*+x GAME OF THE WEEK x+*
"Now or Never" #10 Tennessee at #4 LSU (Game rescheduled from Saturday)
This is a battle between two SEC powerhouses. As you may well know, there's nothing like SEC football. In a game to be played on Saturday, it was moved to Monday Night, giving the American football audience a choice. "Do I watch Chiefs and Broncos, or Volunteers and Tigers?" You may choose to watch both, but this is college, so enjoy this SEC matchup. At one point, Tennessee CERTAINLY wasn't enjoying a 21-0 blank job by LSU. Tennessee was able to fight back in a hell of a way. Just add three more points for LSU's point total. And what do you do when two teams want to win but regulation ends? It's called OVERTIME. It's a 24-point deadlock as Tennessee got their minds together and played power football to knock off the LSU Tigers with a game-winning 1 yard touchdown on 3rd and Goal a few feet from glory. I'm kicking myself for not seeing this game in full because this proves that college football games are never over until the final whistle, gun, or whatever the hell they use. This is a BIG win for Tennessee, but credit LSU for a sensational effort. (30-27; Tennessee)
"Rocket Dogs" Toledo at Fresno State
I don't know much about Ohio, much less city of Toledo. All I know is that Toledo's nickname is the same as my hometown's NBA team. The Toledo Rockets have risen quite high, being 3-0 heading into Fresno, CA. Fresno State is the alma mater of the quarterback of my hometown NFL team (David Carr, Houston Texans). The Bulldogs are also a tough team to play against. People, this is why I bring up other teams from other conferences. After all, not all stars are in the Big Ten, Big XII, ACC, and any other conference. Sometimes, you have to look in lesser conferences. And so, the MAC and WAC clash in California- the blue and yellow of Toledo, and the scarlet and white of Fresno State. If there's a questionable call, the WAC cannot challenge. The Sun Belt and WAC do not support instant replay. It's tough to play in Fresno State, and FSU-Bulldogs proved just that. It can be as tough to play at Fresno State as much as that other FSU in the southeast. This is a blowout and an upset. Toledo are the defending MAC champions, but they didn't play like champions in California. (44-14; FRESNO STATE)
"For Whom the Bell Tolls" Cincinatti at Miami (OH)
One MAC team stumbles, so how will another fare? This is the rivalry game between Cincy and Miami-Ohio for the Victory Bell. On one side of the bell, it's black with "Cincy" on the side with the years they won the prize. On the other side, it is white with "Miami" on the side with they years they won the prize. As I found out, the school is in Oxford, OH. So for what I know, there is no Miami in Ohio. You'll find Miamisburg, OH, but not a Miami. Regardless, we got Bearcats visiting a pack of school of Redhawks. (4?-1?; MIAMI OF OHIO)
"Cross Into the Blue" Air Force at Colorado State
The United States Air Force Academy in Colorado is getting set for in-conference action with the Mountain West. Here, this is a rivalry game for the Ram-Falcon Trophy between the Air Force Falcons, and the Colorado State Rams. Both teams missed the postseason, but Air Force blew out Colorado State last year. Can the Falcons win one more at Colorado State? The game was pretty close early on, but the Rams outran the Air Force backfield all the way to the endzone several times. The Colorado State QB was just lighting it up against the vulnerable Falcon defense. In the end, Colorado State will enjoy the Ram-Falcon trophy until the next time these rivals meet. (41-23; COLORADO STATE)
"Steel Searching for 0.500" Pittsburgh at Rutgers
Had it not been for Youngstown State, the Pittsburgh Panthers would have been winless. After a shut out against cupcake Youngstown State (in comparison to the Pitt Panthers) The Panthers start Big East play against the pride of New Jerrsey, the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers. Piscataway, NJ is the Big East battlefield under a beautiful Friday evening. Friday Night Lights, baby! College style! Rutgers is 2-1 against the 1-3 Pitt Panthers. Pittsburgh led the Panthers/Scarlet Knights series 10-2. I'm going to be honest. This is the first-ever Rutgers game I've seen on TV. Rutgers made the postseason back in 1978, playing in the Garden State Bowl and losing to the 1978 Arizona State Sun Devils. At the end of the 1st Half, Rutgers put the blank job on floundering Pittsburgh at 27-0. Let me ask. WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO THE STEEL CITY KITTIES? They had a BCS bid last year to play against Utah and got blown out 35-7 by the Utes. In the second half of this shoutout, Pitt finally hit pay dirt twice in the third with two TDs. Later on, they fought back valiantly, but no cigar. Rutgers now go to 0.500. (39-27; RUTGERS)
"Gatoraded Gators" #5 Florida at #15 Alabama
Urban Meyer, you ready to get tested with your wonderful quarterback Chris Leak? The Crimson Tide are ready to welcome the Gators with arms ready to embrace. With these two, the only hugging going on here are going to be bearhugs as Alabama are looking to wash away the Florida Gators all the way back to Gainesville. The Tuscaloosa, AL outfit are ready for action. This crew was so good that they prevented the Gators from crawling their way into the end zone. It was almost as if Alabama set up some crimson-colored road blocks to the end zone. The good news- no shutout. The better news? Alabama is 3-0. Worst news? The Gators got upset by the Crimson Tide. Roll Tide Roll! At least, until the next few games. (31-3; ALABAMA)
"Air Jordan-Hare" South Carolina at Auburn
Poor Auburn. They go undefeated last year and don't play for a National Title. Poor Georgia Tech beating Auburn in Week 1. That doesn't mean that Auburn, AL still isn't a football city, or that the Auburn Tigers aren't a tight-knit unit. The ol' ball coach, Steve Spurrier, looks to take his Columbia, SC Gamecocks outfit to Auburn to pay the Tigers a visit in this SEC clash. (-; )
"Perfect Ten-nessee" Ole Miss at #10 Tennessee
(27-10; TENNESSEE)
* Baylor at Texas A&M
Last year, this Big XII cupcake named Baylor was anything but in beating stout Texas A&M. The Waco, TX Bears travelled to College Station, TX after Texas State tried to make a game out of Texas State/Texas A&M. Baylor wants to give Texas A&M a reminder of how the Bears can get it done against the maroon-clad Aggies. (-; TEXAS A&M)
* Oklahoma State at Colorado
Northwest of Oklahoma is Colorado. The men of Stillwater, OK are taking a trip to a beautiful stadium, Folsom Field in Fountain, CO. Folsom Field is home to a pack of raging buffaloes, beautiful mountains in the background, and a former National Championship team. Colorado hasn't shared the joy since 1990. The Buffaloes are lead by the controversial Gary Barnett as Big XII play is underway. (-; )
* Iowa State at Nebraska
Do Cyclones happen in Lincoln, NE? They do now! The Ames boys are kicking up wind gusts in Nebraska. They were done in disposing Army (no real big honor), but especially proud of beating Iowa earlier this year. Cornhuskers don't fear Cyclones. They'll stand ready and alert in Nebraska's Memorial Stadium. Oh yeah, and move the chains while they are at it. The game seemed pretty close as this game went into extras. In terms of rankings, Nebraska upset the #23 Iowa State Cyclones. It's a big win for the Lincoln, NE unit. (27-20, 2OT; NEBRASKA)
* Kansas at Texas Tech
Okay, you know I'm going to rag on Kansas. I normally think Kansas is the Baylor of the Big XII North. The Jayhawks are in a division usually ragged by the sports media as being the weaker division of the Big XII powerhouse. Both Kansas and Kansas State finished 4-7, despite KSU (Kansas vs. Kansas State next week!) got beat by the University of Kansas last year in their Rivalry Game. From a pathetic Big XII North football team to a talented Big XII South team, as the Red Raiders continue their success, finishing 8-4 last year, and beating California in the Holiday Bowl 45-31. How will they fare in a new Big XII season? Texas Tech won over the Jayhawks and believe it or not, Texas Tech is unbeaten, while Kansas falls to 3-1. (30-17; TEXAS TECH)
* Kansas State at Oklahoma
Once ranked #6 in the nation, the better of the two Kansas teams, Kansas State, has had a horrible season. In 2003, they lost to Ohio State by 7 points in the 2004 Fiesta Bowl. The overrated Oklahoma Sooners beat KSU by 10 in Manhattan, KS. This year, it's a trip to Norman, OK. With OU falling apart, can the Wildcats capitalize? (-; OKLAHOMA)
"Football District of Columbia" #2 Texas at Missouri
People say this may be the year Texas finally gets it done. Texas can't get too confident, because they have Oklahoma next week in the Red River Shootout. Texas had a great Rose Bowl victory over Michigan last season, losing only to Oklahoma. The Mizzou Tigers don't like Longhorns in Columbia, MO. Neither does their mascot Truman. Texas and Missouri are ready to lock horns... uh, paws... uh, hooves... uh..., ah hell. They're going to fight it out on the field. You dig, player? Speaking of digging, Texas dug a big hole for Missouri to try to get out of. Apparentely, the Columbia, MO crew had butterfingers trying to climb out of the hole. Texas gets a BIG win on the road, now they must face Oklahoma next week and silience Texas critics. (51-20; Texas)
* Houston at Tulsa
The Houston Cougars fell short against a talented UTEP bunch. They didn't play last weekend vs. Southern Miss because of the threat of Hurricane Rita to the western Gulf Coast. The Third Coast footballers carry the pride of Houston, TX all the way into Oklahoma. No, Tulsa... not Norman. The Golden Hurricane got pounded by Minnesota earlier this season. The Golden Hurricane may not be Hurricane Rita, but they hope to bring Hurricane Rita-type force against the Houston Cougars. Just Hurricane Rita translated into X's and O's on the chalkboard, and loads of touchdowns. Cougars are never afraid, and neither are Houston's Cougars. The game seemed pretty close, but for the most part, the Houston Cougars welcomed the Golden Hurricane to the new Conference USA- the hard way. You know what I say? Houston is now at 0.500, considering the game between Southern Miss at Houston was postponed thanks to Hurricane Rita. (30-23; Houston)
* Minnesota at Penn State
Gather around, kids! Once upon a time, there were a bunch of cute gophers. Not just any gophers, Golden Gophers. These Golden Gophers come from a magical place, Minnesota. Ooh! These busy, cuddly gophers went to a place called Beaver Stadium to meet the Nittany Lions. They roared against these Gophers. One Gopher said, "can I play football with you? Please?" Penn State and Minnesota played. They became the best of friends. They played for this shiny, sparkly bell as a prize. As it turned out, those Nittany Lions taught the Golden Gophers to not take losses so seriously. You won't win them all, so do your best! Penn State lived happily ever after... completely OWNING Minnesota! Nice fairy tale, eh? (44-14; PENN STATE)
"The Best Teams Respond" USC-Trojans at Arizona State
USC stumbled early in Oregon Ducks country, but eventually pulled away. Arizona State is one of the best teams in the Pac-10. If any team in the Pac-10 is a potential threat to the Men of Troy, Arizona State is one of two dark horses in the Pac-10. The other Pac-10 dark horse is California. Both games will be Away games for the Trojans this season. Can the Sun Devils get it done in Tempe, AZ? The Sun Devil fans in Arizona State are ready for this game, and a huge upset perhaps. At one point, ASU were ready to shock the nation. Nothing is guaranteed. The Trojan crew brought about the pride of southern California in beating their Tempe opponents. (38-28; U. of Southern California)
* South Florida at Miami (FL)
USF were the cupcakes welcoming Louisville to Tampa Bay. They faced off against ex-Big East team, Miami (FL). You know I love Miami. Love to visit Miami, love to see Miami's finest cars, and love those chicas caliente of Miami. The University of Miami has their sights and sounds as well. The finest cars are the Miami offensive and defensive players. The beautiful sight is the Orange Bowl. Where else can you enjoy a football powerhouse and enjoy the surf, palm trees, and humidity other than Hawaii? South Florida shown to be nobody's cupcake, but at this rate, Miami hopes they don't end up the next Louisville. And they didn't, as the Coral Gables outfit held on tight to win it all. Couldn't have asked it any better if you're a 'Canes fan. The Bulls lost big here. (27-7; MIAMI (FLORIDA))
* Temple at Bowling Green
I can think of words that can describe the Temple Owls football team that start with "T." Talentless. Torrid. Turkeys. The direct opposite are the Bowling Green Falcons. After Bowling Green flew out of Potato Country with a blowout loss, they look to rectify their status on the national stage by taking on the Temple Owls of Philadelphia, PA. Bowling Green hope to go bowling by the end of the regular season. You only need 6 or so wins to make it to a Bowl Game if you're a big school. Bowling Green's hunt for the postseason continues here in Week 5. After this game, the rest of Bowling Green's opposition are MAC teams. The Kentucky boys BEAT DOWN the Owls out of Philidelphia. (70-7; BOWLING GREEN)
* Ball State at Boston College
Ball State want their share of the spotlight as they take on Boston College. BC came off of beating Clemson in Death Valley by 3. Out of Clemson, SC to Chestnut Hill, MA. The Ball State Cardinals flew their way into Boston College to meet more majestic foul, eagles. And these majestic foul make their bird nest in Chestnut Hill, MA. Ball State must have thought Boston College was Iowa, because this was a big blow/shut out. (38-0; BOSTON COLLEGE)
* Florida Atlantic at Louisville
Florida Atlantic are being somewhat popular now. Bad news is that they bombed all of their games. Had the Owls been more of a bigger school with some other Bowl Game requirements, they'd make the postseason last year. But now, they face a Louisville team hellbent on rejoining the Top 10 after dropping a game in the worst way to South Florida. Papa John's Cardinal Stadium is the site for this game as Louisville welcomed the FAU Owls of the Sun Belt. Well, they welcomed the Owls to Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, and instead of offering them delicious Papa John's pizza, they offered them a sour taste of defeat. (61-10; LOUISVILLE)
* Washington at UCLA
Washington won only one game so far. They were a ranked Pac-10 team a couple of years ago. They now face a talented team from Los Angeles that doesn't wear scarlet and yellow. The University of California-Los Angeles Bruins hosted the struggling Washington Huskies. The games UCLA play at home is one of the most stellar sites in all of college football- the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl is also the home to this season's National Championship game. So can the sky blue and gold become golden against the purple and gold of Washington? The game-winning touchdown was banged in by UCLA to put the game away. (21-17; CALIFORNIA-LOS ANGELES)
"Who Wants Paul Bunyan?" Michigan at #11 Michigan State
Paul Bunyan must be the cause for Michigan stumbling this season. Paul Bunyan is one heck of a lumberjack. So much so that Michigan has been chopped down like a tree in the rankings. As it turns out, the Wolverines NEED to knock off the Spartans if they want to stay above or at 0.500. For the Ann Arbor unit, last year's gane was a triple-overtime thriller with Michigan winning. Blazin picked MSU, but it's an upset as the Mee-chigan Wolverines cleaned house on OT. (34-31, OT; Michigan)
* Indiana at Wisconsin
The Hoosiers face a tall order heading into Madison, WI. The Madison men met the Hoosiers from Bloomington, IN. What would commence here is anything but pretty. These two teams are drenched in red as they hit it off against each other in a 60-minute session of Big Ten football- an American tradition. I don't know if it's nice in Wisconsin around their way, but the Badgers made a hot day seem pretty cool for a Badgers fan. Three letters- N, E, C. Stands for Not Even Close. Reason why? Blowout. Home team cheering all day. Fight song played more than the opposing side. Wisconsin wins another one. (41-24; WISCONSIN)
* Illinois at Iowa
These two teams have something in common. The two teams playing today have both lost to other Big Ten teams. Iowa got blown away at Ohio State, and Illinois got beaten down by Michigan State. Which team would get back to winning? The boys in black and yellow, of course! (??-??; IOWA)
"Black Diamonds are Forever" Virginia Tech at West Virginia
Time now for the annual battle for the Black Diamond Trophy. College football can be so exciting, even playing for special trophies that the NFL lacks in intensity and rivalry. So meet the Black Diamond. If diamonds are forever, then Virginia Tech and West Virginia will last for a long time. The team who wins the Black Diamond will carry the pride of the two Virginias. This battle went to the Hokies as they remain undefeated. (34-17; Virginia Tech)
"On the Rise" Connecticut at Army
Army hasn't been National Champions since World War 2. Around then, they were three-time National Champions winning in (I believe) 1942, 1944, and 1945. Connecticut's football program is one of the most improved universities in NCAA Football. Last season was a wonderful season for Connecticut, not only in football, but also in basketball. In fact, they won the National Title in basketball for the Men's and Women's team in the same year. The UConn Huskies are building off of their basketball success to perhaps make UConn the next team on the rise. A win against Army by a big margin would make them want to consider the Storrs, CT outfit appear on the national radar in football. (-; CONNECTICUT)
"Life Acceleration" Navy at Duke
The Navy Midshipmen is the hottest of the Division 1-A military institutions. They finished 10-2, making it to the Emerald Bowl in San Francisco, CA last season. The Midshipmen beat down their rivals from West Point, the Army Black Knights, by a score of 42-13. Hopefully, they can bring that fire against the Blue Devils of Duke. In fact, the only other Blue Devils I know of in Division 1-A other than Central Connecticut State. Well, Navy treated Duke like a Division 1-AA team as they mopped the floor with them. (??-??; Navy)
"Hoosier Ho-Down" Notre Dame at Purdue
We got a battle between two Indiana institutions. When I was just learning college football, I always thought Notre Dame was the popular cathedral in Paris, France. No... this is the University of Notre Dame (which I usually pronounce in French) in South Bend, IN. South Bend is more of northern Indiana, while West Lafayette is west northwestern Indiana. The Boilermakers are boiling mad as they accepted a tough loss at Minnesota. And they had to accept a tough loss here too. If Kyle Orton stayed one more year... (49-28; Notre Dame)
"You Break, You BYU!" Brigham Young at San Diego State
Qualcomm Stadium is the site. The contestants are Brigham Young meeting San Diego State. The BYU Cougars met the San Diego State Aztecs. The dark blue team met those boys in scarlet. It's Provo at San Diego, and you're going for a wild ride! (-; SAN DIEGO STATE)
"Caliente!" Utah at North Carolina
The Utah Utes are nobody's cupcake. They have established themselves quite well last year, haven't lost a game since losing to New Mexico in 2003. Speaking of 2003, Utah (get this!) beat their rivals from Provo, UT (Brigham Young) by a score of 3-0! That was defense at its best. Of course, between New Mexico in 2003 and at TCU in 2005, Utah's done quite well. The Utes share something in common with the Tar Heels- both have great basketball programs. North Carolina's better on the hardwood, while Utah gets her done on the gridiron best. But which white-hot teams outshine the other? This game is going to be played in Chapel Hill, NC at Kenan Memorial Stadium, home to 60K Tar Heel faithfuls spending a Saturday in east central North Carolina. Utah needs some help. They lose to North Carolina. Are the Tar Heels for real outside of basketball? I'm shocked! (-; NORTH CAROLINA)
"ACC Thriller Bone Chiller" Clemson at Wake Forest
Clemson lost two straight games at home, one to Miami, then Boston College last weekend. So do they have success on the road? The Tigers have a chance against the floundering Demon Deacons. They didn't see a Bowl Game despite finishing 6-5. The reason why? They had a brawl against rivals South Carolina, a day after the infamous brawl between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons. Let's hope no fists will be thrown in this battle between these two schools from the two Carolinas. In the closing moments, this game was a thriller as Wake Forest took it to the house and connected the PAT. Afterwards, Clemson had a chance to drive the ball down the field. Three won't get it done. They needed 6. But as they tried, they didn't get it. What they did enough time to pull it off. Clemson has been beaten about three times now, and this is one of the biggest talents in the ACC. (31-27; WAKE FOREST)
"Merry Maryland" Virginia at Maryland
The Virginia Cavaliers are quite talented in the ACC. Their counterparts, Maryland, have had kind of an up-and-down deal and just missing out on a Bowl Game bid last season. Here are some facts about where you can find the University of Maryland. College Park, MD is only less than 10 miles southwest of the outer limits of Washington D.C., and more than 30 miles northeast of Baltimore. No matter how you look at it, The University of Maryland in College Park has this ACC matchup in Byrd Stadium, which seats about 51,500 people. Let's see if Maryland can upset the Cavaliers. The upset came alive. Byrd Stadium is proud to see their Terrapins whip the Cavaliers, giving them an upset and knocking them out of unbeaten status. (45-33; MARYLAND)
"Beyonce 'Noles" Syracuse at Florida State
Don't confuse Doak Campbell with Doak Walker. Doak Walker is a prize for the best running back or the best defender, I believe. Doak Campbell is the stadium Florida State plays in. The game is in north northwestern Florida, in the capital city of Tallahassee, FL. The Florida State Seminoles welcome any team looking to take on FSU in a 60-minute throwdown, even if you wear blue and orange out of the state of New York. The Tallahassee unit keeps their #6 rank and are 4-0. (38-14; FLORIDA STATE)
"" Nevada at San Jose State
Never heard of the Nevada Wolfpack? Don't worry. They aren't a Division 1-AA or lower team. This is a WAC team playing their first WAC game of 2005. They play against dismal loser last year (2-9), the San Jose State Spartans. Let's cross the San Andreas fault and check out Nevada and San Jose State. The Nevada Wolfpack from Reno, NV, made their way into San Jose, CA. SJSU didn't stand a chance against the 'pack. (??-??; Nevada)
"Golden Footballers" Arizona at California
Allow me to take you to Berkley, CA. Home to the University of California in Berkley. Sometimes when I think of the Golden Bears, I normally hark back to "The Play," a beautiful Option scamper in which the game was going to go so much into Cal's hands, that the Stanford band wants to prevent the big touchdown from happening. While "The Play" was way back in 1982, the Golden Bears of California are looking to make big plays against lowly Arizona. Some would say that the Arizona Wildcats are the 2004 Washington of Pac-10 football. Can the 14th Ranked Golden Bears climb up the standings against the Wildcats of Tuscon, AZ? Arizona is one of the worst teams in the Pac-10. Even Washington can put up a fight better than the Wildcats. If you love surf and sand, you are in paradise because the California Golden Bears coasted through Arizona. Four touchdowns against the Pac-10's sorriest team is all you need to make a statement. Arizona is 1-3, and California remains unbeaten with 5 wins this season. (28-0; CALIFORNIA)
* SMU at Marshall
The Mustangs of Southern Methoidist University hopped into their Mustang drop tops and invaded the Marshall Thundering Herd. As seen on College Sports TV (CSTV), the SMU crew upset TCU earlier in the season for the Iron Skillet to go to Dallas. Marshall couldn't quite knock off a talented Kansas State earlier this season as well. SMU is looking to get back into the postseason since their success in beating Notre Dame back in 1984. Marshall got blown out by the Cincinatti Bearcats in last year's Fort Worth Bowl. These two Conference USA competitors are looking to settle the score in Huntington, WV. The Thundering Herd were too much. (-; MARSHALL)
* #4 LSU at Mississippi State
Louisiana State felt a heartbreaking loss as the Volunteers came back from being shut out to win. LSU basically got a tune-up game as they beat MSU-Bulldogs pretty big and pretty bad. (37-7; Louisiana State)
* Middle Tennessee State at Vanderbilt
Talk about cupcakes! The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders may be a bit of a mouthful to say at once, but it seems like the Vanderbilt Commodores of the SEC may have their win streak threatened. As it turned out, Vandy was on the ropes inside the final two minutes. This is a battle in Nashville, TN. As it turned out, there was three seconds left. MTSU's job was to defend a field goal, but it was blocked! Vanderbilt were unnerved as MTSU pulled a big upset! On the bright side, Vanderbilt currently has more wins than last year so far. This also means that MTSU gets their first win. This Sun Belt team ripped a big upset and get their first win of the Season. (17-15; Middle Tennessee State)
---OTHER DIVISION 1-A WINNERS---
Navy
NORTH CAROLINA
TULANE
Southern Miss
Central Michigan
OKLAHOMA
Houston
UAB
Western Michigan
TEXAS CHRISTIAN
AUBUTN
ULOU MON
LA TECH
NEVADA
C FLORIDA
Oregon
Southern Miss
Nevada
MARSHALL
