans, diced tomatoes. I was more than desperate. When Swamp Mama came home she had no pity for me.

And speaking of Swamp Mama, one morning last week she was sitting at the bar, reading the newspaper. I was watching “Morning Joe” on TV. All of a sudden Swamp Mama started laughing uncontrollably. She was laughing so hard she couldn’t talk. And she couldn’t stop laughing.

I said, “What’s so funny,”

She couldn’t tell me because she couldn’t stop laughing. She just held up the paper and pointed to a cartoon. It was the “Pickles” cartoon – an elderly retired couple. In the cartoon, the husband says to his wife:

“Do I come across as grumpy to you?”

His wife responded, “Honestly?”

He said, “Of course.”

She said, “Well, yes. At times you do come across as grumpy. Other times you come across as dopey.”

Swamp Mama is still laughing. She has a strange sense of humor.

Oh, and before I forget it: Washington & Lee 42, Statler and Waldorf….I mean….Emory & Henry 14.

Yeah, where was the Duke band? Where was the trombone player?

Touchdown Tom
November 2, 2015
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK: Irish cheese steak – Notre Dame 24, Temple 20 (Touchdown Tom said: Notre Dame 28, Temple 22). In spite of the score, Notre Dame dominated the game. The Irish had 467 total yards to 295 for Temple. Owls quarterback P.J. Walker only completed 43% of his passes. Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer was practically a one-man show for Notre Dame. Kizer passed for 299 yards and rushed for 143 yards. The loss was Temple’s first this season. Attendance in Philadelphia: 69,280

RUNNER UP: Spiked – North Carolina 26, Pitt 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Pitt 21, North Carolina 20). The Tar Heels jumped out to a 20-3 halftime lead and then held on to win. The teams were pretty evenly matched in passing and running. The Tar Heels won their seventh straight and remain undefeated in ACC play. Pitt suffered its second loss and its first in ACC play. Attendance in Pittsburgh: 43,049

REST OF THE BEST: It was elementary for Watson – Clemson 56, NC State 41 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 30, NC State 18). This was a close and exciting game until late in the third quarter when Clemson ran and passed away from NC State. Clemson had 623 total yards to 389 for the Wolfpack. Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson passed for 383 yards, including 5 touchdowns. Attendance in Raleigh: 57,600

Shootout – Oklahoma State 70, Texas Tech 53 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma State 35, Texas Tech 31). Early in the second quarter, Texas Tech led Okie State, 31-14. After that, the Pokes outscored the Raiders 56-22. The teams combined for 1,304 yards. Okie State improved to 8-0 on the season. Attendance in Lubbock: 54,872

Time is on my side – Florida 27, Georgia 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Florida 23, Georgia 18). Florida couldn’t pass, but the Gators could run. Georgia couldn’t pass or run. Florida had 413 total yards to 223 for Georgia. The Gator defense held the Dawgs to only 69 yards rushing. Both quarterbacks completed less than 45% of their passes. Florida dominated the clock, possessing the ball for 37 minutes to 23 minutes for Georgia. Attendance in Jacksonville: 84,628

Out on a limb – Stanford 30, Washington State 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 34, Washington State 26). Trailing Washington State 28-27, Stanford kicked a 19-yard field goal with 1:54 remaining in the game. The Trees held on, as Wazzu missed a 43-yard field goal attempt as time expired. The Cougars held a 15-3 lead early in the third quarter, but Stanford battled back. Wazzu only had 88 yards rushing, while Stanford only had 86 yards passing. Attendance in Pullman: 30,012

The Trevone Boykin Show – TCU 40, West Virginia 10 (Touchdown Tom said: TCU 33, West Virginia 24). TCU had 616 total yards and Trevone Boykin was responsible for 472 of it – 388 yards passing and 84 yards rushing. Boykin is definitely the No. 2 man for the Heisman at this point and could surpass Leonard Fournette before it’s over. WVU is 0-4 in Big 12 play. Attendance in Fort Worth: 45,947

Pacifist Eagle – Ole Miss 27, Auburn 19 (Touchdown Tom said: Ole Miss 26, Auburn 24). This game was tit-for-tat throughout, until Ole Miss went up by 8 points with 10:13 left on the clock and Auburn couldn’t counter. The Rebels had 558 total yards to 427 for the Tigers. Ole Miss quarterback Chip Kelly passed for 381 yards. Attendance in Auburn: 87,451

1982 déjà vu – Miami (Florida) 30, Duke 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 29, Miami 20). Duke never led in the game until 0:06 left in the fourth quarter, when the Devils went ahead 27-24. However, Duke’s first (and only) lead was brief and short lived. On the ensuing kickoff, Miami returned it for a touchdown, a la California’s kickoff return against Stanford in 1982. Only Cal’s was a 5-lateral return. Miami’s was an 8-lateral return. And Miami’s return was not really a touchdown. There were several illegal blocks during the return, plus a Miami player’s knee was on the ground with the ball in his hand. But the corrupt ACC officials ruled it a touchdown. Attendance in Durham: 30,143

Roar – Penn State 39, Illinois 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Penn State 20, Illinois 15). The Banned Indians were about as banned as you can be. Illinois was limited to 167 total yards – only 37 yards rushing. Penn State had 400 total yards. Attendance in State College: 94,417

No honey for the Bears – USC 27, California 21 (Touchdown Tom said: California 34, USC 33). USC built up a 24-7 lead by early in the third quarter and then held on to win. Three turnovers – one fumble and two interceptions – hurt the Bears chances. The Trojans had no turnovers. USC quarterback Cody Kessler connected on 82% of his passes. Attendance in Berkeley: 50,060

Hickory, dickory dock – Michigan 29, Minnesota 26 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan 32, Minnesota 17). The lead changed hands five times in this game. It could have changed six times, but Minnesota totally screwed up at the end of the game with the ball on the Michigan one, 19 seconds on the clock and one timeout remaining. It took 17 seconds for the Gophers to get off one play – a miserable and time consuming attempt of a pass. Minnesota had 461 total yards to 296 for Michigan. Attendance in Minneapolis: 50,709


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

The Ducks by a feather – Oregon 61, Arizona State 55 (3OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona State 30, Oregon 27). This game was a barn burner throughout. Oregon led 17-14 at the half and 34-31 at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, ASU tied the score at 34-34 with 12:41 on the clock and took the lead at 41-34 with 7:49 to go. But with a 4th-and-goal and 12 seconds on the clock, the Ducks scored on a wild pass play to put the game into overtime. Oregon finally pulled it out in the third overtime. The teams combined for 1,243 yards. Both quarterbacks passed for more than 300 yards. ASU had two backs rush for more than 100 yards – Demario Richard (135 yards) and Kalen Ballage (127 yards). The Sun Devils fall to 4-4 on the season. Attendance in Tempe: 56,534

Mush – Washington 49, Arizona 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Washington 26, Arizona 24). Early in the first quarter, Arizona took a 3-0 lead. Then the Wildcats were never heard from again. Washington had 468 total yards to 330 for Arizona. The Wildcats suffered four turnovers to none for the Huskies. Attendance in Seattle: 56,749


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

The Boilers were fired up – Purdue 55, Nebraska 45 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 38, Purdue 23). At the end of the third quarter, Purdue led 42-16. Then Nebraska scored 29 points in the fourth quarter. But it was too little too late. The Boilers added 13 points in the fourth. The Boilers held the Huskers to 77 yards rushing. But Nebraska countered with 407 yards passing. Five turnovers (four interceptions) hurt the Huskers. Purdue was turnover free. Attendance in West Lafayette: 31,351

Beefless in Ames – Iowa State 24, Texas 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas 27, Iowa State 17). The Cyclones totally dominated the Longhorns. Iowa State had 28 first downs to 11 for Texas. The Cyclones had 426 total yards to 204 for the Horns. Texas was held to 85 yards passing. Iowa State beat Texas for only the second time – the first victory over the Horns in Ames. Attendance in Ames: 53,616


Week 9 Picks: 10 correct, 6 wrong (62.5%)
On The Season: 108 correct, 44 wrong (71.1%)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Navy 29, South Florida 17 – Attendance in Annapolis: 26,766
Florida Atlantic 31, Florida International 17 – Attendance in Boca Raton: 16,432
Florida State 45, Syracuse 21 – Attendance in Tallahassee: 67,630
Cincinnati 52, UCF 7 – Attendance in Cincinnati: 30,131

San Diego 47, Stetson 16 – Attendance in Deland: 2,444
Dayton 31, Jacksonville U. 14 – Attendance in Dayton: 2,275
Bethune-Cookman 49, Delaware State 21 – Attendance in Dover: 1,283
North Carolina A&T 28, Florida A&M 10 – Attendance in Tallahassee: 10,279
Florida Tech 28, Shorter 24 – Attendance in Melbourne: 2,829


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:

Marshall’s Chase Litton – 33-48-0 for 386 yards; Texas Tech’s Patrick Mahomes – 38-55-2-480; Boise State’s Brett Rypien – 35-52-0-469; Arizona State’s Mike Bercovici – 32-53-2-398; Georgia State’s Nick Arbuckle – 23-43-1-390; TCU’s Trevone Boykin – 32-47-0-388; Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield – 27-32-0-383; Clemson’s Deshaun Watson – 23-30-0-383, and Ole Miss’ Chip Kelly – 33-51-2-381.

Also, UNLV’s Blake Decker – 29-50-2 for 357 yards; Washington State’s Luke Falk – 35-61-2-354; Florida State’s Sean Maguire – 23-35-0-348; Memphis’ Paxton Lynch – 26-42-0-343; Louisiana Tech’s Jeff Driskel – 17-26-0-320; Cincinnati’s Gunner Kiel – 15-15-0-319; Oregon’s Vernon Adams – 23-40-1-315; Colorado’s Sefo Liufau – 37-57-2-312; Idaho’s Matt Linehan – 25-41-2-307, and New Mexico State’s Andrew Allen – 22-38-1-300.


Impressive Rushers:

New Mexico State’s Larry Rose – 212 yards; Georgia Southern’s Matt Breida – 205 yards; Wyoming’s Brian Hill – 201 yards; Idaho’s Elijhaa Penny – 192 yards; Western Kentucky’s Anthony Wales – 185 yards; Connecticut’s Arkeel Newsome – 179 yards, and Utah State’s Devante Mays – 176 yards.

Also, Arkansas’ Alex Collins – 173 yards; Clemson’s Wayne Gallman – 172 yards; Florida State’s Jacques Patrick – 162 yards; Georgia Southern’s Wesley Fields – 158 yards; Iowa State’s Mike Warren – 157 yards, and Texas A&M’s Kyler Murray – 156 yards.


Quotes of the Week

“You have to be desperate to want that job,” Paul Finebaum, on the Miami opening.

“The quality of our officiating program is of the highest importance to the league and its schools, and the last play of the game was not handled appropriately,” ACC commissioner John Swofford, on suspending the on-field and replay officiating crews that called the Miami-Duke game.


Touchdown Tom’s Picks for
This Week’s 12 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. TCU (8-0) at Oklahoma State (8-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Something has to give when these two undefeated teams collide Saturday. It’s the only game this weekend matching two unbeaten teams. TCU relies on the passing and running of its quarterback – Trevone Boykin – and on the play of its defense. Okie State relies on its offense outscoring what its defense gives. But the Cowboys can be explosive – explosively good or explosively bad, sometimes both in the same game. The Frogs have legs and they know how to use them – TCU 37, Oklahoma State 35.

RUNNER UP: 2. Florida State (7-1) at Clemson (8-0) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – This is one of three games this weekend, matching an undefeated team against a one-loss team. The undefeated team – Clemson – can lose and still be in contention. The one-loss team – Florida State – can’t afford to lose. The Noles hope to have Everett Golson and Dalvin Cook back in good shape. However, Sean Maguire and Jacques Patrick looked pretty good in the Syracuse game. The Tigers have their work cut out for them. But so do the Noles. The Tigers play stomp ‘em the Wampum – Clemson 26, Florida State 23.

REST OF THE BEST: 3. LSU (7-0) at Alabama (7-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – If LSU wins, Alabama not only won’t make the playoffs, but also the Tide won’t win the SEC West, which means they won’t play for the SEC championship. A Tide loss would be the second conference loss for Alabama, while an LSU win would move the Tigers to 5-0 in the conference. There’s no way LSU is going to lose all three of its remaining conference games. If Alabama wins, the Tide needs Ole Miss to lose. Ironically, if the Tide wins, LSU could still win the SEC and make the playoffs. Again, Ole Miss is the key. So there is a lot hanging on this game as there usually is, including the Heisman race between Leonard Fournette and Derrick Henry. Alabama hasn’t played well at home this season. LSU 27, Alabama 26.

4. Navy (6-1) at Memphis (8-0) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Memphis better stiffen its run defense for its encounter against Navy. So far the Tigers have held up against the passing of Bowling Green, Cincinnati and Ole Miss. But Navy will come at the Tigers on the ground. The Middies are relentless. Both teams rely heavily on the play of their quarterbacks, but for different reasons. Memphis depends on the passing of Paxton Lynch and Navy depends on the running of Keenan Reynolds. The Tigers give the Middies the blues – Memphis 30, Navy 29.

5. Duke (6-2) at North Carolina (7-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – This should be two 7-1 teams going at each other. But last week, the refs made sure Duke had two losses. That should be enough to fire up the Dookies. But then again, it may have taken the wind out of their sails. The Tar Heels are riding high on a seven-game winning streak. Make that an eight-game winning streak – North Carolina 24, Duke 21.

6. Notre Dame (7-1) at Pitt (6-2) – (Ind. vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC – The Irish move from eastern Pennsylvania to western Pennsylvania – last week Temple; this week Pitt. The Panthers may be the easier of the two. Temple was fired up. Pitt may be fired down, following the loss to North Carolina. But the Irish can’t afford to lose, if they want to stay in contention for a playoff spot. The Panthers get Blarney stoned – Notre Dame 30, Pitt 19.

7. Cincinnati (5-3) at Houston (8-0) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – Houston has an encounter next week against Memphis. But first, the Cougars need to get by Cincinnati. Memphis barely did. The Bearcats have a shaky defense, but their offense can be dangerous, especially if Gunner Kiel is on target. And he usually is. The Bearcats could catch the Cougars looking ahead. But they don’t – Houston 35, Cincinnati 26.

8. Penn State (7-2) at Northwestern (6-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPNU – When these two teams are good, they are really, really good. But when the Lions and Cats are bad, they are really, really bad. This boils down to whose bad and whose good shows up. If both teams show up good, it could be interesting – really interesting. If both teams show up bad, it could be interesting too – really interesting. Good or bad, it’s interesting for the Cats – Northwestern 20, Penn State 19.

9. Northern Illinois (5-3) at Toledo (7-0) – (MAC vs. MAC) – 8 pm ET, Tuesday, ESPN2 – Toledo is riding high, sitting in the Top 25. But it’s always this time of the year when some of those MAC contests get interesting. NIU is no power house this year, but the Huskies are no push over either. The home field helps the Rockets. Look for a red glare – Toledo 29, Northern Illinois 21.

10. Arkansas State (5-3) at Appalachian State (7-1) – (Sun Belt vs. Sun Belt) – 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, ESPNU – Appy State got a scare form Troy last week. The Little Eers were probably looking ahead to Ark State. Likewise, the Red Wolves got a scare from Georgia State. Ark State was probably looking ahead to Appy State. This has the makings of a good one. And it is Appy State’s last real test of the season. Win here and the Little Eers are likely to finish 11-1. The Little Eers make the Red Wolves gray – Appalachian State 33, Arkansas State 30.

11. Utah (7-1) at Washington (4-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – Washington is an improving team. The Huskies have been getting better. Utah can’t afford to lose. The Utes are still on track for good things to happen. But they do have to get by the Huskies. It won’t be easy. The Ute gives the Huskies the boot – Utah 18, Washington 16.

12. Ohio (5-3) at Bowling Green (6-2) – (MAC vs. MAC) – 8 pm ET, Wednesday, ESPN2 – Ohio began the season hot. The Bobcats won 5 of their first six games. Then Ohio dropped two straight. BG has always been hot. The Falcons two losses were to Tennessee and to Memphis. The Memphis loss was by 3 points. BG has one of the country’s best quarterbacks in Matt Johnson. He is first in the country in passing yards with 3,321 and first in passing touchdowns with 29. The Falcons are 4-0 in MAC play while the Bobcats are 2-2. A loss hurts Ohio more than its hurts BG. The Bobcats get hurt – Bowling Green 33, Ohio 19.


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

13. California (5-3) at Oregon (5-3) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – After stumbling for a while, the Ducks seem to have found their web feet. They can at least score. The defense is still so-so. After starting the season 5-0, the Bears have dropped three straight. Make it four straight – Oregon 37, California 30.

14. Auburn (4-4) at Texas A&M (6-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, SECN – Auburn is definitely a disappointment. Some would say that A&M is a disappointment too. The Tigers are still trying to find themselves on offense. And their defense has been wobbly. The Aggies started out 5-0, before losing two straight. They bounced back last week, but they are still a bit of a mystery. The Aggies may be a mystery, but the Tigers are clueless – Texas A&M 29, Auburn 18.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Texas Tech (5-4) at West Virginia (3-4) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FS1 – Okay, WVU has been through the hard part of the Big 12 – Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Baylor and TCU. Now the Mountaineers are about to begin the easy part, if there is anything easy for WVU. Texas Tech passes like crazy. The Eers weakness is their pass defense. This one could be a score-a-thon. For the Raiders, it’s a scare-a-thon – West Virginia 34, Texas Tech 31.

Vanderbilt (3-5) at Florida (7-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Look for the let down after the win over Georgia. After all, how can you get up for Vandy? I thought Vandy had a good defense until Houston beat them 34-0 last week. But Houston is a passing team. Vandy defends the run. Let’s see, with Treon Harris, the Gators are a running team and not a passing team. And the Gators could be overlooking the Commodores. Sounds like trouble to me. Albert loves trouble – Florida 28, Vanderbilt 9.

Michigan State (8-0) at Nebraska (3-6) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – How can you explain Nebraska? Well, the defense is bad, there is no running game and the quarterbacks throw interceptions. And when was the last time Nebraska was 3-6. I don’t know. It may have been before I was born. They were 4-6 at one point in 2007. But you may have to go back to the late 1950s or early 1960s to find a 3-6 or worse. I guess I was born. It doesn’t look good for the Huskers with the Spartans coming to town. Hey, anything can happen. The Spartans almost lost to Purdue. But almost losing to Purdue is different than losing to Purdue – Michigan State 26, Nebraska 18.

Kentucky (4-4) at Georgia (5-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, SECN – These two teams have a lot in common. Both have lost three of their last four games. One of them will get out of the funk this week. Both are trying to find an offense, while their defenses are struggling. Uga gets his groove back – Georgia 26, Kentucky 15.

Illinois (4-4) at Purdue (2-6) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, BTN – There was a time I didn’t think I would be picking the Boilers to win a single Big Ten game this season. Then, low and behold, the Boilers up and beat Nebraska. So how can I not pick Purdue to beat the Banned Indians? After all, the Indians are not only banned, they are bad – badder than the Boilers. The Banned Indians need a band aid – Purdue 33, Illinois 20.

Kansas (0-8) at Texas (3-5) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, LHN – If Charlie Strong loses to the Jayhawks, he is toast. Not to worry, nobody losses to the Jayhawks – Texas 33, Kansas 17.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

UCF (0-9) at Tulsa (4-4) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPNNEWS….
Florida Atlantic (2-6) at Western Kentucky (7-2) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FSN….
Virginia (3-5) at Miami (5-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN/FSN….
South Florida (4-4) at East Carolina (4-4) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBSSN….
Charlotte (2-6) at FIU (4-5) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ASN….

Stetson (2-6) at Marist (4-4) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Davidson (1-7) at Jacksonville U. (6-2) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3….
Florida A&M (1-7) at Hampton (4-5) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
West Georgia (9-0) at Florida Tech (6-3) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Morgan State (3-4) at Bethune-Cookman (7-2) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 4 pm ET, Saturday….


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . USC announced plans last week for extensive renovations to the Los Angeles Coliseum. The home field of the Trojans will undergo a $270 million face-lift…. Also at USC, athletic director Pat Haden is stepping down from his position on the College Football Playoff selection committee, citing health reasons. Haden has been one of the 13 members on the committee. This is the second year a committee member has resigned due to health reasons. Last year, Archie Manning resigned prior to the first meeting, also due to health reasons.

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com

P.S.

Not exactly college football related, but there were four passings of note last week – Jimmy Roberts, Al Molinaro, Mel Daniels and Fred Thompson,

Jimmy Roberts, a five-time Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens and an original member of the St. Louis Blues who went on to coach the Buffalo Sabres and the Hartford Whalers, died last week. He was 75. Roberts was born on April 5, 1940, in Toronto, Ontario.

Al Molinaro, the character actor who was known for playing Al Delvecchio, the diner owner on the long-running sitcom “Happy Days,” died last week in Glendale, California. He was 96. He was a regular cast member in seasons 4 through 9 of “Happy Days,” which was broadcast on ABC from 1974 to 1984. Molinaro left the show to reprise his role in the short-lived spinoff “Joanie Loves Chachi” (1982-1983). He reappeared on “Happy Days” toward the end of its run. Molinaro previously played the policeman Murray Greshler on “The Odd Couple,” starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, broadcast on ABC from 1970 to 1975. In later years, he appeared in a spate of television commercials. Albert Francis Molinaro was born on June 24, 1919, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In the 1960s and 1970s, he had guest appearances on “Get Smart,” “Green Acres,” “That Girl” and “Bewitched.” After “Happy Days” ended, Molinaro and Anson Williams, who played Potsie on the show, were partners in Big Al’s, a chain of diners in the Midwest. He came out of retirement to appear in “The Family Man,” a sitcom on CBS in the 1990-1991 season.

Mel Daniels, the Hall of Fame center who helped the Indiana Pacers win three American Basketball Association titles, died last week. He was 71. Daniels was twice the ABA’s MVP. He played college basketball at New Mexico and began his ABA career as a rookie in 1967-68 with the Minnesota Muskies. Daniels was named the ABA’s Rookie of the Year that season. He had eight seasons in the ABA with Minnesota, Indiana and Memphis. Daniels grew up in Detroit.

Fred Thompson, a former United States senator, actor and presidential candidate, died yesterday in Nashville. He was 73. Thompson had an unusual career that bridged the worlds of national politics and mass-market entertainment. He served nine years in the Senate, where he served on the Senate Watergate Committee, and ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. He was also a regular cast member on the NBC drama “Law & Order.” Thompson, 6-foot-6 with a booming voice and folksy demeanor, appeared in 20 motion pictures, including “In the Line of Fire,” “The Hunt for Red October” and “Cape Fear.” Fred Thompson was born on August 19, 1942, in Sheffield, Alabama. He grew up in the town of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee.

College Football Week 9 – UCF’s O’Leary, Miami’s Golden are out
Slobberknockers? Bumfuzzles?
New terminology in college football

For several years, it was smash mouth – smash-mouth football. The analysts, commentators and sportscasters used to say, “Those two teams play smash-mouth football.” Or, “That’s going to be a smash-mouth football game.”

Now days, it seems like all I hear is slobberknocker – a slobberknocker game. According to the analysts, commentators and sportscasters, every big game is going to be a “slobberknocker.” You know here in Florida we have a fish called stumpknocker. But I digress. That’s another story.

I assumed slobberknocker meant that when the opposing lines collide, the players are going to hit so hard they will slobber all over each other.

Another term I began hearing this year is bumfuzzle. If a defensive back totally misses his coverage, the sportscaster says, “He was bumfuzzled.” Or he says, “That was bumfuzzle coverage.” Or, “The receiver bumfuzzled the defensive back.”

Also, if an offensive play goes totally wrong, the sportscaster says, “The offense was bumfuzzled on that play.” Or he says, “That was a bumfuzzle play.”

After hearing the terms used recently, I decided to check the dictionary to see if they are valid words. Sure enough they are.

Slobbberknocker is defined as a southern colloquial term used in football to describe a hard, violent collision between two teams or between two or more players on the field. A game that features especially intense or bloodthirsty competition. A violent physical competition.

So they used to say “barn burner,” “donnybrook,” or “smash mouth.” Now they say “slobberknocker.”

But you have to be very careful how you use the word. It takes on a wholly different meaning when you put an “ed” on the end of slobberknocker.

Slobberknockered is defined as a southern colloquial term describing one who has had too much to drink.

So I guess at that wedding reception in Las Vegas two weeks ago I was a little bit slobberknockered? No, not me.

Then I checked out bumfuzzle.

Bumfuzzle is defined as a southern colloquial term that means confusing, perplexing or flustering. Or, depending on how it’s used – to confuse, to perplex or to fluster.

Now, unlike slobberknocker, there is nothing confusing, perplexing or flustering when you put an “ed” on the end of bumfuzzle. It still means the same thing – only past tense.

Bumfuzzled – Confused, perplexed or flustered.

And I guess something could be bumfuzzling, or somebody could be a bumfuzzler. I don’t know. I’m confused, perplexed and flustered.

I’m sure there are days when Swamp Mama would like to call me bumfuzzle. No, not me.

Well, as you can imagine, we had a number of slobberknocker games and bumfuzzle teams over the weekend.

Arkansas coach Brett Bielema and Tennessee coach Butch Jones are slobberknockers. They just exude slobberknocker. They have slobberknocker written all over them. Former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez was another slobberknocker.

Saturday, Bielema’s Arkansas team had a slobberknocker of a game against Auburn. The Razorbacks and the Tigers not only played four quarters, they played four overtimes on top of that. Arkansas led 14-0 early in the second quarter. But Auburn fought its way back to a 14-14 tie early in the third quarter.

Arkansas went up 21-14 and Auburn came back and tied it again. Each team got a field goal late in the fourth quarter and the game ended 24-24. Both teams scored seven points in the first overtime and each got another seven in the second overtime. It was 38-38 after two OTs.

In the third overtime, Arkansas and Auburn each added eight points – 46-46. Finally in the fourth overtime, Arkansas scored and Auburn didn’t. The Razorbacks won, 54-46.

In Tuscaloosa, Jones’ Tennessee squad gave Alabama a slobberknocker game. And it wasn’t supposed to have been that way. The Tide was favored by 15 points. Some thought Alabama would win by more. Not so. In the first quarter, the Tide scored first, but the Vols came right back and scored four minutes later – 7-7. The score remained tied throughout the second quarter. The teams went into the locker room at halftime, 7-7.

Early in the third quarter and midway through the fourth quarter, Alabama added a couple field goals. The Tide was up 13-7. One minute and 19 seconds after Alabama’s second field goal, Tennessee scored a touchdown. The Vols led the Tide, 14-13 with 5:49 left in the game.

But Bama came back and scored a touchdown with 2:24 left on the clock. The Tide held on and beat Tennessee, 19-14.

There were only two overtime games during the weekend but ironically both went to four overtimes. Figure the odds. In addition to the Arkansas-Auburn four overtime affair, Duke and Virginia Tech fought through four quarters and four overtimes before the Blue Devils pulled it out, 45-42 (4OT).

I know that must have been a hard fought game in Blacksburg, but somehow I just don’t think of Duke as being a slobberknocker team. Dookies don’t exude slobberknocker.

There were some bumfuzzle moments on Saturday too. Early in the day, it wasn’t a moment it was the entire game for Miami (Florida). The Hurricanes lost to Clemson, 58-0. Analysts and sportscasters began speculating on how soon Al Golden would be fired. Some thought as early as Sunday. Others gave him two weeks. None seemed to think Golden would last to the end of the season. The ones who thought Sunday were right. Al Golden was fired yesterday.

Saturday night in Atlanta, Florida State suffered a major bumfuzzle on the final play of the game against Georgia Tech. With just 54 seconds left in the game and trialing Florida State 16-13, Georgia Tech kicked a 35-yard field goal to tie the score – 16-16.

On the ensuing series, The Noles drove down the field to the Yellow Jackets 38 yard line. There was only enough time for FSU to attempt a 55-yard field goal. The kick was blocked and Georgia Tech’s Lance Austin picked up the loose ball and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown as time expired. Georgia Tech won 22-16. The Tech players celebrated. The FSU players were bumfuzzled.

The loss knocked Florida State from the ranks of the undefeated. FSU was one of two teams that lost for the first time Saturday. Out in California, USC handed Utah its first loss, hammering the Utes, 42-17.

Nebraska lost for the fifth time on Saturday and for the fifth time it was a close loss – by only two points. Northwestern beat the Huskers, 30-28. Nebraska has lost the five games by a total of 13 points.

The Nebraska defense has a couple ironic stats. Against the run, The Huskers are 10th in the country, holding opponents to 99 yards a game. But against the pass, Nebraska is 126th in the country, allowing opponents 321 yards a game. There are only two teams in all of FBS football who are worse on pass defense.

Vanderbilt won its first SEC game in two seasons. The Commodores beat Missouri, 10-3. It was the third-straight game that Missouri has failed to score a touchdown. The Tigers have scored 12 points (4 field goals) in their last three games.

With Florida State and Utah suffering their first loss, only 12 teams remain undefeated – Clemson (7-0), Baylor (7-0), Oklahoma State (7-0), TCU (7-0), Iowa (7-0), Michigan State (8-0), Ohio State (8-0), LSU (7-0), all Power 5 teams, and Memphis (7-0), Houston (7-0), Temple (7-0) and Toledo (7-0) from the Group of 5.

Another 13 teams, each with just one loss, are still very much in the playoff, conference title game and/or major bowl game picture. They are Florida State (6-1), Duke (6-1), North Carolina (6-1), Pitt (6-1), Oklahoma (6-1), Notre Dame (6-1), Stanford (6-1), Utah (6-1), Alabama (6-1), Florida (6-1), all Power 5 teams, and Navy (5-1), Marshall (7-1) and Appalachian State (6-1) from the Group of 5.

There was an ESPN report last week that said South Carolina will focus on three candidates for its next head coach: Tom Herman, Justin Fuente and Kirby Smart. But then the report went on to say “Don’t necessarily rule out Rich Rodriguez.”

Later in the week, a newer report said that Chad Morris could be announced as the Gamecocks new coach. Meanwhile, back to Rodriguez, there are ample reverberations that Rich could be returning to his old stomping grounds – West Virginia. That’ll raise a few eye brows – more than a few. Stay tuned!

It’s contagious. UCF coach George O’Leary pulled a Steve Spurrier and resigned yesterday. The Knights are 0-8 this season. Better resigning at 0-8 than getting fired at 0-12.

Six schools – Illinois, Maryland, USC, South Carolina, UCF and Miami – are looking for a new head coach. There will be more.

With his two place kickers injured, Florida coach Jim McElwain put out a SOS call to the Florida students. McElwain was hoping to find a talented walk-on placekicker from the student body. But he wasn’t expecting response he got – 216 students, including two females, signed up. After interviews and preliminary kicks, some 80 students were given the chance to try out. The Gators were off last weekend.

After Saturday, Arkansas may never again attempt to have its fans stripe the stadium. That’s where one section wears one color and the next section wears another color, alternating throughout the stadium – red and white in Arkansas’ case. It was a massive failure. Apparently Arkansas fans don’t follow instructions well. Oh well, at least the Razorbacks won the game.

And did you catch or hear about the halftime performance Thursday night at the California-UCLA game? The bands from Cal and UCLA joined forces to put on a combined halftime show. The show depicted the Trojan War and the fall of Troy. Talk about sticking it to USC – that was pretty clever.

Someone told me last week they were so happy ESPN chucked Lou Holtz. But so sad they replaced him with Mac Brown. Yes, ESPN did us a big favor ejecting Holtz. And have you noticed? The ousting of Holtz diminished the presence of Mark May. May has all but disappeared. How could we be so lucky?

Well, in some ways we aren’t. We now have to put up with Mac Brown. Listening to Brown is like listening to “Hee Haw” cover college football. And while we’re on the subject, ESPN needs to send Danny Kanell off to Siberia.

I enjoyed my time talking college football with Mark Moses last week on the “Mark Moses Show” on Sports Radio 1050 – The Fan. Mark’s show runs 3-6 p.m. weekdays.

College Football Week primarily covers FBS teams from both Power 5 and Group of 5 conferences. But I briefly make mention each week of some FCS teams and even a Division II team or two. That usually occurs in the “Elsewhere Around Florida” section where I provide the scores of Florida’s FCS (Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M, Jacksonville U., Stetson) and Division II (Florida Tech) teams – and again when I list their scheduled games for the weekend.

There was a time, however, when I used to provide the weekly results of a Division III team – Washington & Lee. That was back during the 2004 and 2005 seasons, I believe. It was sort of like the Slippery Rock score always being announced at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor during the Wolverines home games. I provided the Washington & Lee score in CFW each week.

It came about because a friend and fellow worker of mine – Jamie Fuller (and his wife, Ann) – graduated from Washington & Lee. At work, on Monday mornings during the fall, Jamie and I often would discuss the weekend’s action and results in college football. And, invariably, Jamie would let me know that W&L lost again.

I always liked W&L because my high school fight song, which we referred to as “W&L,” was written to the tune of the Washington & Lee fight song. I suspect some, or most, of the lyrics are similar, if not the same. And generally, a graduate of my high school matriculated to W&L each year.

Yeah, W&L didn’t win many football games. Well, low and behold, Jamie sent me an email last week, asking if, by chance, I had noticed what W&L was doing in football this year. I hadn’t. “They’re undefeated,” Jamie said. I went on the Internet and sure enough they are undefeated. The Generals are 6-0.

W&L began the season in non-conference action, beating Averett, Sewanee, and Donald Trump Tech….I mean….Apprentice School. Apprentice School? Then the Generals began conference play, beating Guilford, Hampden-Sydney and Randolph-Macon….the men’s Randolph Macon. W&L doesn’t play Randolph Macon Woman’s College anymore. The gals were too tough.

Saturday, W&L played Bridge Over Troubled….I mean….Bridgewater. The Generals won, 45-23. It was Homecoming Weekend in Lexington, Virginia. But W&L no longer calls it Homecoming. Instead, the school calls it Young Alumni Weekend. I guess that means Jamie can no longer attend.

W&L’s remaining games are against Statler & Waldorf….I mean….Emory & Henry, Catholic and Shenandoah. Who knows, the Generals may end up in the Division III playoffs. Stay tuned!

Bootsie and Rockledge Gator went to a Halloween party Saturday night as Harpo and Groucho Marx. Bootsie was Harpo and Rockledge Gator was Grouchy….I mean….Groucho.

Groucho Marx makes me think of cigars and cigars make me think of another story. Rockledge Gator and I worked for years with a close friend who we often traveled with – Rodney St. Pierre. Rodney was a great guy, but he wasn’t one to follow sports – any sports – at all. One time, the three of us were having dinner at a Legal Sea Foods in Massachusetts. There was a sign on the wall in the restaurant that said, “No cigar smoking, except for Red Auerbach.” Rodney looked at Rockledge Gator and me and, in all seriousness, said, “Who’s Red Auerbach?”

Well, Florida and Georgia have their annual get together this Saturday in Jacksonville in the World’s Largest Outdoor Slobberknockered Party.

Touchdown Tom
October 26, 2015
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


Weekend Recap

GAME OF THE WEEK: Rainy night in Baton Rouge – LSU 48, Western Kentucky 20 (Touchdown Tom said: LSU 33, Western Kentucky 22). This was a slobberknocker game until midway through the third quarter when WKU pulled a bumfuzzle. LSU scored 17 unanswered points and extended a 17-13 lead to a 34-13. Leonard Fournette rushed for 150 yards. Attendance in Baton Rouge: 101,561

RUNNER UP: The Hoosiers were Cooked – Michigan State 52, Indiana 26 (Touchdown Tom said: Michigan State 34, Indiana 28). This was a slobberknocker game until the fourth quarter. Leading Indiana by only two points (28-26) at the end of the third quarter, Michigan State scored 24 unanswered points in the final period. The Spartans Connor Cook passed for 398 yards. State’s defense held Indiana to 81 yards rushing. Attendance in East Lansing: 74,144

REST OF THE BEST: Not even a breeze – Clemson 58, Miami (Florida) 0 (Touchdown Tom said: Clemson 30, Miami 24). Clemson led 42-0 at the break and went into cruise control in the second half. The Tigers had 33 first downs to 6 for the Canes, and 567 total yards to 146 for Miami. The Canes had 53 yards rushing and only 93 yards passing. It was over for the Canes before it started. Attendance in Miami Gardens: 45,211

The Little Eers – Appalachian State 31, Georgia Southern 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Georgia Southern 32, Appalachian State 29). And I picked Georgia Southern? I can’t believe I didn’t pick the Mountaineers – the other Mountaineers. Appy State basically shutdown the Eagles. The Mountaineers had 31 first downs to 13 for Georgia Southern, and 433 total yards to 252 for Appy State. The Mountaineers improved to 6-1 on the season. Attendance in Boone: 24,121

Boomer – Oklahoma 63, Texas Tech 27 (Touchdown Tom said: Oklahoma 35, Texas Tech 25). Late in the second quarter, Tech trailed 21-17 but the Raiders got no closer after that. The Sooners finished the game, scoring 21 unanswered points. The teams combined for 1,063 total yards. The difference was in the rushing yards – Oklahoma had 405 yards to 183 for Tech. OU’s Samaje Perine rushed for 201 yards and Joe Mixon rushed for 154 yards. Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw four interceptions. Attendance in Norman: 85,312

Rebound – Ole Miss 23, Texas A&M 3 (Touchdown Tom said: Texas A&M 29, Ole Miss 26). This game was never a slobberknocker. The Aggies were bumfuzzled from start to finish. Ole Miss had 28 first downs to 11 for A&M, and 471 total yards to 192 for the Aggies. A&M only had 58 yards rushing. However, Ole Miss quarterback Chip Kelly was a bumfuzzle. Kelly threw three interceptions. Attendance in Oxford: 60,674

Hooters! – Temple 24, East Carolina 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Temple 27, East Carolina 24). For the second week in a row, Temple rallied in the fourth quarter to win and remain undefeated. East Carolina led in the stats – first downs, rushing yards, passing yards, third down efficiency – but Temple led in the score. The Pirates also led in turnovers – 2-0. Attendance in Greenville: 39,417

The Utes forgot the horse – USC 42, Utah 24 (Touchdown Tom said: Utah 32, USC 23). The Utes started out hot. Utah led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. Then the Utes became a bumfuzzle. They were never in the game after the first period. Early in the fourth quarter, USC led 42-17. The teams were remarkably close in the stats except for one. Utah quarterback Travis Wilson threw four interceptions. The Trojans had no turnovers. Attendance in Los Angeles: 73,435

Josh over Jared – UCLA 40, Cal 24 (Touchdown Tom said: California 26, UCLA 24). The teams combined for 999 yards. UCLA (Josh Rosen) passed for 399 yards, while Cal (Jared Goff) passed for 295 yards. Neither quarterback threw an interception. Attendance in Pasadena: 57,046

Dak attack – Mississippi State 42, Kentucky 16 (Touchdown Tom said: Mississippi State 20, Kentucky 15). Kentucky’s defense, which has been the team’s strength, was a bumfuzzle against the Bulldogs. The Wildcats gave up 586 yards to Miss State. Dak Prescott passed for 348 yards. Attendance in Starkville: 61,168

Badgered – Wisconsin 24, Illinois 13 (Touchdown Tom said: Wisconsin 28, Illinois 21). Wisconsin was 9-for-16 in third down efficiency. Illinois was 3-for-12. The Badgers defense held the Banned Indians to 55 yards rushing. Attendance in Champaign: 45,438

Washington State 45, Arizona 42 (Touchdown Tom said: Arizona 40, Washington State 36). The Wildcats couldn’t stop Luke Falk. The Cougars quarterback passed for 514 yards, including 5 touchdown passes. Wazzu took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter and never trailed the rest of the game. The best Arizona could do was tie the score at 14-14 early in the second quarter. The teams combined for 1,114 total yards. Attendance in Tucson: 47,847


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

So close – Alabama 19, Tennessee 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Alabama 31, Tennessee 17). This was a slobberknocker game from start to finish. The Vols came to play. The teams were fairly even in the stats. Tennessee had more rushing yards; Alabama had more passing yards. The Tide’s Derrick Henry rushed for 143 yards. Attendance in Tuscaloosa: 101,821

Trees take root – Stanford 31, Washington 14 (Touchdown Tom said: Stanford 28, Washington 19). Late in the third quarter, Stanford led 31-7. The Trees had 25 first downs to 11 for Washington, and 478 total yards to 231 for the Huskies. Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan passed for 290 yards. Attendance in Palo Alto: 50,424


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

The Cats by a whisker – Northwestern 30, Nebraska 28 (Touchdown Tom said: Nebraska 28, Northwestern 16). The lead changed hands five times in the game. Northwestern held the Huskers to 82 yards rushing. Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thornton accounted for 303 yards – 177 passing and 126 rushing. Attendance in Lincoln: 89,493

Pitched – Duke 45, Virginia Tech 42 (4OT) (Touchdown Tom said: Duke 21, Virginia Tech 17). Talk about a slobberknocker, it doesn’t get much better than this – or much closer. Duke had 449 total yards to 452 for Tech. The Dookies had 179 yards rushing to 182 for the Hokies. And both teams had 270 yards passing. Neither team suffered a turnover. Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk passed for 270 yards and rushed for 109. Tech running back Travon McMillian rushed for 142 yards. Attendance in Blacksburg: 63,257

Week 8 Picks: 10 correct, 6 wrong (62.5%)
On the Season: 98 correct, 38 wrong (72.1%)


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

Houston 59, UCF 10 – Attendance in Orlando: 28,350
South Florida 38, SMU 14 – Attendance in Tampa: 24,338
Florida International 41, Old Dominion 12 – Attendance in Miami: 17,961
UTEP 27, Florida Atlantic 17 – Attendance in El Paso: 22,468
Georgia Tech 22, Florida State 16 – Attendance in Atlanta: 55,000

Drake 28, Jacksonville U. 24 – Attendance in Des Moines: 2,028
Stetson 37, Valparaiso 14 – Attendance in Valparaiso: 729
Bethune-Cookman 59, Norfolk State 49 – Attendance in Daytona Beach: 9,875
Florida Tech 31, Mississippi College 14 – Attendance in Clinton: 6,342


Superlatives

Impressive Passers:

Washington State’s Luke Falk – 47-62-0 for 514 yards; Memphis’ Paxton Lynch – 32-44-0-447; Bowling Green’s Matt Johnson – 27-40-0-430; Tulsa’s Dane Evans – 24-36-1-421; UCLA’s Josh Rosen – 34-47-0-399; Michigan State’s Connor Cook – 30-52-0-398; Florida International’s Alex McGough – 30-39-0-388, and Middle Tennessee’s Brent Stockstill – 36-56-2-381.

Also, Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott – 25-35-1 for 348 yards; Western Kentucky’s Brandon Doughty – 37-61-1-337; Cincinnati’s Gunner Kiel – 26-35-0-327; Central Michigan’s Cooper Rush – 30-38-1-316; Idaho’s Matt Linehan – 23-39-1-315; Indiana’s Nate Sudfeld – 23-37-1-308, and Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph – 20-26-0-305.


Impressive Rushers:

San Jose State’s Tyler Ervin – 263 yards; Texas State’s Robert Lowe – 248 yards; NC State’s Mathew Dayes – 205 yards; Oklahoma’s Samaje Perine – 201 yards; South Florida’s Quinton Flowers – 201 yards; Louisiana-Lafayette’s Jalen Nixon – 201 yards, and Idaho’s Elijhaa Penny – 184 yards.

Also, San Diego State’s Donnel Pumphrey – 181 yards; New Mexico State’s Larry Rose – 181 yards; Baylor’s Shock Linwood – 171 yards; Houston’s Kenneth Farrow – 167 yards; Boise State’s Jeremy McNichols – 166 yards; Old Dominion’s Ray Lawry – 161 yards; Oklahoma’s Joe Mixon – 154 yards, and LSU’s Leonard Fournette – 150 yards.


Quotes of the Week

“I would rather my husband’s ass and penis not be all over TV. Would you like to be filmed while naked?,” Katherine Webb McCarron, on her husband A.J. McCarron appearing nude on TV while the NFL Network was interviewing Adam Jones in the Cincinnati Bengals locker room.

“I guess now I understand the ‘gosh almighty’ part of the Ole Miss ‘Hotty Toddy’ chant,” a caller on the ‘Paul Finebaum Show’, commenting on the Ole Miss loss to Memphis.

“No way would I have punted versus the Spartans. Personally, if we have the No. 1 defense in the nation, I’m going to test those guys. You’ve got to play to the strength of your football team, and the strength of the Michigan football team all year long has been their defense,” former Michigan coach Brady Hoke, on the end of the Michigan State-Michigan game.

“Time to head in a new direction as a program, enough is enough. I have been patient long enough,” former Miami (Florida) offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie, on Al Golden after the Clemson-Miami game.

“I’m so embarrassed. I would take his headset at halftime. Do not wait until the end of the season, make a statement, dammit!,” former Miami (Florida) offensive lineman Joaquin Gonzalez, on Al Golden during the Clemson-Miami game.

“Fire him!,” former Miami (Florida) player Warren Sapp, on Al Golden after the Clemson-Miami game.


Signs of the Day

Smokey Can’t Hunt

I Would Play For Pitino


Touchdown Tom’s predictions for
This Week’s 12 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games…and then some

GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Notre Dame (6-1) at Temple (7-0) – (Ind. vs. AAC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – When the season began, this was supposed to be one of those cupcake games for the Irish. But look at the Owls. They are 7-0 for the first time in history. They never even made it to 7-0 when Ben Franklin was alive. Now Ben’s been dead for more than 200 years and Temple is 7-0. The Irish definitely have their work cut out for them. The Owls will be fired up. But it’s the Irish who have a hoot – Notre Dame 28, Temple 22.

RUNNER UP: 2. North Carolina (6-1) at Pitt (6-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – Who would have thought these two teams would be 6-1 at this point in the season. The Tar Heels looked awful in their season opening loss to South Carolina. Since then, they have been unbeatable. Pitt’s only loss is to unbeaten Iowa. This could be a slobberknocker. The home field gives the advantage to the Panthers. The Panthers are head over Heels – Pitt 21, North Carolina 20.

REST OF THE BEST: 3. Clemson (7-0) at NC State (5-2) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2/ABC – The Wolfpack have to hope they catch Clemson looking ahead to Florida State. And they could. After the big win over Miami, the Tigers are going to be hung over. And the Noles are looming. The Pack suffers an anxiety attack – Clemson 30, NC State 18.

4. Oklahoma State (7-0) at Texas Tech (5-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – A potential upset is looming here. Tech’s Patrick Mahomes threw four interceptions last week. You figure he’s due for a solid game this week. Both teams have a good offense. Okie State has the better defense. The better defense wins – Oklahoma State 35, Texas Tech 31.

5. Florida (6-1) vs. Georgia (5-2) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – A Florida win and the Gators are sitting in the driver’s seat for the SEC East Division title. A Georgia win and the Dawgs are sitting in the driver’s seat. That’s what it comes down to. For Florida’s sake, let’s hope it doesn’t come down to a field goal. Then again, the Gators may have picked up a good kicker during the open week. After all, 216 students tried out. Georgia’s offense failed to show up in its last game against Missouri. Don’t know if Brian Schottenheimer found it during the open week or not. This is one of those games where anything can happen and it usually does. Uga goes swimming where he shouldn’t – Florida 23, Georgia 18.

6. Stanford (6-1) at Washington State (5-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Washington State has pulled one of the biggest turnarounds in the country. The Cougars have won three-straight games and five of their last six games. They are No. 2 in the country in passing yards. They are averaging 36.4 points a game. Wazzu’s problem is its defense. A defense that is 106th in the country defending the run. And its defense is giving up 31 points a game. Stanford will take advantage of the Cougars defense. And the Cougars offense won’t be as productive against the Stanford defense. The Trees make Luke puke – Stanford 34, Washington State 26.

7. West Virginia (3-3) at TCU (7-0) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, FS1 – There’s a lot of noise in Morgantown these days. Noise Dana Holgorsen doesn’t like to hear. WVU fans are not in the best of moods after three straight losses. Dana could use a win. But TCU could care less about Dana. The Frogs have a Big 12 title on their minds. This is West Virginia’s fourth Top 20 opponent in four games. And this is West Virginia’s fourth straight loss – TCU 33, West Virginia 24.

8. Ole Miss (6-2) at Auburn (4-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Ole Miss is a strange team. The Rebel Bears looked bad in their losses to Florida and Memphis. Chip Kelly threw three picks in their win over Texas A&M last week. And yet, Ole Miss beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Not that it would happen again. Both of these teams were overrated at preseason, especially Auburn. But the Tigers will give the Rebel Bears a fight. The Bears slobber on the Tigers – Ole Miss 26, Auburn 24.

9. Miami (Florida) (4-3) at Duke (6-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPNU – The Dookies are on a roll. With six wins, they have already qualified for a bowl. Now they are focused on the Coastal Division title and a spot in the ACC championship game. But the Dookies have their work cut out for them. After the shellacking Miami took from Clemson, one wouldn’t think the Canes will be a problem for the Dookies. And they shouldn’t be. I suspect Miami is demoralized. But strange things can happen in Durham. Not this weekend – Duke 29, Miami 20,

10. Illinois (4-3) at Penn State (6-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – The Nitts are in a bowl. The Banned Indians still need two more wins. That should be incentive enough for Illinois. But the Banned Indians have struggled. This game could be a slobberknocker. The Banned Indians do the slobbering and the Nitts do the knocking – Penn State 20, Illinois 15.

11. USC (4-3) at California (5-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – The Trojans bounced back last week, while the Bears dropped their second in row. Jared Goff is due to have a good game. The Bears were on the road the last two weeks. They are home this week. That should help – California 34, USC 33.

12. Michigan (5-2) at Minnesota (4-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Both teams are coming off open weeks and both teams are coming off losses. Michigan just has to settle down and get over the tough loss to Michigan State. Minnesota has to figure out what went wrong against Nebraska. The Wolverines are settled and the Gophers still can’t figure – Michigan 32, Minnesota 17.


….AND TWO TO KEEP AN EYE ON:

13. Oregon (4-3) at Arizona State (4-3) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10:30 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – It’s been a tough season for Oregon and there is still a lot of tough to go. It’s been disappointing for Arizona State too. Both figured to be better then 4-3 at this point. ASU will be. The Sun Devils will be 5-3 – Arizona State 30, Oregon 27.

14. Arizona (5-3) at Washington (3-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 11 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Arizona is another one of those teams that was overrated at preseason. The Wildcats have been disappointing. The Huskies are getting better under Chris Petersen and they are always tough at home. Too tough for the Wildcats – Washington 26, Arizona 24.


YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:

Nebraska (3-5) at Purdue (1-6) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPNU – Nebraska doesn’t have to worry about this game being close. If it is close, the Huskers will lose. Nebraska hasn’t been able to win close games this season. Purdue is struggling and the Boilers will continue to struggle against the Huskers. The Boilers sputter on ethanol – Nebraska 38, Purdue 23.

Texas (3-4) at Iowa State (2-5) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – After starting 1-4, the Horns have won two straight. That win over Oklahoma really fired them up. Texas should keep rolling against the Cyclones. The streak continues. Make it three straight – Texas 27, Iowa State 17.


ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:

South Florida (4-3) at Navy (5-1) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, CBSSN….
FIU (4-4) at Florida Atlantic (1-6) – (C-USA vs. C-USA) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ASN….
Syracuse (3-4) at Florida State (6-1) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC….
UCF (0-8) at Cincinnati (4-3) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPNNEWS….

San Diego (5-2) at Stetson (2-5) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN3….
Jacksonville U. (6-1) at Dayton (7-0) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Bethune-Cookman (6-2) at Delaware State (0-7) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 2 pm ET, Saturday….
North Carolina A&T (6-1) at Florida A&M (1-6) – (MEAC vs. MEAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday….
Shorter (2-5) at Florida Tech (5-3) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 7 pm ET, Saturday….


In the Huddle

Elsewhere around college football . . . Texas and Nike have agreed to a 15-year licensing and apparel deal. The contract approaches $200 million for Texas, which has one of the wealthiest athletic programs in the country.

Our heartfelt thoughts and sympathy go out to Oklahoma State University and the people of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Peace and comfort be with them.

Touchdown Tom
www.collegefootballweek.blogspot.com


P.S.

Not exactly college football related, but as the days were getting shorter, the nights were getting colder, the leaves were falling, the frost was on the pumpkins, and Halloween was just around the corner, the number one song in the country…

…75 years ago this week in 1940 was “Only Forever” by Bing Crosby

…70 years ago this week in 1945 was “Till The End Of Time” by Perry Como

…65 years ago this week in 1950 was “Goodnight, Irene” by Gordon Jenkins and The Weavers

…60 years ago this week in 1955 was “Love Is A Many Splendored Thing” by The Four Aces

…55 years ago this week in 1960 was “I Want To Be Wanted” by Brenda Lee

…50 years ago this week in 1965 was “Yesterday” by The Beatles

…45 years ago this week in 1970 was “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5

…40 years ago this week in 1975 was “Island Girl” by Elton John

…35 years ago this week in 1980 was “Woman In Love” by Barbra Streisand

…30 years ago this week in 1985 was “Saving All My Love For You” by Whitney Houston

…25 years ago this week in 1990 was “Black Cat” by Janet Jackson


Not exactly college football related, but there were four passings of note last week – Pat Woodell, Cory Wells, Marty Ingels and Maureen O’Hara.

Pat Woodell, who played the middle sister, Bobbie Jo Bradley, for two seasons in the 1960s sitcom “Petticoat Junction,” died last week at her home in Fallbrook, California. She was 71. Woodell had guest-starred on “Cheyenne,” “77 Sunset Strip” and other television shows before landing the role on “Petticoat Junction.” The show was broadcast on CBS from 1963 to1970. She left the show after two years because she wanted to return to singing. She toured with Jack Benny’s show and was in several movies, including “The Big Doll House” (1971) and “Twilight People” (1975). Patrice Joy Woodell was born in July 1944, in Winthrop, Massachusetts.

Cory Wells, one of the three lead singers in Three Dog Night, a signature pop band of from the late 1960s and to the mid-1970s, died last week in Dunkirk, New York. He was 74. Three Dog Night, a band that thrived on high-spirited arrangements of songs by leading writers, was distinguished by its trio of gifted singers – Wells, Danny Hutton and Chuck Negron. They took turns fronting the band on many Top 40 hits, including Harry Nilsson’s “One (Is the Loneliest Number),” Laura Nyro’s “Eli’s Coming,” Paul Williams’ “An Old Fashioned Love Song,” Hoyt Axton’s “Joy to the World,” Randy Newman’s “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),”among others. Wells sang lead on “Eli’s Coming” and “Mama Told Me (Not to Come).” Wells was born Emil Lewandowski on February 2, 1941, in Buffalo, New York. He was raised by a single mother. After high school, he joined the Air Force. Following his time in service, he began singing in bands and moved to southern California. Singing with the Vibratos, they evolved into the Enemys and became the house band at Whisky a Go Go and toured with Sonny and Cher. By the late 1960s, Wells had teamed up with Hutton, Negron and four other musicians. They became Three Dog Night. The band broke up in the mid-1970s, but reunited with some of the original members in the 1980s.

Marty Ingels, an actor and comic whose off-screen antics were deemed outrageous, died last week in Tarzana, California. . He was 79. His wife is the actress Shirley Jones. Martin Ingerman was born on March 9, 1936, in New York City. He graduated from Forest Hills High School and briefly attended Queens College in New York. Ingels had small parts on “The Phil Silvers Show,” “The Aquanauts” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” along with other programs. His other TV roles included spots on “The Adams Family,” “The Phyllis Diller Show,” “Murder She Wrote” and “CSI.” In the movies, Ingels appeared in “Wild and Wonderful” (1964), starring Tony Curtis and “If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium” (1969), staring Ian McShane. Ingels and Shirley Jones married in 1977. He was a longtime resident of Encino, California.

Maureen O’Hara, the spirited Irish-born actress, who starred in the movies in the 1940s and 1950s, died Saturday at her home in Boise, Idaho. She was 95. Although she was called the Queen of Technicolor, many of the films that made O’Hara a star were in black and white. They include “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1939), “How Green Was My Valley” (1941), “This Land Is Mine” (1943) and “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947). The best remembered of her color films was “The Quiet Man.” Some of her other films included “The Black Swan” (1942), “Buffalo Bill” (1944), The Spanish Main” (1945), “Sinbad the Sailor” (1947), “Bagdad” (1949), “Rio Grande” (1950) and “Against All Flags” (1952). Maureen FitzSimons was born on August 17, 1920, in Ranelagh, Ireland, on the outskirts of Dublin. As she began her acting career, O’Hara was spotted early on by Charles Laughton. He cast her in “Jamaica Inn” (1939). She moved to the United State after that film. In her later film years, O’Hara appeared in “The Deadly Companions” (1961), “The Parent Trap” (1961), “Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962) and “Spencer’s Mountain” (1963). From the late 1960s to late 1980s, she lived in St. Croix, in the Virgin Islands. She starred in three television movies – “The Christmas Box” (1995), “Cab to Canada” (1998) and “The Last Dance” (2000). She was the grand marshal of the New York St. Patrick’s Day parade in 1999.