College Football Thread

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
College football is gridiron football consisting of American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States.

Unlike most other sports in North America, no minor league farm organizations exist in American or Canadian football. Therefore, college football is generally considered to be the second tier of American football in the United States and Canadian football in Canada; one step ahead of high school competition, and one step below professional competition. However, in some areas of the country, college football is more popular than professional football,and for much of the early 20th century, college football was seen as more prestigious than professional football.
 
Last edited:

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
College Football Games to Watch This Weekend

Saturday

3 Alabama vs. 20 Wisconsin

8 p.m., ABC

Leading up to its opener in Arlington, Tex., Alabama still had three candidates for the starting quarterback job: Jake Coker, Cooper Bateman and Alec Morris. This week, Coach Nick Saban said that the battle for the starting job was down to two, but cryptically did not reveal which two. Coker is the only one with experience. The uncertainty could make it trickier for the first-year Wisconsin coach, Paul Chryst, to game plan. Both teams lost a Heisman Trophy-caliber talent to the N.F.L.: Alabama will be hoping that tight end O. J. Howard will step up to help replace receiver Amari Cooper, and Wisconsin will look to Corey Clement to replace running back Melvin Gordon. Alabama’s defensive front is going to be fearsome, led by A’Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed, who could both be first-round N.F.L. draft picks.

Texas at 11 Notre Dame

7:30 p.m., NBC

In their second year under Coach Charlie Strong, the Longhorns are young and inexperienced but should improve on last season’s 6-7 record. That said, coming up with a victory in South Bend might be asking a lot. Texas has six freshman starters, led by linebacker Malik Jefferson. Notre Dame’s Malik Zaire will start at quarterback, Everett Golson having transferred to Florida State. Zaire, who rushed for 96 yards against L.S.U. in the Music City Bowl, and running back Tarean Folston should make the Irish tough to stop on the ground.

Louisville vs. 6 Auburn

3:30 p.m., CBS

Louisville Coach Bobby Petrino returns to the Georgia Dome, where he coached the Atlanta Falcons for less than a season, to play an Auburn program that almost hired him in 2003. The Tigers, who are expected to contend for the SEC title, are led by quarterback Jeremy Johnson. He has size at 6 feet 5 inches and 250 pounds, speed and a big arm. On defense, Auburn hired a former Florida coach, Will Muschamp, to turn around a defense that allowed almost 400 yards a game last season. Petrino has been coy about who will start quarterback

Monday

1 Ohio State at Virginia Tech

Monday, 8 p.m., ESPN

Ohio State is a hugely popular pick to repeat as national champion, but its first test comes on the road against the only team that defeated it last season. The Buckeyes will be without a number of players because of suspensions, including defensive end Joey Bosa, who led the Big Ten in sacks last season. That group also includes three receivers, but fortunately for Ohio State, there are other options at the skill positions.

The Hokies followed their road victory over the Buckeyes last season with consecutive losses to East Carolina and Georgia Tech on their way to a 7-6 record. The senior quarterback, Michael Brewer, played well against Ohio State last season, and the Hokies return their top wide receivers. Cornerback Kendall Fuller is among the best at his position, and his matchup with Ohio State receiver Michael Thomas will be one to watch.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/05/s...ege-football-games-to-watch-this-weekend.html
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
26BkLFbEYcDzTDZmw.gif


BYU Tops Nebraska On Incredible Hail Mary On Final Play

It wouldn’t be a college football weekend without an unbelievable finish, and that’s what we just had in Nebraska. BYU backup quarterback Tanner Mangum, in the game for an injured Taysom Hill, connected with star wide receiver Mitch Matthews on a 42-yard Hail Mary pass on the game’s final play.

Mangum took the shotgun snap, rolled right and launched a heave toward the goal-line, where Matthews fought off a couple of Husker defenders to haul in the pass.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor


5 reasons Virginia Tech football will beat the Ohio State Buckeyes: Play-calling changes

1. New play-calling command structure: The Slobs were never worried about losing their dad.

"It's almost like father-son," Ohio State senior center Jacoby Boren said of the offensive line's relationship with offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Ed Warinner. "He can get pissed off at us and we can get pissed off at him. It's a great relationship."

Dad will have a little more on his plate this season, starting Monday night at Virginia Tech. With the departure of co-offensive coordinator Tom Herman to Houston, Warinner is taking on greater play-calling duties, while still sticking with his O-line responsibilities.

There could have been a shift. Herman was the quarterbacks coach and that position job can align more easily with picking plays during a game. Making the primary play-caller the quarterbacks coach could have been Urban Meyer's choice.

"Could I coach other positions? Sure," said Warinner, who while coaching offensive line during most of the last 20 years squeezed in three years as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Kansas. "But I don't think that was ever part of his thinking."

"I knew he would be with us 100 percent," left guard Billy Price said. "He has a passion about coaching offensive line."

So Meyer replaced Herman with Tim Beck, a former colleague of Warinner's at Kansas, while keeping Warinner with his guys. But Warinner is no longer the co-coordinator as he was with Herman. He's the coordinator.
http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2015/09/5_reasons_virginia_tech_footba.html
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
College Football Week 1 Wrap: Chosen Rosen Soars for UCLA, Alabama Finds an Offense, Texas Crumbles, and More

Something’s Bruin at UCLA

Matt Hinton: I’ll admit that when I wrote about Josh Rosen last month as the potential catalyst of a championship season at UCLA, I wasn’t thinking very far beyond the potential. Yes, as true freshman quarterbacks go, Rosen looked like a sure thing: At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, he boasted the frame of a pocket-passing prodigy and the universal recruiting hype to match. But what does success for a true freshman quarterback really mean?

Bank on Bama

Michael Weinreb: The first few weeks of the college football season are generally rife with surprises: Teams that were considered potential contenders wind up not being nearly as good as we thought they were, while teams presumed dead revise their prospects upward. The beauty of college football, after all, is that it is so inherently unpredictable, which is why what Alabama does at this time every year feels so militantly contrarian.

Trouble in Texas

Bryan Curtis: In interviews, Texas coach Charlie Strong is at turns blunt and evasive. We Longhorns fans are left searching his face for enlightenment.

Give Garrett the Heisman!

Mallory Rubin: Those of us lacking conveniently short memories would do well not to overreact to Texas A&M’s 38-17 win over no. 15 Arizona State, because it was just a year ago that the Aggies lit the world on fire in the opener only to drop five of their last seven regular-season games.
Full Article:http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2...cla-alabama-auburn-texas-notre-dame-byu-more/
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
College football Week 2: TV schedule and preview for Sept. 11-12

FRIDAY NIGHT

Game Time (TV)
Miami at Florida Atlantic 8 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Utah State at No. 24 Utah 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
Al Golden, owner of the longest-running hot seat in American sports history, continues his quest not to get fired as Miami visits Florida Atlantic (and why are they doing that?). Should the Hurricanes lose, he might need to thumb a ride back from Boca. … Ranked for the second straight season after last Thursday’s win over Michigan, Utah hosts Utah State and tough-luck quarterback Chuckie Keeton, who has led the Aggies to 20 wins over his career (including one against the Utes in 2012) but saw his last two seasons end with knee injuries.

SATURDAY EARLY SHIFT

Game Time (TV)
South Florida at No. 11 Florida State 11:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Buffalo at Penn State Noon (ESPN2)
Miami (Ohio) at Wisconsin Noon (ESPNU)
Indiana State at Purdue Noon (ESPNews)
Jacksonville State vs. No. 6 Auburn Noon (SEC Network)
Oregon State at Michigan Noon (ABC)
Army at Connecticut Noon (CBS Sports Network)
Houston at Louisville Noon (Comcast SportsNet)
Kansas State at Texas-San Antonio Noon (Fox Sports 1)
Western Illinois at Illinois Noon (Big Ten Network)
Bowling Green at Maryland Noon (Big Ten Network)
Wake Forest at Syracuse Noon (WDCA-20)
Who knows what to make of Michigan after last week’s loss to Utah. The Wolverines, who host Oregon State on Saturday in Jim Harbaugh’s first game at the Big House as Michigan’s coach, got little from quarterback Jake Rudock (who was all over the place, accuracy-wise, and threw three interceptions) or an offensive line that got zero push against the Utes.

SATURDAY SWING SHIFT

Game Time (TV)
Massachusetts at Colorado 2 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
Sacramento State at Washington 2 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
UTEP at Texas Tech 3 p.m. (MASN2)
No. 10 Georgia at Vanderbilt 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
No. 9 Notre Dame at Virginia 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Fresno State at No. 17 Ole Miss 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Washington State at Rutgers 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Hawaii at No. 1 Ohio State 3:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Minnesota at Colorado State 3:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Tulane at Georgia Tech 3:30 p.m. (Comcast SportsNet)
Rhode Island at Albany 3:30 p.m. (Comcast SportsNet Plus)
Stephen F. Austin at No. 3 TCU 3:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Middle Tennessee at No. 2 Alabama 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Toledo at No. 18 Arkansas 4 p.m. (SEC Network)
Eastern Illinois at Northwestern 4 p.m. (ESPNews)
Iowa at Iowa State 4:30 p.m. (Fox)
San Diego State at California 5 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema spent some of his allotted time during the SEC coaches’ teleconference this week woofing about the conference’s 10-team presence in the AP top 25 and taking potshots at top-ranked Ohio State. “Ohio State has one game remaining with a ranked opponent. We have eight remaining against teams that are ranked,” he crowed. This is all just a long-winded way of reminding everyone that Arkansas plays Toledo, a team that’s been ranked once over the past 14 seasons. For one magical week. In 2012. … Washington State travels to Rutgers for a star-crossed battle of two seriously messed-up programs. Mike Leach’s Cougars lost last weekend to Portland State, which not only is an FCS team but is a bad FCS team. Rutgers beat its season-opening FCS opponent, but it did nothing to make people forget that Coach Kyle Flood is being investigated for improperly contacting a player’s teacher, or that five Scarlet Knights — one of them the player who spurred the Flood investigation — were kicked off the team minutes before kickoff last Saturday.

SATURDAY NIGHT SHIFT

Game Time (TV)
No. 19 Oklahoma at No. 23 Tennessee 6 p.m. (ESPN)
East Carolina at Florida 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Ball State at No. 16 Texas A&M 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
No. 22 Arizona at Nevada 7 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Kentucky at South Carolina 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
Lamar at Baylor 7:30 p.m. (MASN2)
No. 7 Oregon at No. 5 Michigan State 8 p.m. (ABC)
Temple at Cincinnati 8 p.m. (ESPNews)
South Alabama at Nebraska 8 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Florida International at Indiana 8 p.m. (Big Ten Network)
Rice at Texas 8 p.m. (Longhorn Network)
Idaho at No. 8 USC 8 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
No. 14 LSU at No. 25 Mississippi State 9:15 p.m. (ESPN)
No. 20 Boise State at BYU 10:15 p.m. (ESPN2)
San Jose State at Air Force 10:15 p.m. (ESPNU)
No. 13 UCLA at UNLV 10:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Central Florida at Stanford 10:30 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Cal Poly at Arizona State 11 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
Tennessee could go a long way toward backing up all of Bielema’s SEC bravado with a win over Oklahoma, if only because the Volunteers are just 2-30 against ranked teams over the past five seasons and last scored a regular season win against a ranked nonconference team in 2006. … Oregon likely can’t afford to get into a shootout with Michigan State, if last weekend’s opener against FCS Eastern Washington is any indication. Eagles quarterbacks Jordan West and Connor Hennessey combined to complete 37 of 55 passes for 438 yards and five touchdowns against the Ducks on Saturday, and only Akron and Ball State gave up more passing yards in Week 1. The Spartans had their own trouble against the pass in their opener against Western Michigan, giving up five pass plays of at least 20 yards, but they also had seven sacks and three interceptions.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
1A0SMCG.0.gif


Watch Notre Dame’s Miraculous Last-Minute Touchdown Pass To Avoid An Upset In Virginia

After a downright whomping of the University of Texas in their first game, Notre Dame was probably expecting to walk over Virginia, even in Charlottesville. But UVA marched right down the field late in the fourth quarter to take a one-point lead, and the Irish had to run a two-minute drill with their backup QB, DeShone Kizer. He did all right:
Malik Zaire was tabbed at the beginning of the season to replace Everett Golson, who transferred to Florida State after a dismal end to last season, but he went down with a serious-looking ankle injury:
Kizer acquitted himself very well, finishing 8-12 with 92 yards and 2 touchdowns. Of course, 39 of those yards came on the deep pass, but it’s still encouraging enough to say that if Zaire is out for an extended period of time, Notre Dame might still be all right. And bonus Keyser Soze puns!

You have to feel for Virginia fans, who experienced the full range of emotions in short order. First, euphoria when they took the late lead over a top-10 team with a touchdown dive:
 
Last edited:

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
<iframe width='640' height='360' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' src='http://sports.yahoo.com/video/forde-yard-dash-sec-separation-022633503.html?format=embed' allowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' allowtransparency='true'></iframe>

10 College Football QBs Looking to Make a Statement in Week 3

Quarterbacks are always under heavy scrutiny for all 128 college football teams, and the pressure only increases in big-time matchups. While it’s still very early in the 2015 season, there are a handful of teams with critical matchups in Week 3. Whether it’s a conference contest, a non-conference matchup or a player looking to solidify his place at the top of the depth chart, Week 3 is a key Saturday for some quarterbacks to make a statement for their team in the national landscape or just to see where they stack up within the conference.

Here’s a look at 10 quarterbacks to watch in critical spots for Week 3’s action:

Tommy Armstrong, Nebraska – at Miami (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)

Armstrong has the most career starts of any quarterback on this list. However, question marks surrounded the junior in 2015, as new coach Mike Riley tweaked Nebraska’s offense to more of a pro-style approach. Would Armstrong fit in the new scheme? That was the preseason question surrounding the Cornhuskers and Armstrong. But through two weeks, those questions have been erased. The junior is completing 63.4 percent of his passes, averaging 13.1 yards per completion and has only one interception on 71 attempts. After a last-second loss in the opener against BYU, Nebraska rebounded with an easy win over South Alabama. However, Saturday’s game against Miami will be a tough test on the road, as Armstrong faces a secondary that has allowed only one passing score (yes, questionable competition) and has limited quarterbacks to a 51.1 completion percentage through two games. So far, Armstrong’s transition to the offense has been seamless. And a clutch performance against the Hurricanes would be a good way to build confidence and continue to show why Armstrong could be one of the nation’s most improved passers this year.

Jake Coker, Alabama – Ole Miss (Saturday, 9:15 p.m. ET)

With one of the nation’s top defenses and rushing attacks in place, Alabama doesn’t need an elite playmaker at quarterback. Sure, it would be nice, but the Crimson Tide just needs their quarterback to eliminate mistakes and get the ball in space to their playmakers. After throwing for 213 yards and a score against Wisconsin in the opener, Coker wasn't as sharp against MTSU, completing 15 of 26 for 214 yards, one touchdown and one interception. There’s certainly room to improve for Coker heading into Saturday night’s game versus Ole Miss. The Rebels are the best defense Alabama has seen so far in 2015, but Coker could solidify his place at the top of the depth chart and eliminate some of the question marks surrounding this position in Tuscaloosa with a steady performance on Saturday night.



Will Grier, Florida – vs. Kentucky (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET)

Treon Harris or Grier? That’s the key question facing new coach Jim McElwain once again this week. Harris started the opener against New Mexico State, while Grier got the nod against East Carolina in Week 2. Both quarterbacks have looked sharp at times, but will one emerge as the clear starter? Kentucky’s secondary features a true freshman (Chris Westry) starting at one cornerback spot, and this unit has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 63.2 percent of their passes so far this year. Will Grier make a clear claim for the job against the Wildcats? Or will Harris continue to make this decision a tough one for McElwain?

Brandon Harris, LSU – vs. Auburn (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)

There’s no doubt LSU is going to win a lot of games on the strength of its defense and rushing attack. However, for the Tigers to make the jump to contend for the SEC West title in 2015, the passing game has to improve after struggling mightily in 2014. The opener against McNeese State was canceled due to weather, but Harris showed promise by completing 9 of 14 passes for 71 yards in a road win at Mississippi State. He also rushed for 48 yards and five carries, and most importantly, tossed zero interceptions. Auburn should be a good test for Harris, as new coordinator Will Muschamp has this unit on the right track, and the Tigers have allowed only one play of 30 yards or more. With end Carl Lawson and safety Tray Matthews expected back from injury, Auburn’s defense should be at full strength on Saturday afternoon.

Jerrod Heard, Texas – vs. California (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET)

Texas ran only 38 plays against Rice, so it’s tough to evaluate the offense under new play-caller Jay Norvell. However, Heard showed flashes of promise, completing 4 of 7 passes for 120 yards and two scores, while leading the team with 96 yards on the ground. Although Heard has to develop as a passer, his running ability could be a difference maker for a young Texas offense. California has one of the nation’s best offenses, so the Longhorns will have to score a few points to keep up with the Golden Bears. Is Heard ready to take another step forward in his development?

Jeremy Johnson, Auburn – at LSU (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)

High expectations surrounded Johnson this preseason, but the junior is off to a slow start. Through two games, Johnson is completing 60.4 percent of his throws and has 373 passing yards and three scores. However, Johnson isn’t the runner that last year’s starter Nick Marshall was (only 18 yards so far) and has tossed five interceptions on 53 picks. Additionally, Johnson has only two passing plays of 30 yards or more (tied for seventh in the SEC) and just a single pass connection of 40 yards or more. Big plays are a staple of Auburn’s offense under coach Gus Malzahn, but the Tigers are lagging in that department so far. With a trip to LSU ahead this Saturday, Johnson has a chance to shake off the slow start and get back on track before the heart of SEC play.



Chad Kelly, Ole Miss – at Alabama (Saturday, 9:15 p.m. ET)

Kelly has earned high marks for his first two performances in an Ole Miss uniform, but Saturday night’s matchup against Alabama will be his toughest of 2015. After transferring to Oxford from the junior college ranks (after a stint at Clemson), the junior was picked over Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade as the starter this offseason. Kelly completed 9 of 15 passes for 211 yards and two scores in the opener against UT Martin and followed that up with an even better performance against Fresno State. Kelly passed for 346 yards and four scores on 20 completions against the Bulldogs and also added a score on the ground. Through two weeks, Kelly is tied for 11th nationally in passes of 30 yards or more nationally (five) and has three completions of 50 yards or more. The junior’s ability to stretch the field only adds to the explosiveness of this group and could be the missing piece in Ole Miss’ quest to win the SEC West in 2015.

DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame – vs. Georgia Tech (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)

Kizer was placed into a difficult role for his first taste of extended action. Prior to Saturday’s appearance against Virginia, Kizer had just one career pass attempt (Week 1). But after Malik Zaire went down with a season-ending ankle injury, Kizer stepped into the spotlight and completed 8 of 12 passes for 92 yards and two scores. The biggest throw of Kizer’s day was a 39-yard strike to Will Fuller with 12 seconds left, which was just enough for Notre Dame to earn a 34-27 victory. The redshirt freshman should benefit from a full week of snaps with the No. 1 offense, and the strong supporting cast in South Bend should ease his transition into the starting lineup. If Kizer delivers with a strong performance in Week 3, the concerns about the offense without Zaire should quiet – at least for one week.


Nathan Peterman, Pittsburgh – at Iowa (Saturday at 8 p.m. ET)

Peterman isn’t guaranteed the starting job, as coach Pat Narduzzi is playing coy with the depth chart as a road trip to Iowa awaits the Panthers in Week 3. Last year’s starter Chad Voytik was outplayed by Peterman against Akron last Saturday. While Voytik completed 6 of 8 passes for 32 yards, Peterman was 12 of 17 for 148 yards and a score. Through two weeks of action, Voytik has a small edge in attempts (22 to 21), but Peterman has 209 passing yards to 104. Additionally, Peterman is averaging a healthy 14.9 yards per completion. It wouldn’t be a surprise if both quarterbacks played on Saturday night. However, will Peterman build off last week’s performance and claim the job outright?

Darius Wade, Boston College – Florida State (Friday, 8 p.m. ET)

Boston College has thoroughly dominated its first two opponents, but the schedule gets significantly tougher this Friday, as defending ACC champion Florida State visits Chestnut Hill. The Eagles have the defense and rushing attack to pull off the upset over the Seminoles, but is Wade ready to stretch the field to prevent the Seminoles’ defense from stacking the box? The sophomore played sparingly against Howard and threw for 155 yards against Maine. Without question, this is Wade’s toughest assignment of 2015. The sophomore doesn’t necessarily have to throw for 300 yards for Boston College to win, but this is a good opportunity for the dual-threat sophomore to see just how far along he is in his development.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Ohio State survives scare from Northern Illinois, 20-13
Ohio State QB Cardale Jones benched after 2 first-half INTs

https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaa...-from-northern-illinois--20-13-233050472.html

Notre Dame's defense stifles Georgia Tech as Irish move to 3-0
https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaa...rgia-tech-as-irish-move-to-3-0-231840764.html

LSU's Leonard Fournette takes early Heisman reins with career rushing day
Boston College QB Darius Wade out with broken ankle
Notre Dame's Drue Tranquill injures knee celebrating incomplete pass
Michigan State CB Vayante Copeland out for season, teammate says
https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
51b2ecc0-5f49-11e5-a9a8-abec897cdb3f_OleMissTD.gif


Play of the year? Crazy circus-catch TD sparks Ole Miss vs. 'Bama

Although we're only in Week 3 of the college football season, it appears there's a strong candidate for play of the year.
Looking like a mix between sandlot football and Cirque du Soleil, Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly somehow connected with Quincy Adeboyejo on this bizarre 66-yard touchdown toss. The score gave Ole Miss a 24-10 lead over Alabama early in the third quarter.
Later in the third quarter, Kelly scrambled to his right and found a wide-open Cody Core streaking down the sidelines for a 73-yard score. The Ole Miss signal-caller came exceptionally close to crossing the line of scrimmage on the rollout. Alabama corner Marlon Humphrey came up ready to make the tackle, and left Core completely alone.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
What to Watch, Week 4: Pac-12 play brings exciting matchups

This is when things get serious.

As we’ve seen in past seasons, early losses can be overcome, but losing from here forward likely would knock a team out of College Football Playoff contention.

Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of great ranked-team matchups this week outside of the Pac-12, which means staying up late for #Pac12AfterDark for many of you. But, we think the late night will be worth it; it has been in the past.

Here’s what to what heading into Week 4:

Game of the week:
No. 9 UCLA at No. 16 Arizona, 8 p.m. ET
Arizona’s defense was one of the most feared in the Pac-12 year ago, but that hasn’t been the case through the first quarter of the 2015 season. The Wildcats have struggled without star linebacker Sccoby Wright, who has been recovering from a knee injury he suffered in the season opener. He has been practicing this week and could provide a problem for UCLA freshman quarterback Josh Rosen. Rosen has been good most of the season, but did struggle some against the pressure of BYU’s defense. That said, both of these offenses can light it up. Arizona QB Anu Solomon is one of the best in the country and UCLA’s defense was hit with another major loss with the season-ending injury to linebacker Myles Jack. Solomon will test the Bruins’ thin secondary early and often, so it will be interesting to see how the Bruins respond.

Both of these teams are among the favorites to win the Pac-12 South and Arizona is the defending champ, so this game will go a long way in terms of determining what will be a close divisional race.

Game to Watch:
No. 18 Utah at No. 13 Oregon, 8:30 p.m. ET
Utah is in the midst of a bit of a renaissance. It finished its nonconference slate 3-0 and has reached its highest ranking since 2010. That said, it will face a monumental task against an Oregon team that is one of the most dynamic programs in the country.

Utah has remained undefeated thanks to the strength of its defense, which is allowing just 18.3 points per game and just 105.7 yards per game on the ground. Oregon running back Royce Freeman leads the Ducks’ eighth-ranked rushing offense, and quarterback Vernon Adams, who returns this week after missing a game with a broken finger, will add another dimension to both the running and passing game. Adams has thrown for 555 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown in two games this year.

However, the Ducks’ defense has been atrocious ranking 105th in the nation with 456.3 yards allowed per game. The Utes will rely heavily on running back Devontae Booker, who leads the tem with 345 yards and four touchdowns.

Utah played close in this game a year ago. It trailed 27-20 heading into the fourth quarter, but then gave up 24 points in the fourth quarter.

Also check out…
No. 24 Oklahoma State at Texas, Sat., 3:30 p.m. ET
There are no such things as moral victories in football, but Texas, which has struggled for the past few seasons, is claiming one in last week’s loss to Cal, and that should give the Longhorns momentum heading into their first conference game against Oklahoma State.

Texas quarterback Jerrod Heard was dynamic last week as he had little trouble leading his team up and down the field, matching Cal score-for-score. The defense left a little something to be desired, which will open the door for Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph, who has been sensational so far this season completing 68.9 percent of his passes for 947 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.

While Texas nonconference schedule was brutal, it will be better prepared for conference play. Oklahoma State is undefeated, but its toughest opponent was Central Michigan and the Cowboys struggled in that contest.

Channel surf through…
No. 22 BYU at Michigan, noon ET: BYU’s magical season hit a speed bump with a close loss to UCLA last week, but it has a chance to get back on track with a signature win against Michigan. Similarly, the Wolverines have been playing well of late, but this game will be a measuring stick of how far they’ve come in a few weeks.

Tennessee at Florida, 3:30 p.m. ET: Tennessee had a week off after a stunning loss to Oklahoma. Florida has been winning, but it hasn’t been pretty. And with backup quarterback Treon Harris suspended, the Gators will rely on Will Grier to play better than he’s played all season. This will be a good SEC East matchup.

No. 3 TCU at Texas Tech, 4:45 p.m. ET: If you like points, this is the game for you. Both of these teams can score a lot while their defenses leave a little something to be desired. TCU has lost a lot of starters on defense, which has placed pressure on the offense to perform. The Horned Frogs have had a lot of close calls this year already and this game in Lubbock should be no different. This one should be fun.

No. 14 Texas A&M at Arkansas, 7 p.m. ET: Ever since Arkansas coach Bret Bielema started gabbing about the schedules of a certain team up north, it’s been nothing but bad for the Razorbacks. Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury predicted Arkansas would get its (expletive) kicked by the Aggies. Will his prediction come true or will the Razorbacks get off the schneid?
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
leonard-fournette-71-yards.gif


Leonard Fournette cannot be stopped.

Literally, Auburn cannot stop him. Through a little more than two quarters, the LSU running back has 227 rushing yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. He burst through the Auburn defense for 71 yards on the opening carry of the game.

As a basis of comparison, Auburn had gained a total of 144 yards (by the middle of the third quarter).

On an LSU touchdown drive in the third quarter, which put the Tigers up 31-7, Fournette had three carries for 58 yards.

Six Auburn players couldn’t bring him down.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
tcu-late-touchdown-against-texas-tech.gif
Green-Catch.gif


Crazy deflected TD gives TCU late win in insane game at Texas Tech

Sometimes, it's better to be both lucky and good.

Just ask TCU, which survived Texas Tech 55-52 Saturday on one of the wilder game-winning touchdowns you'll ever see. 4th-and-goal, under 30 seconds to play, and here's Trevone Boykin to Josh Doctson to Aaron Green ... just the way they drew it up.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Week 5 college football picks: Iowa at Wisconsin, Alabama at Georgia, more

We're now one month into the season, which means we're one month closer to determining who will be selected for the second edition of the College Football Playoff. Yet at this point, it's not easy to identify four strong candidates. Consider that Utah, a team picked by Pac-12 media in the preseason to finish fifth in the conference's south division, cracked the top 10 of The AP Top 25 poll this week. Week 5 may provide some more clarity, but it could just as easily raise more questions about where teams fit in the national pecking order.

Will Georgia pull off its first big win of the season against Alabama in Athens? Can Oklahoma survive a test from fellow Big 12 undefeated team West Virginia? Should Ohio State be concerned about a trip to face unbeaten Indiana?

http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/09/30/week-5-college-football-picks-alabama-georgia
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Texas football, Charlie Strong risk collapse vs. Oklahoma

CQZ4dnRWwAEsE9r.jpg


AUSTIN, Texas — It can't happen again. Not in this game. Not with Big Tex standing sentinel and Oreos getting dunked into deep fryers. Texas cannot get steamrolled against Oklahoma the way it got steamrolled during its last visit to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

That visit should be fresh in the Longhorns' minds. It only happened a few days ago. That 50–7 loss to TCU last Saturday – followed by Monday's player infighting conducted through old media and social media—has to be the last time Charlie Strong's team lays down for an opponent.

Strong is safe right now. The people who make the decisions at Texas, from the influential boosters to the interim athletic director to the school president, have voiced their support for the second-year coach. If Strong's team fights—the opponent, not itself—that support probably won't waver.

This season could already be lost. The power brokers understand that. Look down that schedule and find the wins for a team with scant few players who will get sniffed by NFL teams next spring. Iowa State. Kansas. Those are the only ones close to being sure things. That would only get Texas to 3–9. Win a couple toss-up games, and that's 5–7. It's still unacceptable, but given the dearth of upperclass talent, it might represent progress in this year's Big 12. If Texas makes a bowl, Strong has absolutely nothing to worry about.

If Strong can make it to next season, about half his roster will be players he and his staff recruited. (Strong's first class was composed mostly of players who committed during the Mack Brown regime.) In 2016, no one should be blaming Brown anymore. Strong should have enough to compete. "I never will ever say it was coach Brown's fault," Strong said Monday. "It wasn't ever his fault. It's on me." Next season, Strong's Longhorns should turn around.

Strong just has to get to next season. Despite his support, Strong must be careful these next two months. He must be especially careful Saturday. The Longhorns already have been humiliated by Notre Dame and TCU. Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson seemed to know what was going to happen before the teams even took the field.

Because Texas is Texas and also because Texas hasn't always been the most humble conference partner, no forthcoming opponent will take pity on the Longhorns. If Oklahoma's Bob Stoops can bury them, he will. If Baylor's Art Briles can bury them, he will.

That's why Strong must make sure his team doesn't quit. He has the support he needs now. With another flop like last week's trouncing at TCU, that support might begin to erode. If the Longhorns were to get boat-raced by the Sooners, an already flagging fan base might throw in the towel the way its team did in Fort Worth. Attendance would drop, and each successive loss—even the close ones—would add to the misery*. If new president Gregory Fenves and interim AD Mike Perrin look around during the Thanksgiving game against Texas Tech and see that tens of thousands of fans stayed home to eat turkey and then watch the Longhorns get destroyed by Baylor the following week, their opinions may change.

Because Texas is Texas and also because Texas hasn't always been the most humble conference partner, no forthcoming opponent will take pity on the Longhorns. If Oklahoma's Bob Stoops can bury them, he will. If Baylor's Art Briles can bury them, he will.

That's why Strong must make sure his team doesn't quit. He has the support he needs now. With another flop like last week's trouncing at TCU, that support might begin to erode. If the Longhorns were to get boat-raced by the Sooners, an already flagging fan base might throw in the towel the way its team did in Fort Worth. Attendance would drop, and each successive loss—even the close ones—would add to the misery*. If new president Gregory Fenves and interim AD Mike Perrin look around during the Thanksgiving game against Texas Tech and see that tens of thousands of fans stayed home to eat turkey and then watch the Longhorns get destroyed by Baylor the following week, their opinions may change.

Monday, Heard looked down at a text message and realized he needed to have a chat with some of his teammates. "Someone had texted me, 'Get your teammates off Twitter,'" Heard said. "I was like, 'Oh Lord, what are they doing now?'" Heard insisted that any issues have been smoothed over and any frustrations taken out during a physical Tuesday practice. He didn't seem particularly worried about the Twitter fight other than the embarrassment it caused the program. "I'm about to get their phones and delete their Twitters," Heard joked.

The great thing about being a sportswriter is that depending on what happens Saturday, we can spin that intra-team sparring however we wish. If the Longhorns get blown out, it was a signal they had fallen apart. If they win or fall in a close one, it was a changing of the guard and the (more talented) freshmen have declared themselves the team's leaders. The truth is probably closer to what Heard said Tuesday. "Stuff like that is just for the favorites and the retweet," Heard said. "They're not serious at all."

The redshirt freshman also said something else that suggested wisdom beyond his years. "If we beat OU," he said, "everything is going to go away."

Heard is absolutely correct. A win against Oklahoma would assuage the fears of almost everyone in burnt orange. At this point, a close loss might be almost as soothing. But the Longhorns must also know that a repeat of last Saturday could start the unraveling in earnest.

They can't allow that to happen. Norvell put it perfectly Tuesday. "Nobody's riding in on a white horse," he said. "We've got to fight our way out of this mess. And that's the only way."
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Charlie Strong was Fired Up after Texas Upset Oklahoma

charlie-strong-happy-while-beating-oklahoma-1.gif


Charlie Strong and the Texas Longhorns entered today’s Red River Rivalry game at 1-4 and in total disarray. That has changed a bit after a stunning — and dominating — 24-17 upset of Oklahoma. Strong, who has been embattled since taking the job in Austin, took great pleasure as the game’s final seconds ticked away.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
What to Watch, Week 7: It's gut-check time for Michigan and Texas A&M

Game of the week:
No. 7 Michigan State at No. 12 Michigan, 3:30 p.m. ET
This was supposed to be Michigan State’s year to challenge for the Big Ten title and be the conference representative in the College Football Playoff, but Michigan has slowly started to steal the thunder in the state.

The Wolverines, who were supposed to be in a rebuilding mode in coach Jim Harbaugh’s first season, have posted shutouts in its last three games and is a season opening loss to Utah away from being undefeated. The Wolverines are a real threat to the new power brokers of the Big Ten Conference and that’s kind of exciting.

In this game we'll truly see which of these teams is a pretender and which is a contender. Michigan State is undefeated, but it has struggled to distance itself in games against opponents it should defeat handily. Michigan will be the Spartans first quality test of the year.

Northwestern, which came into last week’s game against the Wolverines with the nation’s best defense, was supposed to be Michigan’s best test and it handled it convincingly with a 38-0 win.

Michigan State has won six of the past seven meetings between these two teams, but those were some tough years in Ann Arbor. This game will be a real measure of which team is the best Power Five program in the state.

Game to Watch:
No. 10 Alabama at No. 9 Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m. ET
Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin doesn’t wasn’t to call this contest a potential signature win, but we have no trouble calling it that simply because there are so many things on the line. Not only does a Texas A&M win allow the Aggies to keep pace with LSU for the SEC West, it also likely ends any conference title hopes for Alabama and hands the Tide their first season with multiple losses since 2010.

It’s also just a big deal.

For so long, teams such as Alabama, LSU and Auburn had been the power brokers in the conference making it difficult for other teams to emerge. However, Texas A&M has been flirting with becoming a legitimate challenger since the day Sumlin stepped on campus and this game would prove that he can make that leap.

If A&M is going to beat Alabama, it’s going to have to do it in the air. The Tide are allowing 77.3 rushing yards and 264.5 yards of offense per game. The Aggies are averaging 480.4 yards per game and have thrown for at least 300 yards in each of their last three games.

Alabama has won the last two meetings in this series, including a 59-0 beatdown in Tuscaloosa a year ago.

Also check out…
No. 8 Florida at No. 6 LSU, 7 p.m. ET
This is Treon Harris’ time to silence his critics.

With Will Grier out for the season after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs, it’s on Harris’ shoulders to continue the 6-0 start that has the Gators alone in first place in the SEC East Division.

And that won’t be easy against an LSU team that is undefeated and has running back Leonard Fournette, the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Few teams have stopped Fournette, who has 119 carries for 1,022 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, so this will be a tremendous test for a Florida defense that ranks 12th in the country allowing just 99.2 rushing yards per game.

But if Harris can’t get the Florida offense moving, as he’s struggled to do in past starts, the Gators’ defense won’t have the stamina to keep a bruising back like Fournette quiet for long.

Both of these teams are atop their respective divisions, but LSU has Texas A&M nipping at its heels and a much more difficult scedule moving forward.

Channel surf through…

No. 17 Iowa at No. 20 Northwestern, noon ET: Surely everyone thought the Big Ten West would come down to these two teams, right? No? Well, that’s the way it’s shaping up and the winner of this contest will have the leg up in the West Division race. Yes, it’s still early, but there haven’t been many other challengers. Don’t be surprised if this is a 10-7 game.

Arizona State at No. 4 Utah, 10 p.m. ET: The Utes have assumed the title as the best team in the Pac-12 South, but it’s going to take a strong effort to hold onto that claim. Arizona State has had its ups and downs this season, but it seems to be coming together at just the right time. Once again, the Utah defense will be called to stop a high-powered offense, but quarterback Travis Wilson will have to show more than he did against Cal if the Utes want to win this game and remain perfect.

No. 19 Oklahoma at Kansas State, 3:30 p.m. ET: Kansas State was just minutes away from upsetting TCU last week and now it has a chance to really ruin Oklahoma’s season. The Sooners are coming off a bad loss to Texas and need to rebound quickly if they want to remain relevant in the Big 12 race. Oklahoma is the better team here, but Kansas State has played unexpectedly well in the past couple weeks.
 

Madrox

Vaya Con Dio
BGOL Investor
What a cowardly bullshit call for targeting...and then upholding that bs. Bolden was clearly pushed into that shit :angry:

Then MSU chopping on every play. Call THAT shit! Shit bout to get ugly.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
nooomicjhinga.0.gif


Spartans hero hospitalized after suffering serious injury in celebration

That Michigan fan who had a heart attack wasn't the only person hospitalized after Michigan State's stunning victory Saturday.
The Spartans hero who scored the game-winning touchdown suffered a serious injury during the victory celebration. As Jalen Watts-Jackson lay on a maize "M" in the end zone, his teammates piled above him, he dislocated his hip in the ruckus. The sophomore defensive back was later carted off the field and taken to a hospital.
“Jalen Watts-Jackson, great job scooping it up,” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio told the Detroit News. “I think he dislocated his hip, or has a broken hip. He’s at the hospital right now. On that particular play as he went in the end zone, that’s what happened, or before the play, I’m not sure what. By the time I got there he was down. But outstanding play by him.”
Watts-Jackson's sister reported that he was headed for surgery and would be back next season. She even shared a hospital bed photo that showed the family all smiles — except for the hurting hero.
The game was seemingly over when Watts-Jackson found himself in perfect position to make the unbelievable play.
With the Wolverines up 23-21 and 10 seconds left, Michigan punter Blake O'Neill bobbled a low snap. As the Australian spun around to try to kick it away, he was swarmed by Spartans and the ball popped free.
Watts-Jackson caught it and raced 38 yards for the end zone, taking advantage of Jermaine Edmondson's blocking and powering through Jake Butt's hit just before the goal line. The 27-23 stunner set off the celebration, and unfortunately for Watts-Jackson, he wasn't around to talk about it afterward.
“I feel for him,” junior defensive back Demetrious Cox told the News. “He was in the mix with the freshmen to play. I feel for him. It was a sacrifice I’m sure if he had to go back, he would make again.”
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Warren Sapp, other ex-Miami stars rip Al Golden during game vs. Clemson

796141115010_FSU_UM-450x270.jpg


Miami hadn't even reached halftime of Saturday's historic 58-0 shellacking by No. 6 Clemson before a couple of former Hurricanes All-Americans were calling for embattled coach Al Golden to be fired on Twitter.

After the Hurricanes fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter, Warren Sapp, an All-American defensive tackle at Miami in 1994, criticized Golden in a couple of tweets.

Warren Sapp ✔ @WarrenSapp
Thank U ABC! #FireHim
12:42 PM - 24 Oct 2015

Warren Sapp ✔ @WarrenSapp
Well the mascot leads US out of the smoke?, I guess it's his team. #AlGottaGo

Joaquin Gonzalez, another former Hurricanes offensive lineman, also tweeted criticism toward Golden.
Joaquin Gonzalez @Joaquin_UMOL73
I'm so embarrassed! @CanesAllAccess I would take his headset at halftime!! Do not wait until end of season, make a statement dammit!!!!!

The Hurricanes trailed 42-0 at halftime Saturday after losing starting quarterback Brad Kaaya to a head injury in the second quarter.

Golden, who has a 32-24 record in his four-plus seasons at the school, has been under increasing criticism as attendance has dwindled at Miami's home games. Since starting 3-0, the Hurricanes dropped consecutive road games against Cincinnati and Florida State earlier this month.

Clemson humiliates Miami 58-0, handing Canes worst loss in school history
Clemson never struggled with Miami in a game the Tigers absolutely dominated on the road.
After Saturday's loss, Golden said he wasn't worried about his job security or outside chatter about it.

"We'll see how mentally tough we are. We'll see how close we are," Golden said. "We've played one division opponent. There's a lot of football left in our division, and that's where our focus needs to be.

"Our focus doesn't need to be on the outside. We need to fix the things we need to fix and move forward quickly. That's my responsibility."

Miami athletic director Blake James has said he would wait until the end of the season to evaluate Golden's future. On Saturday, James expressed disappointment with the blowout."

"We are all disappointed with today's outcome. Any one who loves Miami is disappointed," James told ESPN.com via text. "But we have another game next week and we need to make sure we continue to support our team."

More than a few airplane banners calling for Golden's firing have been flown above Sun Life Stadium this season, including another on Saturday.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Stars have aligned for huge Temple-Notre matchup

images


SATURDAY night didn't have to turn into a perfect storm.

Notre Dame, which hasn't played in Philadelphia since 1993, didn't have to sign a contract four years ago to play a three-game series with Temple.

The game in South Philly didn't have to be this year. Or at this point on the schedule.

Temple didn't have to get off to its first 7-0 start, or be ranked for the first time since 1979.

The Owls didn't have to beat Penn State for the first time in 74 years. Or follow that with a win at American Athletic Conference favorite Cincinnati, where they again were a touchdown underdog.

They didn't have to find a way to score five points in the final 1 minute, 20 seconds (two by returning a blocked PAT all the way) in Week 3 to avoid getting upset at Massachusetts (1-6).

They didn't have to score two touchdowns in the last 3:31 pull out a win at slightly favored East Carolina last week.

The Eagles didn't have to be on their only bye week.

ABC didn't have to televise the game nationally in prime-time. ESPN didn't have to bring its "College GameDay" show here.

So what were the odds that all or even most of those things would happen?

You want perspective? Temple's basketball program - which won two NITs when it still meant something and went to two Final Fours and five Final Eights - has started better than 7-0 seven times. And not since 1987-88. Or how about this: It's the first time Temple (which is 21st) has played as a ranked team against a ranked opponent (the 6-1 Irish are 12 spots higher). For Notre Dame, it'll be No. 212.

For most of their existence, these programs have been polar opposites.

It wasn't all that long ago that Temple was looking for a conference to play in and actually talking about possibly dropping the sport.

So when they line up across from each other at sold-out Lincoln Financial Field, where half the crowd figures to be wearing green, all of that will mean what?

"These kids are winners," said third-year coach Matt Rhule, who went 2-10 in 2013, his first season. "They're tough guys. I'm confident they'll be ready."

It's also a safe bet that the Irish, who had last week off, will take this one seriously. Even if they did beat the Owls two years ago in South Bend in the opener, 28-6.

That might as well have been a decade ago.

"You just look . . . (at) where he's taken this program, they are deserving (of the ranking)," said ND coach Brian Kelly, whose team lost by two at unbeaten Clemson on Oct. 3. "They've earned everything. I think they just are solid in whatever they do, fundamentally sound. Just (a) really well-coached football team.

"We'll have to play well."

Fair points. And all accurate.

This is ND's third road game, and first since Clemson. That came down to a late two-point conversion. On Sept. 12, it needed a 39-yard TD pass with 12 seconds left to survive at Virginia.

Notre Dame has never lost on Halloween (15-0). The Irish are 11-7-2 since 1966 against teams that were 7-0 or better. Only two of those (1986 vs. Penn State and 1993 vs. Florida State) were home games. The last time they played a team that was 7-0 or better during the regular season was the 2004 finale at No. 1 Southern Cal (41-10 loss). Their last win over a 7-0 or better team was that 1993 1-vs.-2 game with FSU. Their last road win over a 7-0 or better team was the 1988 finale at USC, another 1-2 matchup.

The last four times they've played where "College GameDay" was held, they've lost. The last three were on the road, including the trip to Clemson.

Comparatively speaking, Temple doesn't have a history. The Owls have three victories over ranked teams, none against one in the Top 10. The first was in 1987 (at Pitt), the next came 11 years later (at Virginia Tech). And last Nov. 1, they beat No. 21 ECU at the Linc.

"I'm excited for our guys to have a a chance to go out and play against the best," Rhule said. "Our plan to win doesn't change. This game has to be about us and how we play.

"I think for us, it's kind of fun in a lot of different ways to put that (2013) game on and see . . . your (current) starting outside linebacker starting at free safety. We see how far our guys have come. But you can also see how far their guys have come."

Notre Dame has Philly exports on its team - real good ones, who figure to be playing on Sundays in the future - in linebacker Mike McGlinchey (Penn Charter) and wide receiver Will Fuller (North Catholic, Roman Catholic). Think Temple ever had a chance to get them? That's hardly what this game's about, just the reality. And part of what makes it all the more captivating.

Not many neutral observers would pick Temple to win. And that's OK with the Owls.

"That's how the outside world will look at it," senior defensive lineman Matt Ioannidis said. "We'd love to win because it's the next game, not because it's Notre Dame.

"It's great that we're in this situation. But the goal is to keep getting better."

Whatever happens, after this, they can get back to the business of trying to finally put a conference title trophy in their trophy case, a quest that continues Friday night at AAC West foe SMU (1-6). On Nov. 21, they'll host No. 15 Memphis (7-0), also in the AAC West, in a game that, if you don't count perceptions, is overall more important to them. Just as Cincy meant more than Penn State. But, of course, perceptions are always a large part of the landscape. And in college football, it doesn't get any bigger than Notre Dame.

See you at the Linc.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Wild-win-Miami-uses-lateral.gif


The ACC confirms that referees botched the thrilling end of the Miami-Duke game

Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk led the Blue Devils on a late drive and scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown to take the lead against Miami with six seconds remaining in the game — but the Hurricanes won on the wildest kickoff return of the year that was initially called back by officials and ultimately should not have counted.

On a play that lasted 49 seconds, Miami lateraled the ball eight times and went back to their own 3-yard line before reversing the field and racing down the sideline to score. The play was immediately put under review, and after the Hurricanes had rushed on the field from the benches, officials called a block in the back on Miami that would have resulted in a 10-yard penalty and an untimed down — crucially wiping out the touchdown.

Officials also reviewed whether a Miami played was downed during the play, but after a lengthy review the referee announced that … the play was still under review.

Duke quarterback Thomas Sirk led the Blue Devils on a late drive and scored a 1-yard rushing touchdown to take the lead against Miami with six seconds remaining in the game — but the Hurricanes won on the wildest kickoff return of the year that was initially called back by officials and ultimately should not have counted.

On a play that lasted 49 seconds, Miami lateraled the ball eight times and went back to their own 3-yard line before reversing the field and racing down the sideline to score. The play was immediately put under review, and after the Hurricanes had rushed on the field from the benches, officials called a block in the back on Miami that would have resulted in a 10-yard penalty and an untimed down — crucially wiping out the touchdown.

Officials also reviewed whether a Miami played was downed during the play, but after a lengthy review the referee announced that … the play was still under review.

If the refs initially decided to pick up the flag, that’s within the rules (if a little questionable given the video evidence) — but that decision needs to be relayed to the crowd and the coaches.

On Sunday, the ACC announced that the on-field officiating crew, the replay official and the communicator have all been suspended. In a statement, the league admitted that a Miami runner was indeed down, and that the game should have ended before the Hurricanes reached the endzone. The league also noted that officials missed an illegal block in the back on Miami’s 16-yard line, as well as a dead ball foul after a Miami player ran on the field of play from the sideline.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Fenway Park Will Host Notre Dame's Most Expensive Shamrock Series Game Since At Least 2010

i


Historic Fenway Park, home of Major League Baseball's Boston Red Sox, is in the process of being converted into a football field for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Take a tour with ESPN Images through the metamorphosis from baseball to football field, and check out the final product when Boston College takes on No. 4 Notre Dame this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

On Saturday, Boston College and Notre Dame will play in the first football game at Fenway since the Boston Patriots hosted their final home game in the AFL against the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 1, 1968.

Even though this game is being played in Boston, it is officially a Notre Dame home game as part of its Shamrock Series, an annual game that Notre Dame hosts in venues across the country.

Expect a predominant Notre Dame crowd. BC only got the usual 5,000 tickets allotted to the visiting team.

Boston College used to play its home games at Fenway Park, first hosting two contests there in 1914. During the next 44 years, Boston College played 101 games at Fenway Park. But in 1956, then-Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey told Boston College officials they were no longer allowed to play football there because they did too much damage to the field.

There is enough room at Fenway for both end zones, but not for opposite sidelines. Both BC and Notre Dame will have to stand on the same side of the field -- it's the same configuration AT&T Park used.

"We have such a strong following in the Boston area, and we love to be able to take these games into iconic venues, and there isn't a better place than to bring it to Fenway Park and bring it to a very strong fan base that we have in the New England area," said Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly. "That's really the allure and the draw for us in coming out East."
 

TheFuser

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
BC defense is stout and they HATE ND. Gonna be interesting to watch this game with the two teams on the same sidelines.
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Good lawd. LSU is getting the breaks beat off of them.

KrOdm.gif


Hard to believe, but is it too late for Les Miles at LSU?

OXFORD, Miss. — LSU football coach Les Miles' future is in danger even if the Tigers win out to end the regular season, an LSU Board of Supervisors member said on Friday.

"I think if he wins the next two games, it's still something that needs to be looked at," LSU Board of Supervisors member Ronald Anderson told Gannett Louisiana on Friday. "It's the way they lost the two games."

No. 15 LSU (7-2, 4-2 Southeastern Conference), which plays at No. 22 Ole Miss (7-3, 4-2 SEC) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS, lost to unranked, four-loss Arkansas by 31-14 last week and lost, 30-16, to then-No. 4 Alabama the previous week when the Tigers were 7-0 and No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings. Those were LSU's first back-to-back losses by double digits since 1999 when the program was in the midst of eight losing seasons in 11 years.

"If he wins them both, that complicates it," said Anderson, who has served on the board on and off since 1997. "That's my opinion. It's not just the number of losses, but the quality of the losses. The next two games are really important to deciding the future of the program. And you've got to look at the progress of the program from the standpoint of a number of years."

LSU closes the regular season at home against Texas A&M (7-3, 3-3 SEC) on Nov. 28.

Miles, 62, is 110-32 overall for a .774 winning percentage in 11 seasons with a 60-26 mark in the SEC for a .697 winning percentage with a national championship in the 2007-08 season, a 13-1 season and a national championship game appearance in 2011-12, SEC titles in 2007 and '11 and a SEC West title in 2005. He has seven double-digit win seasons – 2005, '06, '07, '10, '11, '12 and '13.

Since the 8-0 SEC season in 2011, though, LSU has fallen in the SEC to 6-2, 5-3, 4-4 and now is 4-2. The Tigers have also lost five straight games to Alabama, including three by multiple touchdowns — 21-0 in the BCS National Championship game on Jan. 9, 2012, 38-17 in 2013 and 30-16 this season.

Miles saw his job status plummet shortly after the Arkansas game. Writers at TigerBait.com and at Tiger Rag Magazine each wrote that Miles would be coaching for his job in LSU's last two regular season games. Miles, who usually downplays things at press conferences, said himself that the season was in crisis mode during his opening remarks at his weekly press luncheon on Monday.

"It's a time where as a coach, you just bury your head and you go to work and coach like there's no tomorrow," he said. "And it's time to step up. I think our guys understand that. They understand crisis."

On Wednesday, a column in the Baton Rouge Advocate said, "There is a serious threat to Miles tenure here," under the headlines, "Thinning ice," and "LSU's Miles coaching for his job the next two weeks." A Gannett Louisiana column on Thursday said that a member of LSU's athletic department and two of Miles' assistant coaches said LSU athletic director Joe Alleva was prepared to fire Miles, depending on how the team played over its final two regular season games.

Miles has lost back-to-back games for the second straight year. The Tigers lost 20-13 to No. 4 Alabama in overtime at home in 2014 and followed that with a 17-0 loss to a 4-5 Arkansas team that was 0-5 in the SEC and 0-17 in the league since 2013. LSU went on to finish 8-5 in 2014.

Against Ole Miss, the Tigers will be trying to avoid the first three-game losing streak in the program since 1999.

If Miles is fired this year, his contract states he will receive a $15 million buyout. If he is officially fired after Dec. 31 of this year, his buyout would decrease to $12.9 million, which is where it would be after the 2016 season as well. His buyout decreases to $8.6 million after the 2017 season and to $4.3 million after the 2018 season. Miles makes $4.3 million a year and is under contract through the 2019 season.

"It's kind of premature to say what might or might not happen," Anderson said. "We've got two games left. The Ole Miss game is going to be really important in deciding on how people look at what he's done at LSU this year."
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
College Football Conference Championship Games



Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015
Game Location Time (ET) / TV Tickets
AAC Championship Game
(22) Temple at (19) Houston TDECU Stadium
Houston, TX Noon / ABC Buy Tickets
C-USA Championship Game
Southern Miss at WKU L.T. Smith Stadium
Bowling Green, KY Noon / ESPN2 Buy Tickets
SEC Championship Game
(2) Alabama vs. (18) Florida Georgia Dome
Atlanta, GA 4pm / CBS Buy Tickets
MWC Championship Game
Air Force at San Diego State Qualcomm Stadium
San Diego, CA 7:30pm / ESPN2 Buy Tickets
Pac-12 Championship Game
(7) Stanford vs. (20) USC Levi’s Stadium
Santa Clara, CA 7:45pm / ESPN Buy Tickets
ACC Championship Game
(1) Clemson vs. (10) UNC Bank of America Stadium
Charlotte, NC 8pm / ABC Buy Tickets
Big Ten Championship Game
(4) Iowa vs. (5) Michigan State Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis, IN 8pm / FOX Buy Tickets

Well, rivalry week lived up to expectations. Now we move ahead towards the close of the college football season, with the conference championship games fully upon us (and a few regular season games still left over).

There are two games that are more or less Playoff play-ins: the ACC Championship Game and the Big Ten Championship Game. The winner of each will likely join Oklahoma in the field of four (though current No. 10 North Carolina would be far from guaranteed), along with either Alabama or a team benefiting from chaos, likely Ohio State or Stanford, if the Tide lose.

There are also championship games for the MAC and C-USA, which should provide plenty of points. And the AAC championship pits two very good teams, with the winner getting the non-power New Year's Six spot. Plus, some Big 12 and Sun Belt action provides the last regular season fare we'll see, besides Army-Navy next week.
 

sherminator

They hate to see us wiiiiinnnniiinnng
Registered
Man this is a pretty good thread as far as news and updates but bruh you should have bumped this on the main board
 

kes1111

Rising Star
BGOL Investor
Old Dominion does it again in second upset of Virginia Tech in four years

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) Blake Watson scored on a 1-yard run with 33 seconds to play and Old Dominion beat Virginia Tech for the second time in as many tries on its home field, 20-17 on Friday night.

The Monarchs made a big splash in their debut as a member of the Sun Belt Conference and spoiled the debut of Hokies coach Brent Pry. He was coaching against a longtime colleague at Vanderbilt and Penn State, Ricky Rahne.

When it was over, as they had in 2018 when the Monarchs knocked off the then-No. 13 Hokies 49-35, fans streamed on to the field in celebration. ODU is 2-12 in its history against Power Five programs, but 2-2 against Tech.
 
Top