By Phil Steele

Louisville won 31-24 and thereby gave UCF the AAC crown and a BCS bid. For the 2nd year in a row the two teams went to OT. Teddy Bridgewater hit 23-37-255 and Brendon Kay 22-40-304. Cincinnati opened with an interception on the 3rd play of the game and UL went 60/4pl capped by a 36 yard td pass, 7-0. UC went 53/10pl but was intercepted at the UL5 on 3&10 from the 25. UL got 2 FD’s but punted. UC got 5 FD’s to the 27 but punted on 4&23. Two more punts. UL went 41/11pl for a 31 yard FG, 10-0 with 5:35 left in the half. UC went 70/11pl and got a 1 yard td run with 1:15 left in the half 10-7. Bridgewater was intercepted at the UC39 from about midfield with :16 left. At the half UC did have a 183-150 yard edge. In the 3Q UL punted and UC went 87/10pl for a td and the lead 14-10 (7:58). UL got 3 FD to midfield and punted. Three punts. UL went 86/13pl and on 4&12 Bridgewater appeared sacked but broke away, broke another tackle, went down the sidelines without stepping OOB for a spectacular 14 yard run for the FD. On 3&8 Bridgewater dropped back to pass, rolled away from pressure, threw to the EZ and got a 22 yard td pass to Copeland, 17-14 (8:08). It didn’t take UC long to answer. They got a 57 yard pass to McCain and a 15 yard td run for a 72/2pl drive to retake the lead, 21-17 (7:17). UL went 60/11pl and got a 4 yard td pass, 24-21 with 2:26 left but UC went 67/10pl and got a 26 yard FG with :07 left for OT. In OT UL got 1 FD and on 3&gl from the 5 pass interference gave them a FD and they got a 2 yard td run on the next play, 31-24. UC tried a reverse pass on the first play which was blown up for a 4 yard loss and on 4&14, had a pass go out of the receivers hands incomplete at the 5.

All of the talk coming into the MAC title game was Northern Illinois being the BCS buster and Jordan Lynch being a Heisman contender. The bottom line–Bowling Green outplayed them with a 574-454 yard edge and Matt Johnson hit 21-27-393 for BG while Lynch hit just 21-40-219 for NIU. Lynch did have 126 yards rushing while Johnson 33 but Johnson had Travis Greene in the backfield and he had 133 on 26 carries. TE Alex Bayer for BG had 7 rec for 124 yards including a couple of td’s where he was wide open in the EZ. Each team opened with a long drive for a td, 7-7 (9:08). BG went 67/5pl for a td, forced a punt then went 76/5pl for a 36 yard td pass, 17-7 (2:25). NIU18 went 48/9pl and got a 51 yard FG, 17-10 (14:45). BG punted and NIU went 37/6pl for a 45 yard FG to pull within 17-13. NIU executed a successful onside kick but was called for touching the ball early and had to re-kick. After the re-kick, BG started at their 12 after a penalty. BG went 88/9pl for a td, 24-13 (5:39). NIU went 34/12pl but lost 3 yards and missed a 58 yard FG (2:32). BG fumbled with 1:22 left in the half at midfield but Lynch was intercepted 3pl later with 1:05 left. BG went 51/8pl and got a 12 yard td pass with :13 left to lead 31-13 at the half and had a 389-229 yard edge. NIU opened the 3Q with a 64/7pl drive for a td. BG25 went 67/8pl but missed a 26 yard FG. NIU20 got 3 FD and missed a 44 yard FG. BG then went 39/10pl for a 52 yard FG including a 4&4 conversion on a 5 yard run to the NIU25. NIU was intercepted at the BG43 and BG returned it 37 yards to the 20. They went 20/4pl for a td, 40-20 (10:17). NIU got 2 FD and on 4&8 fired incomplete at the BG41 with 8:10 left. BG went 59/10pl and on 4&13 got a 16 yard td run by Greene, 47-20 (2:44). NIU went 79/11pl for a 2 yard garbage td with :14 left, 47-27.

The CUSA title game might just have been determined when Rice finished higher in the BCS rankings despite the fact UCF was drawing votes in both the Coaches and Harris Polls and Rice did not draw a single vote. That gave Rice the home field edge and Marshall was two different teams this year at home vs away. Coming into the game Marshall had won by an average of 53-13 but on the road were just 3-3 only winning by an average of 36-30. Rice had a 487-371 yard edge. Rice opened with an 82/10pl drive then out of the Wildcat, RB Turner hit Moore with a 35 yard td pass, 7-0 (10:15). After MU went 3&out Rice27 on 2&12 got their longest play from scrimmage this year, a 75 yard pass from McHargue to Taylor, 14-0 (8:05). Two punts. MU went 64/12pl and had a FD at the 14 but settled for a 27 yard FG. Rice quickly went 62/4pl for a 4 yard td run, 21-3 (11:29). MU went 65/8pl for a 1 yard td run, 21-10 (9:18). There were 5 punts. At the half Rice had a 283-182 yard edge. MU25 got 3 FD’s to the Rice40 but was intercepted at the 22. Two punts. Rice39 went 61/7pl for a td on a 17 yard run, 27-10 (5:34). Rice went 70/7pl once again, Turner out of the Wildcat hit Cella with an 8 yard td pass, 34-10 (:24). MU went 78/12pl for a 7 yard td pass with 11:02 left, 34-17. MU was SOD on 4&1 at their own 37 and Rice got a 16 yard td run, 41-17 (8:09). MU25 went 75/8pl for a 3 yard td pass, 41-24 (5:35). Rice recovered the onside kick, got 3 FD’s and ran the clock out at the MU35.

This was a misleading final with a fluke score on the last play. Oklahoma St had a 400-358 yard edge in their HG vs Oklahoma but let the Big 12 title and a Fiesta Bowl berth slip from their grasp despite the fact OU lost their starting QB to injury. Trevor Knight hit 3-7-28 in the 1H while running for 47. When he was injured, Stoops opted to go with Kendal Thompson but he hit just 2-9-17 and Blake Bell took over at the end and guided the come-from-behind win. The game was played in 18-degree temps with a wind chill of -6. The first play OSU had a 75 yd td called back. The first 4 possessions were punts. OSU was pinned at its 1 yard line after a punt but would go 99/10pl getting a td with 4:00 left in the 1Q, 7-0 (4:00). Each team punted but Saunders returned a punt 64 yards for a td and OU tied it at 7 (:18). OSU28 went 70/8pl and on 4&1 was stuffed for a 1 yard loss. OSU got it back after OU punted 31 yard into the wind and started at the OU41 and got 1 FD and got a 41 yard FG on a 17 yard drive, 10-7 (8:40). OU36 went 60/15pl and converted on 4&1 with a 12 yard screen to WR Saunders down to the 32 but settled for a 21 yard FG after 1&gl at the 5. Knight also went into the locker room injured. At the half OSU had a 201-132 yard edge. Thompson was intercepted on the first play of the 2H and OSU went 75/7pl for a td and the lead, 17-10 (13:18). The next 5 possessions were punts. OSU was intercepted at the OU40 (4:44). OU40 went 60/7. They lined up for a FG and the holder ran the option, pulled back and passed to their smallish K Hunnicutt (176 lbs) who grabbed it and was hammered by 2 players but still scored the td, 17-17 (2:35). OSU went 3&out and OU went 53/12pl and Hunnicutt got a 39 yard FG for the lead, 20-17 (10:01). OSU got 1 FD and punted with 8:00 left but OU, pinned at their own 1, got a huge 57 yard pass to Shepard to get some breathing room to the OSU42 but punted on 4&9 with 4:27 left. OSU went 89/7pl and got a 1 yard td run with 1:46 left to apparently pull out the win, 24-20. OU got 2 FD and on 3&10, a pass to Saunders got them 13 yards to the 17. They got another FD at the 7 with :24 left and then Bell hit Saunders in the corner of the EZ with a 7 yard td pass with :19 left. On the last play of the game, OSU on 3&17, from their own 30 tried the lateral play. After a 14 yard gain, they kept going backwards and backwards until the ball actually rolled into the EZ and OU fell on it for a td and a 9 point win.

Connecticut looked dead in the water at 0-9 but would win their last 3 games and got better with each one. They absolutely dominated Memphis with QB Casey Cochran hitting 36-54-461 and UC had a 31-14 FD edge and 538-257 yard edge. 2004 was the last time UC had a QB throw for over 400 yards (Dan Orlovsky) until Cochran’s 461 here. The first 3 possessions were punts. UM went 37/6pl for a 43 yard FG and led 3-0 (5:34 1Q). Each team punted. UC took over with 2:18 left in the 1Q and their offense caught fire. They went 89/11, 86/13, 63/7pl on their final 3 possessions of the half all for td’s, the latter was an 11 yard td pass with :09 left, 21-3. At the half UC had a 279-130 yard edge. UC took their opening possession of the 3Q 53/7pl for a td then after recovering a fumble, went 24/6pl for a 46 yard FG, 31-3 (7:20 3Q). UM went 71/7pl for a td, 31-10 (4:48). Two punts. UC started at the UM41 on 4&1 they got a 32 yard td pass with 1:12 left in the 3Q, 38-10. UM was SOD at the UC47 and punted then UC went 59/4pl for another td with 9:47 left. After a UM punt with 7:01 left, UC went 64/12pl with 4 FD’s running out the clock at the UM25 yard line.

There were only a few hundred fans in their seats for the SMU/UCF game as there was an ice storm that hit the Dallas area which I guess would compare to a blizzard up North. This was the coldest home game in school history and matches SMU’s coldest game ever (1993 Sun Bowl). This was also UCF’s coldest ever. SMU even offered free admission and while the announced attendance was 12,598, there were clearly less than 1,000 there. SMU was without their starting QB Garrett Gilbert but Neal Burcham had a good game hitting 24-34-222 yards. Garrett Krstich came in at the end when Burcham was injured on a QB run with 8:22 left and hit just 1-5-13. SMU was trying to become bowl eligible and had the situational edge as UCF had actually wrapped up the AAC title and a BCS bowl berth on Thursday night when UL beat Cincinnati. SMU looked like they would get an upset. They opened up with a 54/15pl drive for a 33 yard FG. Two punts. UCF went 55/12pl for a 32 yard FG, 3-3 (11:00). SMU41 on 3&14 got a 31 yard run and then on 2&8 a 30 yard td pass made it 10-3. Two punts. UCF7 went 54/7pl getting to the SMU39 but their Hail Mary pass was inc. At the half SMU had a 168-122 yard edge. UCF opened the 3Q with a 69/5pl drive but fumbled at the 12 after a 24 yard gain by Godfrey. UCF went 66/8pl and got a 1 yard td run, 10-10 (8:09 3Q). SMU answered (24) as they went 54/9pl with a 39 yard FG, 13-10 (3:24). UCF38 went 63/10pl and got a 15 yard td run, 17-13 (:14). SMU35 got 1 FD and on 4&5, fired incomplete. On the next drive, SMU took over at their 37 with 12:30 left and went 23/7. On 4&1, Burcham was stuffed at the UCF40 and UCF punted with 6:51 left and Krstich was intercepted on his 2nd pass at the SMU38. UCF got 2 FD’s to the 9 but missed a 24 yard FG with 2:21 which would have clinched it. SMU20 got 1 FD and on 4&14, gained 5 yards and UCF took a knee. UCF finished with a 338-313 yard edge. Blake Bortles hit 24-35-242.

I came away from the SEC title game very impressed with Auburn. During the week they spent a good deal of time lobbying to make sure if they won and Ohio St won, that they would get into the title game over OSU. They were also coming off a huge game vs Alabama and Missouri appeared to be overlooked coming into the game. Auburn’s rush offense is extremely difficult to stop. Granted, Missouri came into the game allowing 385 ypg. AU fumbled at their own 43 on their 1st possession and MO got a 42 yard FG (10:50). The next 3 possessions were 75 yards for td’s and AU led 14-10 (4:09). AU recovered a surprise onside kick but missed a 54 yard FG. MO37 went 38/7pl and was intercepted at the AU9. AU fumbled and Gaines returned it 11 yards for a td, 17-14 (13:11). AU went 75/8pl for a td (10:25), MO 58/9pl but only settled for a 36 yard FG, 21-20 (7:19). AU21 got a 52 yard run by Mason (tremendous day rushing 46-304) then his 3 yard td run capped the 79/4pl drive, 28-20 (6:26). MO didn’t hold serve as they punted with 4:24 left but AU, after getting 2 FD’s punting with 1:10 left. MO then took momentum. They got 2 FD’s to midfield and Franklin hit Green-Beckham with a 55 yard td pass with :18 left to pull back within 28-27. At the half AU had a 376-304 yard edge. The first two 3Q possessions were punts. AU, after a 14 yard PR, went 13 yards for a 52 yard FG, 31-27 but MO took the lead going 75/7pl hitting a 10 yard td pass, 34-31 (5:35). AU went 75/6pl for a 2 yard td run, 38-34 (3:32). AU got a 22 yard PR to the 46 and got 2 scores ahead going 54/5pl with an Artis-Payne 15 yard td run, 45-34 (:31). MO got a 65 yard run by Josey but he was pushed OOB into a cart and injured (finished with 123 yards but 9 carries). After a 15 yard personal foul, Franklin ran a QB draw for a td and they got within 45-42 (:09 3Q). AU25 went 75/8pl and on 4&gl from the 1, Mason pushed in for the td. Two punts. MO was SOD with 4:27 left at their own 13 yard line and AU tacked on a Mason 13 yard td run on the next play. MO went 68/9pl and on 4&gl from the 7 were SOD with 1:46 left. AU finished with a 677-534 yard edge and 30-22 FD edge.

When Oklahoma upset Oklahoma St earlier in the day, the Baylor/Texas game became the Big 12 title game and it was the final home play in Floyd Casey Stadium. BU grabbed their first 11 win season in school history and got their first outright title of any league since 1980 with that team led by LB Mike Singletary. HC Mack Brown’s team, battling for his job, did have a solid 1H as Texas was in the game that was played in unusually cold weather (20-degrees). UT has been banged up all season, losing their top RB Gray, QB Ash, LB Hicks and one of their top DL (Whaley) to injuries plus had their top tackler, Steve Edmond, missed the game with injury. BU took its opening drive 68/11pl for a 22 yard FG and led 3-0 (11:01). UT missed a 44 yard FG (8:16) and BU was stuffed on a fake punt at its own 33 but UT was SOD on 4&4 at the B37 (5:55). BU missed a 49 yard FG (3:25). UT was driving but intercepted at the BU13 :46. BU had the wind at their back in the 1Q and called time-out with :01 left to get off a 63 yard punt on the final play of the quarter. BU missed a 35 yard FG into the wind (11:58) and got off a 10 yard punt. UT went 47/10pl and got a 42 yard FG with 4:31 left to tie at 3. At the half BU had a 224-154 yard edge. BU’s opening drive of the 3Q could have been stopped but they converted on 3&11, 3&11 then on 3&9 got an 11 yard td pass to take the lead. UT chose to go into the wind in the 3Q, a smart call as generally there are more plays in the 4Q when the game is on the line. UT went 3&out and BU went 47/7pl for a td 17-3 (6:64). UT went 3&out and BU went 29/7pl for a 42 yard FG, 20-3 (2:47). Once again BU got off a 50 yard punt on the final play of the quarter taking advantage of the wind. UT got a 50 yard PR by Shipley and started at the BU11. They found Brown in the EZ for a 2 yard td pass, 20-10 (12:38) as McCoy scrambled around. BU34 went 55/10pl and got a 28 yard FG with 9:18 left. Each team punted. UT was driving to close it to a 6 pt game and on 2&10 from the BU42, McCoy was intercepted and returned 57 yards for a td. They called Morton for taunting at the 18 line as he slowed down so they spotted the ball at the 18 and on the first play Glasco Martin took it in the EZ to make a lot of BU fans happy, extending the lead to 20 with 4:04 left. UT opted to punt on 4&10 from their own 30, basically waving a white flag and BU got 2 FD and ran the clock and got to their Big 12 title game. Bryce Petty hit 21-37-287 and Case McCoy struggled all day hitting 12-34-54 yards. UT did run the ball for 163 on 35 carries with Malcolm Brown rushing for 131.

It was 52-degrees and windy as well as overcast for the game. Florida St just needed to win to get to the BCS Championship game and were a 4 td favorite over Duke and actually struggled early on. The 1Q was scoreless. Jameis Winston hit just 3-8-33 in the 1Q. Duke also struggled as they had 8 possessions in the 1H and failed to pick up a FD on 7 of those. Anthony Boone hit 20-40 but for just 138 yards with 2 int. Winston hit 19-32-330. The first 3 possessions were punts. FSU’s 2nd possession started at the Duke47. On 2&10 from the 25, Freeman ripped off a 22 yard run down to the 3 but fumbled. Duke actually went on a 67/14pl drive but missed a 48 yard FG. Two punts. FSU took over with 1:39 left 1Q and went 64/9pl and got a 14 yard td pass to Benjamin, 7-0 (12:36 2Q). Duke got a 40 yard PR to the FSU37 but was intercepted on 3&6 (8:38). FSU went 73/11pl for a td with 3:37 left, 14-0. Duke went 3&out then Winston had an overthrown pass that was an easy pick at the 50. Duke on 4&3 punted 43 yards for a TB with 1:23 left in the half and FSU went 53/7pl for a 45 yard FG, 17-0 (:25). At the half FSU had a 267-90 yard edge. FSU punted to open the 3Q and Boone was hit as he threw and intercepted at the 26. FSU went 26/3pl for a td (9:46) then 87/5pl (6:31) for a td, 31-0 and after Boone fumbled, FSU went 61/9pl for a td, 38-0 (2:38 3Q). FSU was intercepted at the Duke28 but then went 92/9pl and got a 7 yard td run by Freeman with 7:20 left, 45-0. Duke went 75/14pl picking up a garbage td on a 5 yard run with 1:06 left and FSU ran the clock.

I came away impressed with Connor Cook who hit 24-40-304 for Michigan St vs Ohio St. Jeremy Langford ran for 128. MSU’s D also held OSU to over 100 yards below their season average and to a season low 374 total yards with Braxton Miller rushing for 142 and Carlos Hyde for 118. This was a game of ebbs and flows as MSU jumped on top 17-0, OSU came back and led 24-17 but the Buckeyes, who came in with the nation’s longest win streak (24) suffered a loss and were knocked out of the National Title game. It reminded me a bit of 1969 when the OSU team from 1968, led by super sophomores, won the National Title in an unbeaten year and in 1969 destroyed all of their opponents all season long and just needed to beat Michigan to play for the National Title in the Rose Bowl and were upset. Urban Meyer did not play Marcus Hall who told the Michigan fans OSU was #1 as he left the field last week. MSU finished with a 438-374 yard edge. They went 47/14pl and got a 40 yard FG that just made it over the uprights to open 3-0 (8:31). Three punts. MSU had a 2&14 when they got a 72 yard td pass on the first play of the 2Q, 10-0 (14:50) 68/2. MSU then went 66/5pl and got a 33 yard td pass, 17-0 (9:01 2Q). OSU16 went 84/5pl for a td,17-7 (6:26). There were 3 punts and OSU took over with 1:23 left in the half and got a couple of FD’s and got a 28 yard FG on a 53/7pl drive. That gave them momentum. They trailed 17-10 but had a 198-197 yard edge. They used that momentum to open the 3Q with a 75/7pl drive for a td and got an int at midfield but punted. After a MSU punt, OSU went 44/5pl for a td and appeared on their way to their title game, 24-17 (5:36 3Q). MSU got 1 FD then on 4&2 went for it and got a 6 yard gain. They would nail a 44 yard FG to pull within 24-20 (2:29). OSU21 got 1 FD and punted. MSU10 went 90/8pl and got a 9 yard td pass to Price 27-24 (11:41) for the lead. OSU recovered the surprise onside kick at their own 41 but went 3&out punting on 4&6. MSU punted and OSU started at the MS47 (7:36) but on 4&2 Miller was stuffed with 5:46 left. With OSU trying to tackle the ball instead of the player, MSU quickly went 62/6pl for a 26 yard td run, 34-24 2:16. OSU34 got 1 FD but on 4&10 fired incomplete (1:13).

I thought the situation clearly favored Rutgers. Even though they came limping into this, they were off a couple of road losses and back at home playing for a bowl bid. They were playing in chilly temps vs a USF team and trying to avoid a losing season. Chas Dodd started for RU and hit 19-24-179. Mike White hit 14-31-141 for USF. Paul James was leading the nation in rushing when he was injured earlier in the year and he was back and had 113 yards on 26 carries. RU finished with a dominating 25-8 FD edge and 355-151 yard edge. The first 3 possessions were punts. RU went 49/9pl for a 5 yard td run by James, 7-0 (5:41). USF fumbled at their 24 and RU needed just 2pl for a 12 yard td pass, 14-0 (4:10). USF was intercepted at their own 29 on 3&8. RU got a 1&gl at the 1 but then Jones fumbled into the EZ for a TB and it appeared the momentum may change. USF20 went 73/13pl and got a 24 yard FG, 14-3 (8:54). Two punts. RU took over with 5:29 left and went 52/6pl getting a 2 yard td pass with 2:29 left in the half. USF30 went 58/11pl and got a 29 yard FG with :22 left. At the half RU only had a 169-154 yard edge and led 21-6. Each team punted and RU34 went 49/11pl but had a 34 yard FG blk’d. RU went 69/14pl and had a 1 yard td run by James, 28-6 (7:24). RU went 43/9pl and added a 20 yard FG with :52 left after having a 1&gl at the 5 and RU accepted a bid to the Pinstripe Bowl moments after the game.

I used Stanford in the NY Post and on the Erik Kuselias Show and my Inside the Pressbox. Early in the year, Stanford dominated Arizona St and on my radio shows this week I pointed out that SU matched up well with ASU as their big, physical O-line was taking on a small, speedy D and SU is the one top-notch D that does well vs spread offenses. SU finished with a 517-311 yard edge despite having to play this one on the road. ASU was without their top rusher and scorer, Marion Grice. DJ Foster had 142 total yards (62 rush) and 2 td’s but then suffered a knee injury and missed the 2H for ASU. ASU K Zane Gonzalez missed his first FG attempt in 19 tries. On 2&17 on the 2nd play of the game, Gaffney ripped off a 69 yard td run down the left sideline and finished the game with 133 yards. Just 5pl later Foster got a 51 yard run up the middle to tie it at 7. SU went 60/8pl and got a 1 yard td run by Gaffney 14-7 (7:30). ASU got 3 FD’s to midfield and punted and SU went 89/5pl for a 22 yard td run, 21-7 (14:51) then after a 16 yard punt, went 37/6pl and Gaffney’s 4&gl, 1 yard plunge made it 28-7 (9:49). There were 4 punts. ASU appeared to get back in it when Kelly hit Foster with a short pass that went 65 yards for a td with 3:52 left in the half, 28-14. SU23 went 62/10pl and on 4&7 from the ASU44, they were going for a Hail Mary but Hogan took off and got all the way down to the 15 yard line when he was hammered. At the half SU had a 301-174 yard edge. Each team opened the 2H with a long drive with ASU missing a 31 yarder and SU getting a 30 yard FG 31-14 (6:12). ASU went 74/17 and on 3&gl from the LB Skov anticipated the snap and jumped over the OL stopping Hogan in the backfield. On 4&gl from the 1, ASU was stuffed (:09) and SU put the game away. They went 99/5pl and got a 24 yard td pass, the key a 3&6, 78 yard pass to the 17. ASU was SOD on 4&7 at their own 35 and after recovering a fumble, SOD on 4&3 at their own 33. SU was SOD at the ASU25 (4:35).

Earlier this year South Alabama was off a bye, hosting a banged up Kent St team coming off a couple of key conference games and travelling to the South. It was a great situational edge. This situational edge that they had vs Louisiana was pretty close. UL was without their starting QB and was giving Brooks Haack his first start. He, Jalen Nixon and D’Shaie Landor combined to hit 9 passes (26 attempts) with 2 int’s. UL has also already accepted a bid to the New Orleans Bowl while USA was at home trying to get their 6th win for bowl eligibility. Some key turnovers actually opened this one up for USA and UL with a backup QB did not have the possibility of catching up. UL on their 3rd possession tried a fake punt on 4&6 and were tackled at their own 48. USA went 25 yards for a 40 yard FG. UL fumbled at their own 28 and USA went 28/3pl for a td, 10-0. UL fumbled the KO at their own 30 and USA went 30/3pl for another short td, 17-0 (3:29). USA went 83/12pl but settled for a 19 yard FG then went 77/10pl for a another 20 yard FG to lead 23-0 with :55 left 1H. UL was at their own 39 when Haack was intercepted and returned 42 yards for a td with :16 left in the half to make it 30-0. At the half USA had a 248-114 yard edge. The 2H opened with 8 punts and a combined 2 FD’s in that span. USA got 4 FD’s on the 13 play drive but punted 19 yards. Two punts. UL took over with 7:07 left and went 80/7pl and got a 47 yard td pass, 1 down after converting on 4&1. USA was SOD on 4&8 at the UL15 with 2:21 left and UL on 4&19 roughing the passer gave them a FD to the 35 and on 2&10 were intercepted at the 27 with :38 left. USA had a 363-212 yard edge and 22-12 FD edge.

Derek Carr hit 36-53-404 and Fresno St literally dominated Utah St at home but a key 14 point swing seconds before the half actually kept US in the game and mirrored some of the FSU games during the season. Darell Garretson hit 12-26-198 and was injured and Craig Harrison hit 4-9-55. FSU finished with a 460-304 yard edge and 24-17 FD edge. FSU was playing very disappointed after blowing a possible BCS bowl berth with their loss the previous week to San Jose St. Derek broke his older brother David’s single season school record for td passes (46), yards passing (4839) in his final home game and with just 2 more td passes in the bowl, can become the 5th QB in FBS history to get to 50 td passes in a season. FSU fumbled at the US18 on the first drive (14:02). US was SOD on 4&4 at the FSU36. FSU went 51/11pl for a 30 yard FG, 3-0 (8:36). Five punts. FSU went 45/7pl for a td then went 66/14pl and on 4&1 got a 5 yard td run to lead 17-0 (7:17). US did go 53/7pl getting to the 23 but was intercepted at the 2 with 4:26 left 1H. FSU got 1 FD on a 68 yard pass to the US30 but on 4&3, were SOD at the 22. US got a 48 yard pass to Butler but on 4&10 missed a 42 yard FG with :46 left in the half. FSU was driving to add to its lead, about to make it 24-0. They’d gone 57/5pl and had a FD at the US11. On 2&10, FSU fumbled and Jake Doughty scooped it up and returned it 86 yards for a td with just :06 left 1H to get them back in the game, 17-7. FSU had a 341-152 yard edge at the half. FSU was intercepted on their first 2 drives of the 2H at the US45 and at the 50. US was SOD on 4&1 at the FSU41 and FSU went 59/13pl . They got a 3 yard td pass to make it 24-7 with 1:33 left 3Q. US went 78/13pl including a 4&4 conversion then 5pl later had a 10 yard td run, 24-14 (11:55). US recovered the onside kick and went 35/7pl for a 20 yard FG, 24-17 (9:00). FSU went 57/11pl but on 4&2 were SOD at the US38. US was SOD on 4&7 at its own 36 but FSU went for it on 4&3 and only gained 1 yard to the US28 with 1:42 left leaving them in the game. US got 2 FD including a 31 yard pass to the FSU39 but on the next play were intercepted at the 17.

Phil Steele is a college football analyst who has been publishing his annual College Football Preview since 1995. His magazine is regarded as one of the best in the business.
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By Phil Steele

My QB’s of the Week
Casey Cochran, Connecticut • Kevin Hogan, Stanford

QB Casey Cochran (Connecticut) – Despite a tough season, things may be looking more positive heading into next year for UConn as they may have found their new QB of the future in Casey Cochran who threw for 311 yds and 2 td’s in his 1^st career home start. He gets his 2^nd start this weekend in front of the home crowd against a Memphis defense that was gashed for a season-worst 534 yds in their 20 pt loss to Temple a week ago.

QB Kevin Hogan (Stanford) – While he generally doesn’t put up flashy numbers, the Cardinal will need a huge game out of Kevin Hogan in Tempe if Stanford is to beat the Sun Devils and deliver their 2^nd straight Pac-12 championship. A dual-threat talent, Hogan has potential to put up big numbers as he threw for 329 yds and 5 td’s just 2 weeks ago against Cal. We like his chances here.

My RB’s of the Week
Essray Taliaferro, Marshall • Henry Josey, Missouri

RB Essray Taliaferro (Marshall) – On a pass-happy Marshall offense Essray Taliaferro has proven to be a threat on the ground with 5 games of 100+ yards including a career-high 161 yds a week ago against ECU. This weekend’s opponent Rice has allowed that same 161 yard rushing mark per game this year giving us even more reason for his selection as the Thundering Herd look to take home the CUSA title.

RB Henry Josey (Missouri) – After a devastating knee injury a season ago, Henry Josey has put together a remarkable 2013 as one of the consistent offensive weapons on a week by week basis including rushing for at least 95+ yds and a td in each of the L/3 contests. He gets the call this weekend in the SEC title game against an Auburn defense that was victimized on the ground in the Iron Bowl to the tune of 218 rush yds.

My WR’s of the Week
Shaun Joplin, Bowling Green • Kelvin Benjamin, Florida St

WR Shaun Joplin (Bowling Green) – If the Falcons are going to compete with BCS-hungry NIU this Friday, they’ll have to match offensive strike for offensive strike. For that reason, we’ll go with Shaun Joplin who is fresh off a 149 yd reception game vs Buffalo and has nearly double the #2 WR in both receptions and yards.

WR Kelvin Benjamin (Florida St) – While he’s 3^rd on the team in both receptions and receiving yards, Kelvin Benjamin is a threat to take it to the house at any moment with 12 td catches including 5 over the L/2 games. While Duke has had a commendable year we believe they will struggle matching up against the mighty FSU offense and after Benjamin’s 9 catch, 212 yd effort last week, we’ll make him a selection here.

My D’s of the Week
Connecticut • Ohio St

Connecticut Defense – After dropping their first 9 games of the year the UConn Huskies have proven that they still have some fight left in them as they are on a 2-game winning streak against conference foes Temple and Rutgers. It started with their success on the defensive side of the ball and what better way for them to finish but with a matchup against a Memphis squad that has failed to eclipse the 280 yard mark in 4 of their last 5 games.

Ohio St Defense – In order for Ohio St to continue their path to the BCS Championship, they must shore up a defense that has allowed over 1,000 yds in their past 2 contests. We expect that to happen starting this weekend as the Bucks take on a Michigan St offense that is averaging 374 ypg including scoring just 14 pts and gaining 249 yds last week against Minnesota.

Phil Steele is a college football analyst who has been publishing his annual College Football Preview since 1995. His magazine is regarded as one of the best in the business.
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By Phil Steele

BYU finished with a 492-363 yard edge although Nevada dominated the 1H of the game. UN took its opening drive 81/8pl for a td. BYU fumbled a punt at its 29 and UN got 1 FD but had a 38 yard FG blocked. BYU, on 4&8, was SOD at the UN28. Two punts. UN went 66/9pl and had a 2&gl at the 3 but was intercepted in the EZ for a TB. Five punts. At the half UN had a 190-150 yard edge. BYU opened the 3Q with a 2&1, 66 yard run by Jamaal Williams, 7-7. UN went 75/11pl for a 3 yard td run, 14-7 (9:34 3Q). BYU went 80/9pl for a td, 14-14 (6:07). BYU went 59/13pl for a td, 21-14 (14:50). They then went 75/8pl for a 34 yard FG, 28-17 (6:35). UN answered with a 67/11pl drive for td (xpng) 28-23 (2:42). BYU got 2 FD’s running the clock out at the 15.

North Texas didn’t win its division in CUSA, but they were the most impressive team in the division. They went on the road vs Tulsa and had 550-236 yard and 21-14 FD edges. NT took its opening drive 72/10pl but fumbled. TU’s Will Barrow scooped it up and returned it 97 yards for a td and a 14 point swing, 7-0. (10:53). There were 4 punts then NT went 53/6pl for a 12 yard td run, 7-7. TU went 58/7pl for a 26 yard FG, 10-7 (:42). TU was intercepted at the NT42 and returned 32 yards but NT missed a 32 yard FG. NT was intercepted a the TU29 with 6:50 left but blocked a punt and returned it 8 yards for a td for a 14-10 lead. TU punted with 3:32 left and NT went 54/6pl for a 10 yard td run, 21-10. NT had a 266-82 yard edge. NT got a 91 yard td run by Brandin Byrd to open the 3Q, 28-10. Three punts. NT went 73/12pl for a 2 yard td run, 35-10 (3:25). NT went 63/3pl for a td. TU went 69/13pl but was intercepted from the 11 on the last play of the game.

Rice had 304-123 yard and 21-6 FD edges vs Tulane, but this one was tight and went to the wire at the end. Rice opened with a 53/13pl drive but was SOD on 4&13. Rice was sacked and fumbled at its own 18. TU took over at the Rice18 and got a 30 yard FG. TU, however, fumbled at its own 19 on 3&27 with 1:15 left in the 1Q. Rice got a 19 yard td pass, 7-3. Rice went 68/6pl for a td. Rice went 45/17pl and missed a 50 yard FG with 1:46 left in the half. Rice did get it back with 1:18 left at its 32, got 3 FD’s on a 49/9pl drive and got a 36 yard FG (:07). At the half Rice had a 232-10 yard edge and led 17-3. The first 5 possessions of the 2H ended in punts. Rice got 1 FD and fumbled. TU started at the Rice27 and 3pl later had a td, 17-10. TU went 61/11pl but settled for a 32 yard FG after a FD at the 18, 17-13. Three punts. Rice’s punt pinned TU at the 3 and TU fired 4 incomplete passes and Rice took a knee from the 3 yard line at the end.

I must admit, I really did not give Penn St a chance of beating Wisconsin, but Christian Hackenberg hit 21-30-339. PSU finished with a 465-459 yard edge although UW had a 27-13 FD edge for the game. PSU opened with a 79/4pl drive capped by a 68 throwback td pass to Hackenberg, 7-0. PSU went 69/8pl and had a 34 yard FG blocked. Two punts. UW went 71/11pl for a td then 77/11pl for another, 14-7. PSU went 71/7pl and got a 3 yard td pass, 14-14. At the half PSU had a 237-201 yard edge. PSU went 67/10pl for a 7 yard td pass, 21-14. UW was intercepted and returned 35 yards to its 19. PSU gained 8 yards and got a 28 yard FG, 24-14. Two punts. UW went 33/7pl but was intercepted at the PSU5 and returned 33 yards. PSU on 3&7 got a 59 yard td pass, 31-14. UW, on 4&23, was sacked for a 7 yard loss back to the 41 after a FD at the 21. UW went 76/13pl and got a 5 yard td pass, 31-21. UW blocked a punt :29 later with 5:09 left. UW added a 48 yard FG, 31-24 with 4:13 left. PSU17 got a 61 yard run to the UW21 but missed a 31 yard FG with :31 left to leave UW in it. UW got 2 FD’s to the PSU41 but was intercepted in the EZ on the last play on a Hail Mary.

Vad Lee passed for a career high 232 yards for Georgia Tech. GT blew a 20-0 2Q lead. Georgia was without QB Aaron Murray and Hutson Mason hit 22-36-291 yards. Of UGA’s 152 yards in the 1H, 86 came on their final drive for a td which got them back in the game. GT opened with a 76/5pl drive and got a 3 yard td run. GT went 60/11pl for a 37 yard FG. UGA was intercepted 3pl later. GT went 36/2pl for a 26 yard td pass, 17-0. GT went 87/15pl but settled for a 22 yard FG, 20-0. UGA took over with just 1:43 left 1H and went 86/7pl getting a key td to give them some momentum for the 2H. Thanks to that drive, GT only had a 279-152 yard edge at the half. UGA opened the 3Q with a 63/15pl drive for a 40 yard FG. They had a FD at the 18 but the FG came on 4&15. GT went 41/9pl and missed a 43 yard FG. UGA went 74/7pl for a 9 yard td pass, 20-17. Each team went on a long td drive and UGA’s td with 6:37 left pulled them within 27-24. GT was intercepted at its own 43 and returned 18 yards to the 25. UGA got 1 FD and its 32 yard FG with 4:17 left tied it. GT got to the UGA43 but punted on 4&7 and it went to OT. In the first OT, each team scored a td. Todd Gurley got a 25 yard td run in the 2OT and GT got a FD to the 11. On 4&5 the pass was batted around and incomplete. GT finished with a 495-437 yard edge.

Antonio Andrews of WKU rushed for 119 yards and broke his own single-season rushing record by 2 yards getting to 1,730. Brandon Doughty hit 21-37-255. Arkansas St’s Adam Kennedy hit 7-10-67 and Fredi Knighten QB’d a good portion of the game hitting 11-17-61. ASU went 83/12pl for a td. WKU got a 40 yard KR to the ASU35 and went 35/3pl for a td. After a 31 yard punt and 10 yard PR, WKU went 32/5pl for a 2nd short td drive, 14-7. After an interception, WKU went 59/7pl for a 23 yard td pass, 20-7. ASU went 40/8pl and missed a 42 yard FG then, with Knighten at controls, went 85/15pl.Knighten’s 1 yard td run made it 20-14 with 2:52 left in the half. WKU went 70/8pl but on FD from the ASU11, with :31 left, fumbled at the 9. At the half WKU had a 218-201 yard edge. WKU fumbled the KO at its own 34 and ASU went 34/6pl on a short drive for a td and the lead, 21-20. ASU went 44/13pl for a 45 yard FG, 24-20. WKU went 69/8pl and got a 2 yard td run, 27-24. Three punts. WKU fumbled at its own 22 and ASU took the lead with a 22/5pl drive. The 6 yard td pass gave them the lead, 31-27 with 9:27 left. Two punts. WKU took over at its 1 with 5:30 left. They got 2 FD’s and on 4&9 a FD. Two more FD’s and on 4&gl from the 6 a td but an illegal block brought it back to the 21 yard line. On 4&21, a pass interference and personal foul moved them ahead to the 2 and they got a 2 yard td pass with :09 left to pull out the win. WKU did have a 406-357 yard edge.

Indiana won the Old Oaken Bucket and beat Purdue worse than the final score would even indicate as PU got a couple of late scores to “only” lose by 20. PU lost its 10th straight game, its 2nd longest streak in school history. Way back in 1906-’08 they had lost 11 in a row. Tre Roberson made his 4th start of the season and hit 25-37-273 and Nate Sudfeld, who had been the starter for most of the year, hit just 1-1-18. Danny Etling had a good game for PU hitting 33-49-485. It was PU’s worst loss in the series since a 52-7 route back in 1988. It was sealed the Boilermakers’ first winless Big Ten season since 1993. IU went 75/4 and 83/10pl for td’s. The Hoosiers 3rd drive ended on interception at the PU28. PU opted to go for it on 4&13 and got a 25 yard pass down to the 1. They got a 1 yard td on the next play, 14-6. IU went 61/10pl for a td. PU went 56/9pl for a 36 yard FG, 21-9. IU then went 57/7 and 73/7pl for td’s and led 35-9 at half with a 371-154 yard edge. IU opened the 3Q with 80/11 and 82/8pl drives for td’s and led 49-9. PU then took over vs the backups. The Boilermakers went 75/2 and 94/9pl for td’s 49-23. IU got down to the PU4 but was intercepted in the EZ. PU got an 80 yard td pass on the next play and amazingly was only trailing by 19. IU went 76/13pl for a 6 yard td pass, 56-30. PU took over at its 19 with 3:21 left. They converted on 4&1 and then at the end of an 81/13pl drive on 3&7, a 7 yard td pass with 1:00 left, 56-36. Indy recovered the onside kick and got 2 FD’s including a 28 yard pass to the 9 yard line where they ended the game.

Illinois’ Nathan Scheelhaase hit 31-45-307 and Trevor Siemian hit 31-44-414 for Northwestern. NU opened with a 73/13pl drive but settled for a 19 yard FG after 1&gl at the 4. NU took its 2nd drive 70/7pl for a 27 yard td pass, 10-0. Each team punted. UI went 46/10pl and missed a 47 yard FG. UI went 68/8pl and got a 25 yard td pass, 10-7. UI went 54/6pl and got a 1 yard td run, 14-10. NU went 65/9pl and got an 11 yard td pass, 17-14. UI got 3 FD’s but missed a 51 yard FG into the wind with 5:13 left in the half. NU got a 54 yard pass down to the 17 yard line. After 1 FD they faked a FG on 4&gl from the 5 and it fell incomplete with 1:01 left. UI went 3&out and NU got a 22 yard PR to the 31. They got a 22 yard pass to the 9 and on the final play a 26 yard FG allowed them to take a 20-17 lead. At the half NU had a 317-237 yard edge. UI, on the 2nd play of the 3Q, got a 55 yard td run by Josh Ferguson, 24-20. Each team drove for a FG, 27-23, then each team punted. UI punted 66 yards to the 2. NU went 98/11pl and a 23 yard td pass to Rashad Lawrence gave them the lead, 30-27 (14:55). UI got to midfield but was intercepted and NU drove 48/9pl for a td with 8:07 left, 37-27. Two punts. UI went 62/8pl and got an 11 yard td pass with 2:23 left. NU recovered the onside kick, got a FD on 3&6 and took a knee.

Virginia Tech beat Virginia for a 10th straight time but when Duke beat North Carolina, it kept VT out of the ACC title game. VT had 364-285 yard and 21-15 FD edges against Virginia. Logan Thomas hit 13-29-229. David Watford hit 13-23-122. Thomas was sacked 5 times in a defensive struggle. The first 4 possessions of the game were all long drives that ended in short FG’s (22, 36, 30 and 29 yards) and it was tied at 6 with 12:05 left in the 2Q. After each team punted, VT went 67/11pl for a 38 yard FG, 9-6. VT recovered the onside kick at its own 46 but after a FD, Thomas was sacked and fumbled back at his own 34. However, UVA went for it on 4&11 with 1:04 let in the half, a key play and it fell incomplete. VT then went 65/7pl and on 3&10 got a 26 yard td with :21 left in the half to go up 16-7 and take momentum. VT had a 253-165 yard edge. VT was intercepted at the UVA9 with 8:02 left in the 3Q. They had a FD at the 25. The next 6 possessions were punts. UVA got a FD run to midfield but was intercepted on the next play. Two punts. VT took over at its 37 and got 1 FD but went for it on 4&1 and lost 7 yards back to the UVA47. UVA got 2 FD’s to the VT31 but on 4&25 was sacked with :46 left.

This game for Iowa St mirrored their season as they opened up in Big 12 play at 0-7 but looking at a winless Big 12 season in the face, rallied to win their last 2. In this game they opened up trailing 31-7 but somehow, someway, managed to tie the game, force OT and won it there. The key was when they ripped the ball out of WR Kevin White’s hands at the WV33 with 2:46 left setting up their short drive. In the first 6 possessions, West Virginia had a 38/7pl drive for a 49 yard FG and there were 5 punts. ISU was intercepted and WV went 6/2pl for a td, 10-0 (4:16). WV got a 38 yard FR td, 17-0. Each team went on a long td drive, 24-7. ISU went 48/10pl but missed a 42 yard FG. Charles Sims ripped off a 76 yard td run on the next play and WV led 31-7 with 9:05 left in the 2Q. ISU went 64/5pl and got a 10 yard td pass with 7:23 left. WV went 38/10pl and on 4&5 fumbled at its own 48. WV’s next drive ended on a missed 51 yard FG with :32 left in the half. At the half WV had a 296-215 yard edge. ISU went 62/15pl and got a 28 yard FG blocked. With WV up 31-14, poised to put it away on a 1&gl at the 1 yard line, Wendell Smallwood fumbled. ISU would go 99/12pl for a td to get back in, 31-21. WV got a 76 yard td pass, 38-21 with 13:42 left. ISU went 3&out and on 4&17 faked a punt for a FD, another huge play. On 3&14, they got a 62 yard td pass to pull them within 10. WV fumbled at its own 38. ISU, facing a 4&7 where an incompletion would virtually end the game, got a 21 yard pass to the 14, then a 31 yard FG with 4:21 left. WV, on 3&10, was intercepted at its own 33 with 2:46 left. ISU went 33/5pl getting a 3&7, 19 yard td pass to tie it with 1:00 left. WV got 1 FD and on 3&14 a 22 yard pass to midfield but on 3&4 was intercepted at the 1. Each team got a FG in the first OT. Each team got a 26 yard FG in the 2nd OT. ISU got a 25 yard td pass and 2 point conversion. WV got a 22 yard pass to Sims down to the 3 but on 4&gl from the 5, only got to the 2. WV’s Clint Trickett hit 21-37-356 and Grant Rohach for ISU 25-39-331.

Tough loss for Boston College vs Syracuse. With the win SU got to bowl eligibility. Andre Williams came in with over 2,000 yards rushing but on the first play of the 3Q was hurt and out for the rest of the game. He had just 29 yards on 9 carries. Chase Rettig was BC’s top rusher with 85 yards on 4 carries. BC had this game wrapped up but gave up a td with :06 left. Each team punted to open. SU went on a 40/9pl drive but missed a 30 yard FG then went 51/8pl but was SOD on 4&2 on a 2 yard loss. BC went 96/5pl and Williams’ 26 yard td made it 7-0. SU went 75/15pl for a td, 7-7. BC was intercepted at midfield and SU went 50/9pl for a td. After a 23 yard punt by BC, SU went 50/9pl for a td, 21-7. BC went 71/3pl and got a 9 yard td pass, 21-14. At the half SU had a 287-179 yard edge. BC opened the 3Q with a 70/9pl drive and got a 9 yard td pass, 21-21. SU went 51/14pl for a 42 yard FG, 24-21. Two punts. BC took over with 12:38 left and went 78/8pl and got a 1 yard td run by Rettig, 28-24. SU went 49/9pl but opted for a 44 yard FG on 4&8 to pull within 1 with 5:03 left. BC punted but SU was intercepted at its own 22. BC got a FD to the 5 yard line. While I rarely question offensive play calls, BC, on 3&gl from the 7, opted for a pass (which was fine) but the pass was at the sideline. The receiver caught the ball and went OOB. A run there would have allowed them to run the clock. A pass into the EZ would have given them a td. But the pass to the sideline basically saved a Syracuse team with no time-outs :40. BC would get a 21 yard FG with 2:08 left. With those extra :40 in their pocket, the Orange got 5 FD’s to the BC8. They got an 8 yard td pass capping a 75/8pl drive with :06 left. Likely the game would have been over at midfield had they not had the extra :40. BC tried the lateral and lost.

Utah St was playing to wrap up the berth in the MW title game. Wyoming QB Brett Smith, who had a huge game the week before, hit 16-29-162. Darell Garretson for USU hit 20-29 but for just 156. UW, on its 2nd possession, was intercepted and USU went 27/3pl for a td. Five punts. USU, after a 36 yard PR, got 1 FD and was intercepted at the 12. USU got a 64 yard PR td by Bruce Natson, 14-0 (7:30). USU went 82/9pl and got a 1 yard td run, 21-0 (:53). At the half USU had a 148-89 yard edge. The 3Q opened with 4 punts. UW fumbled a punt at its own 10 and USU went 10/3pl for a td. UW went for it on 4&9 and was sacked for a 15 yard loss back to the USU38. USU went 62/9pl for a td with :25 left in the 3Q, 35-0. UW on 3&10 got a 60 yard td pass to break the shutout, 35-7 (13:38). USU fumbled and it was returned 41 yards to the USU6 with 10:48 left, but UW was SOD on 4&8. USU took over with 9:15 left in the game and went 69/17pl getting a FD to the 19 where they took a knee. USU had 310-190 yard and 20-10 FD edges.

Middle Tenn crushed UTEP with 27-14 FD and 629-299 yard edges winning its 5th straight game. HC Rick Stockstill is doing a tremendous job there and they now have B2B seasons of 8 or more victories. Remember, last year they were shutout of a bowl. UTEP got a 42 yard run by Josh Bell to the 31 but punted on 4&16. MT blocked the punt and it only went 8 yards. MT went 71/6pl for a td. UTEP fumbled at its own 42 and MT went 38/6pl for a 21 yard FG. MT went 62/10 and 75/4pl for td’s, 24-0. Each team went on a long td drive, 31-7 (4:20 2Q). MT went 81/12pl and got a 26 yard FG, 34-7. At the half MT had a commanding 397-107 yard edge. MT opened the 3Q with a 75/3pl drive and a 69 yard pass to Kyle Griswould on the 2nd play the key. UTEP went 81/8pl and on 4&2 they got a FD. Nathan Jeffery’s 1 yard td run on the next play made it 41-14 (12:30). MT was intercepted 4pl later at the UTEP25. UTEP got a 48 yard pass and a 41 yard FG on the 52/5pl drive, 41-17. MT went 73/7pl for a td. The final 6 possessions were all punts. Logan Kilgore hit 19-27-325 while Mack Leftwich hit 14-24-122. Both MT Jeremiah Bryson (120) and UTEP’s Jeffery (140) topped 100 yards.

New Mexico St managed to avoid the basement of the Independents. Idaho did not. UI did have a 459-371 yard edge on the road. Andrew McDonald hit 17-27-186 and Taylor Davis 21-41-250 for Idaho. The first 4 possessions were punts. NMSt went 95/8pl for a td. Two punts. UI went 77/6pl for a 56 yard td pass, 7-7 (14:11). UI got 1 FD and punted but faked it for the FD to continue on a 69/13pl drive for a 25 yard FG, 10-7 (7:34). NMSt was sacked and fumbled back at its own 11. UI got a 27 yard FG, 13-7 on a 1 yard drive. NMSt was intercepted at the UI18 with 4:01 left in the half but UI fumbled it back at its 49. On 2&6 for NMSt, McDonald was sacked and fumbled and UI recovered at the NMS33. However, with 1:48 left 1H the Vandals were SOD on 4&3. NMSt went 55/8pl to get a 36 yard FG with :13 left to gain some momentum, 13-10. UI had a 219-166 yard edge at the half. UI punted to open the 3Q and NMSt went 73/9pl for a td and the lead, 17-13. UI went 55/10pl but settled for a 25 yard FG. NMSt went 75/14pl for an 8 yard td run, 24-16 (14:12). UI went 62/10pl but on 3&3 from the 13 was intercepted in the EZ. The Vandals’ next drive went 42/7pl but on 4&5 they were SOD at their own 45. NMSt had a 45 yard FG blocked with 1:30 left and UI took over at its 21. They got 2 FD’s, converted on 4&2 to the NMSt26, added a FD to the 14 but on 4&15 fired incomplete at the end.

Tough loss for TCU. They had a 410-370 yard edge. Baylor got not only 2 interception return td’s but one was a 14 point swing at the end of the 1H with an 82 yard IR with :31 left. At the end of the game, TCU was intercepted in the EZ going for the win. Casey Pachall hit 20-45-267 and Bryce Petty just 19-38-206. Each team went on a long drive for a short FG to open, 3-3. Baylor went 75/13pl for a td and 44/12pl for a 47 yard FG, 13-3 on the first play of the 2Q. TCU went for it on 4&1 at its own 48 and converted and went 63/9pl for a td. Three punts. TCU got a 41 yard PR to the BU21 and on the next play a 21 yard td pass to LaDarius Brown gave them a 17-13 lead with 6:18 left in the half. TCU was at its 32 when Pachall was sacked for a 21 yard loss back to the 11. On the next play the Horned Frogs fumbled and BU recovered at the 1 yard line. BU got a 1 yard td pass a play later to take the lead, 20-17. After each team punted. TCU got to the BU26 yard line, poised to score and retake the lead at the half. Pachall, under pressure, threw a pass. The DB and WR battled for it, but it was Orion Stewart who came up with it, slipped a tackle and raced 82 yards for a td and a stunning 14 point turnaround. BU led 27-17 with :31 left in the half. The turnaround continued. TCU had the ball at midfield but was intercepted by Eddie Lackey who returned it 54 yards untouched for a td. TCU trailed 34-17. TCU went 77/7 and 51/6pl for td’s to get back to 34-31. BU went 70/7pl for a td with 2:25 left in the 3Q. BU was intercepted at the 27 yard line and TCU went 25/2pl for a td to make it 41-38 with 14:53 left. After each team punted, BU went 31/10pl and missed a 32 yard FG. Each team punted. TCU, on 4&15, gained 13 yards to its own 46 with 3:10 left. BU went 3&out punting with 1:34 left. TCU got 4 FD’s to the 23 yard line but Pachall was intercepted in the EZ with :11 left. BU got the win.

Auburn now has me wondering what they are going to do this week to pull out a last second win. Two weeks after the new “Immaculate Deflection” (which set up just the second top 5 Iron Bowl matchup and first since 1971) they trumped that with an even weirder ending to the game. Alabama had a 495-393 yard edge. Here’s a key stat: Bama had 4 FG attempts. Those 4 attempts netted 0 points for Bama and 6 for AU. AJ McCarron hit 17-29-277. AU did run the ball for 296 yards on Bama. Bama opened with a 49/5pl drive but missed a 44 yard FG. After each team punted, AU converted on 3&18 with a 21 yard pass and went 66/7pl for a td. Two punts. Bama went 67/11pl with a 3 yard td pass, 7-7 (11:00). AU got 1 FD and fumbled. Bama went 36/4pl for a td then 56/5pl for a td and led 21-7 with 3:48 left in the half. AU went 81/7pl and got a 1 yard td run with 1:40 left, 21-14. At the half Bama had a 235-191 yard edge. AU opened the 3Q with a 69/9pl drive for a td. Each team punted. Bama started at its own 1. On 3&9 they got a 54 yard pass to Amari Cooper and they would go 83/14pl. They settled for a chipshot 28 yard FG. A false start turned it into a 33 yard FG which Cade Foster missed badly to the left. AU punted and Bama was pinned at its 1 yard line again. McCarron hit Cooper with a 99 yard td pass, 28-21 (10:28). AU, on 4&1, ran for no gain and Bama took over at the AU35 with a chance to put it away. They got 1 FD. A couple of factors probably went into Saban’s decision. First, he had an excellent O-line and running game and second, his FG kicker was struggling. With the chance to make it a 2 score game with 5:34 left, he passed up the FG and went for it and was stuffed at the 13. AU punted and Bama returned the punt 19 yards to the AU25. On 4&12, this time he went for the FG. AU blocked it and recovered at the 20, justifying the lack of a FG try on the previous drive. A personal foul late hit moved it to the 35 with 2:41 left. AU got a pair of FD’s and Nick Marshall appeared to be running the option but then flipped to Sammie Coates on the left sideline who took it 39 yards for a td with :32 left to tie it. Bama got 1 FD. They originally ruled that the time had run out, but after a lengthy review put :01 back on the clock. While Bama was happy at the time, they were unhappy later. Bama did have the wind at their back and brought in Adam Griffith, who normally hits 60 yard FG’s in practice, to let him try a 57 yarder as Foster had already missed 2 FG’s and had a 44 yarder block. Chris Davis caught the FG attempt in the EZ and raced 109 yards almost completely untouched and with a tip-toe dance down the sideline for the td. AU celebrated their Iron Bowl win and berth in the SEC title game. Bama cannot win the National Title this year so their shot at a 3-peat is over.

UTSA was holding out hopes of getting to a bowl game, but that probably ended as 70 teams are eligible for postseason and they would have needed less than the required amount of teams eligible. UTSA did dominate Louisiana Tech with 475-193 yard and 18-13 FD edges. UTSA opened with a 36 yard pass on the first play and on the 3rd play of the game, got a 31 yard td pass. The next 4 possessions were punts. LT went 54/6pl but settled for a 24 yard FG, 7-3. UTSA went 56/6pl and got a 20 yard td run. UTSA went 72/15pl and settled for a 21 yard FG, 17-3 (8:25). LT converted on 4&2 at the UTSA35 but punted with 3:52 left in the half. UTSA was intercepted and returned 26 yards for a td with 1:25 left and it was 17-10 at the half with UTSA having a 238-128 yard edge. LT was SOD on 4&1 at the UTSA34. Two punts. UTSA went 52/6pl and got a 1 yard td run, 24-10 (6:55). After a 32 yard punt, UTSA started at the LT47 and got a big run but fumbled at the 9. UTSA went 71/11pl for a 21 yard FG, 27-10 then went 38/7 for a 37 yard FG, 30-10. LT went 63/10pl but on 4&gl from the 4, fired incomplete with 1:09 left. Eric Soza hit 17-20-271 yards and Scotty Young 13-24-80.

UCLA got its 3rd victory over USC in 15 years and their biggest margin of victory. UCLA had a 396-314 yard edge. I thought coming into the game that UCLA, with 3 frosh OL, would struggle vs USC’s defensive front but the O-line did well as they ran for 188 yards and only allowed 2 sacks. I did not anticipate the Trojans losing 2 of their OL to injury including their C in the 1H and they allowed 6 sacks on the game. The first 4 possessions were punts and USC only got off a 15 yarder setting up UCLA for a 48/7pl drive for a td. UCLA went 80/8pl for a td and USC answered with an 80/11pl drive for a td. UCLA went 36/10pl and on 4&1 was SOD at the USC13. At the half UCLA had a 185-118 yard edge. UCLA opened the 3Q with an 85/9pl drive for a td and USC went 80/7pl for a 22 yard td pass, 21-14. UCLA went 54/8pl for a td, 28-14. USC went 55/10pl and Cody Kessler hit Javorius Allen with a 9 yard pass. As he was running, he shifted the ball in his hands and just fumbled it without being hit. UCLA took over at the 35. Three punts. Kessler was sacked and fumbled back at his own 38 and UCLA tagged on a td with 3:50 left on a 38/4pl drive. Brett Hundley hit 18-27-208 and ran for 80. Kessler hit 17-28-174.

ULM’s Kolton Browning hit 18-28-247 and Louisiana’s Terrance Broadway was injured after hitting 13-27-178. Brooks Haack took over and hit 10-14-126. Things opened well for the Ragin’ Cajuns as they went 68/9 and 53/5pl for td’s on their first 2 possessions, 14-0. ULM went 76/8pl and got a 29 yard td pass. ULM on 3&1 got a 77 yard td by DeVontae McNeal to tie with 10:01 left 2Q. UL went 50/6pl for a 24 yard td pass. Three punts. UL got to the ULM23 but on the last play of the half was intercepted in the EZ and returned 35 yards. At the half UL had a 239-198 yard edge. ULM went 86/11pl. On 2&gl from the 4, they fumbled and recovered back at the 16 but on 3&16, got a 16 yard td pass, 21-20 (xpng). UL got 2 FD’s to the ULM9 yard line on a 51/5pl drive but was intercepted in the EZ. ULM went 80/12pl and got a 4 yard td run by Centarius Donald. The 2 point conversion made it 28-21. UL got 1 FD and was intercepted. ULM went 49/8pl for a 28 yard FG, 31-21. UL went 32/7pl and missed a 48 yard FG and Broadway was hurt. Haack led UL 45/14pl but on 4&17, he fired incomplete at the 41. UL went 80/8pl and got a 25 yard td run with :53 left. ULM recovered the onside kick.

With a win over Texas A&M, Missouri: beat its 4th ranked opponent of the season, reached 11 wins for the 3rd time in school history (the 2nd time under Pinkel), and advanced to the SEC champ game. Last year when these two played, MO had an injury plagued O-line, was without starting QB James Franklin and RB Henry Josey. The Tigers were pounded by A&M trailing 52-10 at one point on the road. Josey had the key play of the game, a 57 yard td run with 4:25 left and Franklin hit 18-28-233. The O-line helped them power to a 463-379 yard edge. Johnny Manziel’s Heisman hopes pretty much ended last week but look even bleaker now as he threw for just 195 yards and rushed for 21. A&M took its 2nd possession 65/10pl for a td, 7-0. There were 5 punts then MO went 94/7pl and on 3&6 got a 38 yard td pass, 7-7. A&M went 75/4pl and got a 32 yard td pass, 14-7 (4:06). MO went 46/13pl but missed a 47 yard FG. At the half A&M had a 226-192 yard edge and Gary Pinkel had just an 11-44 record when trailing at half. MO opened the 3Q with a 75/7pl drive and got a 2 yard td run by Marcus Murphy. MO went 57/8pl and got a 5 yard td pass, 21-14 (6:26). Two punts. A&M took over with 13:34 left and went 98/9pl and got a 7 yard td run by Ben Malena to tie it (10:43). Four punts. MO took over at its 34 with 4:47 left and on 3&1, Josey’s raced up the middle 57 yards for a td with 3:34 left. On 3&7, Manziel threw a pass behind Mike Evans and he was tackled for a 6 yard loss. They punted with 2:01 left. MO got 2 FD’s and ran the clock.

Over the summer Jadeveon Clowney said that Clemson’s Tajh Boyd was scared of South Carolina and Clowney did have a good game including a sack. Boyd hit 19-27-225 but had 2 interceptions. Sammy Watkins threw CU’s other interception. Connor Shaw hit 14-26-152. Steve Spurrier called Shaw the best QB in school history. SC was hoping that Mizzou would lose so they would get into the SEC title game, but that did not happen. SC now owns CU as this was their 5th straight win in the rivalry, although CU leads this series 65-42-4. A 6-0 TO edge was the key here as CU actually had a 352-318 yard edge. Boyd came out firing on the first drive of the game hitting 5-5 and went right down the field 46/7pl but he was intercepted in the EZ. SC went 75/17pl and got a 3 yard td run, 7-0. CU went 75/4pl for a td, 7-7 (2:45). CU fumbled a punt (1st of 2) and SC went 39/5pl for a td, 14-7 (14:54). SC went 65/13pl for a 21 yard FG, 17-7 (8:25). Two punts. CU took over with 3:07 left in the half and went 53/10pl for a 38 yard FG, 17-10. At the half CU had a 204-202 yard edge. SC got a 55 yard KR to open the 2H. They got 1 FD but on 4&1 were SOD at the CU19. Two punts. CU went 88/15pl. On 4&1, offsides gave them a FD and they continued to get a 4 yard td run 3pl later, 17-17 (3:01). SC, on 4&1, had CU jump offsides giving them a FD which was huge. They went 74/11pl for a 2 yard td run, 24-17 (11:47 4Q). CU went 40/8pl and fumbled at the SC30. SC got 1 FD and punted. CU fumbled the punt for a 2nd time and SC went 34/3pl with a 26 yard td pass, 31-17 (3:46). CU was intercepted at its own 43 and intercepted at the SC44 on its final 2 drives.

Joshua Dobbs came into the game with an 0-5 ratio for the season but had 2 td’s and 1 interception and ran 40 yards for a td here vs Kentucky. UK finished winless in the SEC in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1941-’42. Tennessee only had a 417-393 yard edge. UT DE Corey Miller had 4.5 sacks, which broke a school record set by Reggie White back in 1983. Commonwealth Stadium will now undergo a 2 year renovation. On the 2nd play of the game UT got a 60 yard td run by Rajion Neal (14:36). UK went 33/8pl but missed a 53 yard FG. Two punts. UT went 94/7pl and got a 43 yard td pass, 14-0 (:19). UT was intercepted at the UK15 but then drove 44/8pl for a 40 yard td run by Dobbs, 20-0 (5:54). UK went 75/8pl for a td with 1:45 left in the half, 20-7. At the half UT had a 281-190 yard edge. The 3Q opened with 5 punts. UT then went 85/8pl for a 7 yard td pass, 27-7. UK on 4&1 was SOD at the UT1 with :05 left in the 3Q. UT went 88/9 and fumbled at the UK11. Two punts. UK went 99/12pl and got a 14 yard td with 3:41 left, 27-14. UK fumbled at its own 3 with 1:15 left and UT took a knee.

Stanford was playing with legitimate revenge as last year in OT there was a controversial stop of RB Stepfan Taylor in OT which SU disputed. This year SU did have the Pac-12 title game on deck. Both QB’s Kevin Hogan (12-18-158) and Tommy Rees (16-34-199) tossed 2 interceptions. Notre Dame came in a banged up team and not only was missing players on the defensive front 7 but also safeties Elijah Shumate, Eliar Hardy and its starting C. ND opened with a 65/12pl drive but settled for a 21 yard FG. SU went 75/7 and 56/9pl for td’s on its first 2 drives, the 2nd ending with 13:37 to go in the 2Q, 14-3. SU was intercepted at the ND47. Two punts. ND went 44/9pl but again settled for a short FG so each team had 2 long scoring drives but the Irish had a pair of 21 and 27 yard FG’s, SU had 2 td’s and led 14-6. SU got to the ND35 at the end of the half but the Hail Mary fell incomplete. At the half SU had a 213-142 yard edge. SU opened the 3Q with a 76/7pl drive for a td. ND went 65/7pl for a td, 21-13 (7:51). SU went 39/8pl for a 27 yard FG, 24-13 (3:40). ND went 75/8pl and got a 14 yard td pass to get within 4. SU went 55/13pl and got a 28 yard FG to get back up by 7. ND punted with 7:16 left but SU on 3&9 was intercepted at the ND21 from midfield. The Irish got 1 FD but then Rees was intercepted at the SU49 with 5:15 left. SU was stopped on 3&5 only gaining 4 yards, but punted 29 yards to the ND21 with 3:52 left. The Irish got a FD to the 31 but then Rees was intercepted on a deep pass at the SU30. SU got 1 FD and ran the clock.

For the first time since 1986, Arizona and Arizona St entered their rivalry game with both having at least 7 wins. ASU needed to win to wrap up home field edge for the Pac-12 championship game and Todd Graham left no doubt. ASU was playing without its top rusher and scorer, Marion Grice and only finished with a 478-424 yard edge as UA was SOD a couple of times. Taylor Kelly hit 13-25-274 while BJ Denker hit 15-30-175. ASU is trying to get to its first Rose Bowl since the 1996 season. The Territorial Cup is the oldest rivalry trophy in college football dating all the way back to 1899. ASU went 54/13pl for a 38 yard FG. After a 12 yard punt they went 20/6 for a 21 yard FG and led 6-0 (7:06 1Q). ASU went 80/7pl for a td then UA, after a 10pl drive, was SOD on 4&1 at the ASU47. Four plays later DJ Foster’s 14 yard td run put ASU up 20-0. UA was SOD on 4&1 at the ASU45 and intercepted at its own 46 and returned 15 yards. ASU went 31/5pl for a 1 yard td run with a commanding 27-0 lead with 8:04 left in the 2Q. UA went 78/12pl for a 1 yard td run then went 46/5pl and missed a 42 yard FG with 1:23 left. ASU went 69/6pl for a 23 yard FG with :11 left in the half to lead 30-7 with a 314-211 yard edge. UA went 75/7pl for a td to pull within 30-14 but ASU iced the game when Damarious Randall intercepted a pass and returned it 64 yards for a td, 37-14. Two punts. UA went 68/5pl for a td, 37-21 then ASU went 75/4pl for a td, recovered a fumble on the KO and went 31/6pl for a td to lead 51-21 with 13:17 left. ASU tacked on a 1 yard td run with 5:57 left for the final.

UNLV had a good situational edge vs San Diego St. They were at home, playing in their home finale and the previous 2 weeks had a bye and a Thursday night game vs Air Force so had extra time to prepare. SDSt, meanwhile, was off a home finale upset win over Boise St and now had to travel. Caleb Herring hit 20-30-270 for UNLV and his 5 td passes tied a school record which surprises me because Randall Cunningham was a UNLV QB. SDSt opened with a 69/2pl drive for a td. UNLV went 65/8pl for a td then after an interception went 22/6pl but missed a 23 yard FG. The Aztecs went for it on 4&5 at the UNLV22 because they had no confidence in their kicker and they were SOD. UNLV went 78/6pl for a td then 86/6pl for another, 21-7 (5:30). SDSt was SOD on 4&1 at its own 46 and UNLV, 6pl later, had a 50 yard FG, 24-7 (1:09). SDSt got to the UNLV28 but fired incomplete on the final play of the half. At the half UNLV had a 246-196 yard edge. UNLV opened the 3Q with a 67/6pl drive and a 5 yard td run, 31-7 (11:36). SDSt went 55/9pl but was intercepted at the 15 and returned 22 yards. SDSt went 59/11pl for a td, 31-13 (xpng). UNLV then went 48/6pl to get a 32 yard td pass. After SDSt was SOD on 4&1 at its own 22, UNLV got another td four plays later to ice it, 45-13 (11:38). Neither threatened after that although SDSt did return a punt 71 yards for a td (2ptng) with 7:17 left.

Boise St was playing in its home finale hoping Utah St would lose so they could get to the MW title game. New Mexico, despite coming in without its starting QB and RB, put up a good fight. The Lobos were only outgained 432-362, the FD’s were even (19) and this was closer than the 45-17 score. Boise did get a 64 yard pass to Jay Ajayi down to the 1 yard line on the 2nd play to jump out to a 7-0 lead, but NM, after a 31 yard punt, went 33/5pl for a td to tie it at 7. BS got a 33 yard PR to the NM15 and a td on the next play, 14-7. NM went 73/11pl but was SOD on 4&gl at the 1. BS went 99/14pl and on 3&14, got a 29 yard td pass, 21-7 (7:16). NM was intercepted at the BS40 on its next drive and the game went to the half, 21-7 with Boise only having a 216-164 yard edge. NM went 51/7pl for a 42 yard FG, 21-10 (11:25). BS went 92/5pl for a 18 yard td, 28-10 (9:30). BS then went 72/8pl for a 24 yard td pass, 35-10 (14:22). NM got a td with 4:48 left and BS returned the onside kick to the NM14 and added a 23 yard FG with 2:42 left. NM’s final drive ended on a fumble at the BS28.

Hawaii had a 608-406 yard edge vs Army. They jumped out to a 28-7 halftime lead but then Army tied this one at 28. UH avoided their 2nd winless season in school history. Tragically, RB Willis Wilson drowned on a beach on Saturday morning so the team played with some heavy hearts. Army fumbled on its opening drive and UH went 54/5pl for a td (12:14). UH went 74/7pl for a td, 14-0 (8:23). Army was SOD at its own 34 on 4&1 but UH, on 3&8 from the 13, was intercepted in the EZ for a TB. Army went 80/13pl for a 6 yard td run, 14-7 (14:40). UH went 80/11pl and 42/6pl, the 2nd on 4&gl at the 1 Joey Iosefa got a 1 yard td pass to Harold Moleni, 28-7 on a HB option. UH’s next drive went 10pl but a 51 yard FG was short with 2:07 left in the half. At the half Army had a 332-135 yard edge. UH fumbled to open the 3Q and AJ Schurr came in at QB for Army. They went 28/5pl for a td, recovered the onside kick, went 38/3pl for a td then 68/7pl. Shurr’s 1 yard td run was his 3rd td in 5:21, 28-28 (7:20). UH went 80/5pl for a td then 76/7pl for a td, 42-28. Army went 75/6pl and got an 11 yard td run, 42-35 (15:00). UH went 75/13pl for a 6 yard td run to go up 49-35 (10:54). Army fumbled at the 48 but then drove 84/11pl for a td with 2:30 left. UH recovered the onside kick, got 1 FD and punted with :13 left. Army started at its 5 and only got to the 18.

Phil Steele is a college football analyst who has been publishing his annual College Football Preview since 1995. His magazine is regarded as one of the best in the business.
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By Phil Steele

Jordan Lynch broke his own FBS rushing record for QB’s with 321 yards and Northern Illinois had its first unbeaten regular season in 50 years. With temps in the teens, occasional snow fall and winds, NIU beat 1-10 Western Michigan 33-14. There were 17 seniors, including Lynch, playing their final home game. NIU took its opening possession 52/11pl but would miss a 34 yard FG. They took their 2nd possession 80/8pl and got a 10 yard td pass, 7-0. WMU surprisingly went 63/12pl for a td to tie it with 11:09 left in the half, 7-7. NIU went 75/6 and 77/5pl for td’s on its next 2 drives to go up 20-7 with 7:31 left in the half. After NIU punted 16 yards, WMU missed a 42 yard FG with 1:41 left and had a 37 yarder blocked on the final play of half. At the half NIU only had a 315-188 yard edge. WMU opened the 3Q with a 21/3pl drive but on 4&1 was SOD at the NIU26. NIU went 68/10pl but settled for a 23 yard FG with 5:30 left in the 3Q. WMU fumbled at its own 30 but forced a punt on 4&15. After an 8 yard PR, NIU got a 37 yard td run by Lynch, 30-7. After a 23 yard PR they started at the WM39 on the first play of the 4Q and got a 32 yard FG with 12:52 left. WMU went 53/12pl getting a 1 yard td run with 4:40 left to make it 33-14. NIU got 2 FD’s and took a knee at its own 42.

Dak Prescott had a nerve injury to his non-throwing arm and missed the last 2 games. He was doubtful to play vs Ole Miss. Frosh Damian Williams, who is the 3rd string QB, made his first career start with backup Tyler Russell out. He hit just 8-18-82 with an interception. Mississippi St probably saved Dan Mullen’s job as he’s now beaten his rival 4 of the last 5 years and got them to a bowl game despite a brutal schedule. This game was played on Thanksgiving Day and Prescott came off the bench in the 4Q to guide the win. The Rebels were intercepted at midfield on their first possession, went 87/13pl on their 2nd but settled for and missed a 27 yard FG. Ole Miss’ 4th possession started at its own 8 and they were intercepted but on the return, MSU tried a lateral and fumbled it right back at the 5. UM got 1 FD then was intercepted at its own 30 with 4:00 left in the half. MSU went 30/6pl and got a td to go up 7-0. Each team punted and UM blocked a punt and recovered in the EZ for a td with :26 left in the half. At the half UM had a 132-104 yard edge. UM opened the 3Q with an 81/17pl drive but settled for a 22 yard FG. Six punts. MSU went 43/6pl getting to the UM37 but was intercepted at the 7 and returned 25 yards. Three punts. MSU went 54/13pl and settled for a 36 yard FG with 1:59 left to tie. UM punted and MSU went 45/10pl with Prescott at QB on his 3rd series but missed a 39 yard FG on the final play of regulation. In OT, MSU, after getting 1 FD opted to go for it on 4&1 and got a 3 yard td run by Prescott. UM got 1 FD to the 11. Then Wallace took off and headed for the game-tying td but fumbled into the EZ for a TB. UM had a 318-296 yard edge but lost and Prescott was 11-20-115 yards and 29 yards rushing.

Texas sacked Texas Tech’s QB’s nine times for 59 yards with Jackson Jeffcoat getting 3 sacks. Texas moved to 7-1 in the Big 12 and could get a tie for the Big 12 title with a win this week over Baylor. UT actually had more control in this game than the score would indicate at the half. They led 20-10 but TT’s only scores came on a fake punt by Ryan Erxleben who ran 51 yards for a td to lead 7-0. At the end of the half with UT leading 20-7, TT went 3&out but roughing the P gave them a FD. Four plays later on 3&11 they fired incomplete but a late hit roughing the QB penalty gave them another FD and they would get a 32 yard FG. Because of the 2 drive saving penalties they only trailed 20-10. Each team fumbled to open the 3Q then UT went 51/8pl for a td. Two punts. TT was sacked and fumbled at the UT29 and TT went 71/10pl for a td on the first play of the 4Q, 34-10. UT fumbled at the TT22 on its next drive and then TT went 78/7pl getting a 4&6, 11 yard td pass to pull within 34-16. UT went 81/14pl and got a 4&1, 1 yard td run by Tyrone Swoopes for the 41-16 final.

Toledo did not have David Fluellen at RB but Kareem Hunt rushed for 103 yards and Marc Remy for 103. 7-4 UT fell to Akron on the road. Terry Bowden is doing a great job with Akron and 1 year after winning just 1 game, delivered 5 wins in 2013. Kyle Pohl hit 18-29-259 while Terrance Owens struggled again hitting just 16-33-158. A daring gamble by Bowden late in the 1H paid big time dividends. UT finished with 388-344 yard and 26-22 FD edges. After a 7-7 1Q, each team went on a long drive for a short FG to open the 2Q, 10-10. UT punted with 4:14 left in the half and UA was pinned at its own 9 and went 3&out. That’s when Bowden made his move. He faked a punt from his own 16 on 4&3 and got it. They would go on a 91/9pl drive getting a 2 yard td run with :43 left to take a 17-10 lead. At the half UA had a 274-136 yard edge. UT was SOD on 4&3 at the UA39 on its opening 3Q drive and UA went 61/pl8 for a td. On 4&2 they got an 8 yard td pass, 24-10. UT went 77/14pl for a td and on its next drive went 47/8pl but on 3&gl from the 10 was intercepted in the EZ. UT took over at its 14. They got 1 FD but on 4&7, gained 1 yard to their own 35 and on the next play, UA got a 35 yard td pass, 31-17. UT went 52/3pl for a 28 yard td pass, 31-23 (xp blocked) with 5:37 left. UA went 3&out (3:50). UT went 56/10pl and got a td with :59 left but missed the 2 point conversion and UA recovered the onside kick for the upset.

SMU started Neal Burcham in place of Garrett Gilbert who was injured last week. Gilbert was #3 in the nation in passing. Burcham hit 27-52-212 but had 3 interceptions. SMU came in averaging 31 ppg and this was June Jones’ first ever shutout loss as a HC. Houston did only have a 365-295 yard edge in the 34-0 win and it was their first conference shutout since 1989. UH got a 67 yard td pass on its first play after an SMU punt to quickly go up 7-0. SMU was intercepted on its 3rd possession and UH went 20/6pl for a 27 yard FG, 10-0. Three punts. UH went 48/7pl for a td but then was intercepted at the SMU39 and returned 15 yards. SMU got a FD to the 23 but on 3&9 was intercepted in the EZ. Three punts. SMU went 47/8pl but on 3&3 had the shotgun snap go off the QB’s shoulder, take a bounce and it was scooped up by UH and returned 62 yards to the 1 with :53 left in the half. UH had a 1 yard td on the next play, 24-0 but only had a 185-146 yard edge at the half. Each team dropped a FD pass on 4&3 to open the 3Q. UH went 59/7pl for a td then after a 19 yard punt, went 29/9pl for a 27 yard FG, 34-0. SMU was SOD at the UH25 and intercepted at its own 37. UH was intercepted at the SMU34 and SOD on 4&6 at the SMU33. SMU gained 56 yards on 14 plays but was SOD on 4&6 at the UH11 and UH got 2 FD’s running out the clock.

Marshall jumped out to a huge lead vs East Carolina, almost blew it and then ended up winning the CUSA East title game 59-28! MU took its opening drive 46/6pl for a 42 yard FG, went 97/7pl for a td, punted on its 3rd possession, went 18/5pl (after an interception) for a td, and 80/11pl for a td to lead 24-0 with 9:33 left in the 2Q. MU returned a punt 41 yards for a td, 30-0 but a hold was called and brought the Herd back to the 42. They went 45/4pl and had a FD run by Essray Taliaferro to the 13 but he fumbled. That would change the momentum. ECU went 87/7pl for a 2 yard td run then after an MU interception 2pl later, went 31/9pl for a 27 yard FG and only trailed 24-10. MU had a 293-203 yard edge at the half. MU opened the 3Q with a 53/9pl drive for a td then got a 5 yard IR td to go up 38-13 after ECU had gotten a 26 yard FG. Each team went on a long td drive then MU went 71/7 and 77/16pl for td’s to go up 59-20. ECU went 73/5pl getting a td with 1:32 left to make the stats closer as MU had a 541-367 yard edge prior.

Keith Wenning hit 27-33-445 yards and 6 td’s and, as expected, powerful Ball St moved to 10-2 easily dispatching winless Miami, Oh, 55-14. BS opened with a 66/9pl drive for a td. MU went 35/11 but missed a 56 yard FG. BSt’s 2nd drive ended on a fumble at the MU38 and they punted on their 3rd. MU was intercepted at the BS9. BS then: went 91/8pl for a td, punted on its next possession, went 55/5 for a td, and went 89/3 for a td (1:56 left in the half). MU fumbled the KO and BS went 45/5pl for a td with :50 left, 35-0. At the half they had a 366-96 yard edge. After BS punted to open the 2H, the teams would score on 4 consecutive possessions with MU getting 2 td’s including one on 4&gl from the 3. BS got a td and FG to lead 45-14. BS went 80/3pl for a td then, after recovering a fumble, went 74/4pl for a td with 7:46 left. MU went 46/13pl being SOD at the BS26 with :47 left.

Nebraska has had 6 straight 4-loss seasons under Bo Pelini whereas Frank Solich and Bill Callahan combined for six 4-loss seasons and Tom Osborne never had a 4-loss season. Iowa got to 8 wins, doubling its win total from last year. Nebraska finished with their lowest regular season win total since 2008 at 8-4. NU actually had 288-281 yard and 20-14 FD edges but a couple of key events set them back including a questionable fake punt call and Pelini drawing a 15 yard penalty protesting a call which put Iowa into FG range in the 3Q. NU’s Ron Kellogg III got the start as Tommy Armstrong Jr and Taylor Martinez were injured. While Kellogg played well in relief, he didn’t fare well as the starter. He hit 19-37-199 and had interceptions on his first 2 possessions. After the 2nd, UI went 25/7pl for a td to lead 7-0. Five punts. UI, after a 36 yard punt, went 41/3pl for a td, 14-0. NU went 59/11pl and got a 33 yard FG, 14-3 with :31 left in the half. Iowa only had a 140-117 yard edge. NU went 75/11pl for a td to make it 14-10. UI got 1 FD then a questionable pass interference call when the ball was over his head. Pelini protested and drew a 15 yard penalty moving the ball to the 15 which allowed Iowa to have Mike Meyer kick a 31 yard FG on 4&8, 17-10. NU ran a fake punt on 4&3 from its own 32 and lost 8 yards. On the next play, Iowa got a 24 yard td pass to lead 24-10 with 4:46 left in the 3Q. Two punts. NU went 71/10pl and on 4&3, got a 15 yard td pass, 24-17. Ameer Abdullah fumbled at his own 39 and Iowa went 39/2pl for a td, 31-17. Two punts. NU was SOD at its own 27 with 5:36 let and Iowa went 27/6pl for a td with backup QB CJ Beathard in, 38-17 (3:33).

With 2.5 tfl against Bowling Green, Buffalo LB Khalil Mack tied Jason Babin for the FBS career record of 75 tfl. BG had not won a division title since 2003 when they were in the MAC West. This was the battle for the MAC East and played in Ralph Wilson Stadium. BG had just 7 FD’s on its first 7 possessions and the 1H was a defensive struggle. After BG went for it on 4&2 at the UB34 and was SOD, UB went 66/9pl for a td to lead 7-3 at the half with BG having a 152-93 yard edge. BG was intercepted at the UB21 to open the 3Q then went 71/6 and 90/7pl for td’s to lead 17-7. The next 3 possessions were punts then BG went 81/7pl for a 7 yard td run, 24-7. UB was SOD at the BG43 then intercepted on its next play at its own 19 but BG was SOD with 3:53 left. UB gained 85 yards on their final 2 drives so BG “only” finished with a 490-236 yard edge.

After a couple of big blowout losses, some were questioning Ohio’s effort. However, the Bobcats delivered, earning a winning season at 7-5 blasting 1-10 Massachusetts 51-23. OU had a 461-290 yard edge. They took their opening drive 60/2pl for a td then went 54/5pl for a td on their 2nd possession to lead 14-0. UM chipped back going 49/6pl for a 42 yard FG then after an OU fumble at midfield, going 45/8pl for a 3 yard td run, 14-10. They forced a punt with 9:55 left in the half and UM took over at its 11. They got 2 FD’s but on 3&9, the key play of the game happened. As they were driving to take the lead, they were intercepted and returned 66 yards for a td, 21-10. UM fumbled the KO and OU went 18/2pl for a td, then went 71/7pl for a 30 yard FG to make it 31-10 at half. OU did have a 293-160 yard edge. OU was intercepted to open the 3Q and UM got a 38 yard td pass 1pl later, 31-17. OU fumbled the KO and UM got a 37 yard FG, 31-20. Two punts. After a 33 yard punt, OU went 39/4pl for a td then 31/5pl but settled for a 24 yard FG, 41-20. They actually had a 30 yard IR td with 4:19 left, 51-23. Tyler Tettleton, in his final home game, hit 18-27-243.

Troy had 22 seniors playing their final home game trying to make it 6 wins and bowl eligibility. I had Troy on my Most Improved List, so I must be honest, I was rooting for them to win this one. Troy finished with a 461-425 yard edge. Texas St was intercepted on its 3rd play but on its next drive went 80/12pl for a td. Troy went 78/4pl for a td then 77/10pl and on 4&1 got a 1 yard td run by Jordan Chunn to make it 14-7. TXSt went 56/7pl for a td with 9:19 left in the half but 3pl later Troy got a 43 yard td pass from Deon Anthony to Eric Thomas to make it 21-14. TXSt went for it on 4&2 at the Troy 3 yard line and was SOD with 1:26 left in the half. At the half Troy only had a 239-200 yard edge. Each team punted to open the 2H. Troy went 89/9pl for a td then after a 42 yard PR, 59/6pl for a td and a commanding 35-14 lead on the first play of the 4Q. TXSt went 71/2pl with a 70 yard pass to Brandon Smith to the 1 and a 1 yard td run on the next play, 35-21. Three punts. TXSt was SOD on 4&18 from its own 25 and on the next play, Troy got a 25 yard td pass with 5:14 left, 42-21. TXSt went 75/9pl getting a garbage td with 2:38 left. Troy recovered the onside kick and was taking a knee from the TXSt26 at the end.

LSU finished with a 470-360 yard edge but for the majority of the 4Q it appeared they were going to go down. Things looked really bad when Zach Mettenberger hurt his leg in the 4Q and they were forced to go with Anthony Jennings (4-7-76, 26 rush yards). Arkansas fell to 0-8, their first winless record in the SEC since they joined the conference in 1992. LSU opened with a 70/7pl drive for a td but UA went 86/8pl for a td to tie. LSU went 75/6pl for a td, 14-7 (3:38 1Q). After each team punted, UA went 86/8pl for a td to tie. UA got a 32 yard run to the LSU32 but was intercepted in the EZ on the next play. LSU was sacked and fumbled with 2:03 left in the half and UA took over at the LSU30. They got 2 FD’s and settled for a 20 yard FG. At the half UA led 17-14 and had a 238-170 yard edge. LSU was intercepted and returned 24 yards to its 39 and UA went 28/6pl for a 28 yard FG, 20-14. LSU, on 3&9, got a FD. On the next play, Jeremy Hill ripped off a 52 yard td run to help LSU take the lead, 21-20. UA responded with a 75/15pl capped a 2 yard td pass, 27-21. LSU went 58/13pl but on 4&2 gained 1 yard to the UA17. UA punted with 7:14 left. LSU got 1 FD then Mettenberger was injured on a 32 yard pass to Jarvis Landry. Jennings played the rest of the game. LSU settled for a 37 yard FG, 27-24. They forced a punt with 3:04 left but things looked bleak. They still got 3 FD’s to midfield then on 3&10, Jennings hit a 49 yard td pass to give them the lead. UA was sacked and fumbled 2pl later at its own 27.

For the 2nd straight year, Central Michigan had a close win over a rival with 3 weeks left in the season then blew out their final 2 foes to win their final 3 and get to a bowl. Dan Enos hopes they again repeat what happened last season–win their bowl. Their game vs Eastern Michigan was a bit of a misleading final (42-10) as they only a 387-344 yard edge and EMU had a 20-17 FD edge. CMU’s Zurlon Tipton had 226 yards rushing on 20 carries and remember in the opening game of the season, he was injured in the 1Q and lost for a good portion of the year. EMU fumbled at its own 27. Tipton’s 4 yard td run made it 7-0. There were 3 punts then CMU went 71/11pl and Tipton’s 1 yard td run made it 14-0. On the next drive, on 3&21, they handed off to Tipton and 86 yards later it was 21-0. EMU went 80/12pl and settled for a 24 yard FG. They recovered a fumble, missed a 48 yard FG on a -10 yard drive, but then went 85/8pl and got a 10 yard td pass with :06 left in the half on 2&gl. At the half, EMU trailed 21-10 but had a 210-209 yard edge. CMU got an 84 yard KR td to open the 3Q. CMU went 65/4pl for a td, 35-10. EMU went 48/10pl but fumbled at the CM21. CMU went 65/10pl, but on 3&11 from the 14 yard line was intercepted at the 10 and returned 19 yards. EMU went 45/6pl then on FD from the 26, they were not only intercepted but returned 75 yards for a td by Avery Cunningham, 42-10. EMU was SOD at its own 44 and CMU ended the game taking a knee at the EM6.

Florida Atlantic got to 6 wins and bowl eligibility winning the 12th annual Shula Bowl. FIU’s Jake Medlock hit just 7-21-56. Since FAU switched coaches, interim HC Brian Wright won all 4 of his games. FAU finished with a commanding 431-132 yard and 22-13 FD edges. FAU took its 2nd drive, after an 18 yard PR, 44/4pl for a td. FIU went 32/5pl for a 35 yard FG, 7-3. FAU, after punting, went 88/5pl and got a 55 yard td pass, 14-3. The 1H ended with 6 punts. FAU had a 210-64 yard edge. FAU opened the 3Q with a 98/10pl drive for a td. FAU fumbled at the FIU43 but FIU, on 4&10, was SOD at the FAU31. FIU went 54/10pl for a 43 yard FG, 21-6. FAU was intercepted in the EZ with 8:06 left but then took over with 3:28 left and went 65/10pl ending at the FIU16.

Pitt finished with 25-21 FD and 501-476 yard edges but big plays insured Miami, FL would escape with the win. I was impressed with UM, a team that had not played well in the cold weather. Prior to the game about 1/2 the team came on field with no shirts on showing they could handle the cold. Tom Savage hit 24-43-281 and Stephen Morris 17-28-296. Pitt fumbled the opening KO of the game at its own 35. On 3&7 UM got a 32 yard td pass. UM then blocked a punt and recovered at the Pitt42 and on 2&2 got a 34 yard td pass, 14-0. Pitt went 56/4pl for a td and UM 78/15 for a 29 yard FG, 17-7. UM went 80/3pl and got a 7 yard td run, 24-7 to start the 2Q. Pitt went on a 46/8pl drive but missed a 43 yard FG then went 74/13pl and settled for a 36 yard FG. With 2:29 left in the half, it was just 24-10 but UM on 2&9, got a 73 yard td run by Stacy Coley (only carry of gm), 31-10. Pitt opened the 3Q with a 92/10pl drive to get within 31-17. UM, after punting, went 42/9pl for a 39 yard FG, 34-17. Pitt went 94/13pl and got a 23 yard td pass, 34-24 but UM kept going. They went 78/7pl for a 5 yard td pass, 41-24. Pitt was intercepted in the EZ from the 25 with 2:02 left then drove 45/6pl for a td with :14 left. They recovered the onside kick but it was ruled that they had touched the ball early.

Bishop Sankey ran for 139 of his 200 yards in the 2H vs Washington St as Washington came back from a 10-3 halftime deficit. Keith Price missed last week’s game with injury but returned here, hitting 15-20-181 yards. Connor Halliday hit 32-59-282 for WSU. It was the 106th battle of the rivalry game called the Apple Cup. UW finished with a 405-326 yard edge but WSU had a 182-144 yard edge at the half. UW opened with a 54/8pl drive for a 48 yard FG. Five punts. UW fumbled at its own 47 and WSU would get a 49 yard FG six plays later to tie. Two punts. UW was intercepted at the WSU9 and the Cougars went 77/13pl for a 14 yard td pass, 10-3. In the 3Q UW went 85/8 and 60/8pl for a pair of td’s to lead 17-10 then went 45/9 for a 39 yard FG, 20-10. WSU went 30/7pl but on 4&3 was SOD at the UW38. WSU went 82/10pl and got a 5 yard td pass with 7:30 left, 20-17. They forced a punt with 5:26 left but Halliday had his first interception in 152 attempts. UW went 37/7pl for a td with 2:08 left to ice it. Halliday was intercepted again 3pl later. Sankey topped Corey Dillon’s school single season record of 1,695 yards rushing set in 1996.

It looked like Fresno St and San Jose St would go on to set all kinds of records as at the half, the two had combined for 1,016 yards and 45 FD’s! The NCAA record for most FD’s in a game was set by Houston/LA Tech in 2012 at 78. The NCAA record for yards in a game was 1,640 set by SJSt/Nevada in ‘11. The 2H did not match the fireworks. FSU also knocked themselves out of a potential BCS berth but will still play in the MW title game this week. Derek Carr hit 38-50-519 and David Fales 37-45-547 and the game was likely decided in the final minutes of the 1H and the opening minutes of the 2H. The first 4 possessions all went for td’s and SJSt led 14-13. Surprisingly the 2 teams punted twice. SJSt fumbled and FSU went 52/3pl for a td to lead 20-14. The next 3 possessions all went for td’s, 28-27 SJSt (12:20 2Q). FSU went 3&out and SJSt fumbled. The next 4 possessions were td’s. FSU got one with 1:43 left in the half to take the 41-35 lead. I was thinking that they had scored too fast. They were going to get the ball out to start the 2H but Fresno almost got a safety as the KR looked like he crossed the goal line at the back of the EZ but it was ruled a TB. They went 75/10pl converting on 3&12 and got a 19 yard td pass on the next play to take the lead, 42-41. FSU’s Hail Mary pass from the SJS46 saw WR Davante Adams get his hands on the ball in the EZ but it was not caught. At the half, SJSt had 23-22 FD and 547-469 yard edges. The play of the game happened with SJSt, realizing that FSU would likely score anyway, opted to onside kick and recovered. They then went for it on 4&2 and got a 5 yard pass and continued on a 52/10pl drive for a td. FSU’s offense bogged down. They went 48/8pl but settled for a 42 yard FG. SJSt went 48/6pl and settled for a 45 yard FG. FSU punted and SJSt took the lead for good going 58/10pl to go up 59-44. Carr had a streak of 305 straight passes without an interception, a MW record, end when Keith Smith timed his leap well. SJSt went 49/11pl for a 37 yard FG to lead 62-44. FSU went 75/12pl getting a td with 2:03 left but SJSt recovered the onside. The Spartans converted on 4&1 and took a knee. They only finished the game with a combined 1,382 yards (SJSt 736-646) and combined 63 FD’s (SJSt 36-27).

USF’s D played well vs UCF as they were only outgained 296-294 and late in the 4Q it sure looked like UCF was going to lose as they trailed. UCF did finish with an 18-13 FD edge. They did overcome 5 TO’s which kept USF in the game and almost cost them the win. On their first 2 possessions, UCF’s Storm Johnson fumbled, the first time at his own 39 which set up a USF FG, the 2nd time at the USF12 on a FD which cost them a td. USF, after a 32 yard PR, went 16/6pl for a 27 yard FG to tie it at 3. USF went 51/10pl for a 42 yard FG then UCF got a 3rd TO, an interception at the UCF33. They opted to go for it this time on 4&2 and fumbled the snap. UCF went 92/12pl for a td to go up 10-6 and on their next drive would add a 24 yard FG with :06 left in the half after having a 1&gl at the 7. UCF led by 7 with a 186-85 yard edge and appeared on their way. The 3Q opened with 3 punts but then UCF was sacked and fumbled at its own 29. USF went 29/4pl for a td. UCF got a 69 yard KR by Rannell Hall but would only gain 5 yards and got a 39 yard FG and led 16-13. USF got its best drive of the game going 77/9pl and got a 1 yard td run, 20-16. Each team punted then Blake Bortles was intercepted at his own 28 but USF missed a 51 yard FG with 1:54 left 3Q. UCF got 1 FD, trailing 20-16 with the clock running out Bortles hit a 52 yard td pass to Austin Perryman with 4:50 left to put them ahead. USF came right down the field and got 2 FD’s. On 3&6 from the UCF39, only trailing by 3, they were intercepted at the 26 and returned 27 yards. A PF gave UCF a FD and they took a knee. Bortles hit 17-26-219 and Mike White 15-34-211.

What an amazing turnaround for Oregon St this past week. The previous week in their home finale vs Washington vs a backup QB they were a complete no-show being obliterated. Last week going into Autzen Stadium, they took on an Oregon team off a loss and they almost pulled the upset. In fact, they came up just :27 short of doing so. UO was without Byron Marshall who injured his ankle the previous week vs Arizona. Marcus Mariota hit 17-34-285 but had 2 more interceptions after coming into last week’s game with none on the season. He rushed 7 times for 53 yards. Sean Mannion hit 29-47-314 yards and a surprisingly number to me is that he only had 1 interception after coming in with a 4-10 ratio the previous 4 weeks. OSU’s opening drive got to the UO27 but they were intercepted in the EZ on 4&1. The Ducks went 80/7 and 85/9pl for a pair of td’s to take command, 14-0. UO fumbled the punt at its own 23 and OSU settled for a 37 yard FG. Running into the K had them take the points off the board and they went for it on 4&1 and converted and 3pl later got a 2 yard td run, 14-7. Each team went on a long drive but settled for a short FG (20 and 18 yards) 17-10 (2:33 1H). There were 3 TO’s on the next 3 possessions and OSU took over at the UO28 with 1:14 left and went 28/5pl for a td and momentum into the half, 17-17. At the half OSU had a 253-247 yard edge. The Ducks fumbled at their own 43 to open the 3Q and OSU got 1 FD and a 47 yard FG, 20-17. UO went 75/8pl and got a 28 yard td pass, 24-20. OSU went 72/8pl but on 4&1 was SOD at the UO5. After UO punted, OSU went 42/8pl for a 37 yard FG, 24-23. UO went 32/5pl but missed a 43 yard FG and OSU went 75/6 for a td. They missed the 2 point conversion but led 29-24 with 11:05 left. UO went 84/11pl and faced a huge 4&11 play with 7:56 left and opted to go for it and got a 12 yard td pass to take the lead 30-29. Each team had failed on their 2 point conversion. Surprisingly each team punted. OSU took over with 5:13 left and went 74/8pl and got a 25 yard td run by Victor Bolden to go up 35-20 but their 2 point failed with 1:38 left. UO got a 22 yard pass to Daryle Hawkins, a 19 yard pass on 2&10 and a 17 yard pass to Johnny Mundt down to the 24. On 3&5 they got a 7 yard run for a FD to the 12 and on 2&10, a 12 yard td pass to Josh Huff gave them the lead, 36-35 with :27 left. The 2 point failed. OSU had a deep pass dropped and on 4&2, fired incomplete on the final play. UO finished with 568-545 yard and 29-26 FD edges.

Michigan St had not had an undefeated year in the Big Ten regular season since 1965 and 1966. MSU had already wrapped up the Big Ten title game so had some look ahead going on vs Ohio St and only had a 324-249 yard edge. Minnesota’s Philip Nelson only had 7 pass attempts in the 1H but 2 were intercepted by Trae Waynes. MSU held a foe without a td for the 5th time in 6 games. After a UM punt, MSU took its opening drive 80/7pl and had a 15 yard td run by Jeremy Langford (134 yards). UM was intercepted 5pl later at the MSU44. Two punts. MSU got 1 FD but on 4&1 was SOD at the UM29. Two punts. UM went 60/14pl. On 4&gl from the 3, they settled for a 21 yard FG, 7-3. UM’s next drive got across midfield but was intercepted at the 34 with :17 left in the half. MSU was intercepted at the UM24 2pl later. At the half MSU only had a 136-112 yard edge. MSU went 75/8pl for a td, 14-3. UM went 61/12pl but missed a 38 yard FG. Two punts. MSU got a 35 yard run by Aaron Burbridge down to the 19 but Connor Cook was sacked and fumbled back at the 32. Two punts. UM was pinned at its 9 but went 77/17pl converting on 3&14 and 3&16 but on 3&10, Mitch Leidner was sacked at the 14 and fumbled. UM got it back with 2:59 left but was SOD on 4&10 at its own 20 with 2:14 left.

Southern Miss had not won a game in 2 years and trailed at by 8 early 3Q, but had a remarkable 2H and won by 5 td’s. SM did only have 28-22 FD and 472-431 yard edges. Each team drove for a td on their opening possession and UAB missed a 31 yard FG after a 60/9pl drive. SM was intercepted and UAB went 38/2pl for a td, 14-7. UAB got a 23 yard td run with 4:25 left in the half to lead 21-13. At the half they had a 275-179 yard edge. UAB punted to open the 3Q and then everything went SM’s way for the first time in a long, long time. Nick Mullens hit 24-39-370 and 5 td’s and his 43 yard td pass pulled them within 21-20. They recovered a fumble 3pl later and went 36/2pl for a td and the lead. UAB then fumbled the KR and SM went 24/6pl for a td, 34-21. UAB went on an 8 play drive but had a 49 yard FG blocked and SM went 85/4pl for a td, 41-21. SM got a 43 yard PR and went 41/7pl for a 3 yard td run, 48-21. Trailing 48-27, UAB was SOD at its own 19 and SM got a 19 yard td pass on the next play. UAB fumbled at the 50 and SM went 50/8pl. On 3&gl from the 3, they ran for the td with :10 left in the game to give them the 5 td margin.

Vanderbilt got another last second victory and has now posted consecutive 8-win seasons for the first time since 1927-’28. VU did finish with 403-266 yard and 22-15 FD edges and Wake Forest suffered another hard luck defeat. VU did have the ball for 38:09. VU went 88/11pl including a 4&1 conversion and got a 7 yard td pass on the next play. WF went 65/12pl for a td to tie. There were 4 punts but VU got off a 64 yard punt and WF a 20 yard punt so VU took over at the WF41. Five plays later they had a td, 14-7. WF went 75/10pl for a 9 yard td run, 14-14. VU went 65/11pl including a 4&4, 23 yard pass on 4th down to the 20. They got a 41 yard FG with :10 left to lead 17-14. At the half VU had a 215-171 yard edge. VU opened the 3Q with a 40/12pl drive getting to the WF40 but was intercepted and returned 63 yards for a td. Four punts. VU took over at the 22 with 12:29 left and went 70/12pl and got a 25 yard FG to pull within 21-20. WF was intercepted 3pl later at its own 33 but VU fumbled it back 3pl later. WF punted with just 3:31 left and VU43 got 1 FD then on 4&11, got a 25 yard pass down to the WF23 and would get a 38 yard FG on 4&8 with :39 left. WF got 2 FD to the VU44 but on 4&19 fired incomplete.

Maryland scored on its first six possessions of the game and jumped out to a 34-7 lead. CJ Brown hit 13-25-259 and Brandon Mitchell for NC State hit 21-31-200. NCSt lost its 8th straight game for the first time since 1959 and that was the last team that finished o-fer in ACC action. MD finished with a 432-351 yard edge. NCSt opened the scoring going 80/10pl for a td. MD returned the KO to the NCS30 and went 16/7pl for a 33 yard FG then went 55/2 and 67/3pl for td’s, 17-7. NCSt had a bad snap on a punt for a 27 yard loss. MD recovered at the NCSt14, had -1 yard and got a 33 yard FG. After a 24 yard NCSt punt, MD went 35/7 then 80/9pl for td’s and with 3:23 left in the half they led 34-7. NCSt went 78/8pl getting a td with 1:18 left in the half, 34-14. At the half MD had a 275-160 yard edge. Each team opened the 3Q with a drive for a td then there was 3 punts. NCSt was SOD on 4&3 at the MD38 but MD fumbled it back 3pl later at the NCSt35. NCSt went 58/12pl but on 4&2 was SOD (-3 yards to the MD11). MD got 2 FD and punted with 8:56 left and NCSt went 59/16pl but on 4&4 was SOD at the MD23 with 4:21 left. The Terps ran the clock.

Jameis Winston hit 19-31-327 for Florida St. FSU had a 456-193 yard edge over Florida. UF opened 4-1 but lost its last 7 and missed out on a bowl for the first time since 1990. FSU was intercepted at the UF13 on its first possession. UF got a 50 yard Trey Burton run to the 33 but missed a 49 yard FG. FSU went 35/8pl for a FG on its 2nd possession, punted on its 3rd and went 96/12pl including a 3&21, 27 yard pass, and got a 45 yard td pass to Kelvin Benjamin who looked like a man among boys. They took over with 2:07 left and went 74/6pl with a 29 yard td pass to Benjamin, to lead 17-0 at half with a 219-104 yard edge. UF fumbled at its own 39 and FSU got a 40 yard FG with 11:02 left 3Q. FSU went 84/5pl for a td, 27-0. UF put together its only offensive drive of the game going 83/14pl including a 4&3 10 yard pass to the 20 and got a 5 yard td pass, 27-7. FSU went 79/10pl for a td with 8:06 left, forced a fumble at the UF32 and got 1 FD and nailed a 28 yard FG to get ahead by 30 (3:14).

Duke finished with a 461-448 yard edge. Anthony Boone hit 23-34-274 and Brandon Connette only had 1 pass attempt and rushed four times for 5 yards. Duke beat North Carolina for a 2nd straight year. UNC missed a 42 yard FG on its opening drive, but then went 89/3pl for a td with a 79 yard pass the key. Duke went 74/13pl for a td, 7-7. Duke went 95/17pl but settled for a 22 yard FG, 10-7. Duke fumbled a punt at its own 34 and UNC went 34/4pl for a td to lead 15-10. Duke got a 99 yard KR by DeVon Edwards with 1:18 left in the half to go up 17-15. At the half Duke did have a 261-236 yard edge. UNC punted with :47 left and Duke missed a 54 yard FG on the last play. Duke went 50/7pl for a td and a 24-15 lead. UNC, on 4&7, fired incomplete as a pass over the middle on the 2nd play of the 3Q that was behind Eric Ebron bounced off his hand and was intercepted at the 50. UNC went 64/7pl for a 22 yard td pass, 24-22. Three punts. UNC took over at the 32 with 11:45 left, went 44/12pl and a key play happened when on 3&2, UNC was called for a push after the play and a PF. That forced a 3&17 and on 4&13, they settled for a 37 yard FG and only led by 1. Duke would get 2 FD’s including a 29 yard pass and got a 27 yard FG with 2:22 left for the lead. UNC got 3 FD’s to the Duke49 but was intercepted at the 29 with :22 left.

Temple had not won an AAC game all year, although they had come close. They simply dominated Memphis on the road with 534-228 yard and 23-16 FD edges. TU was a completely different team this year once PJ Walker came in at QB. He hit 20-32-328 while Paxton Lynch for Memphis hit 19-29 for 162. TU went 42/15pl but on 4&7 was SOD at the UM33. They went 93/12pl but settled for a 22 yard FG so despite 135 yards, they had just 3 points. Two punts. UM fumbled at the TU13 at the end of a 57/5pl drive. TU went 87/12pl and converted on 4&1 with a FD to the 1 and got a td 2pl later, 10-0 (7:22). UM got a 56 yard KR to the TU30 and went 30/3pl for a td, 10-7. TU was intercepted at the UM31 but then took over with 1:18 left in the half and went 53/4pl and got a 3&8, 11 yard td pass with :20 left in the half. The key play was a 40 yard QB run by Walker on the first play. A td put them ahead 17-7 and they had a commanding 310-74 yard edge at the half. The 3Q opened with 2 punts. After a personal foul on a PR, started at the TU25 and 4pl later had a td, 17-14 but Walker hit a 75 yard td pass on the next play, 24-14. Temple blocked a punt and recovered for a td, 31-14. UM went 62/12pl for a 3 yard td run, 31-21. UM went 43/11pl but missed a 47 yard FG and TU went 69/9pl and got a 19 yard FG with 10:26 left, 34-21. UM was SOD on 4&1 at the TU44. TU went 56/7pl for the clinching td with 4:33 left. After UM was SOD at its own 32, TU ended the game at the UM21 taking a knee.

Connecticut had a 372-364 yard edge. Chas Dodd made his first start of the season for Rutgers and hit 16-35-286 with 2 interceptions. Casey Cochran hit 25-33-311 for UC. RU opened with a 65/13pl drive but faked a FG on 4&3 in an unusual formation where they had just 3 men on the center of the field and the WR just pulled the ball away from the DB. UC went 79/8pl for a 18 yard td pass on 3&11, 7-7 (6:29). RU fumbled the KO at its own 31 and UC went 31/5pl for a td. Four punts. RU went 56/16pl for a 34 yard FG, 14-10 (:41). At the half RU had a 196-171 yard edge. The 3Q opened with 3 punts. RU got a 74 yard pass down to the 3 and a 3 yard td run on the next play gave them the lead, 17-14. UC went 80/8pl for a td, 21-17. RU got to its 48 but was intercepted. Two punts. UC went 56/12pl for a 3 yard td pass, 28-17 (3:04). RU got 1 FD and was intercepted at the UC19 and returned 20 yards with 1:58 left. UC punted with :25 left.

Utah had 388-321 yard and 21-20 FD edges. Sefo Liufau hit 23-46-241 while Adam Schulz hit 19-33-233. Colorado was sacked and fumbled on the 2nd play of the game. Utah went 34/8pl for a td. Three punts. Utah went 64/11pl but on 3&9 fumbled at the CU21. CU fumbled 2pl later and it was returned 17 yards to their 6. Utah got a td on the next play, 14-0. Utah went 80/7pl for a td, 21-0. Utah got it back at its own 12 and was intercepted with 8:57 left in the half and returned to their 5 but CU was SOD on 4&gl from the 1. Three punts. At the half Utah had a 230-112 yard edge. CU onside kicked to open the 3Q but punted 3pl later. CU went 78/7pl and got a td, 21-7. Two punts. Utah went 57/5pl but on 1&gl from the 5 fumbled into the EZ and it was returned 43 yards. CU went 55/10pl and after a 1&gl at the 3, they had a 4&gl at the 2 and opted for a 19 yard FG, 21-10. Utah went 47/8pl for a 46 yard FG, 24-10. Two punts. CU went 52/8pl and got a 14 yard td pass on 4&10 with 2:30 left, 24-17. CU’s last drive ended on an interception at its own 24 with 1:54 left.

South Alabama went on the road and had 522-345 yard and 24-15 FD edges vs Georgia St. Ross Metheny hit 19-28-280 and Ronnie Bell 17-34-321. The first 3 possessions were punts. USA went 62/7pl for a td, 7-0. USA got a 50 yard pass but fumbled at the GS15 at the end of it. GSt fumbled it back 4pl later. USA went 42/4pl for a td, 14-0. GSt got a 62 yard PR to the USA24. GSt got 1 FD but settled for a 33 yard FG, 14-3. Two punts. USA took over with 9:48 left 2Q and went 60/9pl and on 4&1 they got a FD then a 1 yard td run on the next play, 21-3. USA went 59/9pl for a 42 yard FG, 24-3 (:34). GSt missed a 50 yard FG on the final play of the half. At the half USA had a commanding 306-108 yard edge. USA went 75/7pl for a 37 yard td pass, 31-3. Two punts. GSt got an 80 yard pass to the 1 and a 1 yard td 2pl later, 31-10 but USA went 65/13pl for a 1 yard td run, 38-10. GSt got 1 FD and on 4&3 gained 2 yards. GSt went 58/7pl but from the 24 was intercepted in the EZ for a TB. USA got 3 FD’s but was SOD on 4&1 at the GS39. GSt went 69/9pl and converted on 4&15 with a 40 yard pass to the 2 and on 4&gl got a 1 yard td run, 38-17 with 3:00 left. USA got 1 FD and ran the clock.

It was announced during the week the Kapri Bibbs would probably not play for Colorado St. He did suit up but only had 79 yards on 16 carries. Chris Nwoke had 11-49. CSU instead turned to its passing game and Garrett Grayson hit 26-34-395 and CSU pounded Air Force with a 629-279 yard edge. AF was headed for its biggest margin of defeat in their history until they scored 2 td’s in the final 5:00. Grayson topped Terry Nugent’s school record for passing yards in a season which was set back in ‘83. AF won 2 games in a season for the first time since 1980 but it was even worse, as that year they went 2-9-1. In the 1H CSU scored on 5 of its 7 possessions and led 30-0 with a 334-146 yard edge. AF was SOD at the CSU45 and 24. In the 2H CSU went 95/10, 4/1 (after fmbl), 77/6 and 69/13pl all for td’s to lead 58-0 after their first 4 possessions. AF went 75/13pl for a td with 5:02 left and CSU went for it on 4&1 at its own 34 and was SOD. AF went 34/2pl for a td with 2:40 left for a misleading final.

Bill Snyder has dominated his rival Kansas. Kansas St had a 368-223 yard edge and Jake Waters hit 10-21-160. Jake Heaps hit 14-29-138. KSU punted on its first possession but then went 54/3, 67/4 and 34/7pl (after 38 yard punt) for td’s, 21-0 (14:50 2Q). KSU did punt twice and KU went 51/7pl for a td with 3:53 left in the 2Q, 21-7. KSU fumbled the KO at its own 42 and KU went 28/9pl and got a 31 yard FG with 1:06 left in the half to pull within 21-10. KSU only had a 182-135 yard edge. KU fumbled at the KSU47 early in the 3Q. KSU got down to the 28 but on 2&37 after offensive PI and a PF, they were intercepted at the 15. KU was intercepted 3pl later. KSU went 38/5pl for a td, 28-10. KU went 52/16pl but on 3&8 was intercepted in the EZ. KSU went 43/10pl but had a 43 yard FG blocked. KU was intercepted 3pl later and KSU took over at the 22, got 1 FD and a 31 yard FG on an 8 yard drive, 31-10. KSU punted and was SOD at its 11 at the end.

I think Brady Hoke made the absolute correct decision and would have done the same thing myself. The Wovlerines didn’t have a great FG kicker and not a lot of confidence in him and you don’t want to go to OT with a poor FG kicker. Also, both offenses had momentum and were scoring at will and Michigan was the underdog to Ohio St so why not go for 2 where you have a 50/50 chance of getting the win? Unfortunately for UM they came up short and lost to the Buckeyes 42-41. Devin Gardner had–by far–his best game of the season hitting 32-45-451 yards while Braxton Miller hit just 6-15-133, but ran for 153. Carlos Hyde ran for 226. OSU lost starting RG Marcus Hall and KR/WR Dontre Wilson for an on field fight while UM lost backup LB Royce Jenkins-Stone. OSU punted on its first possession. The two teams scored td’s on the next 5 possessions and UM led 21-14. OSU was intercepted at the UM9. OSU took over with 2:33 left in the 1H and went 91/7pl and got a 21 yard td run by Miller to tie it at 21. OSU had a 308-303 yard edge at half. UM fumbled at the OSU44 and was SOD at the OSU14 on 4&2. In between, OSU went 66/5pl for a td then 86/6pl for a 22 yard td pass to lead 35-21 with 1:05 left 3Q. UM went 83/11pl and got an 11 yard td pass, 35-28. OSU’s Hyde fumbled at his own 41. UM converted on 3&12, 4&2 and got a td with 5:01 left to tie it. OSU went 65/6pl for a td with 2:20 left. UM got 3 FD’s and on 3&8, got a FD on a 29 yard screen pass to Fitzgerald Toussaint down to the 2. Then their 2 yard td came with :32 left. The 2 point failed. UM had a 603-526 yard edge in the game and 31-23 FD edge.

Phil Steele is a college football analyst who has been publishing his annual College Football Preview since 1995. His magazine is regarded as one of the best in the business.
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By Phil Steele

My QB’s of the Week
BJ Denker, Arizona • Marquise Williams, North Carolina • James Franklin, Missouri

QB BJ Denker (Arizona) – In last week’s upset of Oregon, BJ Denker resembled more of a Heisman candidate than true contender Marcus Mariota was able to show. Denker went on to pass for 178 yds, rush for 102 yds and deliver the biggest win of the Rich Rodriguez era in Tucson. Dual-threat QB’s are always a nice option in this blog and Denker fully fits that profile as he has 25 total td’s in 2013. It will be interesting to see what he has in store this Saturday against bitter Rival ASU.

QB Marquise Williams (North Carolina) – When’s the last time a North Carolina/Duke football game meant more than a basketball matchup? How about never! After starting the season 1-5, the Tar Heels have rattled off 5 consecutive wins and now have a chance to play spoiler against Duke who is just a win away from earning a berth in the ACC Championship. If UNC is going to pull out the win, the steady hand and feet of backup Marquise Williams will have to step to the forefront again after he torched Old Dominion a week ago with 469 total yards and 5 td’s. We like the Tar Heels in this meeting and believe Williams’ effort last week can be repeated.

QB James Franklin (Missouri) – Now in his 2^nd game back from injury Franklin gets the call here against Texas A&M with a berth in the SEC Championship on the line for the Tigers. Prior to his injury Franklin surpassed the 300 yard mark twice while posting a 14-3 ratio over the first 6 contests. Don’t forget his running ability either as he has recorded double digit carries on 4 occasions this year while reaching the endzone 3 times.

My RB’s of the Week
Charles Sims, West Virginia • Orleans Darkwa, Tulane • Javorius “Buck” Allen, USC

RB Charles Sims (West Virginia) – WVU returns from a bye likely still stinging off of their upset loss to Kansas their last time out. The loss cannot be blamed on the performance of Charles Sims however as he is on a tear over his past 3 games with 346 yards rushing, 106 yards receiving and 7 total td’s. With no bowl game for the 1^st time since 2001, we expect the Mountaineers to end this lackluster year on a positive note against Iowa St. With the Cyclones being victimized all season on the road on the defensive end allowing 545 ypg (and my #109 rated rush D), Sims, in his final collegiate game, should flourish this Friday on Senior day.

RB Orleans Darkwa (Tulane) – It’s happy times to be a football fan in New Orleans right now as not only are the Saints back on top after LY’s “Bountygate”, but there is also positive news coming out of Tulane as well as the Green Wave are headed to their 1^st bowl in 11 years! While their stout defense has been the key for their turnaround, RB Orleans Darkwa is back to his usual self as well after battling injuries last year. Darkwa has posted back-to-back 100+ yard rushing games against UTSA and UTEP while needing just 1 more td run to eclipse the double digit mark for the year.

RB Javorius “Buck” Allen (USC) – Buried on the Trojan depth chart at the start of fall camp, Buck Allen was able to climb into the rotation by the opener due to solid play and injuries to the unit. His biggest impact however has occurred during the past 4 weeks when he’s surpassed the 100 yd rushing mark 3 times while recording 10 total td’s. In a game that could very well determine whether interim HC Ed Orgeron is brought back for 2014, expect the Trojans to lean on their new star early and often against rival UCLA.

My WR’s of the Week
Chris Gant, Hawaii • Geremy Davis, Connecticut • Tyler Boyd, Pitt

WR Chris Gant (Hawaii) – Last week we went to the Hawaii offense for the 1st time this season and QB Schroeder delivered with 499 yds passing and 6 td’s. With his success, we decided to visit the Rainbow Warriors again by selecting one of his favorite targets on the year in Chris Gant who pulled in 8 receptions and 174 yds to go with 4 of Schroeder’s 6 td passes. With one more chance to enter the win column in 2013, the Hawaii offense gets a matchup with Army who was allowed 431 ypg away from home TY.

WR Geremy Davis (Connecticut) – The UConn Huskies have dealt with an extremely tough 2013 campaign but after last week’s comeback win over Temple for their 1^st victory of the year, it’s safe to say that they haven’t thrown in the towel. Up next for the Huskies is a date with a team that is arguably struggling just as bad as them in Rutgers who has lost 4 of their L/5 allowing 351 ypg through the air during that span. With that all being said UConn WR Geremy Davis has posted 5+ receptions in 8 of his 11 games this year (three 100+ yd games) while reaching the endzone in back-to-back games. Could this be the game when the Junior WR delivers his top performance of 2013?

WR Tyler Boyd (Pitt) – The Pitt offense has 2 solid passing targets this season and we’ll focus on their #1 WR this weekend in Tyler Boyd who has posted 100+ receiving yards in 4 contests while pulling in double digit receptions in 2 including a 10 catch outing a week ago vs Syracuse. Pitt’s opponent this week, Miami (FL) notoriously fails to show up for cold weather games making the selection of Boyd a solid option.

My D’s of the Week
Ball State • Wisconsin • Virginia Tech

Ball St Defense – The BSU def is allowing 26 ppg and 433 ypg on the ssn so you probably think we’re crazy in listing them as one of our Surprise Defenses. Before passing judgment we need you to take a look at their opponent this week. Going against the Miami offense (my #125 rated off) has been a regular thing for us in ‘13 as they are really just that bad. 9 ppg and 221 ypg is dead last in the FBS and we expect that futility to continue here.

Wisconsin Defense – While Wisconsin is best known for their ground and pound offense that is averaging nearly 300 yds rushing per game this season, the real story that is often overlooked has been the way their defense has performed allowing just 279 ypg on the year, good for 6^th best in the nation (my #4 ranked D). Penn St comes in averaging just 18 ppg and 368 ypg on the road and could be in for a beat down in Madison on Senior Day.

Virginia Tech Defense – In a must win situation, the Hokies defense has to step up this weekend yet again against a Virginia offense that is averaging just 18 ppg in ACC play this season. Va Tech in the meantime is allowing just 19 ppg and 265 ypg within conference play making them a safe bet here to deliver.

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Sneaky Plays – Week 14

By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com

A very interesting Week Thirteen is in the books and it is now time to look ahead to the seventh week of the college football season and the “sneaky” plays it has in store for fantasy owners. Here is a look at some guys who might fill in nicely for owners in need of a potential diamond in the rough.

QUARTERBACKS

QB Adam Schulz, Utah (vs. Colorado):
Schulz accounted for 383 total yards and three scores last week against Washington State and could have another good effort against Colorado this week. The Colorado pass defense is ranked 104th in the country and has not offered much resistance all year long. Schulz could be a solid plug in option for owners in need at the QB position during the playoffs. Look for Schulz to account for a good amount of yards and a few scores this week against the Buffs.  =

QB AJ McCarron, Alabama (vs. Auburn):
McCarron will never blow anybody away with his passing numbers, but he has shown a propensity to have his biggest statistical performances in the biggest games. This week’s Iron Bowl with Auburn would qualify as such a game. The Auburn pass defense is ranked 98th in the nation and could give up some long plays to the Bama passing game this week. McCarron could easily approach 300 yards and two or three touchdowns this week and could be a viable option in Championship week.

RUNNING BACKS

RB Henry Josey, Missouri (vs. Texas A&M):
Josey has scored four rushing touchdowns in the past two games and appears to be running like his pre-injury form. He has a terrific match up this week with the 107th ranked rush defense of Texas A&M on the schedule. Look for Missouri to use Josey early and often to keep the ball away from Johnny Manziel and the potent A&M offense. The Aggies have not been able to stop the run all season long and there is no reason to think this week will be any different. Another trip or two to the end zone could be in store for Josey in Week 14.

RB Elijah McGuire, La Lafayette (vs. La Monroe):
This freshman has scored four total touchdowns in the past three games and went over the 100-yard mark both rushing and receiving last week against Georgia State. He could do some damage against the 93rd ranked La Monroe rush defense in Week 14. Look for McGuire to find his way back to the end zone this week and he could be a nice #2 RB against the Warhawks.

RB Akeem Hunt, Purdue (vs. Indiana):
Hunt is coming off his first 100-yard game of the season last week and could easily make it two in a row against Indiana. The Hoosiers rush defense is down right awful and shows no signs of getting any better this week. Hunt is an excellent receiver out of the backfield and could cause big problems for Indiana. Look for Hunt to rack up at least 100 total yards and a score or two this week in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket.

RB Stephen Houston, Indiana (vs. Purdue):
With Tevin Coleman likely out again this week, Houston will likely step into the lead role against Purdue. This senior could go out with a bang as the Boilermakers rush defense has allowed 26 rushing scores on the season. This game could be very high scoring and Houston could have a big hand in all the fantasy fun. Expect this Hoosier to pile up over 100 total yards and add a couple of scores against Purdue. Houston could be a solid #2 RB in BCS only leagues in Week 14.

RB Rajion Neal, Tennessee (vs. Kentucky):
Neal has scored a touchdown in six of the last seven games and could add to that total against Kentucky. He could have a field day this week against a Kentucky defense that will likely have no answer for Neal and the Volunteers rushing attack. Look for Neal to pound the Wildcats into submission and likely find his way into the end zone on multiple occasions. Neal could be a low end #1 running back in many fantasy leagues this week.

WIDE RECEIVERS

WR Matt Miller, Boise State (vs. New Mexico):
Miller has hauled in six touchdowns over the past three games and has become the top threat in the Boise State passing attack. He could find plenty of open spaces this week against a porous New Mexico pass defense that yielded 543 yards and seven touchdowns to Fresno State last week. Expect Miller find the end zone at least one time this week and perform as a solid #2 wide out in many league formats.

WR Dezmon Epps, Idaho (vs. New Mexico State):
Epps is averaging 150 yards receiving over the past two weeks and could help owners in a big way this week. The New Mexico State pass defense has struggled this year and could be susceptible to giving up a couple of big passing plays to Epps this week. Look for to have a big week and help owners bring home a championship in Non-BCS leagues. He could be an excellent #2 wide out in most league formats in Week 14.

SNEAKY D’S

Ball State vs. Miami Ohio
LSU vs. Arkansas
Florida Atlantic vs. Florida International
UCF vs. South Florida
Boise State vs. New Mexico

There you have it everyone, enjoy this week’s action and always remember to have fun playing college fantasy football. Good luck this week!

More…

For more college fantasy football information, visit CollegeFootballGeek.com:

• Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em
• Injury Reports
• Player Rankings
• Player News
• Sneaky Plays of the Week
• Waiver Wire Reports

CollegeFootballGeek.com is your home for 2013 college fantasy football content! Draft kit, injury reports, player news, player projections, player rankings, mock drafts, community forums, and much more!

CollegeFootballGeek.com’s 2013 College Fantasy Player Rankings – Week 14
Todd DeVries, CollegeFootballGeek.com

For complete up-to-date college fantasy football player rankings and statistical projections, visit CollegeFootballGeek.comScoring System Used for CFG Rankings:
4 points per passing touchdown
6 points per rushing/receiving touchdown
25 passing yards = 1 point
10 rushing/receiving yards = 1 point
1 interception = -2 points
1 reception = 0.5 points

By Phil Steele

Florida Atlantic continued to play well under their interim HC and had a 585-278 yard edge vs New Mexico St. FAU went 91/12pl for a td then blocked a punt for a td late 1Q, 14-0. On 3&11 they got a 64 yard td pass, 21-0. There were 5 punts then FAU went 54/2pl for a td, 28-0 (3:27). NMSt took over with 1:33 left in the half and went 47/5pl for a td with :38 left, 28-7. At the half FAU had a 280-148 yard edge. FAU opened the 3Q with a 68/6pl drive for a td, recovered a fumble on a sack, got a 33 yard td pass, 42-7, and coasted to a 55-10 win. Jaquez Johnson hit 15-22-321.

Colorado St’s D played well vs Utah St as USt had a slim 191-185 yard edge while CSU had a 13-11 FD edge. Kapri Bibbs, who had rushed for nearly 600 yards the previous 2 weeks was held to 54-18 and as you can tell by the yards, this game was a defensive struggle. There was a steady 25-30 mph wind that whipped around Romney Stadium. Joey DeMartino was actually the top RB having 127 yards on 35 carries. CSU was intercepted at its own 37 on its opening drive. The next six possessions were punts but CSU faked a punt for a FD and went 89/15pl. They had a FD at the 12 but lined up for a 24 yard FG and missed it. The next 4 possessions were punts and USt, after a 27 yard punt into the wind, took over at the CS42, got 2 FD and nailed a 42 yard FG to lead 3-0 at the half. At the half CSU had a 133-75 yard edge. USt opened the 3Q with a 69/11pl drive for a td. The next six possessions were punts. CSU, on 3&10, was intercepted. USt took over at the CSU29, got a 2 yard drive and a 44 yard FG to go up by 13. CSU on 4&13 was stopped on a fake punt. USt took over at the CSU25 but had a 33 yard FG blocked. CSU was SOD at its own 25 and USt was SOD at the CSU18 with :33 left.

You couldn’t get a much better day for Stanford as they were playing their final Pac-12 game and taking on their rival, Cal, who limped in with a 1-10 record. They got the news during the game that the Oregon Ducks had lost putting SU in the Pac-12 title game. SU took care of business with 603-383 yard and 25-18 FD edge. WR Ty Montgomery tied Darrin Nelson’s single game record for td’s which Nelson set against Oregon St in 1981 (5). He actually scored the first 4 times he touched the ball. Kevin Hogan hit 17-26-329. Jared Goff hit 10-19-194 and was injured in the 2Q and did not return. Zach Kline hit 8-15-115. Normally Cal scores a bunch of points in the 2H when down, but SU’s D shut them out in the 2H. The first three possessions of the game were all td’s. SU led 14-7 and Cal punted and SU went 51/7pl for a td, 21-7. After each team punted, Cal went 83/11pl and had a 1&gl at the 9. They settled for a 29 yard FG. On 3&8 SU got a 72 yard td pass to Montgomery, his 4th td of the game with 14:44 left in the 2Q. There were 3 punts and SU went 79/5pl for a td, 25-10. Cal went 46/6pl but settled for a 47 yard FG with 4:58 left in the half. SU went 67/13pl and on 3&8 got a 9 yard td pass to Montgomery with :05 left in the half. At the half SU had a 356-238 yard edge. Cal had a fake punt to open the 3Q at its own 43 and was SOD but SU fumbled 3pl later. SU went 92/8pl for a td to lead 49-13. The Cardinal punted to open the 4Q then drove 55/6 and 72/10pl the latter with 1:51 left to close out the scoring in their 63-13 rout.

Tommy Rees hit 15-28-235 and Notre Dame won their final home game of the season with a 470-415 yard edge vs BYU. The game was played with on and off snow, temps in the 20’s and winds that gusted up to 30 mph. ND took its opening drive 84/5pl for a 61 yard td pass, 7-0. Each team went on a long td drive 14-7 (4:43 1Q). BYU went 31/9pl but on 4&2 was SOD at the ND29. 2 punts. ND went 60/14pl and got a 26 yard FG, 17-7. ND went 69/12pl but on 4&7 was SOD at the BYU24 passing up a 41 yard FG which would have been into the wind. BYU went 31/5pl and was intercepted by Austin Collingsworth in the EZ from the 45 on a Hail Mary on the last play of the half. ND had a 288-191 yard edge. ND opened the 3Q with a 52/5pl drive but on 4&1 settled for a 26 yard FG. BYU went 80/12pl and got a 31 yard FG, 20-10. ND went 43/10pl but was SOD on 4&2 at the BYU32. BYU went 58/11pl and with :39 left in the 3Q, settled for a 27 yard FG to pull within 20-13. ND went 58/8pl and on 2&14 from the BYU22 Rees was intercepted in the EZ. BYU got 1 FD and punted with 10:27 left and ND went 25/7pl. Kyle Brindza had the wind at his back and hit a 51 yard FG to give them a 2 score advantage with 6:53 left. The Cougars went 71/9pl and with 4:15 left, their 22 yard FG on 4&gl from the 4 was blocked. BYU’s last drive ended on a 4&8, incomplete pass at the ND38 with 1:49 left.

North Texas had been playing great at home in Apogee Stadium and had held a firm grasp on getting to the CUSA title game. Surprisingly they were dominated by UTSA with UTSA having a 458-334 yard edge including a 184-105 rushing edge. UTSA took its opening drive 70/7pl for a td. Three punts. UTSA was intercepted and returned 14 yards to its 31 and NT would gain 4 yards and got a 44 yard FG, 7-3. Two punts. UTSA went 48/11pl and missed a 50 yard FG with 2:25 left. After an NT punt UTSA got it back at its own 11 with 1:15 left in the half. They got 3 FD’s but missed a 57 yard FG. At the half UTSA had a 262-92 yard edge and only led 7-3. NT went 50/12pl and missed a 42 yard FG to open the 3Q. UTSA went right down the field (75/9pl) capped by a 2 yard td run, 14-3. NT went 45/9pl and got a 5 yard run to the UTSA31 on 4&10. UTSA went 3&out and only got off a 9 yard punt. NT took over at the UTSA40 and went 37/8pl but on 4&gl from the 3 opted for a 21 yard FG after having a 1&gl at the 9, 14-6. UTSA went 75/12pl and got a 10 yard td run, 21-6. NT went 68/8pl and got a 6 yard td pass with 5:38 left, 21-13. NT kicked off deep–down 8– but UTSA got 3 FD’s on a 68/9pl drive, but on 4&4 missed a 46 yard FG 1:12 left. NT got a pair of FD’s to midfield and on 4&10 gained 12 yards to the UTSA33. NT would get a 1&gl at the 3 on its last drive but was intercepted in the EZ by Bennett Okotcha.

Well, at least Ohio St doesn’t have to worry about competing with Baylor for that #3 BCS spot. The Bucks would have clearly dropped to #4 after another lackluster performance vs Indiana. I say lackluster because even though they led 42-0, they only won 42-14 and only had a 471-442 yard edge. Braxton Miller in a game played in 20-degree temps and swirling wind that chased half the crowd home for the 2H, hit just 11-17-160 yards. Mitch Ewald came in 8-8 on FG’s but had a pair of attempts bounce off the uprights from 42 and 36 yards or it could have been closer. OSU went 71/5 and 56/5pl for td’s on their first 2 possessions, 14-0. Miller was sacked and fumbled at the OSU36 on OSU’s 3rd possession but Ewald had a 42 yarder bang off the upright 4pl after converting on 4&1. OSU blocked a punt and recovered at the IU8 and 2pl later got a 5 yard td run by Miller, 21-0 (8:36 2Q). Indy went 59/9pl but on 4&6 was SOD at the OSU31 (1:29 2Q). OSU went 69/4pl and got a 5 yard td run by Carlos Hyde, 28-0. Indy gained 67 yards down to the OSU19 on the final 4pl of the half. OSU only had a 265-195 yard edge. Indy opened the 3Q with a 47/13pl drive but a 41 yard FG bounced off the upright. OSU was intercepted at its own 39, but Indy, on 4&5, was SOD at the 35. OSU went 65/6pl for a 24 yard td pass, 35-0. Indy went 79/13pl and on 4&gl from the 2 was SOD. OSU went 98/8pl and got a 39 yard td pass and with 10:37 left in the game, led 42-0. Indy then went 48/13 for a td. OSU with backup QB Kenny Guiton in, fumbled at the UI42 with 5:09 left. The Hoosiers went 58/8pl and on 3&19, got a 25 yard td pass with 2:03 left to get under the 5 td number. OSU got 1 FD running out the clock.

In two years since the NCAA hit Penn St hard stating all their players could transfer without having to sit, more than 90% stayed and only 10 transferred. PSU played well in its final home game and had a 387-360 yard edge vs Nebraska. Christian Hackenberg hit 16-33-217. Ron Kellogg took the majority of the snaps at QB for the Huskers and hit 20-34-191. Zach Zwinak rushed for 149 on 39 carries for PSU and Ameer Abdullah had 47 on 25 for NU. Naturally, like most of the games this week, it was played in chilly weather. The first 5 possessions were punts. PSU went 40/8pl and got a 2 yard td pass with :33 left 1Q, 6-0 but missed a crucial xp. NU went 91/7pl and got a 27 yard td pass, 7-6. Three punts. NU blocked a punt and recovered at the PSU48. They went 47/9pl and on 3&gl from the 1 Abdullah fumbled into the EZ for a TB with 4:01 left in the half. At the half NU had a 198-159 yard edge. NU was sacked and fumbled at its own 8 yard line to open the 3Q and 2pl later Hackenberg’s 7 yard td run made it 13-7. Kenny Bell returned the ensuing KO 99 yards for a td, 14-13. 2 punts. PSU was intercepted at the NU and the Huskers went 30/9pl for a 39 yard FG with 1:11 left, 17-13. PSU got a 22 yard pass then on 3&3, Hackenberg hit Jesse James on the sideline. He broke a tackle and raced 46 yards for a td, 20-17. The next 4 possessions were punts. NU took over with 8:56 left and got 1 FD then Abdullah ripped off a td run to put them in the lead. A flag behind the play called NU for a personal foul on a block, even though replays showed the block was initiated in the front. That brought the ball back to the 27 yard line. NU got 2 FD’s but on 4&gl from the 1, opted for a 19 yard FG and the tie. PSU got 2 FD and punted with 1:31 left and NU was pinned at its 4 and got 3 FD’s including a gutsy 3&13 call when they went deep with it and pass interference gave them a FD. PSU still had a time-out left and could have had the ball at the NU40 with over 1:00 left but the pass was incomplete. In OT PSU missed a 37 yard FG and NU lined up for a 37 yard FG, a false start made it a 42 yarder and they nailed it for the win.

Another blowout loss for Southern Miss. The stats were actually respectable as Middle Tenn only had a 319-371 yard edge. Nick Mullens started for SM and hit 27-47-289. Logan Kilgore only hit 11-25-172 for MT. SM shot itself in the foot as they moved the ball well early. SM’s opening drive went 64/10pl and they settled for a 29 yard FG then missed it. SM’s next drive ended on an interception where they were not only intercepted but returned 24 yards for a td and SM had a 67-10 yard edge but trailed 7-0. SM went 75/10pl and got an 11 yard td pass. At this point SM had a 142-10 yard edge but the game was tied at 7. SM forced a punt but then on 3&6 was intercepted and returned 51 yards for another td by MT, 14-7. Three punts. MT went 71/11pl for a 3 yard td run with 2:53 left in the half then got it back with 1:45 left and went 72/7pl and got a 16 yard td pass with :28 left for the 28-7 lead. They only had an 11-9 FD edge and even with all of the yardage on the last 2 drives only a 212-143 yard edge. The 2H opened up with 5 punts. USM went 57/6pl for a 14 yard td pass, 28-14 (1:27 3Q). Two punts. MT went 79/8pl for a td with 9:12 left and SM, on 4&6, was SOD at the SM47. MT went 47/3pl and got a 32 yard td run, 42-14 with 6:36 left. SM went 75/13pl and on 4&6, hit a 13 yard td pass with 2:33 left to close the scoring.

Andre Williams rushed for 263 yards and became just the 16th player in NCAA history to top 2,000 in a season. Tough loss for Maryland as they led 24-13 and appeared on their way to victory. Boston College did finish with a 374-278 yard edge. BC opened with a 70/7pl drive but settled for a 22 yard FG, 3-0. Two punts. MD went 27/7pl for a 43 yard FG to tie it. Two punts. BC fumbled the snap and rolled all the way back to the 1 yard line where MD recovered. MD got a 1 yard td run on the next play with 1:49 left 1Q, 10-3. BC blocked a punt and recovered at the MD6. They got a 6 yard td run on the next play, 10-10 with 12:30 left in the 1H. At the half MD had a 100-85 yard edge and 10-10 tie. The Terps opened the 3Q with a 70/8pl drive for td. Two punts. BC went 73/14pl for a 19 yard FG, 17-13. BC fumbled the punt at its own 33 and MD went 33/6pl and with 10:52 left appeared to have it in control, 24-13. Williams changed all of that with a 72 yard td run on the next play to get them back in it at 24-20. MD was still driving and was about to clinch the win. They went 43/6pl and had a FD at the 11 of BC when by far the key play of the game happened. They fumbled after a 4 yard gain and BC took over at the 8. They got 1 FD and on 2&9 a deep pass to Alex Amidon went 74 yards for a td. BC did take the lead, however, as the xp was tipped and grabbed in the EZ by a Terps player who returned it the distance for 2 points, 26-26. MD punted with 1:32 left and BC took over at their 20 and on 3&3, got a 36 yard run by Williams. On 3&8 they lined up for a 52 yard FG with :02 left and missed it but Edsall called time-out. That gave them another shot at the 52 yard FG and this time they made it for the win.

It was cold and windy in Minnesota, almost reminding me of those games at Bloomington Field when the Vikings played outdoors. UM did not score an offensive td, was outFD’d 18-11 and outgained 324-185 but only lost this game by 13. Chris Borland had 12 tackles and forced a fumble which was the 14th of his career. It would have tied him with 5 players for the FBS record, however, Buffalo’s Khalil Mack broke that record in his game on Tuesday. Wisconsin took its opening drive 48/4pl and got a FD at the 12 but settled for a 31 yard FG. Four punts. UM fumbled at the end of a pass at the UW32 but on 3&6, Joel Stave was intercepted and returned 39 yards for a td and stunningly UM led 7-3. UM did go 34/9pl but on 3&11 was sacked and fumbled from the UW35. UW went 49/5pl for a td, 10-7. UM got it back after a punt with 1:35 left. They went 41/11 but on 4&gl from the 2, settled for a 20 yard FG. They had a 1&gl at the 3, 13-7. At the half UW had a 193-94 yard edge. UW opened the 3Q with an 83/12pl drive for a td and then UM fumbled at its own 26 but Jack Russell missed a 38 yard FG (UM used an interesting video during his attempt). Two punts. Jared Abbrederis returned a punt 35 yards to the UM34 but on 4&2 the Badgers were SOD again. UM was SOD on 4&6 at the UW31. UW punted 29 yards and UM went 53/11pl but on 4&10 gained 5 yards to the UW13. UW got 2 FD and took a knee.

Arizona limped in 6-4 at home and they were a 3 td underdog. Some of Oregon’s players got a lot of publicity during the week as they said they really didn’t care to play in the Rose Bowl, they only wanted the National Title game. While those comments could have been taken out of context, the players got their wish as Oregon’s Rose Bowl chances were slammed shut in a dominating Arizona win. UO did finish with a 506-482 yard edge but Marcus Mariota’s Heisman chances went out the window as he hit 27-41-308. Mariota did rush for 53 yards on 8 carries but had a streak of passes without an interception end at 353. UA tore the goal posts down after the game. On the first play of the game Mariota’s streak ended with UA’s Shaquille Richardson jumping OOB but tipping the pass back in to his teammate Scooby Wright at the 45. UA went 45/9pl for a td. UO went 3&out then UA went 59/10pl for a td. UO went 64/12pl but after 1&gl at the 9, settled for a 33 yard FG. UA went 83/16pl for a td, 21-3. It was time to get the Ducks back in it and they went 67/11pl and on 4&1 from the 1, Mariota hit a 1 yard td pass, 21-9. UO forced a punt. They got 2 FD’s to midfield but fumbled. On the Ducks next drive they took over with 3:27 left in the half and on 4&2 were SOD at the UA40. That was crucial as UA went 60/6pl for a 1 yard td with :18 left to extend it to 28-9. UA had a 278-275 yard edge at the half. UA punted to open the 3Q and UO went 76/12pl with everyone waiting for the Duck’s offense to ignite but on 4&2 they were SOD at the UA6. UO punted with 5:43 left 3Q and UA went 70/9 and got a 9 yard td run by Ka’Deem Carey, 35-9. Carey rushed for 206 yards with an amazing 48 carries. UO went 84/11pl and got a 2 yard td pass, 35-16 but UA answered again going 75/12pl and basically slammed the door shut, 42-16 with 8:59 left. UO went 78/11pl and had a 2&1 from the UA13 but was intercepted at the 3. UA’s offense got a 4&1 conversion and ran out the final 5:40.

Washington St has not played in a bowl since 2003. Utah was playing without its starting QB and Adam Schulz hit 21-46-347 in his 2nd start. Connor Halliday hit 39-62-488 for the Cougars. Utah has actually lost 5 in row since they upset #10 Stanford. WSU opened with a 73/10pl drive for a td then after a 34 yard punt and 15 yard kick/catch interference, they started at the UU35. They got 1 FD but on 4&1 went for it and lost 3 yards. Two plays later Schulz was intercepted and returned 22 yards for a td by Damante Horton, 14-0. Three plays later Schulz was intercepted and returned 39 yards for a td by Casey Locker, 21-0. Utah got back in it going 75/12 and 63/4pl for td’s to pull to 21-14. WSU went 65/8pl for a 27 yard FG then went 78/7pl for a 9 yard td pass, 30-14 (7:16). WSU fumbled the punt at its own 40 but Utah punted 4pl later. Utah took over with 3:23 left in the half and went 49/7 getting a 3 yard td pass to pull within 30-20. WSU took over with 1:13 left and went 38/7pl for a 52 yard FG by Andrew Furney. At the half WSU had a 281-195 yard edge. Each team went on a long drive for a FG to open the 3Q, 36-23. Then both went on a long drive for a td, 43-30 (5:34 3Q). Utah punted and WSU went 33/8pl for a 52 yard FG and missed it. Utah got to the WSU46 but was SOD. Two plays later, WSU fumbled and Utah got a 64 yard td pass on the next play to pull within 6, 43-37. Each team punted. WSU faced a 3&6 with 4:42 left and appeared they would punt the ball back to Utah giving them a chance to win but Halliday hit Williams with a 71 yard td pass and the 2 point conversion failed, 49-37. Utah went 65/12pl but on 4&8 fired incomplete with 1:52 left.

It amazes me that Hawaii is 0-11 because they have played so much better than the record would indicate as they suffered their 2nd straight OT loss and 5th loss this year by 7 points or less. Wyoming had 793-624 yard and 34-30 FD edges. The 793 yards by WY were a MW record. Brett Smith hit 29-48-498 yards and rushed for 142 for a MW record 640 yards total offense. It was the best output by any individual player in the NCAA this year. Sean Schroeder hit 37-50-499 yards for UH. WY actually punted to open to open and each team went on a long drive for a td, 7-6. After UH punted, the next 3 possessions were td’s and WY after a 47 yard td pass led 20-14 on the first play of the 2Q. WY fumbled the punt and UH went 27/3pl for a td and the lead 21-20. Each team punted and WY on 3&4 got a 51 yard td run by Smith, 28-21 but UH went 75/4pl and got a 30 yard td pass, 28-28. On their next play, Smith hit Keenan Montgomery with a 72 yard td pass, 35-28. UH got to midfield but was intercepted at the 7 on a deep pass. WY fumbled at its own 44 (2:01) and UH went 44/7pl and got a 6 yard td pass to tie it, 35-35 (:52). WY went 48/6pl and missed a 38 yard FG. At the half WY had a 491-347 yard edge. WY fumbled the punt at its own 47 to open the 3Q and UH went 53/3pl for a td. WY converted on 4&1 twice on the next drive getting to the UH5 but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and 2 sacks forced a 4&37 and they punted. WY forced a punt and went 61/10pl for a 20 yard td pass to tie it at 42. UH fumbled at the WY47 but on their next drive went 79/8pl and got a 14 yard td pass. The xp was blocked with 13:09 left, 48-42. WY got a 71 yard td pass, 49-48 for the lead. The teams punted 3 straight possessions then WY went 94/12pl and got a 5 yard td pass with 2:52 left to go up by 8, 56-48. UH converted on 4&4 for a FD and continued on a 75/8pl drive and got a 33 yard td pass. The 2 point conversion tied it with 1:18 left. WY punted with :33 left and UH got to the WY44 but intentional grounding forced OT. In OT UH got 1 FD and on 4&1 from the 4 was stopped at the 5. They were all runs by Joey Iosefa. WY on 4&3 got a 36 yard FG for the win.

Last week was Tulane’s final game in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome where they have played since 1975. As you can tell by the final score of 45-3, TU dominated UTEP with 26-13 FD and 482-232 yard edges. In the 1H TU’s first 6 drives went 72/7, 41/7, 65/8, 15/4 (after fmbl) and 75/5pl for td’s, their only non-td came on a 4th & gl at the 1 where they were SOD. UTEP managed a 32 yard FG. TU’s 7th possession went 33/5 and got a 39 yard FG to go up 38-3 at the half with a commanding 357-70 yard edge. UTEP started Mack Leftwich and he hit 13-24-128. They were without their top RB although Nathan Jeffery, who came into the season #1, was back in the lineup. UTEP was intercepted at the TU9 and TU went 91/8pl for a td then put it away. The next six possessions were punts. UTEP went 60/7pl and fumbled at the TU20 with 1:23 left.

Florida St had one of the largest spreads in history at 57 but still managed to cover it. They had a 645-345 yard edge and only a 28-22 FD edge but, of course, played their backups a lot in the 2H and even gave Idaho a 75/9pl drive for a td with :42 left to skew the stats. The Seminoles have now scored 607 points, breaking the single season ACC record which they set last year. Jameis Winston hit 14-25-225 and Sean Maguire got plenty of action and hit 9-14-84. NT Timmy Jernigan was dominant for FSU and very disruptive. FSU went 83/7 and 72/5pl for td’s, 14-0 and then got a 79 yard IR td, 21-0. After an interception on their 3rd offensive possession they went 44/5pl for a td. Winston was sacked and fumbled from the ID32 on their next possession but they went 85/5pl for a td to make it 35-0 with 5:54 left 2Q. FSU punted on 4&18 with 2:25 left in the quarter and ID went 63/10pl getting a 15 yard td pass with :41 left in the half. The drive was kept alive by a 4&2 conversion at midfield. Winston took FSU (after 58 yard KR) 35/6pl and got a 20 yard td pass on 3&10 with :03 left, 42-7. They had a 352-183 yard edge. FSU went 48/5, 61/4, 65/15 and 64/8pl all for td’s on their first four 2H possessions, 66-7. ID was SOD on 4&9 at midfield but FSU after a 1&gl at the 6 was intercepted in the EZ for a TB. They got it back on an interception 3pl later and went 7/3pl for a td, 73-7. ID went 62/9 and was intercepted and returned 78 yards for a td with 4:19 left, 80-7 and that’s when ID brought Josh McCain in at QB and went 75/9 for a garbage td with :42 left.

Johnny Manziel’s Heisman hopes probably ended in Death Valley where as Les Miles says, “dreams come to die.” Manziel had his worst game of his career hitting 16-41-224 with 2 interceptions and only rushed for 54 yards guiding A&M to just 10 points vs an LSU D that had been allowing 27 ppg in conference play. LSU ended A&M’s 13 game streak of scoring 40+ points. LSU had a 517-299 yard edge. LSU’s opening drive was SOD at its own 39 on 4&1 but Manziel on 4&6 gained 5 yards. After each team punted, LSU went 71/5pl for a td and 65/7pl for a td. A&M went 89/11pl but on 4&gl from the 3 was SOD. LSU only got off a 14 yard punt but A&M gained 3 yards and settled for a 41 yard FG, 14-3. LSU went 91/8pl and got a 10 yard td pass, 21-3 with 1:37 left in the half. A&M went 73/3pl and got a 51 yard td pass to Walker, 21-10 and surprisingly LSU which was snapping the ball with basically :03 or :04 left all game long, didn’t try to score in the final 1:08. They even got 1 FD and took it to the half. LSU had a 275-198 yard edge. LSU opened the 2H with a 71/13pl drive and settled for a 21 yard FG. Manziel was intercepted 4pl later. LSU went 61/9pl for a td and with 2:01 left in the 3Q, led 31-10. A&M got 3 FD and punted 54 yards for a TB on 4&13. LSU went 61/9pl and got a 36 yard FG, 34-10. A&M got 3 FD’s on a 68/7pl drive but on 2&gl from the 10 was intercepted in the EZ. LSU’s last drive started with 4:26 left at midfield and they got 2 FD’s to the 25. Zach Mettenberger hit 11-20-193. Terrence Magee was LSU’s top rusher with 149 yards.

Gator Hoskins showed why he is one of the Mackey semi-finalists as he has 137 yards receiving and 3 td’s for Marshall as they routed FIU with a 558-262 yard edge. It was the 7th time this year FIU has scored 10 or fewer points. FIU shockingly took the lead. They took their opening drive 49/8pl and got a 42 yard FG and Marshall got off to a very slow start punting on the first 3 possessions. After the 1Q FIU led 3-0. MU then went 67/8pl for a 25 yard td pass to Hoskins then went 38/8pl but had a 38 yard FG blocked. MU got a 72 yard td run by Steward Butler then punted with 2:17 left in the half. FIU was intercepted at the MU34 and MU went 66/7pl and got a 21 yard td pass with :11 left to go up 20-3. At the half MU had a 308-107 yard edge. MU punted on its opening 3Q possession but then went 55/2pl for a 15 yard td pass to Hoskins. Each team was SOD around the other’s 30 yard line on the next 2 drives then MU went 65/2pl with a 32 yard td pass to Hoskins, 34-3 (2:08 3Q). After each team punted, FIU went 88/4pl and got a 10 yard td pass, 34-10. MU with Blake Frohnapfel at QB went 54/8pl and he got a 45 yard td run, 41-10. FIU gained 47 yards (10pl) being SOD on 4&21 at the MU28. MU went 72/4pl and got a 40 yard td pass to Hunt, 48-10 with 2:18 left and FIU ran it 4 times.

SMU QB Garrett Gilbert was injured and frosh backup Neal Burcham came in late 2Q and hit 9-18-91. SMU finished with 20-10 FD and 280-259 yard edges. SMU took their opening drive 60/9 but settled for a 25 yard FG. There were 3 punts then SMU was intercepted at its own 36. USF missed a 51 yard FG after gaining 3 yards. After each team punted, SMU went 54/12pl but on 4&4 was SOD on Burcham’s 2nd play at the USF36 with :48 left in the half. SMU had a 157-126 yard edge. SMU opened the 3Q with a 75/11pl drive for a 6 yard td run by Zach Line, 9-0 (xpng). SMU went 72/11pl but on 3&gl from the 9 was intercepted at the 1. SMU went 46/4pl and on 4&1 got a 37 yard td pass to Der’rikk Thompson, 16-0 on the last play of the 3Q. USF was intercepted at its own 34 and intercepted at its own 40 on the next two drives but SMU, playing conservative, punted each time losing 11 yards on both drives. USF went 73/7pl but was SOD on 4&gl from the 17 with 4:53 left. SMU punted and Chris Dunkley returned the punt 50 yards for a td to avoid the shutout, 16-6. SMU recovered the onside kick and got 2 FD’s to the USF16 where they ended the game.

Taylor Kelly hit 20-27-225 and Arizona St clinched a berth in the Pac-12 title game with their road win over UCLA. This was a game that ASU dominated early and was up huge, 35-13 at the half but then had to hang on at the end. ASU had a 448-404 yard edge. Kelly was also the team’s leading rusher with 99 yards on 22 carries. Myles Jack had 86 yards on 16 carries for UCLA and Brett Hundley hit 18-26-253. ASU opened with a 76/7pl drive for a td and UCLA got a 58 yard KR and on their first play, a 42 yard td pass. There were 3 punts then UCLA, after a 49 yard PR, started at the ASU31 and got a 48 yard FG on a 1 yard drive, 10-7. ASU went 84/8pl for a td then got an 18 yard IR td 2pl later, 21-10. UCLA went 56/7pl but missed a 39 yard FG. Two punts. ASU went 65/12pl and on 4&gl from the 1, got a td 28-10 with 2:36 left in the half. UCLA got a 69 yard KR to the ASU31. They went 26/6pl for a 23 yard FG, 28-13 with :47 left but ASU went 62/4pl and got a 19 yard td pass with :05 left, 35-13. ASU had a commanding 357-136 yard edge at the half. UCLA opened the 3Q with a 79/10pl drive and got a 3 yard td run by Jack, 35-20. ASU went 3&out and UCLA got a 67 yard PR to the 15 with special teams being huge in this game. UCLA went 15/4pl for a td, 35-27. ASU went 63/13pl but settled for a 28 yard FG, 38-27 (1:07 3Q). UCLA went 65/10pl for a 27 yard td pass with 11:25 left, 38-33 (2ptng). ASU punted and UCLA went 63/8pl. They were down at the 11 yard line but settled for a FG then missed it. ASU got 1 FD and punted with 3:21 left. UCLA converted on 4&5 out to the 45 but on 4&25, after a pair of holds and a sack, they gained 21 yards with :05 left.

Tennessee clinched its 4th straight losing season, something that has not happened at UT since 1902-’06. Vanderbilt had lost just 2 fumbles in the first 10 games but lost 3 vs UT. It was an extremely tough loss for UT as at the end of the game, they stopped VU on downs. While celebrating the win the replays amazingly overturned it despite the fact there was no clear-cut view of where the football was. UT was intercepted on its opening drive and VU went 61/11pl for a td. VU was intercepted on its next drive and returned 41 yards to the 24 but UT settled for a 33 yard FG and it was blocked. VU fumbled and UT went 53/7pl for a td to tie. UT was intercepted at its own 40 but VU fumbled it back at the 1. At the half VU had a 168-84 yard edge and the game was tied at 7. UT opened the 3Q with a 55/12pl drive for a 32 yard FG and the lead, 10-7. Darrius Sims returned the KO 71 yards to the UT26 but QB Patton Robinette fumbled on 3&4 at the 16. After each team punted, UT started at the VU48. They got 3 FD’s then had a td run by Kendrick Doss called back on holding. On 4th & 19 they actually faked a FG as the holder flipped it to Michael Palardy over his head but he was intercepted at the 8. Each team punted. VU after a 27 yard punt on 4&21 from its own 2 started at the UT29 and they missed a 42 yard FG with 7:15 left. UT punted with 4:16 left and VU got 2 FD’s and on 4&1 was stopped but they reviewed it and gave them the FD. They got a 25 yard pass on the next play and a Robinette faked a jump pass then ran it in 5 yards :16 left. UT got 2 FD’s to the VU48 but their final pass was incomplete.

Georgia lost starting QB Aaron Murray just before the half. Hutson Mason filled in for the 2H and hit 13-19-189 and amazingly UGA would outscore Kentucky 24-7 in the 2H with Mason at the helm. Todd Gurley rushed for 77 yards on 8 carries. UGA had a 602-211 yard edge. UGA opened with a 59/3pl drive for a td then went 76/11pl for a td. After UK fumbled, UGA went 17/2pl for a td and was quickly up 21-0 before punting with 3:39 left in the 1Q. UK got a 69 yard td run by Dyshawn Mobley to make it 21-7 but UGA went 79/9pl on their next drive to go back up 28-7. UGA fumbled a punt at its own 26 and UK got a FD at the 11 but settled for a 24 yard FG, 28-10. UGA went 62/10pl and Murray was intercepted at the 2 yard line and returned 5 yards. Murray was out for the rest of the game. UGA went 57/5pl and got a 24 yard td pass from Mason to Gurley with :12 left in the half, 35-10. UGA had a 350-106 yard edge. UGA opened the 3Q after a 28 yard punt by UK and went 39/5pl for a td, 42-10. UK fumbled at its 30 and UGA went 30/2 for a td, 49-10. UK went 53/6pl and was sacked at the UGA22 on 4&7. UGA went 81/10pl for a 3 yard td run then went 62/16pl for a 41 yard FG, 59-10 with just 7:41 left. UK went 74/6pl and got a 30 yard td pass with 3:54 left and UGA got 2 FD’s running out the clock.

Missouri had a 485-378 yard edge and was playing to keep the lead in the SEC East needing to win their last 2 games to get to the SEC title game where 1 loss would put them out of it. James Franklin made his first start since his shoulder injury back in October and hit 12-19-142. Maty Mauk did hit 3-7-83. MO opened strong with a 72/8 drive for a td. MO got an int and returned it 17 yards to the Ole Miss 39 but after a sack and false start, punted on 4&16. Miss went 85/18 and had a 1&gl at the 1 but settled for a 23 yard FG and it was blocked. 2 punts. Each team went on a long drive for a FG, 10-3. MO went 68/7 and got a 3 yard td run, 17-3 (1:37). Miss missed a 61 yard FG on the final play of the half and at the half MO did only have a 229-211 yard edge. Miss went 78/4 and got a 45 yard td run by I’Tavius Mathers, 17-10. MO went on a 5 play drive and was intercepted at the Miss34. MO went 85/8 for an 11 yard td run by Henry Josey, 24-10 (6:56 3Q). 3 punts. MO went 51/11 but on 4&3 were SOD at the MO31. MO went 56/12pl and fired incomplete on 4&gl from the 13 with 8:08 left. MO then went on a 61/15pl drive ending the game at the Miss22 yard line taking a knee.

Trey Watts ran for 189 yards on 40 carries for Tulsa and they came in just 2-8 despite being the preseason favorites to win the CUSA West but had a 368-336 yard edge and won 24-14. TU got to the Louisiana Tech 27 on their opening drive but was intercepted at the 13. TU went 53/5 for a Watts 6 yard td run, 7-0. Tulsa fumbled at the end of their next drive, this time at their own 43. LT went 3&out on their first 5 poss. LT went 42/8 and on 4&8 was SOD at the TU36. TU went 44/11 but was intercepted on 3&6 at the 5 and returned 14 yards. LT went 81/9 and got a 10 yard td run, 7-7 (3:06). TU went 45/7 for a 26 yard FG, 10-7 (:39). At the half TU had a 220-191 yard edge. LT was intercepted at midfield and returned 29 yards early 3Q. 2pl later Watts had an 11 yard td run, 17-7 (12:17). LT went 49/10 but on 3&10 was intercepted at the 2. Each team punted and Tulsa was intercepted and returned 16 yards to their 26. LT went 26/8 and on 3&gl got a 4 yard td pass to pull within 17-14. TU went 62/11 for a Watts 5 yard td run, 24-14. LT got 2 FD’s and was intercepted at the TU44 and returned 16 yards. TU got 1 FD but on 4&1 were SOD at the LT16 with 4:45 left. LT got 4 FD’s to the TU29 but on 4&21, was intercepted at the 12 and returned 17 yards with 2:10 left and TU got 1 FD and ran the clock.

It was senior day for Fresno St and Derek Carr had a school record 7 td’s in the final reg season home game. He hit 27-37-527 yards. New Mexico was playing with their top QB Cole Gautsche and top RB Kasey Carrier. Carrier had led the team with 1,122 (5.9) and Gautsche was #2 with 777 (6.6). If you get my Inside the Pressbox newsletter, you know I used this as one of my High Scoring Games of the Week and the two totalled 97 points with FSU having an 822-325 yard edge. FSU went 88/5pl for a td on their opening drive and punted on their 2nd. After a 22 yard PR went 33/1 for a td, 14-0. They went 81/4, 90/5, 55/7 all for td’s and led 35-0 with 5:15 left in the 2Q. They had a 36 yard FG blocked with :49 left. At the half FSU already had 418 yards and NM 155. FSU punted to open the 3Q and NM went 54/2 for a td, 35-7. The next 3 poss were all td’s including a NM 4&5, 24 yard td run, 49-14. FSU went 48/9, 74/7, 80/11 all for td’s, 69-21 (11:35). FSU punted with 7:52 left and NM had an 80 yard td run by Jhurell Pressley. FSU took over with 7:31 left and was able to go 39/12 getting a 1&gl at the 3 and taking a knee.

Iowa St was playing in their final home game and had a 502-279 yard edge. Kansas had just upset West Virginia at home the previous week and they were still celebrating their first Big 12 win in 26 games. Grant Rohach started and played the entire game for Iowa St. He hit 15-20-300 yards on a chilly night. It was ISU’s first shutout since 2010 and that came vs an FCS foe (N Iowa). Montell Cozart in his 2nd start hit just 4-12-20 with 1 int and Jake Heaps came off the bench and hit 7-19-72-0-0. KU went 64/12 but on 4&4 were SOD at the ISU25. ISU got 1 FD then a 58 yard td pass, 7-0 (6:43). ISU went 91/14 for a 22 yard FG, 10-0 (13:01). KU went 49/8 but was SOD on 4&1 at the ISU13. KU took over, down 10-0, with 2:22 left in half and got a FD to the ISU41 but on 3&16 was intercepted in the EZ for a TB. At the half ISU had a 210-174 yard edge. KU punted to open the 3Q but then fumbled at their own 38. ISU, 6pl later, got a 21 yard FG, 13-0. KU punted 25 yards and ISU went 38/6 for a 15 yard td pass, 20-0 (6:00). ISU went 75/7 for a 5 yard td run, 27-0 (1:09). KU went 56/15pl and on 4&6 fired inc. ISU went 84/4 with a 23 yard td run by Johnson, 34-0. KU fired incomplete at the ISU33 and got a 1 yard run on 4&2 at their own 39. ISU on 4&2 got a FD to the 15 but then on 2&10 Rohach took off on a 14 yard run and fumbled into the EZ for a TB. KU just ran a couple times ending the game.

Temple actually had 372-235 yard and 23-13 FD edges and led 21-0 at the half but ended up losing 28-21. PJ Walker hit 26-46-280 and Connecticut’s Casey Cochran 8-18-111. TU opened with a 65/13pl drive but missed a 27 yard FG. 2 punts. UC was intercepted at their own 28. TU went 28/4pl for a 6 yard td run, the key a 3&24, 31 yard pass down to the 6 one play before the 6 yard td run by Walker, 7-0 (:25). TU went 79/7 and got an 8 yard td pass, 14-0 (10:59). TU blocked a punt at the UC18 and got an 18 yard td run by Williams on the next play, 21-0 (8:49 2Q). TU fumbled at their own 42 but UC on 4&8 was SOD at the TU28. TU went 51/9 but on FD from the UC15 was sacked and fumbled with :09 left at the half. At the half TU had a commanding 271-64 yard edge. UC opened the 3Q with a 75/6 drive for a td. TU went 55/4 and on 4&13 fired incomplete at the UC25. 2 punts. UC went 58/8 and got a 4 yard td run, 21-14 (:43 3Q). TU went 3&out and UC went 50/14pl. On 4&1 they got a PI for a 1&gl at the 1 and a td on the next play, 21-21. TU got 1 FD and was intercepted and returned 59 yards for a td by Yawin Smallwood, 28-21. TU39 got 2 FD’s but a sack on 2&7 made it 4&20 and they fired incomplete with :38 left at the UC45.

Clint Chelf had the best game of his career hitting 19-25-370 yards. Bryce Petty hit 28-48-359 and rushed for 46 but Baylor’s offense was slowed and Oklahoma St had a 594-453 yard edge. BU came in with BCS pressure and all the talk was that they would jump to #3 over Ohio St in BCS with a win and a Florida St or Alabama loss, would put them into the National Title game. They had a 13 game win streak snapped and have not won in Stillwater since 1939. OSU has now won 10 or more games in 3 of the last 4 seasons. OSU took its opening drive 33/9 and went for it on 4&1 but were SOD at their own 47. That would start BU’s 2nd drive and it would be the turning point of the game. BU went 45/7 and Petty on 3&2, ran 28 yards but as he was about to go into the EZ he tripped over the yard line and fell down at the 1. No big deal, right? Well, 2 plays later Shock Linwood fumbled and OSU recovered at the 1 and went 99/7 for a td and a stunning turnaround. Shockingly the next 5 poss were punts. OSU went 80/5 for a td then there were 2 punts. BU went 71/6 but settled for a 29 yard FG with :13 left in the half, 14-3. At the half OSU had a 276-174 yard edge. OSU opened the 3Q with a 76/4pl drive and a 56 yard td pass. BU on 4&4 were SOD at the OSU20. OSU went 80/6 and got a 1 yard td run, 28-3. BU fumbled at the OSU46 then BU went 24/9 but on 4&9 fired incomplete at the OSU45. BU went 48/8 but on 4&10 gained 8 yards on a Petty run to the 32. OSU then went 68/6 for a td, 35-3. BU went 73/7 and got a 24 yard td pass with 14:04 left. They forced OSU to go 3&out and took over at their 44. They got 3 FD’s to the 7 but there was a bad snap on 3&gl from the 2. OSU not only recovered it but returned it 78 yards for a td and that closed the door, 42-10. OSU went 92/9 getting a td with 3:01 left. BU went 64/4 for a 32 yard td pass with 1:59 left and OSU took a knee.

Antonio Andrews rushed 21 times for 204 yards and WKU had a 473-130 yard edge vs Texas St. Tyler Arndt threw for 5 passes for Texas St, completed 1 and had 3 interceptions. Tyler Jones replaced him and hit 14-25-104. TXSt fumbled on their first poss and WKU on its 3rd poss went 30/9 but on 4&1 were SOD at the TXSt43. TXSt was intercepted at their own 38. TXSt was intercepted at their own 21 and returned 5 yards. WKU drove 3 yards for a 30 yard FG, 3-0 (14:10 2Q). TXSt was intercepted and returned 15 yards to their 29. This time WKU went 29/2 for a td, 10-0. TXSt went 3&out and WKU got a 47 yard td run by Andrews 17-0 (9:27). WKU got 2 FD and on 4&10 fired incomplete. TXSt went 65/12 and got a 3 yard td pass on 3&3 with :35 left in the half, 17-7. WKU got 3 FD’s but missed a 47 yard FG on the 1H’s final play. At the half WKU had a 234-69 yard edge. TXSt went 50/14 and missed a 40 yard FG. WKU went 45/10 but on 4&2 were SOD at the TXSt32. TXSt with Jones at QB was intercepted and WKU went 74/11pl for a td, 24-7. 3 punts. WKU went 73/4pl and Andrews’ 33 yard td run with 5:42 left made it 31-7. TXSt went 3&out and WKU went 54/6 and got a 21 yard td run by Wales with :40 left, 38-7.

South Alabama had a 424-274 yard and 25-14 FD edges and Ross Metheny hit 15-26-194. Kolton Browning hit 18-26-196. The first 3 poss ended in punts. USA went 48/8 and got a 43 yard FG, 3-0 (6:38). USA went 50/6 for a 45 yard FG, 6-0 (3:07). ULM went 80/11 and got a 6 yard td run, 7-6 (12:23). USA went 75/9 for a 29 yard td pass, 12-7 (9:13). 3 punts. USA went 85/9 for a 35 yard td run, 19-7 (:15). At the half USA had a 212-127 yard edge. USA punted to open the 3Q and ULM went 55/6 for a 44 yard td pass on 3&17. USA went 75/11 for a td, 26-14 (5:58) then 63/13 for a 34 yard FG, 29-14 (13:33 4Q). After a 13 yard punt, USA took over at the ULM33 but was intercepted at the 3. 2 punts. ULM4 went 61/14pl but on 4&21 ran for 12. Two plays later Metheny got a 63 yard td run, 36-14 with 3:30 left.

Cody Kessler hit 19-28-184 and Max Wittek got some action hitting 1-2-22. Javorius Allen ran for 145 yards. USC was in a clear flat spot off their huge win vs Stanford with rival UCLA on deck but still, USC improved to 8-0 all-time vs Colorado and jumped out to a huge lead. USC opened with a 71/10pl drive for a td. Each team punted and USC blocked a punt out of the EZ for a safety. 5 punts. CU fumbled. USC went 20/3 for a td, 16-0 then after an int went 66/8 for a td, 23-0 and At the half had a 206-63 yard edge. USC fumbled on their first play of the 3Q and CU returned it 31 yards for a td, 23-7 (14:46). USC went 75/7 and 43/4 both for td’s, 37-7 (7:19). CU was SOD on 4&2 at the USC35. CU went 75/8 and got a 38 yard td pass, 37-14. USC went 45/8 and got a 39 yard FG, 40-14 (10:14). CU went 65/6 for a 3 yard td run to get down by under 3 td’s 40-21 (8:01). They then went 42/7 and got a 5 yard td pass with 3:19 left, 40-29 (3:19). USC recovered the onside kick and on 2&13, Soma Vainuku got a 52 yard td run with 2:19 left, 47-29.

San Diego St had a 349-297 yard edge for the game and at the half had a 196-49 yard edge but needed Boise to miss a FG at the end of regulation and won it in OT. SDSt became the first team to beat Boise St in consecutive seasons since Washington St did it in 2000-2001. Each team punted to open. SDSt went 70/12pl for a 2 yard td run, 7-0 (4:15). BS got a Bryan Douglas 100 yard KR td 7-7 (4:01). 2 punts. SDSt went 50/9pl. On 4&5 from the 5 pass interference gave them a FD to the 2 and they got a td 2pl later, 14-7 (10:26). 2 punts. BS started at SDS44 but on 3&12 was intercepted at the 12. It went to the half with the Aztecs having a 196-49 yard edge and leading 14-7. The first 3 poss of the 3Q were punts and SDSt fumbled a punt at their 44 but BSU went 3&out. SDSt went 3&out and BS went 49/4 for a td to tie it (6:33). SDSt fumbled the KO and BS went 24/4 for a td for the lead, 21-14 (5:02). SDSt went 67/18 and on 4&gl from the 4, they passed up a 21 yard FG which they do quite often and fired incomplete. BS was intercepted and returned 18 yards for a td 3 plays later, 21-21. BS went 69/6 for a 10 yard td pass, 28-21. SDSt got 1 FD and was intercepted at the 1. BS went 3&out and SDSt returned it 41 yards for a td with 4:04 left to tie, 28-28. BS was SOD on 4&1 at the SDS40 with 1:42 left then missed a 43 yard FG with no time left. BS got a 34 yard FG in OT and SDSt got a 10 yard td pass to Lockett on 2nd & 10.

If you watched a couple series of the Washington/Oregon St game, you didn’t need to watch any more as the Huskies flat out mauled the Beavers. Forget the final score of 69-27, it wasn’t that close! OSU had 27 points in the 4Q! Forget the final stats at 692-414 – it wasn’t that close! This was an obliteration despite the fact that UW had a backup QB, Cyler Miles (15-24-162). Bishop Sankey ran for 179 yards. Deontae Cooper rushed for 166 yards, Dwayne Washington ran for 141 yards and basically UW won almost every single play in the 1H. They got a 62 yard KR to start, went 38/7 plays for a 3 yard td run, 7-0. They went 60/3 for a td, 43/8 for a 44 yard FG, 17-0. UW actually punted but then went 15/6 for a 24 yard FG after an int, 65/7 for a td and led 27-0 at the half with 319-122 yard edge. They would extend it to 48-0 after 3Q’s before OSU finally got some offense going vs the backups.

Phil Steele is a college football analyst who has been publishing his annual College Football Preview since 1995. His magazine is regarded as one of the best in the business.
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By Phil Steele

There is 1.5 weeks left before their MAC East title game showdown vs Bowling Green and as you would expect from one of the MAC’s best, vs one of the weakest, Buffalo dominated with a 27-9 FD edge and 517-200 yard edge. Branden Oliver rushed for 150 yards for UB but Anthone Taylor topped him with 154 on just 17 carries. Joe Licata hit 20-32-172 and was pulled with 12:26 left in the 4Q. Miami, OH QB Austin Gearing hit 5-19-65. Surprisingly, UB punted on its first 2 possessions but then went 45/6, 71/10 and after a fumble, 52/6pl for td’s to lead 21-0. UB punted with 2:37 left in the half but with :54 left, Khalil Mack sacked Gearing and Houston returned the fumble 60 yards for a td. Mack forced 3 fumbles in the game to become the career NCAA leader in FF. UB punted to open the 3Q, drove 53/8pl for a 22 yard FG and 58/9 to the 28 but was intercepted in the EZ. They drove 58/11 for a 28 yard FG, after an int at the MU26 with backup QB Tony Daniel in, gained 5 yards for a 38 yard FG. MU was SOD at its own 48. UB went 48/10pl and on 3&11 got an 11 yard td pass with 4:36 left, 44-0. Miami went 71/4pl and got a 2 yard td run by Drew Kummer, 44-7.

Kent St was playing its season finale and while it was close at the half with Ohio leading 13-10 and punting with 2:31 left in the half, KSU went 37/5pl after a 16 yard punt to get a td to take a 17-13 lead with a slim 205-170 yard edge. KS dominated the 2H and finished with a 537-204 yard edge and 29-16 FD edge. KS rushed for 312 yards with Dri Archer having 138 and they did get 61 yards on a fake punt when 6’4” 265 lb Nate Terhune took the snap and rumbled for the td early 3Q. OU had leads of 3-0, 6-3 and 13-10. Another ST’s snafu saw OU’s P fumble the snap from the KS33 and KS recovered out at the 48 late in the 2Q. The fake punt made it 31-13 and OU was intercepted at the KS9 with 5:33 left in the 3Q. KS would go 82/13pl with a 26 yard FG, 62/11pl for a 28 yard FG and did add a 29 yard Archer td run with 1:46 left for the 44-13 final.

A win by Northern Illinois would get them a berth in the MAC title game. Toledo needed a win just to stay alive as they only had one loss in MAC play. Heisman candidate Jordan Lynch was held to 30 yards rushing in the 1H. Turnovers were a key factor in the 1H. UT was sacked and fumbled on the first play and NI went 21/3 for a td. UT was intercepted at the NI22. NI went 72/11pl but missed a 23 yard FG. UT went 61/10pl for a 36 yard FG, 7-3 but then went 83/16pl. About to take the lead, RB Kareem Hunt–out of the Wildcat–charged towards the line then threw a jump pass into the EZ but it was intercepted. NI went 52/7pl and missed a 40 yard FG. UT went 77/6pl and got a 44 yard td pass, 10-7. NI went 45/6pl and missed a 47 yard FG. At the half UT had a 254-216 yard edge and led 10-7. Each team drove for a td to open the 3Q with NI getting 2 of those to lead 21-17. UT got 3 FD’s on a 41/13pl drive but punted on the last play of the 3Q. NI went 99/15pl for a td opening the drive with a key 3&6 conversion. They then went 77/9pl for a td to go up 35-17 with 5:39 left. UT got to the NI18 with :22 left and was intercepted in the EZ. NI finished with a 566-419 yard edge and Lynch finished with 161 yards on the ground and hit 17-22-202. Cameron Stingily also rushed for 146 for NI. David Fluellen returned for UT but had just 54-15 with Hunt rushing for 91-19.

UCF moved 1 step closer to a BCS bowl berth and dominated Rutgers more than the final score and stats would indicate. UCF would finish with 27-14 FD edge and 452-221 yard edge in their 41-17 win. In the 1H USC went 69/8, 56/6 and 86/14pl all for td’s to lead 21-0. RU got 1 FD and faked a punt and the upman Berger ran 38 yards to the UCF21. On 4&gl they got a 1 yard td run to only trail 21-17. UCF quickly went 79/11pl for another td, 28-7 and got the ball with :41 left in the half threatening to add to their lead and ended up punting. Amazingly RU blocked the punt and recovered for a td and it was 28-14 at the half. Taking away the yardage on the fake punt, UCF had a 277-66 yard edge at the half but only led by 14. UCF went 62/14 for a 32 yard FG and 79/6 for a td, 31/6pl for a 42 yard FG on their first 3 drives of the 3Q to lead 41-14. RU got the ball with 2:56 left and went on a garbage drive gaining 52/12pl and getting a 35 yard FG with :33 left.

Rice was a big favorite over UAB coming in 8-3 and 6-1 overall in CUSA. UAB had been noncompetitive in many games and was just 2-9 and 1-6 overall in CUSA. For UAB they did have 1 close loss earlier when they lost in the last minute to Middle Tennessee. This would be another tough loss as it actually went to OT. Rice controlled matters in the 1H. UAB was SOD on 4&1 at midfield with 5:14 left in the 1Q and Rice went 48/8pl for a td to lead 10-0. The next 5 possessions were punts then UAB got a 26 yard FR to the R1 and a td run on the next play with 4:18 left to pull within 10-7. Rice took over with 1:09 left in the half and went 69/5pl and got a 12 yard td pass on FD with :31 left to go up 17-7. At the half Rice had a 229-88 yard edge. UAB went 75/8 and 48/5pl for td’s to open the 3Q and take the lead, 21-17. Rice answered with a 63/5pl drive getting an 18 yard td pass to go up 24-21 (4:05 3Q). 3 punts. Rice went 70/13pl and got a 2 yard td run for some breathing room, 31-21 (7:20). UAB converted on 3&21 and 4&1 on their next drive going 80/11pl getting a 20 yard td pass with 3:37 left. They kicked off deep. Rice, on 2&8, fumbled and UAB took over at the R33. After 2 FD’s and a 1&gl at the 7, they settled for a 24 yard FG with :37 left. Rice did miss a 48 FG on the last play. In OT UAB lost a yard and got a 43 yard FG and Rice went 25/4pl for a td and pulled out the win. Rice did finish with a 467-333 yard edge.

The UNLV/Air Force game was played in temps in the single digits and a wind chill below zero and the field was snow covered. It didn’t bother UNLV as they rolled to a 471-298 yard edge and 30-17 FD edge. All season long AF had played well the 1H then wore down in the 2H. Here, they were actually beaten in the 1H. AF’s opening punt was blocked and UNLV went 30/2pl for a td. AF, going into the stiff wind in the 1Q had an 18 & 26 yard punts while UNLV had a 73 yard punt with the wind at their back. UNLV would go 53/5pl for a td with 4:29 left in the quarter and 48/4 after recovering an AF fumble for another td, 20-0 after 1Q. AF played better with the wind at their back in the 2Q and the teams would each go on two long td drives and it was 33-14 at the half. AF had a the wind at their back in the 3Q and got to 33-21. UNLV did fumble into the EZ for a TB and the teams punted 4 times. AF’s last gasp ended on 4&22 at their own 46 with 2:12 left and Tim Cornett ripped off a 46 yard td run on the next play to give UNLV the 41-21 final. UNLV had a 471-298 yard edge and 20-17 FD edge.

Keenan Reynolds set an NCAA record by scoring 7 rushing td’s although I would change the rule on NCAA records as 3 of those were OT td’s which set players up at the 25 yard line. Reynolds actually had his final td in regulation (4th td of gm) happen when San Jose St let him score to maintain hopes of being in the game. At the end of regulation this one was 38-38 but the 2 combined for 110 points in the 58-52 Navy win. David Fales hit 42-56 for 440 yards and became the school’s all-time leader in passing yards. Reynolds hit just 4-6-46 but rushed for 240. The 1H had just 7 possessions with each team settling for a short FG and SJSt missing a 46 yarder on the final play of the half. The teams scored on every possession except for that missed FG and for Navy gaining 10 yards on 4&11 to the SJS43 on a play that was originally ruled a FD. At the half SJSt had a 254-169 yard edge and led 16-10. Navy opened the 3Q with a 75/9pl drive for a td and SJSt got the game’s first punt on their opening drive of the 3Q. SJSt was chasing a missed xp that happened after their first td and went for 2 and failed and trailed 24-22. Navy’s first punt came with 13:36 left then SJSt went 88/10pl and got a 4 yard td pass to go up 30-24 when they got the 2 point conversion as well. Navy got a 38 yard td run by Reynolds with 7:06 left to go up 31-10. SJSt fumbled at the Navy45 and Navy got a pair of FD’s and then with just 2:43 left, Reynolds ran 20 yards for a td with SJSt letting them score and Niumatalolo telling him to go down. SJSt took over with 2:38 left and went 75/14pl converting on 4&5 and 3&10. On 1&gl from the 2, got a 2 yard td pass and 2 point conversion on the final play to tie it and force OT. Each team scored a td in the first 2OT’s and Fales was intercepted in the EZ on 3&gl from the 3 in the 3OT. Reynolds’ 25 yard td run fittingly gave Navy the win. SJSt had a 600-478 yard edge and 32-29 FD edge.

Duke clinched at least its share of the ACC Coastal title by beating Wake Forest 28-21 though it didn’t come easy. Duke was a ranked team for the first time since 1995 when they played in a bowl vs Wisconsin and they reached the 9 win mark for the first time since 1941. Duke did finish with a 378-248 yard edge and Duke was playing without WR Michael Campanaro. Tanner Price hit just 12-27 for 124 yards. Anthony Boone was very accurate hitting 24-29 for 256 yards. WF appeared in control early. After each team punted, WF got a 54 yard FR td with 5:02 left in the 1Q then after a Duke 26 yard punt, WF went 47/10pl and got a td with 14:20 left in the 2Q to lead 14-0. The next 4 possessions were punts and WF got off a 24 yard punt. Duke went 43/5pl and got a td pass with 7:09 left in the half then on their next drive went 69/10pl for a 4 yard td pass to tie it at 14 with 1:11 left. Duke had a 168-160 yard edge at the half. WF opened the 3Q with a 75/9pl drive for a td, 21-14. Duke got 1 FD and hit a 58 yard td pass to tie. Duke’s next drive went 70/9pl for a 3 yard td run by Brandon Connette to take the lead, 28-21. WF went on a 12pl drive to the Duke23 but after a false start and 2 sacks, punted on 4&35. WF fumbled at the Duke46 with 8:34 left. Duke missed a 48 yard FG with 4:11 left keeping WF in it. WF got to the 41 but was intercepted at its own 48 and returned 19 yards with 2:30 left.

Illinois WR Steve Hull caught a career high 10 passes for 169 yards. Illinois did finish with a 380-283 yard edge but Purdue led early and had a chance to win late. PU opened with a nifty 62 yard td run by Akeem Hunt. Each team went on a long td drive and after just 3 possessions, PU led 14-7. IL was intercepted on their next drive at the PU13 but then went 54/3pl for a td on the first play of the 2Q to tie it at 14. After 3 punts, Nathan Scheelhaase hit Spencer Harris with a 3 yard pass but he fumbled at the IL26. With 2:00 left in the half, PU missed a 35 yard FG on the 1H final play. Illinois had a 211-191 yard edge at the half. IL opened the 3Q going 65/9pl but was intercepted at the 2 and returned 13 yards. IL fumbled a punt at its own 27 but PU on 4&5 opted to go for it and lost a yard. Each team punting and IL went 42/8pl for a 32 yard FG and the lead, 17-14. They then went 50/10pl for a 33 yard FG, 20-14 with 7:08 left. Each team punted and PU would drive to the IL30 yard line but on 4&9 was intercepted at the 14 with :59 left. Illinois took a safety losing 19 yards on the final play for the 20-16 final.

It was the final home game for Tajh Boyd and he had 5 td’s. Clemson finished with a 558-172 yard edge vs a Citadel team that came in 5-6. Boyd set more than 50 school records during his career. Sammy Watkins figures to have played his last game at home as well and had 7 catches for 58 yards. The Citadel, an option team, attempted just 5 passes completing 1 for -7 yards. Each team punted on their first possession then CU went 61/5, 95/8 and 71/8pl all for td’s. CU returned a fumble 22 yards for a td 3pl later then went 65/10 and 58/8pl scoring td’s on their final 5 possessions of the half to lead 42-0 with a commanding 361-63 yard edge. CU opened the 3Q fumbling at the Citadel34 and the Citadel went 41/5pl for a FG to break the shutout, 42-3. CU then went 51/8 and 75/9pl for td’s, 52-3. The Citadel went 63/21pl and got a 29 yard FG with 1:54 left. The drive including two 4&1 and a 4&5 conversion.

Connor Cook threw for a career-high 293 yards and RB Jeremy Langford rushed for 150 and Michigan St clinched a berth in the Big Ten title game and also Northwestern clinched a losing season with their 7th loss in a row. Kain Colter was injured early and hit just 2-2-12. Trevor Siemian hit 25-43-227. Each team punted to open then NW went 75/13pl. They had a 1&gl at the 7 but settled for a 22 yard FG, 3-0. Each team punted and MSU took its 3rd possession 80/11pl for a 20 yard td run then on 3&5 on their next drive Cook hit Bennie Fowler with an 87 yard td pass. He basically tossed the ball up in the wind and the WR was fighting the DB for the ball, caught it and went untouched the final 65 yards for a td, 14-3. NW went on a 69/7pl drive but again settled for a 20 yard FG, 14-6. At the half MSU only had a 244-224 yard edge. The Spartans opened the 3Q with a 52/6pl drive for a 37 yard FG then went 87/8pl for a 15 yard td pass, 23-6. NW was intercepted on its next drive at the MSU14 and SOD on 4&8 at the MSU32 then intercepted at the NW40 with 12:45 left. After punting with 11:41 left, NW was SOD on 4&10 at the MSU47. On their next drive they were intercepted and returned 31 yards to the 5 and MSU took a knee 3x.

It was another lackluster win for 3 td favorite Louisville as has been their MO all season. They only had a 22-16 FD edge and 342-279 yard edge vs a Memphis team that came in just 3-6. Each team punted to open the UM was intercepted at the UL38 and returned 36 yards. However, UL on 4&1 was SOD at the UM25. UM, 4pl later, was sacked and fumbled but Preston Brown returned it 48 yards for a defensive td for UL giving them a 7-0 lead. UL went 53/13pl but had a 50 yard FG blocked. UM went 66/8pl and got an 18 yard FG, 7-3. UL went 60/5pl and got a 39 yard td pass then went 37/7pl for a 39 yard FG with 1:11 left in the half for a commanding 17-3 lead. UL had a 164-104 yard edge at half. UL went 73/16pl for a td to open the 3Q and led 24-3. After each team punted, UM went 62/5pl for a td on the first play of the 4Q, 24-10. UM then went 86/12pl and got a 6 yard td pass the key play was a 4&11, 15 yard pass to the 21. The 6 yard td pass made it 24-17. UL got 1 FD and only 7 points up, was punting on 4&13 when UM roughed the K. Three plays later on 3&7, with 2:48 left, UL got a FD. On 4&10 they gained 9 yards to the 6 with :37 left. UL got 1 FD and on 4&4 fired incomplete from their own 23.

Iowa had a very misleading final score vs Michigan with a 407-158 yard edge and 21-10 FD edge yet only won by 3 and even trailed 21-7 at one point. The dominate the LOS. It is believed to be the coldest start in the 84 year history of Kinnick Stadium as the temps were 18-degrees at game time with the windchill near zero. Devin Gardner hit 13-28-98 while Jake Rudock was 19-30-239. In the 1H Rudock threw a pass in the grasp of Jake Ryan, was intercepted by DL Brennen Beyer and returned 7 yards for a td. UI went 51/9pl but missed a 36 yard FG. UI went 45/7pl for a 5 yard td pass. UI was SOD at the UM36 and on its next drive was intercepted at the UI41 and returned 28 yards. UM drove 28 yards for a td and took a stunning 14-7 lead. UI punted with 3:24 left in the half and the punt only went 27 yards. UM put together their longest drive of the game going 47 yards (yes, under 50) in 10pl for a 9 yard td pass, 21-7. UI fumbled at the UM27 at the end of the half and UI had a 170-113 yard edge but amazingly trailed 21-7. UI got a 55 yard td pass on the 3rd play of the 3Q. After 5 punts, UI was intercepted at the UM19 from the 32. UI went 60/9pl for a td with 12:11 left to tie then 50/9pl for a 34 yard FG and the lead with 6:02 left. UM actually got 2 FD’s on its next drive but fumbled at the UI31 with 2:12 left and UI got a pair of FD’s and took a knee.

Cincinnati did have a dominating stat edge vs Houston: 26-13 on FD’s and 573-278 on yards. Brendon Kay hit 29-50-386. John O’Korn hit 13-30-171 and was replaced by their running QB Greg Ward Jr for about 5 series. The game was played in wet, drizzly conditions and chilly temps for UH. On FD from the 14 UH fumbled at the UC23. UC went 53/10pl but missed a 41 yard FG. UC was SOD at the UH1 on its next drive but then went 47/7pl after UH punted from its own EZ and got a 3&16, 40 yard td pass, 7-0. UH was SOD at the UC27 and UC went 65/10pl for a 25 yard FG, 10-0. UH got an interception with 6:33 left in the half and a 12 yard td pass 2pl later to make it 10-7, but UC took over with 3:01 left in the half. The Bearcats went 85/7pl and got a 3 yard td pass, 17-7 at half. On the 2nd series of the 3Q O’Korn was sacked and fumbled at the 13 and on 3&11, UC got a 14 yard td run by Kay, 24-7. UC then was sacked and fumbled and UH got a 15 yard FR td, 24-14 then went 64/9pl and got a 27 yard FG to make it 24-17 with :23 left in the 3Q. Each team punted and UC got it back with 6:58 left and put together an 81/12pl drive but missed a 22 yard FG with 1:20 left. UH got all the way to the UC38 with :12 left when amazingly O’Korn with no time-outs, opted to run and gained 6 yards and they couldn’t get another play off.

Brennan Clay ran for a career high 200 yards and Oklahoma had a 472-372 yard edge. Bob Stoops who was a defensive assistant under Bill Snyder for six years, improved his record vs Snyder. Trevor Knight filled in for an injured Blake Bell and hit 14-20-171 and rushed for 82. OU took its opening drive 64/8pl for a td. They took over at their 42 after a 28 yard punt and got a FD to the KSU37 but were intercepted at the 10 on their 3rd play. OU went 98/14pl for a td, 14-0. Kansas St went 60/3pl with a 48 yard td pass to Colin Lockett then 84/4pl with a 30 yard td pass to Lockett, 14-14. Clay got a 64 yard td run and Lockett hauled in a 90 yard td pass, 21-21 (3:40). OU went 44/12pl and got a 30 yard FG on the 1H final play to lead 24-21 with a 321-271 yard edge. Each team went on a long drive for a short FG to open the 3Q, 27-24. After each team punted, KSU punted from their own 3 and OU got a 30 yard PR to the 3 and a td on the next play, 34-24. They then broke it open with a 74 yard IR td, basically a 14 point swing, 41-25. KSU went 55/12pl and got a 1 yard td run, 41-31 but was intercepted at its own 44 with 1:59 left.

Mississippi St lost to Arkansas in OT in 1996, 2000 and 2010 and had never beaten the Hogs in Arkansas but this time got an OT win. MSU did have a 488-339 yard edge and 26-15 FD edge and can actually become bowl eligible if they knock off Ole Miss on Thanksgiving night. Arkansas came into the game having already been eliminated from bowl contention. All season long UA has gotten off to fast starts in most of its SEC games. Here they took their opening drives 56/8 for a td. After the teams combined for 3 punts, UA went 47/10pl and got a 54 yard FG to lead 10-0. MSU went 68/8pl for a 24 yard FG then in the play of the game, UA faked a punt on 4&2 from its own 44 with just 2:42 left in the half so instead of leading at the half, they handed the ball to MSU at the 40 and 3pl later Tyler Russell hit a 30 yard td pass, 10-10. UA fumbled the KO at its own 34 but MSU fumbled at the UA2. At the half MSU had a 213-171 yard edge. MSU opened the 3Q with a 63/8 drive for a 28 yard FG which was blocked. They were intercepted at the UA43 and UA went 57/6pl and got a 22 yard td run to lead 17-10. MSU went 75/11pl and got a 5 yard td pass to tie with 13:35 left. UA was driving for the go-ahead td going 75/4pl when Alex Collins had the ball taken out of his arms at the 9 yard line. MSU then went on a 66/15pl drive but missed a 42 yard FG with :18 left. MSU got a 26 yard td run by Williams and UA on 4&9 was intercepted and returned 45 yards on the final play of the game.

Virginia needed a td with 2:30 left to only lose to Miami, Fl by 19 points but that in itself is very misleading. For the game, UVA actually had a dominating 28-11 FD edge and 483-304 yard edge and probably should have won the game outright. With a win this week for Miami at Pittsburgh, Duke looses to North Carolina and Virginia Tech losses to Virginia, Miami would win the right to play Florida St in the ACC title game. UVA opened and on the first play of the game were intercepted and returned 19 yards for a td. UVA got a 45 yard PR and took its 2nd drive (MIA30) and went 15 yards for a 33 yard FG, 7-3. UM on 3&10 got a FD on the next play, a 62 yard td pass, 14-3. UVA went 75/8pl for a 24 yard td then 74/11pl for a 25 yard FG, 14-13. UM was intercepted with 4:46 left in the half but UVA started at the 43, got 2 FD and were intercepted at the UM16 and it was returned 81 yards to the UVA3. Instead of taking the lead just prior to the half, they set up UM for a 3 yard td “drive” and stunningly UM (due to the 14 point swing) led 21-13 despite the fact UVA had 235-112 yard edge. UM opened the 3Q with a 64/9pl drive for a 33 yard FG. The teams combined to punt 5 times and UM went 59/4 for a td, 31-13. UVA went 75/6 for a 10 yard td pass, 31-20. UM fumbled at their own 40 then got a 71 yard punt to pin UVA at the 3. UVA was intercepted and returned 14 yards and UM went 16 yards on another long “drive” to go up 38-20. UVA went 41/8pl and had a FD at the UM10 when they fumbled and it was returned 72 yards for a td, a 2nd 14 point swing, 45-20. UVA then went 75/9pl and got a 7 yard td with 2:02 left but UM recovered the onside kick.

Syracuse actually had a 307-239 yard edge but Pitt a 19-16 FD edge. Tom Savage hit 28-41-218 and Terrel Hunt 18-28-159 for SU. SU opened with a 67/4pl drive for a td but missed the xp. Pitt went 51/19pl and had a 1st&gl at the 3 but after 2 sacks and a false start settled for a 43 yard FG on 4&24, 6-3. Two possessions later Pitt went 70/10pl for a 7 yard td pass, 10-6. Pitt fumbled a punt at its own 24 with :35 left but SU missed a 41 yard FG so Pitt led 10-9. SU took its 2nd 3Q possession 62/5pl for a 42 yard td, 16-10. Pitt went 88/9pl and got a 5 yard td run for the lead, 17-16 on the last play of the 3Q. Pitt was intercepted at the SU49 but SU, after driving 27 yards, missed a 41 yard FG. The teams punted 3 times and SU took over with 2:36 left at their own 44. They got 1 FD and on 4&10, fired incomplete from the Pitt36.

Central Michigan had a 298-173 yard edge and 14-11 FD edge and really in a game played in windy, frigid weather, blew the game open in the 2Q. Cooper Rush hit 13-21-231 for CM and AJ Doyle just 6-16-45 for UMass. Zurlon Tipton led CM in rushing but it was only 50 yards on 16 carries being outrushed by Shadrach Abrokwah who had 93 yards on 20 carries for UM. CM opened with a 75/8pl drive for a td but was SOD at the UM32 on 4&3. UM drove to the 29 of CM but was intercepted and returned 52 yards. CM converted on 3&12 and would get a 33 yard FG, 10-0. After each team punted, UM faced 3&10 and was intercepted and returned 34 yards for a td, 17-0. UM went 3&out and punted 17 yards. CM went 35/2pl with a 34 yard td pass to blow it open, 24-0. CM added a 33 yard FG at the end of a 32/6pl drive to lead 27-0 at the half with 2:21 left. CM had a 178-78 yard edge. UM fumbled at its own 46 and CM went 46/4pl for a 30 yard td pass, 34-0. UM went 53/9pl but on 4&14 was SOD at the CM15. CM went 78/14pl and added a 24 yard FG with 7:44 left, 37-0.

The yards were close and the FD were close between East Carolina and NC State with EC having a 445-441 yard edge and 25-22 FD edge. EC had a big CUSA title game on deck vs Marshall so the situation appeared to favor NCSt. Shane Carden hit 23-30-255 yards and EC pulled off a sweep of N Carolina and NC State, both on the road. Brandon Mitchell started for NCSt and hit 28-44-312. Each team went on a long td drive to open with EC going 10pl and NCSt 14. After each team punted EC went 84/11 and 77/10pl for a pair of td’s to lead 21-7. NCSt punted on its next drive but then went 51/13pl and on 4&9, on the final play of the half, missed a 38 yard FG. EC had a 245-142 yard edge at the half. EC opened the 3Q with a 67/14pl drive for a td then NCSt was SOD on 4&1 at the EC37. EC went 63/6pl for a commanding 35-7 lead. NCSt went 60/16pl and on 4&6 were SOD at the EC15 (12:03). They then went 80/7pl for a td with 5:22 left but EC recovered the onside kick and went 41/6pl for a td, 42-14. NCSt returned the KO to the 50 and went 50/5pl for a td with just :51 left then recovered the onside kick and went 51/8pl for an 18 yard td pass with :05 left.

Arkansas St was already bowl eligible and Georgia St came in winless and 3 td underdogs but GSt finished with a 432-290 yard edge and led the game early, had a 17-14 FD edge but came up just short. ASt opened with a 57/3pl drive for a td. ASt fumbled at its 42 and GSt went 19/6pl for a 40 yard FG, 7-3. ASt got a 64 yard KR to the GS34 and was SOD on 4&1. Two possessions later GSt went 69/6pl for a td. Three punts. GSt fumbled the punt at its own 29 but ASt missed a 44 yard FG. GSt fumbled and ASt was returning it but fumbled into the EZ for a TB on the return (6:51). GSt made them pay when on the first play Wilson ripped off an 80 yard td run for a shocking 17-7 lead. ASt was SOD on 4&2 at the GS35 with 4:00 left in the half. At the half GSt had a 189-144 yard edge. GSt opened the 3Q fumbling and it was returned 21 yards for a td on the 2nd play. ASt then blocked a punt and recovered for a td scoring 2 td’s in the first 4:51 of the half with their offense not having a single snap. GSt went 75/5pl for a td then fumbled at its own 27 and ASt went 27/6pl for a td to retake the lead, 28-24. GSt went 57/8pl and settled for a 35 yard FG. ASt went 64/8 for a td, 35-27 (11:01). Each team punted. GSt got a 70 yard td pass with 2:13 left but missed the 2 point conversion and ASt recovered the onside kick and got a FD.

Bowling Green had a big game on deck vs Buffalo but flat out dominated Eastern Michigan with 560-65 yard and 24-4 FD edges. The backups saw plenty of time with Matt Johnson coming to the bench with 4:47 left in the 3Q with 44-7 lead and it would actually get a FR td of 37 yards 3pl later to make it 51-7. In the 1H BG had a 337-33 yard edge and led 34-7 with EM getting a 10 yard IR td to shockingly lead 7-3. BG punted just once in the 1H. Travis Greene rushed for 126 yards and William Houston for 84 for BG.

North Carolina set records for points and td’s as the game reached mid-3Q. In the 4Q, they had a running clock as there were 3 possessions and 16 total plays, one of the them NC taking a knee on 4&6 from the Old Dominion 10 yard line giving the ball back to ODU with 2:43 left. NC became bowl eligible with their 5th straight win, their longest win streak since 2001. UNC’s PR Ryan Switzer had a 64 yard PR, his 4th in 3 games tying an ACC single-season record. The game was competitive early with ODU leading 10-7 with 5:34 left in the 1Q and then only trailing 14-13 after 1Q. UNC went 60/10, 65/4, 94/4, 84/12 and 18/2pl for td’s on their next 5 possessions (latter set up when ODU was SOD on 4&1 at its own 18). ODU punted on the other 3 2Q possession and 14-13 turned into 49-13 with UNC having a 495-247 yard edge. The first 3 possessions of the 3Q were all td’s with Logan having a 99 yard KR td, 63-20. UNC went 23/6pl and then after a 19 yard PR by Switzer, got a 63 yard td run by Logan with 5:28 left and a Switzer 45 yard PR with 3:50 left for the 80-20 final.

South Carolina has never fared well vs FCS foes generally playing disinterested but here they scored the first 6 times they had the ball and had a 639-294 yard edge vs a good Coastal Carolina team that came in 10-1. SC had a 32-13 FD edge despite resting several starters for Clemson (on deck). Jamari Smith led SC in rushing with 103 on 10 carries. It was 42-0 before CCU went 75/10pl for a td with 3:23 left in the half. CCU did get down to the SC12 but was intercepted in the EZ with :03 left. At the half SC had a 348-202 yard edge with CCU also fumbling at its own 23 and going for it on 4&1 at their own 39 setting up a pair of short SC td drives. SC would score td’s and go 71/9, 84/2, 28/7 (after int) and 78/8pl for td’s on their first four 2H possessions to lead 70-7. CCU got a 46 yard FG with 4:50 left. Fifth string QB Austin Hails was in for the last drive getting 2 FD’s.

AJ McCarron only played into the 3Q vs Chattanooga. UTC was without its top QB Jacob Huesman (coach’s son) was the leading rusher and passer and missed all but one play of the game with injury. Terrell Robinson started and hit 10-15-82. The backups played most of the 2H but Bama still had a 435-175 yard edge vs a 8-3 UTC team. Bama fumbled a punt to start but UTC on 4&5 was intercepted at the 17. Bama went 83/3pl, was SOD on its 2nd possession then went 80/7pl for a td, 14-0 then got a 75 yard PR td by Christion Jones, 21-0. On their next possession they went 42/5pl for a td to make it 28-0 at the half with a 222-105 yard edge. Bama scored td’s on their first 2 drives of the 2H then went 70/13pl and were SOD at the 23. After UTC fumbled, Bama got a 6 yard td run on the next play with 5:07 left to close the scoring at 49-0. That was an important td to some.

Georgia Tech used a 3rd and 4th stringers in the 2H but still stream rolled Alabama A&M which came in 4-7 in FCS play. GT set the modern day school record for most points in a half with 52 in the first (most since 1950). GT simply dominated the 1H scoring td’s on every drive and having a 52-0 lead with a 323-49 yard edge. GT went 47/7pl for a td to open the 3Q but then had their first punt with 14:04 left in the game. A&M went 61/7pl for a td with 5:09 left to avoid the shutout but GT went 69/3pl and Tim Byerly got a 22 yard td run with 3:46 left.

Florida came in a banged up team and was taking on the triple option of Georgia Southern. GSU attempted just 3 passes and completed none but piled up 429 yards rushing. A desperate UF team needed to win its last 2 just to be bowl eligible but were eliminated vs a 7-3 GSU team. UF opened with a 63/13pl drive and settled for a 27 yard FG. GSU had a bad snap on a punt giving UF the ball at its own 25 but UF gained 8 yards and had a 34 yard FG blocked. GSU fumbled on its own 14 and UF took advantage with a 14/5pl td drive, 10-0. GSU went 60/7pl but fumble at the UF2. After forcing a UF punt, GSU got a 45 yard td run to take a 10-7 lead with 2:01 left in the half. They had a 167-117 yard edge at the half. GSU went 49/8pl and got a 3 yard td run, 20-10. UF went 48/8pl but after 1&gl at the 10, settled for a 22 yard FG, 20-13. GSU got 2 FD and on 4&2 went for it at the UF41 and were SOD with 6:45 left. UF went 59/3pl and got a 46 yard td pass to tie it with 5:41 left. GSU went 75/5pl and got a 14 yard td pass, 26-20. UF got to the GS17 but on 4&3 had their pass broken up around the EZ putting Muschamp clearly on the hotseat.

Phil Steele is a college football analyst who has been publishing his annual College Football Preview since 1995. His magazine is regarded as one of the best in the business.
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By Phil Steele

My QB’s of the Week
Matt Johnson, Bowling Green • Sean Schroeder, Hawaii • Clint Chelf, Oklahoma St

QB Matt Johnson (Bowling Green) – When choosing this week’s fantasy QB’s Matt Johnson caught our eye almost immediately as while he is almost automatic when it comes to reaching 200+ yds passing, his matchup is what has us salivating as Eastern Michigan’s secondary is getting thrashed over the past 4 games allowing 368 ypg in the air. We expect more of the same in this meeting as BG continues to build up their resume on their way to next week’s showdown against Buffalo.

QB Sean Schroeder (Hawaii) – With the likes of Timmy Chang, Colt Brennan and Bryant Moniz being featured on many fantasy teams in years past, the Hawaii QB position has taken some time off over the past few seasons as they have transitioned away from the run-and-shoot to more of a pro-style scheme. With that being said, we like the ability of Sean Schroeder to deliver against Wyoming as he has thrown for at least 2 td’s in 6 of the L/7 contests, especially with the Cowboys allowing 500+ yards in each of their L/4 contests.

QB Clint Chelf (Oklahoma St) – After hitting nearly 73% of his passes and recording 4 total td’s a week ago against Texas, Clint Chelf will have to post similar results for their upcoming matchup against high-scoring Baylor. Chelf has proven to be a decent dual-threat signal caller with 3 games of 85+ rushing yards to go with his 11-5 pass ratio. Big time shootout expected in this one so grab Chelf if he’s available in your league right now!

My RB’s of the Week
James Sims, Kansas • Kevin Parks, Virginia • Josh Quezada, Fresno St

RB James Sims (Kansas) – Led by his 211 yards rushing and 3 td’s the Jayhawks were able to pull the upset last weekend against WVU. Sims is just 99 yds away from his career-high in rushing that he accomplished LY (1,013) and we expect him to achieve that mark here against an Iowa St squad that has been gutted on the defensive side of the ball to the tune of 471 ypg (229 ypg rush).

RB Kevin Parks (Virginia) – With 7 straight losses in the books the Cavaliers may look to get back to the basics this weekend against a Miami squad that is also playing thru a tough losing skid (3 straight defeats). The Hurricanes allowed 358 yards on the ground last week to Duke while Kevin Parks has surpassed the 100 yard rushing mark 4 times this season while punching in 10 td’s on the ground. We expect similar success for Parks this weekend.

RB Josh Quezada (Fresno St) – While Fresno St’s offense generally uses a pass first approach, they do offer some opportunities to their RB’s to make an impact as well. Josh Quezada has risen to the occasion over the L2G with B2B 100+ yd rushing performances while pulling in a combined 9 passes (68 yds) in that span. Up next for BCS-Buster FSU? How about a matchup with a New Mexico defense that is being gashed for 494 ypg on the year (allowing 263 ypg rush). Expect FSU to get up early with the pass and ride Quezada for a good portion of their offense in the 2H.

My WR’s of the Week
Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri • Michael Bennett, Georgia • Austin Franklin, New Mexico St

WR Dorial Green-Beckham (Missouri) – Mizzou QB James Franklin appears to be back this weekend which is good news for the Tigers’ most highly touted, DGB,  who could possibly double his 2012 receiving output with a pair of strong outings to end the regular season. Up first is a meeting with Ole Miss who allowed 326 yds in the air to Troy in their previous game. Look for Green-Beckham to post his 2^nd straight 100 yard game and his 3^rd of the season.

WR Michael Bennett (Georgia) – Consistency has been the strong suit of Michael Bennett over the past 3 games as while he hasn’t posted gaudy numbers that some of your major college fantasy WR’s do, he will get his opportunities with one of the best SEC QB’s of all-time passing him the ball in Aaron Murray. Bennett has 5+ catches in each of those previously mentioned L/3 and should match up well this weekend against a Kentucky defense that is allowing 452 ypg in conference play.

WR Austin Franklin (New Mexico St) – Despite missing each of the first 4 games of the season Austin Franklin is still leading the Aggies in receptions, receiving yards and receiving td’s which include 3 straight games of double digit catches and 100+ receiving yards. The Aggies haven’t had many opportunities for success in their 1^st year as an independent but this week’s matchup vs FAU is as good as any this season and we expect NMSt to take to the air early and often to stay competitive throughout.

My D’s of the Week
Marshall • North Texas • Tulane

Marshall Defense – While Marshall is more known for their high-octane offense, the defensive unit has provided some excellent results as well holding 5 opponents to 14 or less points on the season. This week’s opponent FIU hasn’t seen much go right on offense as they are averaging just 10 ppg and 223 ypg on the season being held to 13 or fewer points in 8 of their 10 contests. Marshall will prove once again that they’re not just an offensive juggernaut.

North Texas Defense – A big reason for NT’s recent stretch of wins has been the splendid play from its defense as they have surrendered just 11 ppg and 279 ypg during their 5 game winning streak. This week’s opponent UTSA barely escaped 2 weeks ago against Tulane with a 10-7 victory. NT appears to be a team on a mission right now and we have no question that the defense will deliver another solid outing here.

Tulane Defense – Not very often do we feature CUSA defenses in this blog but 3 in one week?? Tulane returns from a bye playing extremely well on the defensive side of the ball allowing just 19 ppg over their past 3 contests. UTEP comes to the Superdome this week against the Green Wave and we expect more success from the home team as the Miners have struggled away from the Sun Bowl recently being outscored 143-21 over their L/3 road trips avg just 296 ypg.

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CollegeFootballGeek.com’s Sneaky Plays – Week 13

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By Kevin Mount, CollegeFootballGeek.com

A very interesting Week Twelve is in the books and it is now time to look ahead to the seventh week of the college football season and the “sneaky” plays it has in store for fantasy owners. Here is a look at some guys who might fill in nicely for owners in need of a potential diamond in the rough.

QUARTERBACKS

QB Marquise Williams, North Carolina (vs. Old Dominion):
Williams is a dual-threat quarterback who is filling in for the injured Bryn Renner. He could post a huge stat line this week against a potentially overmatched Monarchs defense. The UNC offense could really click this week with Williams leading the way. He could be a great plug in for owners in need at the QB position during the playoffs. Look for Williams to account for plenty of yards and a few scores this week against ODU.

QB Clint Chelf, Oklahoma State (vs. Baylor):
Chelf has taken control of the Oklahoma State offense and has accounted for 11 total touchdowns over the past three games. Chelf will need to put up big numbers for the Cowboys to keep pace with the high-powered Baylor offense. This could be a high scoring contest with Chelf having a hand in plenty of points and yards. Chelf looks to be a very nice option this week, especially in BCS only leagues. Expect Chelf to drop 300 total yards and a few scores on Saturday night.

RUNNING BACKS

RB Myles Jack, UCLA (vs. Arizona State):
Due to injuries and overall ineffective play from the UCLA running back corps, Jack has been playing both running back and line backer for the Bruins over the past two games. He exploded for four rushing touchdowns last week against Washington and appears to be the best RB the Bruins have on the roster. The match up against a touch Arizona State defense is not the best, but his nose for the end zone is hard to ignore. The Bruins could turn to Jack often this week in this PAC 12 showdown. Another trip or two to the end zone could be in store for Jack in Week 13.

RB Essray Taliaferro, Marshall (vs. Florida International):
Taliaferro has scored six rushing touchdowns over the past four games and has also topped 100 yards rushing in three of those games. He could do some damage against the 99th ranked Florida International rush defense in Week Thirteen. The Thundering Herd could get up big in this contest and use Taliaferro to churn out the yards and keep the clock moving. Expect Taliaferro to be an excellent #2 running back option in most league formats this week.

RB Joey Iosefa, Hawaii (vs. Wyoming):
After missing five games in a row, Iosefa has averaged a remarkable 36 carries and 170 rushing yards per game over the past two weeks. He is a huge back that has better speed and feet than most would think. Iosefa could put up big time numbers this week against a weak Wyoming rush defense that ranks 115th in the country. Look for Hawaii to continue to feed this kid the rock this week. Iosefa could easily clear the 150-yard mark and add a score or two against the Cowboys.

RB James Sims, Kansas (vs. Iowa State):
Sims exploded for a career high 211 rushing yards and three scores against West Virginia in Week 12. He has not performed up to expectations this year, but appears to be hitting his stride at the perfect time for fantasy owners. Sims could find plenty of big holes to run through against a porous Iowa State rush defense that has allowed a whopping 31 rushing touchdowns this season. This Jayhawk has a high ceiling this week and could be a huge play for owners needing help in the fantasy playoffs.

RB Michael Gordon, Arkansas State (vs. Georgia State):
Gordon has been a scoring machine over the past two games, accounting for seven total scores during that span. He could have a field day this week against a Georgia State defense that will likely have no answer for Gordon and the Arkansas State offense. Look for Gordon to pound Georgia State into submission and likely find his way into the end zone on multiple occasions. Gordon could be a low end #1 running back in many fantasy leagues this week.

WIDE RECEIVERS

WR Damore’ea Stringfellow, Washington (vs. Oregon State):
This stud freshman had his coming out party last week with 147 yards and a score against UCLA. He looked like a man amongst boys and could see plenty of passes come his way against Oregon State in Week Thirteen. Stringfellow could easily top 100 yards receiving and find his way into the end zone this week in what could be an extremely high scoring affair. Look for Stringfellow to be a nice option for owners in BCS only leagues this week.

WR Colin Lockett, San Diego State (vs. Boise State):
Lockett is averaging 98 yards receiving and a score over the past two weeks and could help owners in a big way this week. The Boise State pass defense has struggled this year and could be susceptible to giving up a couple of big passing plays to Lockett this week. Look for Lockett to find pay dirt for a third straight game in Week 13. Lockett could be a solid #3 wide out in most league formats this week.

SNEAKY D’S

Buffalo vs. Miami Ohio
USC vs. Colorado
Clemson vs. Citadel
Bowling Green vs. Eastern Michigan
South Carolina vs. Coastal Carolina
Georgia Tech vs. Alabama A&M
Florida vs. Georgia Southern
Arkansas State vs. Georgia State
Marshall vs. FIU

There you have it everyone, enjoy this week’s action and always remember to have fun playing college fantasy football. Good luck this week!

More…

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• Waiver Wire Reports

CollegeFootballGeek.com is your home for 2013 college fantasy football content! Draft kit, injury reports, player news, player projections, player rankings, mock drafts, community forums, and much more!

CollegeFootballGeek.COM’s ’13 Coll Fantasy FB Player Rankings – Week 13

Todd DeVries, CollegeFootballGeek.com

For complete up-to-date college fantasy football player rankings and statistical projections, visit CollegeFootballGeek.com

Scoring System Used for CFG Rankings:
4 points per passing touchdown
6 points per rushing/receiving touchdown
25 passing yards = 1 point
10 rushing/receiving yards = 1 point
1 interception = -2 points
1 reception = 0.5 points

Phil Steele is a college football analyst who has been publishing his annual College Football Preview since 1995. His magazine is regarded as one of the best in the business.
Google+

By Phil Steele

Surprisingly both BYU and Idaho St had 22 FD’s but BYU’s FD’s were much more productive as they had a 578-287 yard edge in 22 seniors’ final home game. BYU led 59-10 and ISt went 78/11 getting a 26 yard FG with 7:06 left. Adam Hine rushed for 141 yards and Jamaal Williams for 131 for BYU.

Texas had 389-380 yard and 25-21 FD edges but 3 big interceptions did them in. Also Clint Chelf, who came into the game completing just 50% of his passes, would hit 16-22-197 yards (73%) and rushed for 95 yards on 10 carries. The play that probably iced it for Oklahoma St was at the end of the half with just :18 left. Case McCoy threw it up at the sideline and was not only intercepted but returned 43 yards for a td and OSU would take an 18 point lead to the locker room instead of a manageable 11. OSU was playing without WR Josh Stewart who didn’t make the trip and he’s the nation’s leading PR. It was Mack Brown’s worst ever loss at Texas Memorial Stadium and he’s right back on the hotseat. Each team went on a long drive on their 2nd possession but OSU got an 18 yard td run on 3&10 while UT on their 3&10 fired incomplete and settled for a 39 yard FG and trailed 7-3. OSU, mid-2Q, drove 42/5pl for a td but UT went 75/10pl for a td with 3:39 left in the half. OSU went 67/6pl, the key a 3&10, 29 yard pass and then 2pl later tossed a 12 yard td pass. The ball actually went through the DB’s hands on what would have been a sure interception bounced into the air and was caught by WR Moore for a td, 21-10. Then the key play happened 4pl later. After UT got a FD, they were intercepted and returned 43 yards for a td with :18 left. In the 3Q, UT went 84/10pl but settled for a 27 yard FG, 28-13. OSU went 53/11pl for a 39 yard FG, 31-13. While each team punted, UT was taking over at midfield but roughed the P and after the next punt started at their own 18. They were intercepted again and OSU got a 21 yard td pass on the next play, 38-13. McCoy was intercepted again on the next drive at the OSU17. UT was SOD at the OSU40 with 6:13 left and ended the game at the OSU9–fittingly on a sack.

Navy was playing its final home game for 22 seniors and Coach Ken Niumatalolo was chocked up in the postgame press conference. Navy had 519-300 yard and 28-19 FD edges. South Alabama had lost all of their games by a td or less this year and this was the first time they were blown out. Navy tallied its 6th win and accepted the bid to the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, TX to face a MW team. Navy took its opening drive 49/13pl for a FG but USA took its 2nd drive 48/14pl for a 4 yard td pass to lead 7-3. Each team went on a td drive and USA led 14-10. Navy went 51/5pl for a td, forced a punt, went 67/13pl and after a 1&gl at the 6, settled for a 21 yard FG, 20-14. At the half Navy had a 258-192 yard edge. Navy opened the 3Q with an 82/8pl drive for a td. 4 punts. USA went 79/20 but on 4&2 was SOD at the 6. Navy would then go 94/7pl to get a 45 yard td pass, 35-14. Navy took over with 7:08 left and went 64/8pl and got a 24 yard td run with 2:17 left for the 42-14 margin.

Kansas St had 411-348 yard and 19-17 FD edges but needed a 41 yard FG on the final play to escape. KSU did lose outstanding safety Ty Zimmerman to injury and TCU attacked his replacement, Dylan Schellenberg. KSU punted on its first possession but went 41/5pl for a td and got a 74 yard td pass from Jake Waters to Tyler Lockett on the next play to lead 14-0. TCU was SOD on 4&1 at the KSU43 but after a 14 yard PR took over at the KSU38 with 6:10 left in the 1H. Three plays later a BJ Catalon 15 yard td run pulled them back to 14-7. KSU went 51/11pl for a 31 yard FG, 17-7. At the half KSU had a 174-142 yard edge. TCU opened the 3Q with a 52/4pl drive for a td. KSU fumbled at its own 41 and TCU went 41/8pl for a 7 yard run, 21-17. KSU got a 3&14, 79 yard td pass to Tramaine Thompson to retake the lead, 24-21 but TCU got a 3&7, 51 yard td pass from Casey Pachall to David Porter to retake the lead, 28-24. KSU went 58/7pl and settled for a 34 yard FG with 2:50 left in the 3Q to pull within 1. KSU took over with 14:46 left at the TCU44 after a 34 yard PR by Thompson. They went 38/14pl eating up nearly 9:00 and got a 23 yard FG with 5:59 left. TCU went 36/9pl and Jaden Oberkrom nailed 56 yard FG with 2:13 left for the lead, 31-30. KSU got 1 FD on 3&10, another FD, then on 4&6, a 41 yard FG gave them the win on the last play.

Louisiana only had a 482-481 yard edge. They did get a 2&4, 80 yard td pass to Elijah McGuire on their 2nd drive of the game to go up 7-0. Georgia St fumbled at the UL12 on 2&3 on its 2nd possession. Each team punted and UL fumbled at its own 16. GSt went 16/3pl for a td. UL went 75/10pl for a td, 14-7 (10:54 2Q). GSt was intercepted at the UL1 with 7:44 left on 2&5 from the 23. UL went 99/11pl and got a 50 yard td pass, 21-7. GSt went 75/8pl and got a 42 yard td pass to pull within 21-14 with :14 left in the half; the td coming on a daring 4&3 call. At the half UL had a 312-275 yard edge. GSt took its second 3Q possession 70/10pl for a 22 yard td pass to tie it. UL went 75/8pl for a 36 yard td pass, 28-21. GSt went 61/10pl but on 4&3 gained 2 yards to the UL14. UL got breathing room by going 86/9pl for a 13 yard td with 7:58 left, 35-21. GSt on 4&10 was SOD at the UL38. UL got 1 FD and missed a 37 yard FG. GSt got 2 FD and on 4&26 fired incomplete at the UL43 with 1:46 left.

Marcus Mariota was still not 100% as he ran just 4 times for minus-18 yards. He did hit 19-26-288 passing. Utah was dealing with a little bit of a bigger QB injury as starting QB Travis Wilson did not even make the trip (now out for year, concussion). Backup Adam Schulz hit just 13-30-181 yards and a td. Oregon only had a 433-297 yard edge and much like some of their other Pac-12 games, it was close mid-3Q before they pulled away. This time, however, Utah scored a td with 6:01 left to only lose by 23. UO punted on its first possession but then, after an interception, drove 38/3pl for a td. They went 54/7pl for a 31 yard FG on their 3rd possession, 10-0. The Ducks punted twice and Schulz led Utah 72/10pl for a td, 10-7. UO got a 57 yard pass to the 7 and Mariota got a 5 yard td pass 2pl later with 2:07 left in the half, 17-7. UO had a 190-137 yard edge. Utah opened the 3Q with a 86/8pl drive and Schulz’s 4 yard td run made it 17-14. Thomas ripped off an 86 yard td run, 23-14 (xpng). UO went 93/8 and Mariota’s 14 yard td pass made it 30-14 with 5:42 left in the 3Q. The Ducks punted then went 64/5pl for a td, 37-14. UO got a 71 yard PR td called back by a block in the back but went 61/9pl and got a 16 yard td run to make it 44-14. Each team punted and Utah took over with 9:45 left and went 64/8pl and got a 10 yard td run with 6:01 left. The Ducks would get to midfield and ran the clock.

Brandon Connette rushed for 4 td’s for Duke as they alternated him and Anthony Boone almost every possession. Boone hit 11-15-104 and Connette 5-9-81 while rushing for 37 and Boone 11. Josh Snead ran for 139 yards. Miami had a 565-543 yard edge and Dallas Crawford rushed for 115 yards with Duke Johnson out for the year. Stephen Morris, who is still not 100%, hit 30-49-379 yards as the two teams totalled 1,108 yards. UM jumped out to a 3-0 lead and then got a 79 yard PR td after Duke went 3&out for a commanding 10-0 lead right out of the box. Each drove for a td on their next drive, 17-7. UM was intercepted at the Duke34 and returned 14 yards. Duke went 52/6pl for a 22 yard td pass, 17-14. UM went 68/10pl for a 32 yard FG, 20-14. Duke went 75/10pl for a 3 yard td run by Connette and took the lead with 2:01 left in the half, 21-20. At the half UM had a 279-252 yard edge. Each team opened the 3Q with a drive for a td. UM went 68/10pl for a 31 yard FG, 30-28. Duke went 45/9pl for a 48 yard FG, 31-30. 3 punts. Duke went 75/4 for a 4 yard td run, 38-30. Duke got a 25 yard PR and went 64/6pl for a td with 6:50 left to lead 45-30. UM was SOD on 4&3 at its own 32. Duke got a 4&1 FD and then got a 32 yard FG, 48-30 (1:04). UM gained 55 of its yards on its final drive being SOD at the Duke16. Duke is in the driver’s seat to get to the ACC title game.

As I’m sure you all saw, Auburn/Georgia featured one of the wildest finishes in college football history, but I’ll get to that later. Nick Marshall showed that Auburn can indeed pass the ball as he hit 15-26-229 yards and rushed for 89. Aaron Murray hit 33-49-415. UGA won the last 2 meetings by 38 points each. AU opened with a 56/16pl drive but settled for a 22 yard FG. The Tigers also went 63/6pl for a td then 56/11pl but settled for a 35 yard FG. UGA went 3&out on its first 2 possessions and it was complete domination with a 175-(-1) yard edge for Auburn but only a 13-0 lead. Each team went on a td drive, 20-7. AU went 38/7pl but had a 36 yard FG blocked with 3:10 left in the half but UGA was intercepted at the AU39 with 2:40 left. AU went 61/6pl and got a 24 yard td run with 1:07 left in the half. UGA took over at its 25 and went 55/9pl for a 37 yard FG on the last play to give them some momentum. AU had a 327-174 yard edge at the half. UGA opened with a 75/10pl drive for a td but AU responded with a 77/7pl td drive and led 34-17. After each team punted, UGA went 57/7pl but was SOD at the AU39 with 3:05 left 3Q. AU went 46/10 but settled for another FG, this one from 32 yards to apparently ice with 12:39 left, 37-17. UGA went 75/9pl for a td. AU went 3&out and UGA went 56/5pl and got a 24 yard td pass with 5:59 left and kicked off deep. AU went 3&out and only punted 31 yards. UGA went 45/9pl and got a 5 yard td run by Murray on 4&gl from the 5 as he got in by inches–one of those Heisman moments. It gave UGA the win, 38-37. AU got 1 FD and on 4&18, the game was over. But what happened next was one of the most stunning plays of the 2013 season. Marshall launched a pass that was headed straight for two UGA defenders who had prime position to either grab it or knock it down. Instead it was tipped and Ricardo Lewis, who had clearly lost site of the ball, reached out and somehow corralled the tipped pass in to finish off the 73 yard td pass with :25 left. The game still wasn’t over. UGA got to the AU25 and had 2 shots at the EZ but both were incomplete. Auburn finished with a 566-532 yard edge.

How many tough losses can one team have on the season? Northwestern/Michigan, just like Auburn/UGA had a wild finish and it was a game NW should have won. UM went 63/12pl on its opening drive, settling for a 25 yard FG. NW went 49/16pl settling for a 40 yard FG and the two drives ate up all but 2:47 of the 1Q and it was 3-3. The next 4 possessions were punts. UM missed a 51 yard FG and each team punted. NW went 56/11pl and got a 22 yard FG to lead 6-3 at the half. The first 4 possessions of the 3Q were punts. NW went 77/10pl for a 29 yard FG to extend the lead to 9-3. After each team punted, UM took advantage of an 8 yard NW punt which was like a TO. They started at the NW11, gained 0 yards and got a 28 yard FG to make it 9-6. UM went 67/9pl and went for it on 4&2 at the NW5 and amazingly was SOD when a FG would have tied, but NW got 2 FD’s punting with 2:18. UM converted on 4&4, added another FD, converted on 4&4 again and had a pass interference for a FD to the NW30. On 3&23, they got to the NW27 with a 16 yard pass but the clock was ticking down. To me, it looked like the UM players ran on the field and were all in motion. They did set but the K never stopped moving so I was thinking it should have been an illegal procedure penalty but it was not called and Brendan Gibbons banged home a 44 yard FG with no time left, 9-9. Each team scored a td in the 1OT and each kicked a FG in the 2OT. UM got a 5pl td drive and 2 point conversion and NW took a sack on 2&9, on 3&23 was almost intercepted, and on 4&23 fired incomplete. NW earlier lost on a Hail Mary to Nebraska, had an OT loss to Iowa and now a tough 3 point loss to UM meaning now they need to beat both Michigan St and Illinois just to become bowl eligible.

Once again Florida St put on a dominant performance. Jameis Winston hit 19-21-277 despite off-field distractions. FSU scored on its first 6 possessions, the 6th being a 53 yard FG to lead 38-0 and actually punted with :42 left in the half. At the half FSU had a 374-68 yard edge. Winston’s backup, Jacob Coker was injured and OFY so they have to get Sean Maguire ready in case something happens to Winston. Maguire is a 6’3” 215 rFr who is a PS#42 and he ran a wing-T in HS but has good arm strength. They ended up using him at QB for the entire 2H. He passed a grand total of 5 times hitting 3 for 21 yards. They went 46/3pl and 84/4pl on their first two 3Q possessions and got a 31 yard FR td to lead 59-0 with 5:47 left in the 3Q. Syracuse, while they gained 247 yards, actually had 2 drives in the 4Q down 59-0 where they went 66/20pl and 64/11pl, one resulting in a 32 yard FG to avoid the shutout with 7:42 left. FSU ran a grand total of 3 plays in the 4Q for 6 yards so after 3Q’s they had a 517-117 yard edge.

Nebraska had a 392-361 yard edge vs Michigan St. Ameer Abdullah rushed for 123 yards while Michigan St’s Jeremy Langford rushed for 151. Connor Cook hit just 15-31-193 for MSU while Tommy Armstrong and Ron Kellogg combined to hit 17-32-210 for NU. Why did MSU win by 13 points? The answer to that is easy. They had a 5-0 TO advantage. NU’s 5 TO’s led to 24 of MSU’s 41 points. The game started with a fumble on the 3rd play. MSU had a 12 yard drive for a 45 yard FG. NU was intercepted at its own 46 on the next drive. NU fumbled the punt at its own 8 and MSU got an 8 yard “drive” for a td, 10-0. NU went 75/5pl for a td to make it 10-7. MSU got its only offensive drive of the 1H going 74/17pl for a 25 yard FG to make it 13-7. At the end of the half, NU’s Armstrong, on 3&1 ran but fumbled the ball and MSU took over at the 22. They took advantage of that gift by going 22/3pl so they had scoring drives of 12, 5 and 22 yards in the 1Q yet had a 20-7 halftime lead despite being outgained. NU went 62/3pl for a td to open the 3Q. The teams punted 3 times. NU, pinned at its own 1, fumbled the ball at its 3. This time MSU had a “huge” 3 yard drive for a td to lead 27-14. NU went 79/11pl and got a 38 yard td pass to pull within 27-21 and actually had a 100 yard edge at this point. MSU put together its 2nd offensive drive of the game going 75/10pl getting a td with 7:56 left to make it 34-21 and went on to a 41-28 win.

Colorado snapped a 14 game conference losing streak as Sefo Liufau threw for a career high 364 yards hitting 23-36 passes. It was very windy with gusts up to 35 mph. Cal’s QB’s were bothered by the wind as Jared Goff and Zach Kline combined to hit just 26-52-214. CU took its opening drive 53/13pl but missed a 40 yard FG. They went 71/7pl and settled for a 27 yard FG then went 87/5pl for a td, 10-0 despite putting up over 200 yards offense. After each team punted, Cal went 22 yards for a 42 yard FG, 10-3. After kick/catch interference they started at their 45 and got a 55 yard td run by Khalfani Muhammad despite being outplayed the game was tied at 10. CU then went 75/10pl for a td, pulled the surprise onside kick and went 49/8pl for a td and led 24-10 at the half with a 346-200 yard edge. In the 3Q CU was intercepted at its own 38. Cal went for it on 4&7 but was SOD at the CU45. 4 punts. CU went 71/12pl and got a 24 yard FG with :33 left in the 3Q, 27-10. Cal was SOD on 4&5 at the CU33 and 2pl later Liufau hit a 63 yard td pass, 34-10. Cal took over with 10:20 left and went 52/12pl for a td with 6:14 left but CU got a 46 yard onside KR td by Nelson Spruce, 41-17. Cal went 75/11pl getting a 26 yard td run with 1:21 left.

USF, which had a couple games where they were outgained greatly and didn’t have an offensive td yet won, this time had a 325-242 yard edge vs Memphis but lost. UM QB Paxton Lynch hit just 6-13-59 while USF Fr QB Mike White, who took over the starting duties vs Houston, hit 18-33-198 but had 4 interceptions. UM was intercepted on the fifth play of the game and USF missed a 49 yard FG. USF was intercepted a the UM46 on its next drive and UM went 56/8pl but settled for a 19 yard FG, 3-0. A 37 yard PR set up USF at the UM30 but on 2&gl from the 1, Lawrence Martin fumbled into the EZ for a TB, a huge play. It was the first carry of Martin’s career. USF went 38/9pl and missed a 55 yard FG. UM got a 56 yard FG with :12 left in the half to lead 6-0. At the half USF had a 107-106 yard edge. USF opened the 3Q with a 75/9pl drive for a 28 yard FG. They got 4 FD’s on an 11pl drive but punted on 4&4 from the 40. UM got 3 FD’s on a 7pl drive and punted. UM’s next drive went 59/8pl and got a 5 yard td run with 4:09 left, 13-3. USF was intercepted and returned 22 yards to the 16. UM on 4&10 got a 34 yard FG, 16-3 then got a 36 yard IR td with 1:35 left for a misleading 23-3 lead. USF did go 73/6pl for a garbage td with :46 left, 23-10. Then they recovered the onside kick and got 1 FD on 4&3 to the UM42 but were intercepted in the EZ on the final play.

Houston had played UCF tough last week on the road and now had a 2nd straight tough road game vs #19 Louisville but almost pulled the upset. On their opening drive, the Cougars returned the KO to the UL39 and got a FD to the 28 but went for it on 4&10 and only gained 5 yards. UL quickly marched 77/12pl for a td, 7-0. The next 3 possessions were punts. UL then went 44/7pl and got a 37 yard FG to lead 10-0 (14:11 2Q). UH went 48/6pl for a 46 yard FG 10-3. UH went 60/10pl for a 4 yard td run to tie with 6:35 left in the half. UH went 3&out but UL fumbled the punt at its own 39. Roughing the passer gave them a FD to the 24 wiping out an interception at the 15 and UH got 1 more FD and would get a 22 yard FG to lead 13-10 at the half with a 162-154 yard edge. UL opened the 3Q with a 70/7pl drive and a 3 yard td run, 17-13. UL went 46/12pl and got a 39 yard FG, 20-13. The next 4 possessions were punts. UH got to the UL42 but punted on 4&16. UL went 3&out punting with 2:50 left. UH, on 4&25, gained 8 yards and tried some laterals but was brought down and UL took a knee clinging to their 7 point win. UL did have a 332-195 yard edge but would still need UCF to lose twice to win the conference.

Florida lost its 5th straight game, their longest losing streak since 1979 when they were 0-10-1. It is a banged up UF team that was starting Skyler Mornhinweg at QB (first snaps all year) and he hit 10-13-107. South Carolina trailed the majority of the game. Connor Shaw hit 14-28-213. SC went 70/9pl and settled for a 25 yard FG. UF went 67/14pl capped by a 20 yard td run, 7-3. SC went 59/8pl for a 45 yard FG, 7-6. UF went 75/6pl pounding the ball on the ground and got a 29 yard td run to lead 14-6. Each team punted. SC missed a 38 yard FG with 1:31 left in the half. At the half SC did have a 183-162 yard edge but trailed 14-6. After UF punted to open the 3Q, SC went 64/7pl capped by a 32 yard td pass, 14-13. UF went 61/11pl and had a 1&gl at the 9 but not only settled for a 32 yard FG, they missed it. Two punts. SC was SOD on 4&3 at the UF43. On their next drive, the Gamecocks went 87/8pl and had a 1&gl at the 2 but settled for a 22 yard FG to take the lead, 16-14. UF was SOD on 4&13 at their own 32 with 4:40 left and that set up SC for a 43 yard FG, 19-14. Mornhinweg was intercepted at the SC36 on the next drive with just 1:22 left. SC finished with a 377-307 yard edge and the FD’s were even at 15.

Arkansas St’s Michael Gordon ran for 184 yards and 3 td’s. Things didn’t look good for Arkansas St early as Texas St led almost the entire 1H. ASt was SOD at its own 45 on 4&1 and TXSt 2pl later got a 41 yard td pass, 7-0. ASt got a 40 yard td run by Gordon 3pl later, 7-7. TXSt went 59/9pl for a 4 yard td run, 14-7 (5:08 1Q). ASt, 2 possessions later, went 80/12pl and got a 9 yard td run by Gordon, 14-14. ASt was intercepted and returned 7 yards to their 22. TXSt went 22/3pl for a td and with 5:35 left in the half, led 21-14. ASt went 71/10pl and got an 8 yard td pass, 21-21. At the half ASt had a 273-216 yard edge. ASt got a 43 yard PR by JD McKissic after TXSt’s 2nd punt of the 3Q and would go 32/4pl for a td and got their first lead of the game. ASt’s next drive went 82/13pl and got a 1 yard td run by David Oku, 35-21. TXSt went 3&out and their P’s knee touched the ground at the 10 yard line so ASt added a 23 yard FG. TXSt went 64/11pl but faked a 34 yard FG and came up short. TXSt’s last drive ended on 4&5 at the AS41. ASt only had 424-368 yard and 22-16 FD edges but got a 17 point win.

It was homecoming for Rice and they have not lost a homecoming game under David Bailiff despite being an underdog in numerous ones. This was the first time they were a large favorite. My heart goes out to HC Bailiff who lost his father, Bob, who had been a fixture at Rice games the past 7 seasons and passed away on Tuesday night. It was a very emotional game for him and his team gave quite an effort with a dominating 52-14 win. Rice had 35-14 FD and 582-327 yard edges. Louisiana Tech QB’s Ryan Higgins and Scotty Young combined to hit just 15-30-181 yards. Charles Ross rushed for 215 yards and became the first Owl to top 1,000 yards since Quinton Smith in 2006. Rice opened with a 66/4pl drive for a td. LT went 62/8pl but fumbled at the 1 yard line. Rice went 53/7pl but fumbled at the LT27. However, on the return LT fumbled it right back and Rice would then go 27/7pl for a td to lead 14-0. Rice went 74/11pl for a 30 yard FG to lead 17-0. Three punts. Rice went 70/12pl and got a 5 yard td pass with 1:54 left in the half to lead 24-0. It was 31-0 when LT got a 74 yard td pass on 3&9 to pull within 31-7 but Rice went 93/17pl then after an int 43/9pl and after a SOD, 60/9pl all for td’s to lead 52-7 with 3:59 left. LT went 70/9pl for a 9 yard td run with 1:50 left in the dominating win.

UTEP powered to 327 yards rushing with QB Blaire Sullivan rushing for 104 and RB Nathan Jeffery for 130. It was the first home win for Sean Kugler. Mack Leftwich got the start at QB for UTEP and hit 3-7-80 with 1 int. UTEP went 58/12pl for a td and 64/6pl for a 34 yard FG to lead 10-0. FIU went 75/7pl for a td and UTEP, after a 60 yard KR, missed a 38 yard FG. Three punts. Sullivan led UTEP 65/9pl and Jeffery’s 1 yard td run on 4&gl with :38 left in the half made it 17-7. At the half UTEP had a 220-97 yard edge. FIU was tackled in the EZ for a safety on its second 3Q drive and after the free kick UTEP missed a 24 yard FG after a 9pl drive. Leftwich hit a 64 yard td pass on the first play of their next drive, 26-7. FIU, 2 possessions later, went 31/7pl for a 31 yard FG, 26-10. FIU fumbled at the UTEP42 and Jeffery got a 54 yard td run 2pl later, 33-10 with 7:05 left and finished with 407-200 yard and 16-11 FD edges.

Baylor was playing its first game since Art Briles got his new 10-year contract. The Bears were playing without Lache Seastrunk and Glasco Martin and of course lost WR Tevin Reese for the year and things didn’t look good for BU early. Texas Tech scored the first 3 times they had the ball going 75/15 and 89/8pl for td’s to lead 14-0. BU did go 56/3pl to make it 14-7 but TT answered right back with a 75/8pl drive capped by a 5 yard td pass, 20-7. The game turned when after each team surprisingly punted. BU got a 58 yard PR td by Levi Norwood, 20-14 and on the next possession, BU got an interception at the TT31. On the next play, Bryce Petty hit Antwan Goodley with a 31 yard td pass. Petty hit 17-31 and as usual, averaged about 20 ypc (335 yards). Baker Mayfield hit 28-51-314. BU went 48/10pl but missed a 49 yard FG. Mayfield fumbled at the TT43 and BU went 43/5pl for a td, 28-20. Petty was sacked and fumbled back at hits 23 and Mayfield hit a 4 yard td pass 3pl later, 28-27 (4:28). However, 5pl later Petty hit Norwood with a 58 yard td pass, 35-27 at the half. BU only had a 308-304 yard edge. BU opened the 3Q with a 71/8pl drive and got a 6 yard Petty td run, 42-27. TT went 62/8pl to the BU25 but on 4&2, was SOD. BU went 75/5pl and got a 47 yard td run, 49-27. Each team punted then TT went 62/5pl and got a td with 2:45 left 3Q, 49-34. BU then looked like Oregon does in the 4Q. They went 72/9pl for a td then after recovering a fumble at the TT40 were SOD at the TT21. After forcing a punt, they went 75/8pl and Shock Linwood’s 10 yard td run put them ahead by 29 with 7:30 left. BU’s last drive got to the TT13 where they ran out the clock. BU did have 675-458 yard and 32-24 FD edges.

Over the last 18 years now, the week after playing LSU, Alabama is 7-11 with an average score of 19-19. They were a favorite in 12 of those games with an average line of 6. Once again they suffered a hangover vs Mississippi St although they did have a 383-197 yard edge. Bama opened with a 59/14pl drive and got a 33 yard FG. MSU was without its electric QB Dak Prescott and Tyler Russell hit 15-24-144 and the team definitely missed Prescott’s running ability as Russell had just 4 carries for 4 yards. The next 6 possessions were punts. MSU went 73/9pl and missed a 23 yard FG after a FD at the 11. Bama took over with just 2:49 left in the half, got a 50 yard run by TJ Yeldon, and then on 3&11, an 18 yard td pass to Brian Vogler with :20 left to take a 10-0 lead. Bama had a 170-101 yard edge at the half. Bama fumbled on its opening 3Q possession and MSU went 46/5pl for a td, 10-7. Bama went 77/9pl for a td including a 3&8, 26 yard pass to start the drive, 17-7. MSU got down to the UA32 but was intercepted in the EZ. Bama went 75/10pl for a 35 yard FG, 20-7. Bama was intercepted at the MSU9 and returned 53 yards. MSU on 4&13 ran for no gain with 6:47 left after missing an open pass in the EZ. Bama fumbled again at its own 24 but MSU, on 4&8, went for it and had an open WR for a td but the pass was incomplete. MSU was SOD at its own 5 on 4&8 with :58 left. AJ McCarron hit 18-32-187 and Yeldon ran for 160.

The situation greatly favored USC as Stanford was off a big game vs Oregon and hadn’t really played great all year except for 3Q’s vs ASU then 3 more vs Oregon. USC dominated the first 25:00 beginning with a 63/9pl drive for a td. SU went 76/5pl for a td on its 2nd possession. USC answered with a 76/8pl drive for a td then went 74/7pl but settled for a 23 yard FG to lead 17-7. SU, after 2 punts, went 50/10pl and got a 27 yard FG, 17-10 with :17 left in the half. USC had a 181-148 yard edge. SU went 92/10pl on its first 3Q possession and got an 18 yard td run by Tyler Gaffney, 17-17. USC was sacked and fumbled at its own 19 but SU had a 30 yard FG blocked. Three punts. SU went 75/9pl but on 3&gl from the 10 Kevin Hogan was intercepted at the 9. Three punts. Hogan on 2&3, surprisingly threw it up for grabs and was intercepted at the USC44. USC made a daring call as they faced a 4&2 at the SU48–if they came up short they basically handed SU a FG and the win, but they converted on 4&2, added another FD to the 21 then actually ran twice for -9 yards making it a 47 yard FG and the much maligned Andre Heidari came through as it split the uprights with :19 left. Cody Kessler hit 25-37-288 yards.

Boise St is starting to round into form and had a 524-265 yard edge vs Wyoming. Things did not start out well as QB Grant Hedrick was sacked and fumbled at his own 46 and UW went 46/6pl for a td and a quick 7-0 lead. UW forced a BS punt but then BS went 55/6pl for a td. UW got to the BS21 but was sacked and fumbled and BS went 69/10pl, the key a 4&6, 11 yard pass from the 25 yard line. UW was intercepted on the next possession and returned 35 yards. BS went 15/2pl for a td. BS went 83/6pl for a td on its next drive 28-7. BS’s next drive was 55/13pl but they were intercepted at the 29. UW was SOD at the BS18 and the game went to the half. At the half BS had a 297-136 yard edge. BS opened the 3Q with a 45/10pl drive for a 47 yard FG, 31-7. UW fumbled at its own 2 and Jay Ajayi got a 2 yard td run on the next play, 38-7. UW was intercepted at midfield and then was SOD on 4&9 at the BS28 and BS went 72/5pl for a td with 4:24 left in the 3Q, 45-7. BS went on a 57/13pl drive but fumbled at the UW18. After recovering a fumble, they went 49/11 for a 35 yard FG to lead 48-7 with 4:17 left.

Cody Fajardo has just 2 interceptions all year and last week hit 20-27-171 yards delivering my Inside the Pressbox Upset Play of the Week with a 38-16 win over San Jose St. Fajardo also ran for 104 yards on 14 carries despite coming into the game listed as questionable. Nevada went 75/12pl for a td. SJSt went 46/9pl for a 47 yard FG, 7-3. SJSt went 94/8pl for a td, 10-7 but UN went 75/12pl for a td, 14-10. SJSt went 52/10pl for a 44 yard FG, 14-13. UN went 61/10pl and got a 2 yard td run, 21-13 with 3:32 left in the half. SJSt got a 50 yard FG on the final play of the 1H, 21-16. At the half. SJSt had a 247-216 yard edge. UN opened the 3Q going 77/8pl but on 1&gl from the 1, fumbled. They forced a punt and went 62/4pl for a td, 28-16. SJSt got 1 FD and punted and UN went 64/7pl for a td, 35-16 (3:08 3Q). Two punts. SJSt went 90/14pl but was SOD on 4&gl at the 4. SJSt fumbled a punt at its own 45 and UN would get a 44 yard FG 5pl later, 38-16. The next 3 possessions all ended on SOD and UN had a 482-384 yard edge with David Fales hitting 28-43-326 for SJSt but UN had a 311-58 yard rushing edge.

San Diego St had a 499-355 yard edge vs Hawaii but needed a late comeback and OT to get past the Rainbow Warriors. Joey Iosefa had a school record 37 carries for Hawaii for 150 yards. Adam Muema rushed for 163 yards on 24 carries. UH was intercepted at its own 26 but SDSt which really doesn’t kick FG’s anymore was SOD on 4&11 at the UH24. UH fumbled at its own 43 but SDSt fumbled it back at the UH31. After 3 punts, the ball hit off the SDSt player and UH fell on it at the 27. UH took over at the SDS23. They got a 5 yard td run 2pl later, 7-0. Four punts. SDSt went 64/3pl for a 56 yard td pass. UH jumped offsides on the play making it a free play, 7-7. UH went 65/5pl getting a td with 7:00 left, 14-7. At the half SDSt had a 209-189 yard edge. The key play of the game happened when SDSt had 2 FD’s and punted to open the 3Q but running into the K gave them a FD and on the next play Donnel Pumphrey ripped off a 30 yard td run to tie at 14. SDSt went 85/10pl but fumbled at the UH14 and UH went 86/16pl and got an 8 yard td pass with 9:42 left to take the lead, 21-14. Each team punted and SDSt took over with 6:20 left and went 82/8pl and got a 14 yard td run with 2:34 left. SDSt got it back with :54 left but fumbled at the UH41 with :26 left and it went to OT. SDSt went 25/3pl for its td while UH was sacked, then on 4&20 fired incomplete.

Colorado St/New Mexico was a shootout and probably closer than the 66-42 final. CSU had 649-527 yard and 35-23 FD edges as Kapri Bibbs rushed for 291 yards and 6 td’s tying the MW mark and setting the school record. Garrett Grayson hit 20-28-302 yards as CSU had over 300 yards both rushing and passing. Each team scored nearly every time they had the ball. However, on their first possession, the Lobos were SOD at the CSU26 and on the 10th possession of the game, they were intercepted at the CSU23 and trailed 31-21 with CSU having a 343-239 yard edge. The first 6 possessions of the 2H all went for scores, 52-42. NM was SOD at its own 37 with 10:33 left and CSU went 37/4pl for a td. NM went 31/11pl and was SOD on 4&18 at the CSU35. CSU went 65/5pl adding a td with :54 left for a somewhat misleading final. I used this game as my High Scoring Game of the Week on my Inside the Pressbox and the two combined for 58 FD’s, 108 points and 1,176 yards.

Arizona St controlled the 1H against Oregon St with a 216-127 yard edge. They were intercepted at the OSU5 then intercepted at the 50 but OSU fumbled a punt at its own 15 and ASU went 15/4pl for a td. At the end of the half, OSU went 45/15pl but settled for a 22 yard FG to trail 20-3. OSU went 96/12pl getting a 6 yard td pass, 20-10. OSU went 52/10pl and had a 48 yard FG blocked with 10:17 left and ASU went 55/10pl but settled for an 18 yard FG after 1&gl at the 6, 23-10. Sean Mannion was intercepted and returned 23 yards for a td and punted with 5:08 left in the game. ASU led 30-10 and OSU went 75/8pl for a td, ASU recovered the onside kick at the 44 and got 2 FD’s to the 18 where they took a knee. OSU had a 390-339 yard edge and the FD’s were even at 20.

Phil Steele is a college football analyst who has been publishing his annual College Football Preview since 1995. His magazine is regarded as one of the best in the business.
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By Phil Steele

Toledo’s Kareem Hunt filled in ably with 186 yds rushing and 6.2 ypc. The final score and box score were a little misleading as Buffalo only lost by 10 and finished with 27-22 FD and 601-551 yd edges. The fact is that UT led this one 31-0 at half and 38-14 after 3Q’s and was in complete control and UB did most of its damage late with 27 points in the 4Q helping them get the yardage edge and only lose by 10. UB RB Branden Oliver did top 100 yds for the 6th straight game and Alex Neutz had 168 yds on 8 receptions (21.0) for the Bulls. Joe Licata hit 36-58-497 with a 4-0 ratio while UT’s Terrance Owens hit 11-20-228. UT went 72/3, 73/9 and 60/2pl (53 yd td run) to lead 21-0 after 3 possessions. Each team was SOD and UT went 69/11pl for a td. UT punted twice but then recovered a fumble at the UB8 with :02 left in the half and got a 32 yd FG on the 1H’s final play. At the half UT had a 350-140 yd edge. UT opened the 3Q with a 64/2pl drive. After Bernard Reedy’s 56 yd td reception, TU led 38-0 with a 414-140 yd edge. UB then went 64/5 and 90/8pl for a pair of td’s to get back to 38-14 after 3Q’s. UT got a 42 yd FG with 11:59 left to lead 41-14 and UB went 72/7 and 71/10pl for td’s, 48-28. The Bulls recovered an onside kick and went 53/6pl for a td with 5:26 left, 48-35. UT recovered the onside kick and returned it to the 8 and got a 22 yd FG with 3:00 left. UB went 65/12pl getting a td with :48 left and UT recovered the onside kick.

Bowling Green’s victory over Ohio set up an Eastern Division showdown with Buffalo on Friday, November 29th. While Anthon Samuel was considered a big loss for BG when he decided not to return, Travis Greene has actually been an upgrade at the RB spot. Greene rushed for 149 yds (6.8) and has over 1,000 yards already this year. Matt Johnson took over the starting QB job this year from Matt Schilz and has done great hitting 66% with a 14-5 ratio. As you can tell by the final score, BG was dominant. They went 54/2pl for a td, 7-0. After OU was stopped on a fake punt at its 32, got a 32 yd td pass, then went 72/11 and 61/9pl for td’s and led 28-0 after their first 4 possessions. They were intercepted at the OU43 on their 5th but after recovering a fumble went 60/8pl for a td to lead 35-0 at the half with a commanding 333-50 yd edge. BG opened the 3Q with a 73/4pl drive capped by a 57 yd td pass, 42-0 and finished with 460-172 yd and 20-9 FD edges. OU’s only 2 scoring threats in the 2H came on a 60/12pl drive that ended on an interception that was returned 82 yds which set up a BG td. The other threat came on the Bobcats’ their last drive which went 47/13pl but on 4&9 they were SOD at the BG25. They only got 1 FD on their other 4 drives of the 2H.

Sixteen seniors played their final home game for Kent St on Senior Day and KSU had a dominating 447-176 yd edge along with a 21-10 FD edge over Miami, OH. KS took a gamble in its opening drive, faking a punt from its own 31, but was stopped. MU got a FD at the 18 but settled for a 33 yd FG and a 3-0 lead. KS went 61/9pl capped by a 2 yd td run. MU, 2 possessions later, went 40/8pl but fumbled at the KS18. Each team went on a long drive with KS getting a 1 yd td run while MU settled for a 28 yd FG (after having a 1&gl) and trailed 14-6. At the half KS only had a 197-144 yd edge. KS was SOD at the MU29 on its opening 3Q drive, but 2 possessions later went 53/3pl for a td, 21-6. Two possessions later the Flashes went 66/10pl and finished with a 23 yd FG, 24-6. The RedHawks had 1 FD on their first five 2H possessions and on their 6th were intercepted at their own 43. KS got down to the 1 yard line but fumbled with :59 left in their 24-6 win.

Jordan Lynch had another big game for Northern Illinois hitting 26-32-345 yds while also rushing for 123 and 2 td’s. The 48-27 score vs Ball St made for a very misleading final. BS had a 29-28 FD edge, and while NIU did finish with a 569-494 yd edge, it was hardly a 3 td blowout. In the 1H the teams traded scores. The Cardinals led 21-13 with 1:28 left in the half before the Huskies got a 58 yd td pass to pull within 1. Ball St got a 43 yd FG with :25 left to go up 24-20. At the half NIU had a slim 280-266 yd edge. NIU went on an 85/17pl drive with a td on 4&1 while BS went 79/13pl but settled for a 19 yd FG on 4&2. That made it tied at 27 after 3Q’s, 27-27. With 8:23, NIU took over in a tie game and would go 94/7pl getting a 36 yd td pass with 5:49 left to go up 34-27. BS went for it on 4&4 and was stuffed at the NI45 with 3:47 left. NIU went 55/7pl for a td with 1:26 left to give them some breathing room, 41-27 and 2pl later got a 49 yd IR td for the very misleading final of 48-27. Keith Wenning hit 35-49-324 and Jahwan Edwards rushed for 156 for the Cardinals.

The Tulsa/Marshall game started 1:00 late to commemorate the moment of the plane crash of Nov 14, 1970 which killed 75 players and staff. MU wore “75” on their helmets for the game. It was the Herd’s first road game on a November 14th since the tragedy. MU did finish with 619-345 yd and 32-20 FD edges and appeared on its way to a route. The Herd went 59/8, 49/2 and 70/11pl on their first 4 possessions. TU had 1 FD on its first 4 possessions. The game shifted on the Herd’s 4th possession when, leading 21-0 and with a 1&gl on the TU9, they were intercepted at the 5. TU went 93/9pl for a td and only trailed 31-14 at the half with MU having a 371-206 yd edge. MU had 5 TO’s in the game keeping TU in it. Rakeem Cato was sacked and fumbled on the 2nd play of the 3Q and TU went 15/4pl for a td. After another fumble, TU went 54/9pl and shockingly was back in it at 31-28. MU basically had a TO with an 18 yd punt and TU went 38/8pl for a 29 yd FG. MU fumbled again, this time at the TU45 and TU went 42/11pl. On 4&9, they got an 11 yd pass and would get a 30 yd FG with 12:27 left to take the lead, 34-31. The MU TO’s continued. They had a 3&8 at the TU43 and got a 33 yd pass to Essray Taliaferro but he fumbled at the end and TU returned it from the 10 out to the MU49. The next 3 possessions were punts. MU punted with 5:48 left then forced one with 4:51. MU got a 10 yd PR to start at the TU39. On 3&8 they got a 19 yd pass and on 2&10 an 18 yd td pass with 3:47 left to give them the lead, 38-34. TU was sacked for a 20 yd loss on 4&11 at the 4 and MU got a td 2pl later by Taliaferro, 45-34. TU was intercepted at its own 49 on 3&7. MU got 1 FD and took a knee.

Clemson’s Tajh Boyd was injured at the start of the 4Q vs Georgia Tech, but it didn’t have an effect on the game and shouldn’t have an effect on the rest of the year. Boyd still managed to become the ACC’s all-time career td leader and did so with flair as it came on a 76 yd td pass to Martavis Bryant. Boyd hit 20-26-340 and Cole Stoudt in his place hit 2-2-35. They even got 3rd string Chad Kelly some work (1-2-8). Robert Godhigh was very impressive for GT as he had 126 rushing on 12 carries and 5 receptions for 103 yds. CU’s D had an extra week to prep for the option and shut it down early with GT’s first 4 drives managing just 16 yds and 1 FD. CU would get 40 and 51 yd FG’s and 41 and 4 yd td passes, 20-0. GT went 82/7pl to get to 20-7 and Boyd struck Bryant for the 76 yd td, 27-7. Boyd was intercepted at the GT11 with 2:29 left in the half and GT went 71/10pl for a 33 yd FG to make it 27-10 at the half. CU had a 280-185 yd edge. Godhigh got a 65 yd td run to make it 27-17 in the 3Q. CU went 71/6pl for a td to go back up by 17 and then Godhigh was stuffed on 4&2 at his own 44. Boyd hit Sammy Watkins with a 44 yd td pass on the next play, 41-17. Each team went on a td drive with Stoudt finishing the final 27 yds of their 75/10pl drive after Boyd was hurt. The Yellow Jackets were intercepted and returned 20 yds to their 34 and four plays later CU got a 2 yd td run, 55-24 with 9:47 left. GT went 85/8pl for a 1 yd td run with 2:02 left to “only” lose by 24.

Myles Jack had another outstanding effort playing LB and RB for UCLA as he had 4 td’s, the most since Maurice Jones-Drew had 5 back in 2004. Washington has not beaten UCLA at the Rose Bowl since 1995 and 4 TO’s – 2 on their first 2 drives – cost them here. Bishop Sankey was limited to 91 yds rushing on 27 carries. UW lost Keith Price to a shoulder injury right before halftime. UCLA wore its black “LA Midnight” uniforms. It’s a good thing this wasn’t on a Saturday when I’m watching 12 tv’s as the Bruins looked nothing like themselves including their blue, instead of gold, helmets (a big pet peeve of mine). On the Huskies 3rd play of the game, they fumbled and UCLA went 36/7pl for a td. Three plays later UW fumbled again and UCLA went 48/6pl for a td. After an exchange of td’s made it 20-7, UW punted and UCLA went on a 73/14pl drive and Jack got his 3rd td run of the game with 12:05 left in the 2Q, 27-7. UCLA fumbled at its own 13 and UW got a td 4pl later, then drove 70/8pl but settled for a 34 yd FG, 27-17. At the half UCLA had a 288-218 yd edge. Price had hit 10-18-181. After taking over, Cyler Miles hit 15-22-149. UCLA fumbled the opening KO of the 3Q and Miles led them 26/8pl for a td, 27-24. UCLA went 64/12pl and got a 2 yd td run. UW faked a punt on 4&9 from its own 26 and got it to continue on a 45/10pl drive but had a 48 yd FG blocked. After 3 punts, UW was SOD on 4&2 at its own 40, a huge play as on the very next snap, UCLA got a 40 yd td pass to go up 41-24. UW went 75/6pl capped by a 14 yd td pass with 8:01 left. UCLA got 2 FD’s and punted with 4:35 left. After a hold Miles was intercepted at his own 39 on 3&13. The Huskies did force a punt, but Miles was intercepted again, this time at his own 33. UCLA was SOD on 4&2 with :42 left and UW got 1 FD.

Every time Wisconsin plays Indiana, they dominate, and this year was no exception. UW finished with 676-224 yd and 27-14 FD edges. James White rushed for 205 yds on 20 carries and Melvin Gordon for 146 on 13 with both topping 10 ypc. Corey Clement just missed 10 ypc mark with 108 on 11 carries. IU’s potent pass attack was held to 12-30 for 122 yds with 1 interception playing the game in poor weather and winds. White opened up with a 93 yd td run–the longest run in Wisconsin history–topping an 91 yd run by Tom Brigham vs Western Michigan in 1963. IU was playing without Tevin Coleman, their top rusher. Not only did the Badgers have the impressive run on their first play from scrimmage, but they recovered a fumble 2pl later. They went 14/3pl for a td, 44/6 for a FG and then 52/6pl for a 36 yd FG. At the half, due to the FG’s they settled for, they only led 27-0 with a 356-84 yd edge. After UW settled for a 26 yd FG to open the 3Q, IU went 70/14pl and got a 23 yd FG to avoid the shutout. UW punted but then went 64/2, 63/6 and 83/9pl all for td’s for the 51-3 win.

Coming into the season, Kansas was thought to have an outstanding run game and they finally lived up to that potential as James Sims ran for 211 yds vs a banged up West Virginia D that has now lost 7 players for the season to injury. This was WV’s first trip to KU and while the Jayhawks came in 120th in the NCAA in total offense, they put up 376 while allowing 386. WV took its opening drive 75/6pl for a td. KU went 64/14pl but after a 1&gl a the 6, settled for a 25 yd FG. After 5 punts, KU went 89/5pl with a 62 yd run by Sims setting up his 3 yd td run, 10-7. 3 punts. Sims, on the first play of the next drive, got a 68 yd td run with :28 left in the half to go up 17-7. WV got in position for a 42 yd FG but KU blocked it. WV was intercepted and returned 54 yds to the 14 early in the 3Q and KU went 14/5pl capped by a 2 yd td run, 24-7. Later, WV was SOD on 4&10 at its own 49 then punted on 2 of its next 3 possessions. In between punts, WV’s Millard was intercepted at his own 29 and returned 28 yds to the 1 setting up KU’s td to make it 31-7 with 6:24 to go. WV drove 75/7pl for a td, but after a delay of game penalty, the 2 point conversion was no good, 31-13. After recovering a fumble, WV took the yardage edge by going 73/10pl for a garbage td with :28 left, but again the 2 point was no good.

Bob Stoops tied Barry Switzer for most wins in Oklahoma history. The game did not start well for OU. Blake Bell hit just 2-5-10 and was injured in the 2Q. Trevor Knight did not have great passing numbers hitting 8-14-61 but rushed for 123 yds on 10 carries. In the 1Q, OU had 1 FD and just 25 yds offense despite the fact they figured to be playing angry off a loss. Iowa St’s 2nd possession got to midfield but Grant Rohach was intercepted at the OU17. On the Cyclones 3rd possession they went 69/14pl for a td to lead 7-0. OU did go 70/15pl, but after a 1&gl at the 8, settled for a 22 yd FG, 7-3. ISU went 58/6pl and got a 29 yd FG to lead 10-3. OU punted with 2:53 left in the half. ISU went 3&out. Then the key play of the game happened: Jalen Saunders returned the punt 91 yds for a td with 1:09 left in the half tie it at 10. That gave OU the momentum and on the 2nd play of the 3Q, Damien Williams went 69 yds for a td. Their offense then exploded as they had 110 yds in the 1H and 413 yds in the 2H. They went 52/12pl for a 32 yd FG, 80/5pl capped by a 63 yd td run, 84/3pl with a 56 yd td run, 40/7pl for a td and 90/8pl for a td, 48-10 with 3:56 left. They finished with a 523-291 yd edge.

Just two years ago Southern Miss was 12-2, CUSA Champs and won their bowl game. Larry Fedora left for North Carolina and SM has fallen into the abyss, not winning a game in two years. Lately, they’ve been noncompetitive. Last week even FAU clubbed them 41-7 with a 368-189 yd edge. FAU QB Jaquez Johnson hit 5-9-37 as the Owls ran for 333 while holding SM to 20 yds rushing. FAU took its opening drive 83/12pl for a td. After an exchange of punts, SM was intercepted at the FAU6 on its 2nd drive. FAU went 71/9pl for a 40 yd FG then, after a fumble, 18/8pl for a 33 yd FG, then 50/7pl for a td to lead 20-0. On the last play of the 1H, the Golden Eagles sealed the deal as they were at the FAU36 and were not only intercepted, but returned 61 yds for a td and trailed 27-0 at the half being outgained 228-63. FAU went 49/10pl after a 21 yd punt and 72/7pl for td’s on their first two 3Q drives. SM did go 88/14pl with a PF on 4&27 giving them a FD at midfield and got a td with 10:57 left to avoid the shutout.

Cincinnati went into Rutgers and dominated with a 619-357 yd edge as Brendon Kay hit 24-38-405 yds. Gary Nova for RU hit just 18-38-170. Paul James, who was leading the nation in rushing when he was injured, did return to the lineup and he had 78 yds on 19 carries. UC actually had a 422-150 yd edge in a dominating 1H. UC went 69/10pl for a td and got an interception on RU’s first pass taking that 36/2pl for a td to lead 10-0. UC had the ball stripped at the 50 after a 26 yd gain with 6:42 left in the 1Q and RU went 50/7pl for a td which came on 3&12 with a 16 yd pass to Brandon Coleman, 10-7. On 3&8, UC got a 66 yd td pass to Mekale McKay, 17-7. UC recovered the onside kick and went 53/4pl for a td, 24-7 after 1Q. Early in the 2Q, the Bearcats went 3&out and RU would have blocked the punt but John Lloyd took off and got a FD to the UC47. They continued on a 69/10pl for a td, 31-7. After punting on their next possession, UC got a 41 yd td pass with 4:16 left in the half, 38-7. After a Nova interception, UC missed a 51 yd FG with 1:29 left in the half. It was 52-7 when UC was intercepted at the RU8 and returned 37 yds with 9:11 left. RU went 55/9pl to pull within 38 and later RU went 61/11pl and got a 36 yd FG with :16 left.

Vanderbilt is eligible for a 3rd straight bowl game for the first time in program history. It was a little bit of a misleading final vs Kentucky as VU, on 4th down, got a 13 yd td pass with :47 left to extend their 15-6 lead to 22-6. UK has now lost 14 straight SEC games. Austyn Carta-Samuels returned to the lineup for VU and hit 19-24-184. UK ran the hurry-up on its first possession after a VU punt and went 75/12pl and got a td with 6:23 left in the 1Q but VU blocked the xp and returned it for 2. So instead of 7-0 it was 6-2. UK punted on its 2nd possession and Jalen Whitlow was intercepted at his own 38 and returned 12 yards on the next. VU went 26/3pl with a 3&5, 21 yd Brian Kimbrow td run, 9-6. Whitlow was intercepted at the VU22 with 6:11 left in the half and then intercepted at the VU2 from the 43 on a Hail Mary on the last play of the half. At the half UK had a 169-79 yd edge but trailed 9-6. UK was SOD at the VU31 on 4&6 and VU missed a 34 yd FG (5:39). VU went 65/10pl and got a 26 yd FG with 13:00 left, 12-6. VU went 74/8pl and got a 38 yd FG with 7:13 left to lead 15-6. UK got a 45 yard pass to Jordan Aumiller down to the VU13, but a hold brought it all the way back to the UK32 and Whitlow was intercepted at the VU45 on the next play. VU drove 55/10pl and on 4&4 the 13 yd td pass made a lot of their backers happy by making them win by 15.

Ryan Switzer was the star of the North Carolina/Pitt game with not one, but two PR td’s including a 61 yd PR with 4:46 left to break a 27-27 tie. Pitt finished with 359-322 yd and 22-17 FD edges. For awhile it appeared that UNC was on its way to an easy win. Marquise Williams hit 15-27-173 and led with 79 rush yards. Tom Savage hit 23-38-313 despite being sacked 7 times, losing 86 yards. Pitt came into the game off its emotional win over Notre Dame and took its opening drive 64/10pl for a 28 yd FG. Pitt looked to be in control going 61/8pl when, on FD from the UNC12, Savage was sacked and fumbled at the 24. Pitt’s offense, which had 125 yds at that point, had just 23 yds the rest of the half and UNC took over. UNC went 76/13pl for a td, 53/10pl for a 26 yd FG, 90/8pl capped by a 10 yd td run and then with just 1:03 left in the half, got a 65 yd PR for a td by Switzer to go up 24-3. In the 3Q, Savage was sacked and fumbled at his own 12 and UNC got a 27 yd FG for a commanding 27-3 lead–then it started to slip away. Pitt went 76/7pl for a td, 96/15pl (including 3&11 and 4&2) and on 3&gl got an 8 yd td pass, 27-17. UNC fumbled on its own 28 and Pitt got a 42 yd FG. UNC fumbled the ensuing KO and Pitt went 13/2pl for the tying td with 8:52 left. UNC punted with 6:24 left but Pitt went 3&out. Switzer then got his 61 yd PR td. Pitt got down to the UNC26 but on 4&1 was SOD with 1:10 left.

Temple continues to impress under the guidance of PJ Walker. Since he was inserted the Owls’ have had a much stronger offense and even vs a strong UCF D, Walker hit 26-44-382 and TU actually led for a good portion of the game, only giving up a late tying score then a late big play to set up the game winning FG. TU dropped to 2-78 all-time vs top 25 foes. UCF finished with a 657-518 yd edge. TU was tackled in the EZ after being pinned at their 1 on a punt (2-0 6:39) and after the free kick UCF had a 1&gl at the 6 on a 46/7pl drive but settled for a 20 yd FG. Each team got a long td pass (12-7), then each went on a long td drive, 19-14. TU got a 30 yd td pass with 2:13 left to lead 21-19 but UCF went 46/13pl and got a 35 yd FG to lead 22-21 at half. UCF had a 303-286 yd edge. Each team punted to open the 3Q and UCF was then SOD on 4&gl at the TU1. TU, 4pl later, got a 75 yd td pass to Robby Anderson to take the lead, 28-22. 4 punts. UCF went 84/5pl for a td, 29-28 (6:37 4Q). Walker was intercepted 3pl later but UCF punted with 4:51 left. TU went 80/8pl getting a 7 yd td with just 2:04 left in the game, 36-29. UCF got 2 FD to the TU30 then JJ Worton made a spectacular 1-handed catch in the back of the EZ for a td with 1:06 left. TU had to punt with :19 left and Blake Bortles launched a 64 yd pass to Rannell Hall to the 6 and the Knights were able to kick the 23 yd FG and escape with the win.

Zurlon Tipton was Central Michigan’s 1,000 yd rusher last year but was injured in the ‘13 opener and missed most of the year. Last week he appeared rusty, but this week was back in form with 114 yds on 29 carries. Western Michigan had a 311-285 yd edge in the game but CMU pulled out the win. CMU took its opening drive 58/7pl for a td and WMU was SOD at the CMU41 on 4&1. CMU went 59/7pl for a td to lead 14-0. WMU went 58/14pl but settled for a 24 yd FG, 14-3. CMU went 50/14pl but missed a 45 yd FG. CMU fumbled at its own 46 and WMU got a 33 yd FG, 14-6 (4:39 2Q). CMU was SOD on 4&5 at the WMU33 on a dropped pass and at the half had a 184-129 yd edge. CMU was intercepted on its first possession of the 3Q and WMU got a 29 yd td run for the lead, 14-13. CMU was intercepted on the next play. WMU went 24/5pl but settled for a 21 yd FG, 16-14. CMU went 75/12pl capped a 3 yd td run, 20-16 (xp blocked). WMU was intercepted and returned 34 yards for a td, perhaps the key play of the game, 27-16. WMU got 2 FD and punted but CMU fumbled on the at its own 19. WMU went 19/2pl for a td to get within 27-22 then got an int 2pl later at the CMU47. However, they missed a 32 yd FG on 4&10 with 8:41 left. They forced a punt with 6:29 left and WMU went 55/12pl. On 4&11 from the CMU26 with a chance to win, they fired incomplete with 1:36 left and CMU ran the clock.

Walter Camp POW Andre Williams had another huge game and appears poised to be 1st Team AA. Against NC State he rushed for 339 yds breaking Boston College’s single-season and single-game record (which he set last week) as well as an ACC record. BC had a 473-360 yd edge including a dominating 420-35 rush edge. Pete Thomas did hit 22-33-207 for NCSt. BC took its 2nd possession 72/6pl but settled for a 25 yd FG then went 72/10pl for a td and Williams had 131 yds in the 1Q. NCSt went 80/5pl capped by a 9 yd td pass, 10-7 (7:13 2Q) but BC responded with a 74/5pl td drive (4:46 2Q). Williams fumbled at the BC24 but NCSt had a bad snap on the FG with :18 left in the 1H. BC had a 254-143 yd edge and led by 10. The first 4 possessions of the 3Q were punts then BC went 57/11pl for a 39 yd FG. After each team punted, NCSt went 87/6pl and got a 49 yd td pass to get within 20-14. However, Williams, 2pl later, busted a 65 yd which he fumbled at the 1 but was recovered in the endzone by Alex Amidon for a td, 28-14. Thomas was sacked and fumbled at his own 31 and BC added a 41 yd FG, 31-14 (2:39). Each team got a long td in the final 2:00 for the 38-21 decision.

Due to injuries, Maryland had lost 4 of their previous 5 games but CJ Brown, who hit just 12-25 passes for 135 yds, led the way with 122 rush yards as the Terps upset Virginia Tech in OT. MD finished with a 319-264 yd edge catching the Hokies the week after their upset of Miami, FL. VT would be the favorite to be in the ACC Title game but let opportunities slip through their hands by losing 3 ACC games, all as favorites. VT took its 2nd possession 76/6pl for a td then went 33/7pl. They dismissed PK Cody Journell from the team during the week (he was 44-58 on FG and 101-for-106 on xp’s at VT) and frosh walk-on Eric Kristensen, in his first career attempt, had a 34 yarder bang off the left upright. The game started to turn when Will Likely returned a punt 63 yds for a td with 7:47 left in the 2Q and MD tied it at 7. The Terps took over with just :52 left in the half at their own 44 and went 56/5pl getting a td with :17 left in the half for a 14-7 lead. They used that momentum to open the 3Q with a 78/5pl drive for a td, 21-7. VT got an 88 yard KR to the MD12 and 5pl later a td, 21-14. VT punted on its next 2 possessions but went 65/8pl for a td with 9:32 left in the game to tie it at 21. The next 5 possession were punts and the game went to OT. VT settled for a 31 yd FG. MD got a FD to the 3 and then CJ Brown’s 3 yd td run gave the Terps the upset.

Washington St had 27-24 FD and 420-395 yd edges vs Arizona. After having lost their previous three games by a 169-83 margin, they won this one on the road. The Cougars’ first drive was SOD on 4&2 at the UA28, but their 2nd went 60/7pl for a td. Their 3rd went 64/10pl but they settled for a 24 yd FG. They only led 10-0 despite the fact UA had 1 FD and WSU had 11. UA got a 30 yd td run by Ka’Deem Carey 4pl later, 10-7. Each team turned it over once, then after a punt, UA went 90/15pl capped by a 7 yd td pass and led, 14-10 (7:37 2Q). WSU got off a 3 yd punt with 1:53 left in the half. UA would get 2 FD’s but missed a 40 yd FG on the final play of the half. At the half WSU had a 224-195 yd edge. UA’s P fumbled the snap at his own 31 and WSU went 31/6pl finishing with a 23 yd td pass, 17-14. UA drove 57/13pl for a 25 yd FG to tie it. 2 punts. WSU missed a 46 yd FG with 10:24 left, but UA missed a 34 yarder with 6:59 left. WSU went 80/10pl and got a 25 yd td pass on 3&4 with 2:15 left. UA got to the 19 but on 4&4 from the 13, BJ Denker’s pass into the EZ was incomplete. Denker hit 26-38-200 and Connor Halliday 39-53-319.

Akron has not had 4 wins in a season since 2007. It wasn’t easy though as they only finished with a 341-323 yd edge against UMass. They were actually outrushed 172-133. UA’s RB Jawon Chisholm fumbled on their first 2 possessions, but UM punted and was SOD at the UA30. On 3&4 UA’s QB fumbled a bad snap. Each team punted and UM went 56/10pl for a 37 yd FG with :32 left in the 1Q. UA went 63/5pl capped by a 10 yd td run, 7-3. UM went 53/9pl settling for a 33 yd FG, 7-6 (9:56 2Q). UMass was SOD on 4&8 at the UA32 (3:14) and then AJ Doyle was intercepted at his own 40 and returned to the UM32 with :49 left in the half. UA had a 185-184 yd edge at the half. Each team punted to open the 2H. UM went 91/9pl with a Wegzyn-to-Blanchflower 2 yd td pass, 13-7. The Minutemen were intercepted and returned 22 yds to their own 35 but UA was SOD on 4&1. UM got 1 FD and punted. UA went 63/10pl finishing with a 17 yd td pass with 9:49 left to take the lead 14-13. UM was SOD on 4&1 at the UA47. Akron took over with 6:39 left, got 3 FD’s to the UM8. UA kicked a 25 yard FG with 1:30 left, but a PF gave them a 1&gl at the 4 and they took a knee.

SMU had 460-385 yd and 27-20 FD edges. Garrett Gilbert hit 33-52-353 yds. Casey Cochran was given the start for Connecticut and had a decent game hitting 25-42-227. SMU’s opening drive went 49/7pl but they were SOD at the UC20. There were 4 punts before UC missed a 42 yd FG with 5:40 left in the 1Q. SMU responded with 75/7pl and 80/12pl td drives and led 14-0 with 11:39 left in the 2Q. Before halftime, each team went on a long td drive and SMU led 21-7 at the break with a commanding 297-141 yd edge. Each team punted to open the 3Q then UC went on a 62/14pl drive for a td, 21-14. On their next possession, the Huskies were SOD at the SMU26 and SMU went 74/2pl capped by a 20 yd td pass, 28-14. UC got a 26 yd td pass with 10:05 left to make it 28-21. SMU got a 27 yd FG with 3:50 left then a 35 yd IR td with 3:15 left to make it 38-21. The Mustangs grabbed another interception a few plays later at their own 45 and got a pair of FD’s, taking a knee at the UC26.

Mississippi set a school-record for total offense with 751 yards vs Troy while holding the Trojans to just 313. Bo Wallace hit 17-26-272 for the Rebels while Corey Robinson hit 24-36-258 for the Trojans. Robinson became just the 4th QB in NCAA history to pass for 3,000 yds in 4 consecutive seasons. Each team went on a long drive for a td, 7-7. Ole Miss went 68/10 and 49/8pl for td’s to lead 20-7. Troy was intercepted at the UM6 with :51 left and it was 27-7 at the half despite Ole Miss having a 423-194 yd edge and. Ole Miss’ first 3 possessions of the 3Q went 69/8, 95/6 and 72/8pl for a FG and 2 td’s and the Rebels led 44-7. They were SOD at the T10 with 13:48 left and intercepted and returned 7 yds to their 17 with 11:11 left. Troy went 17/4pl for a td, 44-14. Each team went on a long td drive with Troy getting the final one with :36 left but they kicked off deep and Ole Miss took a knee.

Ohio St may have put up 60 points vs Illinois, but still finds itself only .0013 ahead of Baylor in the BCS standings after they allowed 35 and only had a 591-420 yd edge with the FD’s nearly even (+1 OSU). Braxton Miller rushed for 184 yds and hit 13-29-150. OSU was on its way to a romp. They went 77/3pl for a td, punted on their 2nd possession, went 94/10pl for a td, got a 63 yd IR td by Bradley Roby and led 21-0 with 3:30 left in the 1Q. OSU punted early 2Q, then went 44/3pl for a td. IL got on the board with a 67 yd PR td by V’Angelo Bentley, 28-7. OSU went 52/6pl for a td, 35-7 (5:47 2Q). IL got its first real offensive drive with a 75/12pl td drive with 2:25 left and at the half OSU had a 288-187 yd edge and led 35-14. IL opened the 3Q with a 75/9pl drive capped by a 1 yd td pass, 35-21. Miller fumbled on OSU’s next drive at the IL39 but the D forced a 3&out. The Bucks punted on their next drive, but IL was tackled for a safety and OSU went 55/4pl following the free kick to lead 44-21. They did miss a 49 yd FG at the end of the 3Q. IL went 68/5pl for a td. OSU drove 62/8pl for a 30 yd FG, but IL responded with a 62/8pl td drive (2 point no good) and only trailed 47-35 with 8:49 left. OSU got a 51 yd td run by Carlos Hyde with 4:03 left and a 55 yd td run by Hyde with 2:09 left as he finished with 246 yards on 24 carries and 4 td’s.

Penn St had not lost 2 straight games under Bill O’Brien since they opened last year 0-2. PSU had a 501-264 yd edge vs Purdue. PSU did get an important td with 4:27 left to go up by 24. PSU opened with a 75/13pl drive for a td then went 66/10pl for a td to lead 14-0. PU went 75/9pl for a td, 14-7. Each team turned it over and PSU went 33/6 for a td, 21-7 then 78/10pl for a td, 28-7 with 1:18 left in the half. Raheem Mostert returned the KO 100 yds for a td. At the half PSU had a 296-89 yd edge but only led 28-14. PU opened the 3Q with an 84/7pl drive for a td, 28-21. PSU went 62/6pl for a 29 yd FG, 31-21 (8:51). PU fumbled at its own 40 and PSU went 40/6pl for a td, 38-21. PU was SOD at the 34 but PSU was intercepted at the PU19. PU went 55/11pl but on FD, Danny Etling was sacked and fumbled and it was recovered at the PSU26. PSU went 74/11pl for a td with 4:27 left and PU punted with 3:30 left.

East Carolina’s Shane Carden hit 21-31-347 and 5 td’s as ECU steam rolled UAB 63-14. They had a 625-354 yd edge and 36-17 FD edge. ECU’s 2nd drive ended at the 19 with an interception in the EZ but they went 66/5 and 67/4pl for td’s to lead 14-0 and it was 35-7 at the half with ECU having a 436-197 yd edge. A key to the lead was UAB being intercepted at the EC5 and returned 36 yds with 1:02 left in the 1H. ECU went 59/4pl for a td. ECU opened the 3Q with a 79/10pl drive for a td then got a 50 yd IR td to lead 49-7. ECU’s last td came with 4:57 left in the game capping a 75/8pl drive.

Phil Steele is a college football analyst who has been publishing his annual College Football Preview since 1995. His magazine is regarded as one of the best in the business.
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