Lincoln, NE -- The Nebraska football team is currently 3-6 in the first season under coach Mike Riley, who moved over from Oregon State for the 2015 College Football season. At 1-4 in the Big Ten West, the Cornhuskers are the first division team to be eliminated from the Big Ten Championship Game.

After a disappointing 55-45 road loss @ Purdue on Saturday, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, athletic director released a letter to the Husker faithful. By the way, the Boilermakers had not beat a FBS program all season, until the home win against the Cornhuskers.

Nebraska coach Mike Riley is in his first season, after replacing Bo Pelini,
who lost no more than 4 games, in each of his seven seasons in Lincoln.

Dear Husker Family,

Good morning.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to every Husker fan who has come to Memorial Stadium this season to cheer on the Big Red; who has traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to proudly wear the red and white in visiting stadiums; and who has passionately supported our student-athletes, our head coach, our assistant coaches and staff. Your support and patience as Mike Riley rebuilds our storied program one brick at a time mean the world to our young men, our staff and our university.

While many are understandably disappointed in the current record of the football team and the heartbreakingly close losses we have suffered, I am confident the future is bright because I see it in the eyes of our players, coaches and staff and I am impressed by what I know is going on behind the scenes. Our coaches are developing our student-athletes and, though the consistent victories are not there yet, I am confident they will come. I have witnessed how our young men battle every day in practice and fight to the finish on game days in the face of great adversity. Football can be a humbling game of inches and seconds and our players have laid everything on the line while making no excuses. The prospective student-athletes looking to make Nebraska home possess athletic talent, academic potential, and high character making for a bright future. Coach Riley has a vision and a plan and is committed to providing the Husker faithful with a sustained winner which will compete annually for championships.

As I have said many times, it is an honor and privilege to represent Nebraska, and I am humbled and care deeply about the men and women I have a chance to work with every day here. The incredible amount of hours they put in and the sacrifices they all make to represent Nebraska are truly remarkable. In two decades as a student-athlete and athletics administrator, I have had the opportunity to learn and work alongside some incredible people at five different institutions. What the best administrators and coaches have in common is a consistent commitment to teaching young minds to do things the right way and to instill a values system that emphasizes hard work, discipline, loyalty, teamwork, compassion and excellence. Those principles coupled with a positive attitude generally result in championships.

Your continued support is what makes Nebraska special and together, we will do great things. Thank you again for your incredible passion and support. We look forward to another home sellout and an electric environment on Saturday as we come together to cheer on our team against Michigan State.

Have a great week and Go Big Red!

Shawn Eichorst

Happy All Saints Day: November has arrived and the first College Football Playoff rankings arrive Tuesday

1. Ohio State (8-0)

2. Clemson (8-0)

3. LSU (7-0)

4. Alabama (7-1)

November is a huge month in College Football, especially for the Big 12, since Baylor, Oklahoma State and TCU have not played anyone this season, with much of a College Football Playoff resume.

The Top team in the ACC, Clemson has one of the top resumes heading into
November in College Football.

Clemson has the highest win, with a 24-22 home win over Notre Dame, in Week 5.

The Power 5 undefeated, only four of the five have undefeated teams remaining:

• ACC - Clemson is 8-0
• Big 12 - Oklahoma State and TCU are 8-0, with Baylor 7-0
• Big Ten - Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State are all 8-0
• Pac 12 - none are undefeated, though Stanford and Utah remain 7-1
• SEC - LSU in 7-0

The non-Power 5 undefeated teams:

• American - Houston and Memphis are 8-0
• Conference USA - none are undefeated, though Marshall remains 8-1
• FBS Independent - none are undefeated, though Notre Dame remains 7-1
• MAC - Toledo is 7-0
• MWC - none are undefeated, though Boise State is 7-2
• Sun Belt - none are undefeated, though Appalachian State remains 7-1

The College Football Playoff will be played on December 31st, New Year's Eve, with the Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl.

Iowa is 8-0 and junior CB #14 Desmond King is tied for the lead in the nation with
seven interceptions, including his third pick 6 against Maryland.

Iowa (8-0) @ Indiana (4-4) will be televised next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN

As of games played through October 31st.

Iowa City, IA -- All 14 Big Ten programs will kickoff and play in Week 10 of the 2015 College Football season, on November 7th. Big Ten results in Week 9 from Big Ten Network.

Early Power Ratings of 14 Big Ten teams, after October 31st games ...

1. Ohio State 
2. Michigan State 
3. Iowa 
4. Michigan 
5. Wisconsin 
6. Northwestern 
7. Penn State 
8. Rutgers 
9. Indiana 
10. Maryland 
11. Minnesota 
12. Illinois 
13. Purdue 
14. Nebraska

November 7th Big Ten games:

• Penn State @ Northwestern - 11 a.m. on ESPNU
• Illinois @ Purdue - 11 a.m. on BTN
• Iowa @ Indiana - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
• Wisconsin @ Maryland - 2:30 p.m. on BTN
• Rutgers @ Michigan - 2:30 p.m. on BTN
• Michigan State @ Nebraska - 7 p.m. on ESPN
• Minnesota @ Ohio State - 7 p.m. on ABC

The 120th season of Big Ten Football.

Iowa programs go 3-0 on Halloween, as Iowa, UNI and ISU all win ...

#10 Iowa goes to 8-0 w/ win over Maryland. #18 UNI beats South Dakota 20-7 Texas falls 24-0 in Ames to Iowa State #Hawkeyes State 3-0 today!

— alias Rob Roy (@cidsports) November 1, 2015

Happy Halloween in the Big Ten ... no Buckeyes, Spartans, Hoosiers or Wildcats!

The Big Ten Conference is enjoying the 120th season of College Football, as three programs enter the day among the undefeated among Power 5 teams. Two of the three programs are idle, with a bye week, as the #10 Iowa Hawkeyes (7-0) seek to go 8-0 for the second time in program history.

• #1 Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 B1G West) - bye week, before home date with Minnesota
• #6 Michigan State (8-0. 4-0 B1G West) - bye week, before road date @ Nebraska 

The Hawkeyes seek to remain undefeated ahead of the first College Football Playoff
Ratings on Tuesday. Clearly, Ohio State and Michigan State are safely going to open
undefeated. Can Iowa make it three for the Big Ten?

• Maryland (0-3 B1G East) at #10 Iowa (3-0 B1G West) 2:30 pm on ESPN2 / ABC / espn3 

Iowa is trying to improve to 8-0 for just the second time in school history. The Hawkeyes were 7-0 in 1985, 1922, and 1921, and opened the season 9-0 in 2009, its best start in school history. Maryland owns a 1-0 lead in the series and makes first trip to Iowa City,  after winning the inaugural game 38-31 last year in College Park. Our Pick: Iowa 31, Maryland 14 ...

Illinois @ Penn State, pregame warm ups in Happy Valley.

• Illinois (4-3, 1-2 B1G West) at Penn State (6-2, 3-1 B1G East) 11:00 am on ESPN2 

Last year, the Fighting Illini won a 16-14 game over the Nittany Lions in Champaign. Now, Illinois has to travel to Happy Valley to face a Penn State team, bowl eligible, but down two in the East race, after a 38-10 loss at Ohio State. Penn State has never lost back to back games in this series. Interim coach Bill Cubit has the Fighting Illini playing hard. While second year coach James Franklin has the Nittany Lions are bowl eligible, it is smooth in State College on offense right now.

Purdue junior SS #3 Leroy Clark needs to lead the defense, as the
Boilermakers cannot afford the Huskers running the game up into the 30-40
range for the third straight season against Hazell's Black & Gold.

• Nebraska (1-3 B1G West) at Purdue (0-3 B1G West) 11:00 am on ESPNU

The Boilermakers are on a nine game losing streak in the Big Ten and have not beat a FBS program, since last year's 38-27 win @ Illinois in Week 2 of conference play. The Cornhuskers are struggling to finish close games, with all five losses under first year head coach Mike Riley, by a combined 13 points. The Cornhuskers will give former walk-on Ryker Fyfe his first start at quarterback, with Tommy Armstrong out with an injury. Can Darrell Hazell pull things out, in year 3, after back to back blowout losses at the hands of the Huskers? The Huskers could hit the cellar, with a loss at Purdue.

The Badgers are known for the running game and play in the offensive line.
This year, they have had to lean on pass blocking and using the pass in Paul
Chryst's first season at the helm. Pictured is redshirt freshman RG Michael Deiter.

•  Rutgers (1-3 B1G East) at Wisconsin (6-2, 3-1 B1G West) 11:00 am on BTN

The Badgers like last season, lost the B1G opener, this year 10-6 at home to Iowa. The Badgers have taken care of business winning three straight and host Rutgers, before hitting the road again at Maryland, as Wisconsin has back to back games against division crossover games. The Scarlet Knights will be without their top offensive play-maker, so the margin of error is rather narrow for the visitor.

The Battle for the Little Brown Jug in the Big Ten.

• #15 Michigan (5-2, 2-1 B1G East) at Minnesota (4-3, 1-2 B1G West) 6:00 pm on ESPN / espn3 

The Wolverines have won every game @ Minnesota, since 1977, but the Golden Gophers took care of business last year in Ann Arbor, as well as back in 1986, in Jim Harbaugh's final game in the series, as a player. It has been an emotion week for the Golden Gophers, when it was announced coach Jerry Kill was retiring immediately, due to health reasons. Kill's long-term defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys steps into the interim role again, this time permanently for the 2015 season. Last year, Michigan QB Jake Rudock struggled as the Golden Gophers rolled his former Hawkeye team. It is the Battle for the Little Brown Jug, with both teams coming off a bye week.

• Northwestern (6-2, 2-2 B1G West) - The Wildcats fell @ Michigan and vs. Iowa, but have won back to back B1G games before their bye week. They will host back to back games against Penn State and Purdue in November, before closing out B1G @ Wisconsin and vs. Illinois in Soldier Field.
• Indiana (4-4, 0-4 B1G East) - After four straight wins in the non-conference, the Hoosier have fallen in four B1G games. They enjoy a bye week, ahead of hosting Iowa to kickoff the final four weeks of B1G play in November.

Game Day Saturday: Iowa vs. Maryland at Kinnick Stadium

Iowa City, IA -- The #10 Iowa Hawkeyes (7-0, 3-0 B1G West) return to action on Halloween, with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff at Kinnick Stadium against the Maryland Terrapins (2-5, 0-3 B1G East). It is the first meeting ever in Iowa City, after last year's 38-31 Maryland win, in the inaugural game. This year's Iowa-Maryland game will be televised on ABC/ESPN2.

Maryland iHC Mike Locksley.

The Hawkeyes will face the second of three games against interim head coaches at home, in Big Ten play this season. This will be Maryland's second game lead by interim coach Mike Locksley, who has faced Iowa in the past, when he was an assistant coach under Ron Zook at Florida and at Illinois.

Locksley has been the Maryland offensive coordinator since 2011. He served as the head coach at New Mexico from 2009-11. He was an assistant coach at Florida when the Hawkeyes defeated the Gators in the

2004 Outback Bowl.

On playing Iowa:

The key to slowing Iowa's offense is eliminating the run. Iowa has had three

different running backs gain over 100 yards in 2015. The most recent one

was sophomore RB #25 Akrum Wadley, who ran for 204 yards and four

touchdowns in the 40-10 win @ Northwestern, ahead of Iowa's bye week.

“Their coach does a good job of keeping those guys very sound. When you look at them, they haven’t changed very much in their identity on offense or defense or special teams. They’ve always been really sound. They try not to do a lot in terms of tricking you or masking it. They line up and play good hard-nosed, clean football in all three phases. They play with great effort and when you look at them this year, the thing that jumps out to me is the balance they have. Traditionally when you face an Iowa team, you have to stop the run first and foremost, which we’ll have to do. Their balance is what gives them advantages and they’re playing really well right now," Maryland's Mike Locksley said during his press conference this week ahead of the Iowa game.

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard became the #1 QB after the Iowa bowl game.

It lead to Iowa's two year starter Jake Rudock to graduate and transfer to

Michigan. Iowa's overall game has elevated in all three phases in 2015.

“It starts with their execution. I know last year they had the quarterback situation where they were going back and forth between the two quarterbacks and the development of their team from one year to the next is hard to compare. I think what they’re doing now as a team is they’re executing at a very high level in all three phases, and their quarterback is playing well and protecting the football, and on the defensive side of the ball, they are stopping the runs,” said Locksley about Iowa.

Iowa's Kirk Ferentz on the upcoming game with Maryland

Iowa will need to play strong in pass protection, as Maryland's top defensive

lineman sacks the Penn State's QB in last Saturday's 20-19 game.

"Now our next challenge is to get ready for Maryland. And it's interesting, it's another team that we're playing that has new leadership. They played with a lot of enthusiasm, a lot of energy the other day, played really well, and it was a really good ballgame to a very good Penn State team. They lost by one point to a team that's 6 and 2 having a good season," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said during his news conference ahead of this week's game with Maryland.

Maryland junior DE #7 Yannick Ngakoue is the Terrapins leader with

sacks and tackles for loss. The line of scrimmage will be a key for either team

as the Hawkeyes-Terrapins kickoff at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.

"Maryland is a team that beat us last year. They've got a lot of good players from last year returning. They do have a new quarterback. He's playing really well; a dangerous runner. They've got a lot of backs that can run and good skill players, veteran guys up front defensively. They've got some good players up there too, and the guy up front, No. 7, the defensive end, really active, really hard player to block and contain. And they got one of the better DBs veteran in the back end, but one of the better DBs that we're going to see this season," Ferentz shared about the Terrapins.

Iowa plays in Kinnick Stadium which was named after 1939 Heisman Trophy winner

Nile  Kinnick. Junior William Likely surpassed Kinnick’s legendary 76-year-old single-game

Big Ten punt return yards record with 233 yards against Richmond in the 2015 season opener

for Maryland. Likely is a starting CB, who scored a pick 6 against Iowa last year.

"Same thing in the kicking game. They've got both their punter and kicker back. Both of them have done good jobs, and then we really feel like Likely is as good of a returner as there is in the country, not only in our conference but in the country. He's very dangerous, both in the punt and kick return game. So we've got a lot of challenges on our hands that way," Ferentz said about Maryland's special teams.

Maryland has moved to junior QB #11 Perry Hills, who can be highly effective

in the read option, as he scrambles for yardage against Penn State.

Last year, C.J. Brown hurt Iowa will his feet in the 38-31 Maryland win.

"They're coming off a bye week a week ago (Maryland), so to me I'm guessing they just look at this whole thing like a new season. Played an excellent football game last Saturday. As I mentioned, a one-point loss to a very good Penn State football team. So we expect their best certainly coming in this Saturday. Again, they beat us last year, so I'm sure they'll be confident coming in, and really, what it gets down to is we have to have a great week of preparation. We're off to a good start, but we need to really finish it up here this week and make sure we're ready to go at kickoff time," Ferentz went on to say, in describing the Hawkeyes upcoming opponent.

The line of scrimmage was a key element in Maryland's 38-31 win over

Iowa in 2014. It will be a key element again in 2015, as Maryland comes

to Iowa City for the first time in the series.

In the inaugural game last season in College Park, MD, the Terrapins took advantage of three Hawkeye turnovers that resulted in ten points. Iowa opened with a 14-0 run, but the Terrapins outscored the Hawkeyes 38-7 to take a 38-21 lead on the Hawkeyes, with under five minutes remaining. The Hawkeyes scored ten more points, in the 38-31 Terrapin win.

Kirk Ferentz is in his 20th year as a college head coach and his 17th year as Iowa’s

head coach. His career record is 134-106 and he is 122-85 at Iowa. He is tied for eighth

in the Big Ten Conference in coaching wins. Pictured last year @ Maryland.

Iowa won three of the first four B1G games last season, with the loss at Maryland. Maryland won two of the first four B1G games. Both programs are clearly on different paths so far, with Iowa 3-0 and Maryland 0-3 to kickoff the 2015 Big Ten season. Iowa is coming off a bye week. Last year, Maryland enjoyed a bye week, ahead of the game with the Hawkeyes.

On Iowa’s transformation from last season:

Iowa's defense has really stepped up in 2015, coming off a rough 7-6 record

last season, including the disappointing inaugural loss at Maryland.

“A lot of their schemes and formations are the same but they have different personnel so it is a little different from last year,” Maryland junior wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo said about Iowa.

Maryland junior WR #84 Amba Etta-Tawo against Iowa in last year's game.

Iowa's senior FS #27 Jordan Lomax and junior CB #13 Greg Mabin tackling.

On Iowa’s defense:

Iowa senior FS #27 Jordan Lomax is one of six Maryland preps on the

Hawkeyes roster in 2015. Sophomore SS Miles Taylor is also from MD.

“They have a great defense. They are not going to give up many points. I think they average 15 points per game. We just have to find every opportunity we can. We cannot make many mistakes like we did on Saturday. If we have good field position we have to push the ball into the end zone. We have to limit our turnovers. We feel with our offense we are capable of putting up points,” Maryland junior left tackle Michael Dunn said about the Iowa defense.

TALE OF THE TAPE
MD CATEGORY IOWA

25.1 Scoring Offense 32.9

34.1 Scoring Defense 15.3

186.7 Rushing Offense 214.4

172.4 Passing Offense 206.7

359.1 Total Offense 421.1

175.6 Rushing Defense 74.1

268.6 Passing Defense 220.1

444.1 Total Defense 294.3

Iowa junior CB and RS Desmond King is a key performer on Saturday.

The Washington Post previews the Iowa-Maryland game - link

The Questions facing Maryland ...

Maryland senior RB #45 Brandon Ross against the Buckeyes in Columbus.

Ohio State won 49-28. The Terrapins have a 1-2 punch at RB again.

• Can Perry Hills cut down on the turnovers?
• Can Maryland establish the run?
• Will Maryland’s defense bounce back? 

The Terrapins are set to face their third ranked opponent in their last four games as they take on the 10th-ranked Hawkeyes Saturday. Including Iowa, the collective record of the four Big Ten teams Maryland has faced is 26-4.

The health of Iowa QB #16 C.J. Beathard will be one of the questions coming

off the bye week. Beathard has helped Iowa with his feet, as well as in the

passing game, especially ahead of Big Ten play. He is playing with a hip and groin

injury and was held out of practice much of the week ahead of the NW game.

7 GOING ON 8
Iowa is trying to improve to 8-0 for just the second time in school history. The Hawkeyes were 7-0 in 1985, 1922, and 1921, and opened the season 9-0 in 2009, its best start in school history.

POWER OF 3
Three different Hawkeyes have rushed for over 100 yards in a game this season: Jordan Canzeri (4x), and LeShun Daniels and Akrum Wadley once each. The last time the Hawkeyes had three different players rush for over 100 yards in a game in the same season was 2005: Albert Young (8x), and Shonn Greene and Damian Sims once each. The Hawkeyes also have three receivers with 100-yard receiving games: Matt VandeBerg (1), Tevaun Smith (1), and Jerminic Smith (1). It is the first time since 1995 three different Hawkeyes recorded 100-yard receiving games: Tim Dwight (2x), Demo Odems (1), Scott Slutzker (1).

Iowa senior WR #17 Jacob Hillyer scored a TD against Maryland last year.

Our pick: Iowa Hawkeyes 31, Maryland 14 - Week 1 after the bye week.
Can the Hawkeyes resume Big Ten play, with a outcome like the season opener?

Big Final Weekend of October in College Football

The Iowa Hawkeyes (4-3, 2-1 B1G Legends) travels to Northwestern ( 6-2, 2-2 B1G Legends) for a big game coming off an ugly home loss last Saturday night at home to Penn State.  Big games in the Big Ten to close out October, with some great games:

• Ohio State @ Penn State - two teams on probation that are undefeated in Leaders play in '12.
• Michigan @ Nebraska - key game to determine who leads to race in the Legends division and spot in the Big Ten title game in '12.
• Michigan State @ Wisconsin - repeat of the '11 Big Ten title game...
• Iowa @ Northwestern - the Hawkeyes are struggling, while the Wildcats two close losses ended a change at being undefeated right now
• Purdue @ Minnesota - the winner will pick up first conference win in '12.
• Indiana @ Illinois - who remains in the cellar in the Leaders division after today?

Saturday, October 27th Game on!

• Ball State at Army 11:00 a.m. CBSSN (HD)
• Indiana at Illinois 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD) / btn2go
• Iowa at Northwestern 11:00 a.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3 - Iowa covers spread, but Wildcats may be the more likely winner in this game.  Throw out the picks and play football!  Our hope is a 28-20 upset win by Hawkeyes, but hard to pick the Hawkeyes in this one!
• Kentucky at Missouri 11:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD) / espn3
• Northern Illinois at Western Michigan 11:00 a.m. ESPN-GP / ERTV (cable) / espn3
• Temple at Pittsburgh 11:00 a.m. SNY / MASN / CSCA / ESPN-GP / ERTV / espn3
• Texas at Kansas 11:00 a.m. FSN Affiliates (HD) / FCSC (cable)
• Tennessee at South Carolina 11:00 a.m. ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3
• Ole Miss at Arkansas 11:21 a.m. SEC Network / ESPN-GP / espn3
• North Carolina State at North Carolina 11:30 a.m. (ESPN-GP / espn3) / ACC Network (HD)
• Southern Miss at Rice 12:00 p.m. (CSNC / CSBA) / CSS (cable)
• BYU at Georgia Tech 2:00 p.m. (FSN Affiliates (HD) / ESPN-GP / espn3)
• Colorado at Oregon 2:00 p.m. PAC-12 Network (HD) / pac-12.com
• UCLA at Arizona State 2:00 p.m. FX (HD)
• Boise State at Wyoming 2:30 p.m. CBSSN (HD)
• Duke at Florida State 2:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
• Eastern Michigan at Bowling Green 2:30 p.m. ESPN-GP / espn3 / BCSN
• Florida vs. Georgia 2:30 p.m. CBS (HD) / cbssports.com
• Fresno State at New Mexico 2:30 p.m. CSCA / (Comcast / TW) (cable)
• Kent State at Rutgers 2:30 p.m. SNY / MASN / ESPN-GP / ERTV / espn3
• Michigan State at Wisconsin 2:30 p.m. (ABC / ESPN2) (HD)
• Navy at East Carolina 2:30 p.m. FCSA (cable) / DirecTV: 623
• Ohio U. at Miami (Ohio) 2:30 p.m. ESPN-GP / STO / ERTV (cable) / espn3
• Purdue at Minnesota 2:30 p.m. BTN (HD) / btn2go
• TCU at Oklahoma State 2:30 p.m. FSN Affiliates (HD) / FCSP (cable)
• Texas Tech at Kansas State 2:30 p.m. FOX (HD)
• USC at Arizona 2:30 p.m. (ABC / ESPN2) (HD)
• Illinois State at Northern Iowa 4:00 p.m. CSNC / Mediacom (cable) / espn3
• Ohio State at Penn State 4:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) / espn3
• Washington State at Stanford 5:15 p.m. PAC-12 Network (HD) / pac-12.com
• Baylor at Iowa State 6:00 p.m. FSN Affiliates (HD) / FCSP (cable)
• Hawaii at Colorado State 6:00 p.m. RSRM / KTVD (cable)
• Texas A&M at Auburn 6:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD)
• UMass at Vanderbilt 6:00 p.m. (FS South (HD) / ESPN-GP / espn3)
• Louisiana Tech at New Mexico State 7:00 p.m. ESPN-GP / AggieVision / Comcast / espn3
• Michigan at Nebraska 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD)
• Notre Dame at Oklahoma 7:00 p.m. ABC (HD)
• UCF at Marshall 7:00 p.m. CBSSN (HD)
• Mississippi State at Alabama 7:30 p.m. ESPN (HD)
• California at Utah 8:45 p.m. PAC-12 Network (HD) / pac-12.com
• Oregon State at Washington 9:15 p.m. PAC-12 Network (HD) / pac-12.com
• Akron at Central Michigan 2:30 p.m. Video (new, Akron link)
• Maryland at Boston College 12:00 p.m. espn3
• Memphis at SMU 2:00 p.m. TW (cable) / Video
• North Texas at Middle Tennessee 2:30 p.m. espn3
• South Alabama at Louisiana-Monroe 6:00 p.m. $ Video
• Syracuse at South Florida 6:00 p.m. espn3
• Texas State at San Jose State 3:00 p.m. $ Video
• Toledo at Buffalo 2:30 p.m. TW (cable) / Video?
• Troy at Florida Atlantic 4:00 p.m.
• UAB at Tulane 2:30 p.m. $ Video
• UNLV at San Diego State 7:00 p.m. TW (cable)
• Utah State at UTSA 1:00 p.m. espn3
• UTEP at Houston 3:30 p.m. CSS (cable)
• UNLV at San Diego State 7:00 p.m. TW (cable)
• Western Kentucky at Florida International 5:00 p.m. espn3

For Iowa, the game @ Northwestern today, will be the half-way point of the Big Ten season with game 8 of the year.  The final month of November and big games, if any, in December will wrap up the regular season of the 2012 College Football season.

The Final Seven Undefeateds through the first nine weeks of the 2009 FBS season

Who should be the Top 7 in College Football, after nine weeks of play and through the first two months of action?

The candidates, in alphabetic order:

• Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC)
• Boise State (8-0, 3-0 WAC)
• Cincinnati (8-0, 4-0 Big East)
• Florida (8-0, 6-0 SEC)
• Iowa (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten)
• Texas (8-0, 5-0 Big 12)
• TCU (8-0, 4-0 MWC)

Of the Top 6 BCS conferences, only the Big East, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC are represented. The ACC and Pac Ten have at least one loss or more among their members. Of the non-BCS conferences, the C-USA, MAC and Sun Belt have no representatives on the final seven, so it's up to the MWC or WAC member to carry the torch for the non-BCS teams. None of the three Independents are undefeated. Standings

Links to SOS rankings: CBSSports and Sagarin

So, entering November, who should be the Top 7 in College Football, why?

1. Florida Gators - The Gators are the defending BCS champions of a year ago. They hold the longest win streak in college football, losing to Ole Miss 30-31 in the fourth game of 2008 season. The Gators last OOC loss was in the Capital One Bowl at the end of the 2007 season, 35-41 to Michigan of the Big Ten. Florida already has locked up the SEC East spot in the SEC title game. Final three regular season games: @ South Carolina (4-4, 3-3 SEC), vs. Florida International (2-6, 2-3Sun Belt) and the in-state rivalry game vs. Florida State (4-4, 2-3 ACC). SOS rankings: #5 CBSSports and #27 Sagarin.
2. Iowa Hawkeyes - The Hawkeyes were 9-4 in 2008 and lost all four games by a total of 12 points. Iowa's last out of conference loss, was a 20-21 squeaker at Pitt in '08, prior to current QB Ricky Stanzi taking over from former Hawkeye QB Jake Christensen. The Hawkeyes in 2009 mirror very well with Alabama of 2008, as Phil Steele has pointed out before and during the 2009 season. The Hawkeyes beat the SEC's South Carolina 31-10 in last year's Outback Bowl. They have the second longest winning streak among FBS members. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 in 2009 in games trailing, while entering the fourth quarter. This week, Iowa scored 28 unanswered points vs. IU to beat Indiana at home 42-24. Unlike fellow Big Ten member, Ohio State, the Hawkeyes have beat a SEC opponent in bowl participation. For some number, OSU has never beat a SEC team in a bowl game, ever. Iowa's remaining games in the Big Ten are: vs. Northwestern (5-4, 2-3 Big Ten), @ Ohio State (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) and vs. trophy game rival Minnesota (5-4, 3-3 Big Ten). SOS rankings: #12 CBSSports and #22 Sagarin.
3. Texas Longhorns - The Longhorns have the third longest winning streak in FBS, behind Florida and Iowa. The Longhorns avenged their lone loss in '08 when they beat Texas Tech in game 3 of the season, 34-24 in Austin. The Longhorns last OOC loss was a 7-24 vs. Ohio State at home in '06. The Longhorns avenged that loss last year in the Fiesta Bowl, beating the Buckeyes 24-21. The final four remaining regular season games for the Longhorns are: vs. UCF (4-3, 2-2 Sun Belt), then three final Big 12 games: @ Baylor (3-5, 0-4 Big 12), vs. Kansas (5-3, 1-3 Big 12), @ Texas A&M (5-3, 2-2 Big 12) and a possible Big 12 title game, if the Longhorns take care of business in the Big 12 South. SOS rankings: #31 CBSSports and #43 Sagarin.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide - The Crimson Tide have taken care of business in '09 thus far. The Crimson Tide were undefeated in the regular season in '08, but lost 20-31 to Florida in the 2008 SEC title game, then lost 17-31 to Utah to end the 2008 season in the Sugar Bowl. Coach Nick Saban is in his third season as head coach at Alabama. Ironically, his final game at LSU was a 25-30 loss vs. Iowa in the 2005 Capital One Bowl, where Iowa won on the final play of the game. The Hawkeyes have done that once this season @ MSU. A rematch of Iowa's Kirk Ferentz vs. Alabama's Nick Saban, who beat Ferentz in his first Big Ten game as Iowa's head coach, could be very interesting in a bowl game or title game, for that matter. LSU faces it's biggest SEC West game this week vs. LSU (7-1, 4-1), which could determine who plays Florida in the SEC title game. The Crimson Tide are coming off bye week. After LSU, the Crimson Tide face games @ Mississippi State (4-5, 2-3 SEC), vs. Chattanooga (a 5-3 FCS program, 3-3 Southern) and @ Auburn (6-3, 3-3 SEC). SOS rankings: #34 CBSSports and #36 Sagarin.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats - The Bearcats continue to remain undefeated in '09. This is despite the loss of QB Tony Pike to injury, which happened in '08, as well. Further, the Bearcats began the '09 season with a new DC Bob Diaco, former Iowa player at LB, and ten new starters on defense, from a team that went 11-3 and represented the Big East in the BCS bowl lineup in '08. The ACC's Virginia Tech beat Cincinnati though in the Orange Bowl last season, 20-7, which is the Bearcats last loss. The Bearcats last regular season loss in the OOC was a 26-52 loss early in '08 at Oklahoma (Big 12). The Bearcats have four more regular season games: vs. UConn (4-4, 1-3 Big East), vs. West Virginia (6-2, 2-1 Big East), vs. Illinois (2-6, 1-5 Big Ten) and @ Pittsburgh (7-1, 4-0 Big East) for a challenging slate for the Bearcats to close out '09. SOS rankings: #46 CBSSports and #74 Sagarin.
6. TCU Horned Frogs - The Horned Frogs come from the MWC and last year, the MWC represented the non-BCS conferences, since Utah went undefeated and beat TCU 13-10 at home in conference play in '08. The Horned Frogs went to Poinsettia Bowl in '08 and beat Boise State 17-16 to finish 11-2 in '08. TCU's lone OOC loss in '08 was at Oklahoma (Big 12) 10-35 before beginning conference play in '08. TCU has won four straight bowl games, with wins over Iowa State, Northern Illinois, Houston and Boise State. TCU closes out the regular season in conference play: @ San Diego State (4-4, 2-2), vs. Utah (7-1, 4-0), @ Wyoming (4-4, 2-2) and @ New Mexico (0-8, 0-4). SOS rankings: #40 CBSSports and #46 Sagarin.
7. Boise State Broncos - The Broncos are undefeated in the past two regular seasons ('08 and '09), but they have one big loss, a 16-17 loss in Poinsettia Bowl to close out '08 vs. TCU. The Broncos have lost back to back bowl games with losses vs. East Carolina (C-USA) 38-41 in the Hawaii Bowl to end '07 and of course last year's loss vs. TCU (Poinsettia). The Broncos last OOC regular season loss was @ Washington (Pac Ten) in '07 10-24. Boise State may end up undefeated in '09 and they have an impressive 19-8 season opening win vs. Oregon, 19-8, but it is hard to see the Broncos with a resume for a BCS title game in '09. The Broncos close out conference play in '09: @ Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-3), vs. Idaho (7-2, 4-1), @ Utah State (2-6, 1-3), vs. Nevada(5-3, 4-0) and vs. New Mexico State (3-6, 1-3). Will the Broncos close out WAC play on top? SOS rankings: #85 CBSSports and #80 Sagarin.

We begin November play in Week 10. There is plenty of action to play out to determine most of the conference champs and who are #1 and #2 in the BCS race for a date in the Pasadena's Rose Bowl BCS title game.

Breakdown of conferences: (Bowl eligible, bowl eliminated)

• ACC - 3, 0
• Big 12 - 3, 0
• Big East - 3, 0
• Big Ten - 4, 0
• C-USA - 1, 1
• Independents - 1, 0
• MAC - 3, 4
• MWC - 4, 1
• Pac 10 - 3, 1
• SEC - 5, 1
• Sun Belt - 1, 0, x
• WAC - 2, 0

x - Western Kentucky cannot become for bowl eligible in '09.

Eight programs are already home for the Holidays in '09: Rice, Miami-OH, Akron, Ball State, Eastern Michigan, New Mexico, Washington State and Vanderbilt.

peace

Game Day Prediction: Iowa vs. Indiana

The Hawkeyes went to 8-0, 4-0 in the Big Ten last week @ MSU on the last play.

The Hawkeyes and Hoosiers will kick off at 11 am today to an ESPN audience at Kinnick Stadium.

Prediciton:
Iowa 22
IU 13

• How will QB Ricky Stanzi for Iowa play for 60 minutes?
• Does Stazni continue error free in the passing game? (zero picks past 2 weeks)
• Can Iowa find a consistent running game vs. Hoosiers, despite RB Adam Robinson and RG Dace Richardson's injuries?
• Can Iowa take away the big play from the Hoosiers?
• It's Halloween: Trick or Treat today?
  

peace

Week 9: Texas, Penn State and Alabama remain all undefeated... atop the Top 25

We head into November next weekend with some big games ahead, after Week 9 concludes with two of the Top 3 teams going to the wire, but winning to remain undefeated! Week 9's Top 25:

1. Texas Longhorns (8-0, 4-0 Big 12) - The Longhorns take down former #10 Oklahoma State (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) 28-24 in Austin in a close battle between Top 10 teams. Next up: at #8 Texas Tech (8-0, 4-0 Big 12) for another Top 10 battle against the other remaining undefeated Big 12 team in Lubbock...


2. Penn State Nittany Lions (9-0, 5-0 Big Ten) - The special season for Joe Pa is still alive, as the Nittany Lions pick up their first Big Ten win in Columbus and the first win in 30 years in Columbus under Joe Pa 13-6 over Ohio State (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) to jump into the top place in the Big Ten by themselves. Next up: Bye week to prepare for final 3... at Iowa (5-3, 2-2 Big Ten) on November 8th.


3. Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 SEC) - Coach Nick Saban keeps his second campaign at Bama undefeated with a solid 29-9 win at Tennessee (3-5, 1-4 SEC). Next up: vs. Arkansas State (4-3, 2-1 Sun Belt) for an OOC tilt in November for the Tide.


4. Southern Cal Trojans (6-1, 4-1 Pac 10) - The Trojans grind out a key Pac 10 road game at Arizona (5-3, 3-2 Pac 10) 17-10 to remain among the leaders in the Pac 10 race. Next up: vs. Washington (0-7, 0-4 Pac 10) at home in the Coliseum.


5. Florida Gators (6-1, 4-1 SEC) - The Gators take down soundly Kentucky (5-3, 1-3 SEC) 63-5 in SEC play. Next up: vs. #6 Georgia (7-1, 4-1 SEC) in the world's largest cocktail party in Jacksonville.


6. Georgia Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1 SEC) - The Bulldogs take down former # 8 LSU (5-2, 3-2 SEC) on the road 52-38 to remain at the top of the SEC East with others. Next up: vs. #5 Florida (6-1, 4-1 SEC) in Jacksonville for the top spot in the Division.


7. Oklahoma Sooners (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) - The Sooners win an important road game at Kansas State (4-4, 1-3 Big 12) 58-35, but need help in the South. Next up: vs. Nebraska (5-3, 2-2 Big 12) for an old classic Big 8 match up in Norman.


8. Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-0, 4-0) - The Red Raiders took down former #20 Kansas (5-3, 2-2 Big 12) on their home turf 63-21 to remain undefeated. Next up: vs. #1 Texas (8-0, 4-0 Big 12) in the largest game in Lubbock ever... JW would be proud, rip!


9. Oklahoma State Cowboys (7-1, 3-1 Big 12) - The Cowboys are clearly playing like a Top 10 team, but lose 24-28 in a close game at #1 Texas (8-0, 4-0 Big 12) to fall off the lead in the South. Next up: vs. Iowa State (2-6, 0-4 Big 12) against a team going through growing pains under second year coach Gene Chizik.


10. Missouri Tigers (6-2, 2-2 Big 12) - Are the Tigers really worthy of a Top 10 position, a 58-0 home shutout of Colorado (4-4, 1-3 Big 12) says yes for now. Next up: at Baylor (3-5, 1-3 Big 12) for another road date with a South opponent.


11. Utah Utes (8-0, 4-0 MWC) - The Utes enjoyed a bye week to close out the month of October to stay atop the top non-BCS teams for now. Next up: at New Mexico (4-5, 2-3 MWC) for dangerous road test in the Mountain West!


12. Boise State Broncos (7-0, 3-0 WAC) - The Broncos won 33-16 in Friday night WAC game at San Jose State (5-3, 3-1 WAC) to remain undefeated overall and to take the sole lead in the WAC.


13. TCU Horned Frogs (8-1, 5-0 MWC) - The Horned Frogs keep the lead in the MWC with 54-7 home win vs. Wyoming (2-6, 0-5 MWC). Next up: at UNLV (3-5, 0-4 MWC) in an important road test, before the showdown at Utah the following week.


14. LSU Tigers (5-2, 3-2 SEC) - The Tigers fall again in the SEC... this time 38-52 to #6 Georgia (6-1, 3-1 SEC) at home. Next up: vs. Tulane (2-5, 1-3 C-USA) ... an easy opponent for the Tigers to lick their wounds with.


15. Ohio State Buckeyes (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) - The Buckeyes continue to grow with true freshman QB Terrelle Pryor, but his costly fumble derails the Buckeyes 6-13 vs. #2 Penn State (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) in Columbus. Next up: Bye week to open November.


16. Florida State Seminoles (6-1, 3-1 ACC) - The Seminoles pick up a good home win over Virginia Tech (5-3, 2-3 ACC) 30-20 to stay tied for the lead Atlantic Division of the ACC. Next up: at Georgia Tech (6-2, 3-2 ACC) in an ACC road test against a Coastal Division opponent.


17. Tulsa Golden Hurricane*** (7-0, 4-0 C-USA) - Tulsa hosts Central Florida (2-4, 1-1 C-USA) in a Sunday game of Week 8. Next up: at Arkansas (3-5, 1-4 SEC) in a key OOC test to open November.


18. Brigham Young Cougars (7-1, 3-1 MWC) - The Cougars bounce back at home with a 42-35 win over UNLV (3-5, 0-4 MWC). Next up: at Colorado State (4-4, 2-2 MWC) in an important road test in the Mountain West.
    
19. Ball State Cardinals (8-0, 4-0 MAC) - The Cardinals resume their winning ways coming off bye week with a 38-16 home win over Eastern Michigan (2-7, 1-4 MAC) in conference play. Next up: vs. Northern Illinois (5-3, 4-1 MAC) on Wednesday night in MAC West play.
    
20. Michigan State Spartans - (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) - The Spartans regrouped after disappointment vs. Ohio State in Week 8... with a solid 35-21 road win over in-state rival Michigan (2-6, 1-3 Big Ten) for the Paul Bunyan Trophy. Next up: vs. Wisconsin (4-4, 1-4 Big Ten) in a key conference battle.


21. Oregon Ducks (6-2, 4-1 Pac 10) - The Ducks pick up a solid 54-20 road win at Arizona State (2-5, 1-3 Pac 10). Next up: at California (5-2, 3-1 Pac 10) for another important Pac 10 road game.


22. North Carolina Tar Heels (6-2, 2-2 ACC) - The Tar Heels jump back into the Top 25 and back in the win column with a 45-25 home win over Boston College (5-2, 2-2 ACC)... one game back in the ACC Coastal Division. Next up: vs. Georgia Tech (6-2, 3-2) in a key division game in the ACC.


23. Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) - Coach Tim Brewster has the Golden Gophers on track in his second year as coach, benefiting from a favorable schedule. The Golden Gophers 17-6 road win at Purdue (2-6, 0-4) springs them into the Top 25 this week. Next up: vs. Northwestern (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten), who may be without their starting QB for the game with the Gophers.


24. Maryland Terrapins (6-2, 3-1 ACC) - The Terps picked up a 27-24 home win vs. North Carolina State (2-6, 0-4 ACC) to stay even with the Seminoles in the Atlantic Division. Next up: at Virginia Tech (5-3, 2-2 ACC) in a inter-division ACC game.


25. West Virginia Mountaineers (5-2, 2-0 Big East) - The Mountaineers picked up their fourth straight win with 34-17 home win over Auburn (4-4, 2-3 SEC). Next up: at UConn (6-2, 2-1 Big East) for a key road test and to defend the Mountaineers lead in the Big East race.

*** Week 9 Poll was determined prior to Tulsa's Sunday, October 26, 2008 game.

Teams Out of the Top 25 after Week 9 - South Florida Bulls (6-2, 1-2 Big East), Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (6-2, 3-2 ACC), Kansas Jayhawks (5-3, 2-2 Big 12), Northwestern Wildcats (6-2, 2-2 Big Ten), Pittsburgh Panthers (5-2, 2-1 Big East).

Team to Watch - Iowa Hawkeyes (5-3, 2-2 Big Ten) - Bye week during Week 9, the Hawkeyes lost three straight, before winning two straight to enter the bye week. All three losses came from a total of 9 points. Now, first year starting QB sophomore Ricky Stanzi has taken over for QB Jake Christensen and appears to be finding his way, with the support of junior RB Shonn Greene, the only RB in the FBS to run for at least 100 yards in each game this season. Next up: at Illinois (4-4, 2-3 Big Ten), which will test a solid Hawkeye defense.

Game of the Week - #1 Texas @ #8 Texas Tech in Lubbock...

peace