Thursday night kickoff of the 2016 College Football season

Cedar Rapids, IA -- Well, here's our projected Final 4 for the College Football Playoff, we can dream, can't we, for the 2016 College Football gods can give a little love for the home team?

• Clemson
• LSU
• Oklahoma
• Stanford or Iowa (actually, I said Washington from the Pac 12, since the 2016 Rose Bowl is history) ...

It is hard to pick two from the same conference, but with the strength throughout the Pac 12 and Big Ten, we may see a chance for the ACC and SEC will argue for two programs from the same division, as the season plays out?

Now, a look at the first kickoff in Week 1, Thursday, September 1st : 

Rankings are from Stassen.com preseason consensus polls. Forty-eight teams were picked in at least one Top 25 poll heading into the 2016 College Football season.

Popular tradition in the State of Utah:
The Beehive Boot.

• Charlotte at #21 Louisville 6:00 pm on FSN Affiliates / (ACC-RSN) - The bottom of the C-USA East travels to take on the #3 projection in the ACC Coastal ... pick the favorite!
• Maine at UConn 6:00 pm on (NESN+ / CSCA) / espn3 / ASN (affiliates) - Kirk Ferentz at Iowa got his first head coaching start at Maine in 1989. UConn coach Bob Diaco is a former Iowa player, so the Huskies should take care of business here! 
• #42 Appalachian State at #7 Tennessee 6:30 pm on SECN - Can the #1 choice in the Sun Belt upset the #7 ranked Volunteers ... is this 2007 and Ann Arbor ... we can only dream right?
• Indiana at Florida International 6:30 pm ESPNU - The Big Ten kicks off the 2016 College Football season, with two games on tap this evening. IU took care of business in Bloomington, but how will an early road test be for these Hoosiers? The Hoosiers are coming off a bowl season, for the first time, since 2007. FIU is picked #6 in the C-USA East ... 
• Rice at #41 Western Kentucky 7:00 pm on CBSSN - A conference opener against cross-division opponents in Conference USA ... Go WKU!
• South Carolina at Vanderbilt 7:00 pm on ESPN - Kickoff the 2016 SEC East season for the Gamecocks and the Commendores in Nashville ... both teams are picked by many to fight it out for the cellar in the East!
• Southern Utah at #40 Utah 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - It is the battle for the Beehive Boot tonight in Utah ... well, not quite, since Southern Utah isn't BYU, Utah or Utah State, but they are the #23 program in the FCS heading into 2016 ...
• Montana State at Idaho 8:00 pm ALT / espn3 - Could this be a FCS upset over a FBS program tonight?
• Oregon State at Minnesota 8:00 pm on BTN - One talking head over at ESPN suggests the Golden Gophers could be the #1 team in 2016 in the Big Ten West race. The Beavers are picked for the cellar again in the Pac 12 North in 2016 ... Pac 12 vs. B1G!
• South Dakota at New Mexico 8:00 pm on RSNW / RSRM - Another, FCS vs. FBS match up ...
• Jackson State at UNLV 9:00 pm on on MWC Video - The Rebels need to win games against programs only receiving votes in the FCS ...
• Presbyterian at Central Michigan 6:00 pm on espn3 - The Chippewas kickoff 2016 at home against an FCS program ...
• Tulane at Wake Forest 6:00 pm on WatchESPN - Tulane is picked last in the C-USA West, while Wake Forest is picked second to last in the ACC Atlantic ahead of Syracuse ...
• UT Martin at Cincinnati 6:00 pm on espn3 -The Bearcats are picked #3 in the AAC East heading into 2016 ...
• Weber State at Utah State 7:00 pm on MWC Video / Twitter Video - Clearly, this would be a disappointing FCS upset over a middle of the road MWC Mountain opponent ...
• William & Mary at North Carolina State 6:30 pm on WatchESPN - A #10 FCS program against an ACC Atlantic program picked #4 in the division ...

Half way point for many programs: How should we rank them?

2015 ... New Year's Eve

1. Ohio State (6-0) - sorry, but the Buckeyes have too many weapons not to keep #1
2. Utah (5-0) - The Utes are the surprise of the Pac 12, as well as all of College Football
3. Michigan State (6-0) - yes, call me a Big Ten homer, but who have the Baylor Bears played in 2015?
4. Baylor (5-0) - We may not have much respect, until November for this program?
5. Clemson (5-0) - The Tigers carry the ACC banner thus far in 2015!
6. LSU (5-0) - The Tigers lead the SEC right now ... though Texas A&M (6-0) is on the same pace!

• Texas takes out OU in the Red River Shoutout, as Charlie Strong wins first RRS!
• Michigan blanks Northwestern 38-0 to win fifth straight, after opening road loss @ Utah
• Washington State pulls out upset over Oregon in 2 OT ... how the Ducks have fallen!

Ranking the Big Ten after Week 6

1. Ohio State (2-0 B1G East)
2. Michigan State (2-0 B1G East)
3. Michigan (2-0 B1G East)
4. Iowa (2-0 B1G West)
5. Wisconsin (1-1 B1G West)
6. Penn State (2-0 B1G East)
7. Northwestern (1-1 B1G West)
8. Illinois (1-1 B1G West)
9. Nebraska (0-2 B1G West)
10. Minnesota (1-1 B1G West)
11. Rutgers (0-2 B1G East)
12. Indiana (0-2 B1G East)
13. Purdue (0-2 B1G West)
14. Maryland (0-2 B1G East)

Two coaches are fired, as North Texas (0-5) and Maryland (2-4) have taken the axes to their head coaches, after Week 6 losses. Dan McCarney is out at North Texas, while Randy Edsall is done at Maryland.

Two coaches out at Maryland as head coach as associate head coach receive the ax

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson announced Sunday that Randy Edsall has been relieved of his duties as head football coach.

“We appreciate Randy’s tireless commitment to the University of Maryland,” said Anderson. “This was a difficult decision, but ultimately this is the best course of action for our football program moving forward.”

Offensive coordinator Mike Locksley has been named the interim coach for the remainder of the season.

“Having spent more than a decade with the Maryland football program over the course of his career, I feel Mike is best suited to effectively guide our program through the remainder of the 2015 season,” Anderson said. “Mike has previous head coaching experience and is well-respected both locally and nationally.”

In addition, Assistant Head Coach/Outside Linebackers Coach, Lyndon Johnson has been relieved of his coaching duties.

What a start to the 2015 season for the Big Ten West and East ...

Week 5 of the 2015 College Football season is in the books ...

Cedar Rapids, IA -- The 2015 College Football season has completed the first five weeks of play in Year 2 of the College Football Playoff, with a great Oktoberfest first weekend in the Big Ten. How will the 2015 Big Ten race close out, now that the Big Ten has a Championship Game, as we celebrate the 120th season of conference play?

Who should be a the Top 4 in 2015?

Ohio State junior RB #15 Ezekiel Elliott is a reason the Buckeyes are a serious
candidate for a repeat in 2015 in the College Football Playoff.

1. Ohio State (5-0, 1-0 B1G East) or Michigan State (5-0, 1-0 B1G East)

2. Utah (4-0, 1-0 Pac 12 South)

3. Clemson (4-0, 1-0 ACC Atlantic)

4. LSU (4-0, 2-0 SEC West)

5. Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 Big 12)

The defending champions, the Ohio State Buckeyes are off to a 5-0 start in 2015, as are the 2nd runner-up in the Big Ten East, the Michigan State Spartans. Neither team has hit high gear, as Week 5 closes out, in the first weekend of October.

The Utah Utes are playing very well to kickoff the 2015 season, though they were idle on Saturday. They will host the Cal Bears (5-0, 2-0 Pac 12 North) in a big inter-division conference game this Saturday.

The Clemson Tigers took care of business at home over Notre Dame 24-22, on Saturday night in a prime time game against the Fighting Irish. The Tigers host Georgia Tech (2-3, 0-2 ACC Coastal) this Saturday.

In the other two spots, the LSU Tigers are in as a projected team, after taking care of business at home over Eastern Michigan. The Tigers have the best running back in College Football, with sophomore Leonard Fornette leading the ground attack. The Tigers travel to South Carolina (2-3, 0-3 SEC East) this Saturday.

The Big 12 doesn't have a title game in the conference, so while TCU (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)and Baylor (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) roll up great scores; Oklahoma has the highest quality win to open 2015. We are going to project the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12, as the top projection in 2015.

Michigan State senior QB 18 Connor Smith has the top record, among active
Big Ten starting QB, in most wins. His Spartans got off to a 21-0 start over
Purdue on Saturday, but had to hang on for a 24-21 victory to open B1G play.

The Big Ten is now into full swing with all 14 teams with one game under their belts in 2015

The B1G TWO

1. Ohio State (1-0) - The Buckeyes are 25-0 in Big Ten regular season games, under coach Urban Meyer. The only B1G loss came in the Big Ten title game in 2013. The Buckeyes host  Homecoming this Saturday, as the Maryland Terrapins (0-1) come to town, ripe for a Buckeye rebound, after the 34-27 dog fight @ Indiana on Saturday.
2. Michigan State (1-0) - The Spartans continue to get over each hurdle, which is what you should expect in College Football. Mark Dantonio is in his ninth season and lost a couple of assistant coaches, after 2014. Winning pretty isn't the key; it is winning and Dantonio has been good, since the final two games of 2012.. The Spartans opened the season @ Western Michigan (1-3), so a road trip to Rutgers (0-1) before the huge road trip to Ann Arbor should be a good tune-up for the retooling Spartans.

Huge match up in Ann Arbor this Saturday, as undefeated Northwestern comes to town!

3. Michigan (1-0) - The Wolverines are playing very well, after the opener @ Utah. Something suggests that the Wolverines could be a spoiler in 2015 and could enter the mix for the B1G East race, by season's end. Graduate transfer quarterback Jake Rudock has 14 B1G starts now, with 13 at Iowa, so it will be interesting to see how the Michigan signal caller rebounds and leads the Wolverines, as they face common opponents over the next seven games. Rutgers and Penn State will be the only two common opponents Rudock hasn't faced, as a starter.

Coach Jim Harbaugh has the Michigan
Wolverines playing very good right now.
Harbaugh has been all in with #15 Jake
Rudock at QB for the Wolverines in '15.

• Ten years ago, Penn State won a share of the Big Ten title, with Ohio State at 7-1
• Twenty years ago, it was the Northwestern Wildcats, with Pat Fitzgerald at LB
• Thirty years ago, it was the Iowa Hawkeyes, with Hayden Fry, Kirk Ferentz was a OL coach
• Forty years ago, it was the Ohio State Buckeyes
• Fifty years ago, it was the Michigan State Spartans
• Who wins the 2015 Big Ten title in football? 
• Do they finish undefeated, as the 20 and 40 year champs were?

What about the B1G West, Year 2?

Iowa @ Wisconsin leads to a 10-6 Hawkeye victory. The visitor has won seven
of the past nine games in the Heartland Trophy game. The series is 5-5, as a
Trophy game, 43-44-2 overall, as a Big Ten rivalry. Defense was the story of the day,
as Iowa QB #16 C.J. Beathard wins sixth, as a starter for Hawkeyes, fifth of 2015.

It will be a wide open race and very few expected Illinois, Iowa and Northwestern to lead, after Week 1, in conference play, correct?

However, it is far too early to guess how the B1G West race will close out, but there are some huge games heading into Week 6, the second week of October, in Big Ten play?

Illinois LEO #91 Dawauane Smoot is one of the Fighting Illini starters, in the
new 3-4 defense. The Fighting Illini won a come back victory over Nebraska
14-13, to open the season 1-0 for the first time, since the 2011 season.

• Illinois (1-0) - The Fighting Illini took care of business over Nebraska (0-1) 14-13 for the first time, as Big Ten members. The Bill Cubit era is off to a surprising 4-1 start, in some people's eyes, but a manageable schedule for the Fighting Illini. It was the second straight 4th quarter comeback for the Fighting Illini, as they head to Iowa City this Saturday, in an attempt to derail the Hawkeyes homecoming!

“I think we did a heck of a job moving the ball today. I just don’t think we did a good job of putting it in the end zone. That’s something we did last week, but this week we never gave up. Our defense didn’t give up in that last possession, and the offense never had any doubt going onto the field with that time. It was just an awesome win and I’m really happy for our guys and for the program.” - QB Wes Lunt on making the final drive count.

• Iowa (1-0) - The Hawkeyes beat Wisconsin 10-6 in a hard, defensive slugfest. It was the first win, in four games in the series. The Hawkeyes' C.J. Beathard is off to the first 6-0 start, as a starting QB (over two seasons), by a Hawkeye signal caller in 20 years, when Matt Sherman was leading Iowa, under Hayden Fry. The Hawkeyes are off to their first 5-0, since the 2009 season. In 1995, Iowa opened 5-0, but they hit a middle of the season losing streak, which ironically, included back to back losses vs. Illinois and @ Northwestern.
  Who do the Hawkeyes face in the next two weeks?

The Iowa Hawkeyes entered 2015, coming off a disappointing 7-6 season, with
zero trophies in the case. Thus far, Iowa is two for two in road games, each
trophy games, as the Hawkeyes pull out the Heartland Trophy game over
Wisconsin with a 10-6 win, in Madison. The Hawks end a three game losing streak
against the Badgers and even the trophy game record for the Heartland at 5-5.

• Northwestern (1-0) - The Wildcats may have their best team in ten seasons, under head coach Pat Fitzgerald? Twenty years ago, Fitzgerald was a linebacker leading the Wildcats defense to a Big Ten title. The next two weeks @ Michigan and vs. Iowa for Homecoming will determine a lot, about the B1G West race and the Wildcats' season. The 27-0 win over Minnesota is exactly how the Wildcats want to do it. The Wildcats won their home opener last season, as well, against Wisconsin, but hit a four game losing streak, afterwards. It was a 10-9 loss vs. Michigan, in Evanston, last season. This the first the 5-0 start, since the 2012 season for the Wildcats. The Cats are coming off back to back 5-7 seasons, but excitement is back for them.

Northwestern QB #18 Clayton Thorson is a redshirt freshman, who is off to a 5-0
start, as the Wildcats' signal caller. Huge road test on Saturday, in Ann Arbor.

Wisconsin senior OLB #58 Joe Schebert
may be the top defensive performer in the
Big Ten in 2015. It showed on Saturday.

Wisconsin (0-1) - The Badgers lost the conference opener in 2014, as well. They went on to a seven game win streak to lock up the first B1G West title. The Badgers are 3-2, with both losses against traditional two back offenses, Alabama and Iowa. The Badgers have a very good defense and nearly opened with a win over the Hawkeyes. Senior Joel Stave has been in this position before. It will be an interesting game in Lincoln against Nebraska (0-1), since it is the first time, since 1959 that the Huskers have started 2-3 for the season. First Badgers trip to Lincoln, since the 2012 season opener.

Defense was the spotlight of Iowa's 10-6 victory @ Wisconsin. The Badgers
lost the Hawkeyes, but they opened 2015, as they did in 2014, with a loss.
Defense could fuel another Badgers run in the Big Ten, with a manageable
schedule ahead for first year coach Paul Chryst at Wisconsin.

Nebraska (0-1) - The Cornhuskers lose in the final minute @ Illinois 14-13 to fall to 2-3 on the season. After seven seasons under Bo Pelini of four losses each season, the first year, under Mike Riley is one of transition and three early set backs. This is new territory, with Nebraska fans witnessing the weakest start, since 1959, back in Bill Jennings third season in Lincoln. With defending B1G West champion Wisconsin up next in Lincoln, it will not be an easy rebound for Nebraska this Saturday?

The Cornhuskers junior QB #4 Tommy Armstrong is adjusting to a new offense,
in Mike Riley's first season in Lincoln. The Honeymoon is absolutely coming to an end.

Minnesota (0-1) - The Golden Gophers open the 2015 B1G season with a 27-0 loss @ Northwestern. The loss of offense from 2014 has been the story-line throughout the first five games, as the Gophers fall to 3-2. The Gophers are back on the road again, as they open B1G play with back to back road trips. Minnesota heads to West Lafayette on Saturday to face a hungry Boilermakers squad.

Minnesota senior OLB De'Vondre Campbell is the leading
returning tackler on the Golden Gophers defense. The defense
had played hard through the non-conference, allowing the
offense opportunities, but that came to an end in B1G opener.

 Purdue (0-1) - The Boilermakers gave a strong comeback @ Michigan State, but fell short in the 24-21 loss. The Boilermakers are off to a disappointing 1-4 start in Darrell Hazell's third season. They are seeking their first win over a FBS program, but they have shown improvement at times. 

Purdue RB #8 Markell Jones is a true freshman. The Boilermakers have made
too many turnovers this season, but they have brought in new playmakers into
the program and played Minnesota strong in '14 in a 39-38 loss @ Minnesota.

The B1G East gets the buzz heading into the Big Ten in 2015

1. Ohio State
2. Michigan State
3. Michigan

The Penn State offense has struggled at times to open 2015.
Junior QB #14 Christian Hackenberg's 2nd season under
coach James Franklin has not been in sync at times.

• Penn State (1-0) - The Nittany Lions are undefeated at home, with three non-conference wins, including the 20-14 loss over Army on Saturday. The Nittany Lions opened B1G play with a solid 28-3 win over Rutgers in Week 3. Next up: vs. Indiana (0-1) in the B1G home opener. This will be the biggest test, since the road loss @ Temple in the season opener.

The Indiana defense needs to step up in B1G play. Typically, they have found
themselves in plenty of shootouts, as they seek first bowl, since 2007 season.

• Indiana (0-1) - The Hoosiers fell in the B1G home opener 34-27 against Ohio State to fall for the first time, after four non-conference wins to kickoff 2015. This is coach Kevin Wilson's fifth season in Bloomington. It was a costly game vs. the Buckeyes, as QB Nate Sudfeld and RB Jordan Howard, each came out due to ankle injuries in the competitively fought game. 

The two newest Big Ten members are struggling in their sophomore campaigns

Maryland senior DE #99 Quinton Jefferson knocks the ball loose against Michigan
QB Jake Rudock, but the finish was far different against the former Hawkeyes this year.

• Maryland (0-1) - The Terrapins fall 28-0 against Michigan at home to fall to 2-3 in the 2015 season, after a 7-6 overall record in their inaugural season of B1G football. The Terrapins are in the fifth season, under coach Randy Edsall, but the lack of production at quarterback and on offense is hurting Maryland in the second season in the B1Gs.

Rutgers sophomore QB #5 Chris Laviano against Penn State in the 28-3 B1G
opener in Week 3. It doesn't get easier in the B1G home opener, with
Michigan State coming to town. Last year's outing was a 45-3 road loss.

• Rutgers (0-1) - The Scarlet Knights enjoyed a bye week, in an early season marred by off the field issues, a suspension of fourth year coach Kyle Flood and the loss of players to rule violations. Rutgers was 8-5 overall in the inaugural season in the Big Ten.

Week 2: Thursday and Friday Night Lights in CUSA and with two in-state matchups

Thursday, September 10th 

Preview

• Louisiana Tech (1-0) at Western Kentucky (1-0) 7:00 pm on FS1 - The top two programs from each division square off in the C-USA opener for 2015. The Bulldogs made the title game last year and blew out the Hilltoppers at home last year, 59-10 with Iowa transfer Cody Sokol at quarterback. This year it is Florida transfer Jeff Driskel leading the LA Tech offense.

Friday, September 11th

C-USA vs. ACC match up in only second meeting in the new
in-state series. Miami-FL won and hosted the '13 game
34-6 to kickoff the season.

• Miami-FL (1-0) at Florida Atlantic (0-1) 7:00 pm on FS1 - The Hurricane won home opener 45-0 against Bethune-Cookman; while the Owls lost road opener at Tulsa 47-44. Miami-FL will take the less than an hour drive up North I-95 to meet the Owls in Week 2.

In the State of Utah: The Beehive Boot is the trophy.

• Utah State (1-0) at Utah (1-0) 8:00 pm on ESPN2 - It is the Battle of Brothers for the rights to the Beehive Boot in this in-state series, along with BYU. The Aggies won their opener 12-9 over Southern Utah; while the Utes won 24-17 in a prime-time game over Michigan at home last Thursday night. It is the 112th meeting in the series. Home team has won three straight in this one. Last played in 2013, in season opener, Utah won 30-26, then won @ BYU in Week 4 20-13 to win the bragging rights in the Beehive State!

2015 College Football season line up ...

College Football Eve: Thursday, September 3rd kicks of the 2015 season in CFB

Thursday, September 3rd

Little Brown Jug
Michigan vs. Minnesota

No, the Little Brown Jug will not be on the line in Week 1, but Michigan and Minnesota will be the first Big Ten teams to kickoff the 2015 College Football Season in Week 1

Michigan 5 Jabrill Peppers tackles Utah WR 2 Kenneth Scott
in last season's 26-10 win by the Utes over the Wolverines
in Ann Arbor. New season, new coach for Maize & Blue in '15.

• Michigan at Utah 7:30 pm on FS1 as the Coach Jim Harbaugh era kicks off ...

Michigan vs. Utah series 

 • This will be the fourth meeting between the Wolverines and Utes 

 • Michigan will be making its first visit to Salt Lake City and Rice-Eccels Stadium

 • Utah maintains a 2-1 advantage in the series, including victories in the past two games
(2008 and 2014)

Minnesota CB 29 Briean Boddy-Calhoun and a teammate tackle TCU QB
2 Trevone Boykin during last year's 30-7 Horned Frogs win over the Golden Gophers.

#2 TCU at Minnesota 8:00 pm on ESPN as Golden Gophers open 5th season under coach Jerry Kill ...

Minnesota junior QB
7 Mitch Leidner
leads Gophers O!

• 
  

Minnesota vs. TCU series
• TCU is the highest-ranked opponent that Minnesota will face to start the season since the Associated Press began ranking teams in 1936
• The Gophers traveled to TCU last year and the teams met at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Sept. 13, 2014. The Horned Frogs won 30-7.
• The schools are now 1-1 against one another all-time, as Minnesota won the first meeting, 9-7, on Sept. 28, 1974, in Minneapolis

Other Games to Kickoff Week 1 Thursday

• Florida International at UCF 5:00 pm on CBSSN in this CUSA vs. AAC showdown, as Knights shutout Golden Panthers on road in '13
• North Carolina vs. South Carolina (from Charlotte) 5:00 pm on ESPN - 57th meeting in this series & first neutral site game, since the 1955 season
• Oklahoma State at Central Michigan 6:00 pm on ESPNU - Chippewas are 0-4 vs. Power 5 at home, so this is a long-shot for the MAC in '15
• Alcorn at #17 Georgia Tech 6:30 pm on FSN Affiliates - The Yellow Jackets host last year's SWAC title winner in the first meeting between the FCS and FBS programs
• Villanova at UConn 6:30 pm SNY / espn3 - This is ripe for a FCS pick over the FBS, as Huskies are coming off 2-10 season against a FCS Quarter-finalist from '14
• Western Kentucky at Vanderbilt 7:00 pm on SEC Network 
• Duke at Tulane 8:30 pm on CBSSN - The Blue Devils are only 5-15 in road openers ... and lost in '64 in only previous visit to New Orleans
• UTSA at Arizona 9:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - The Wildcats won 26-23 last year on the road, in this one, so coach Rich Rodriguez needs the be ready in Tucson
• Colorado at Hawaii 11:59 pm on CBSSN - These teams combined for 2 and 4 wins in '14; and visitor is 0-4 in this series, but it is time for the Buffaloes to reverse that trend ...

• Abilene Christian at Fresno State 9:00 pm on MWC Video - First meeting, since '63, but Bulldogs are 14-2 in Bulldog Stadium openers
• Elon at Wake Forest 6:00 pm on espn3 - The Demon Deacons have never lost in this series at 9-0-1
• New Hampshire at San Jose State 9:00 pm - First meeting in this series. Spartans are 13-1 vs. FCS foes, losing in '10 to UC-Davis. New Hampshire is coming off FCS Semifinals
• Ohio U at Idaho 8:00 pm on espn3 - The visitor in this series is 0-3, but look for Frank Solich's Bobcats to reverse the trend
• Southern Utah at Utah State 8:00 pm - The Aggies are 3-0 in this series, winning 34-3 in last game in series in 2012
• Stony Brook at Toledo 6:00 pm on espn3 - First meeting in this FCS vs. FBS game, as Rockets seek to build on 17-0 record over FCS programs
• UC Davis at Nevada 9:00 pm on MWC Video - 54th meeting in this series, but 2nd game, since 1989 and first, since 2013, when Wolf Pack won 36-7
• VMI at Ball State 6:00 pm on espn3 - Pete Lembo's squad is coming off a 5-7 record last year, as they face a first time FCS opponent to kickoff the 2015 season. Cardinals are only 3-3 vs. FCS in last 6 played, but 4-0 under Lembo

Player Safety in College Football: Concussions and Recovery

The University of Iowa played the University of Northern Iowa on September  15th.  Sophomore #1 running back Damon Bullock took a blow to the head in the first half.  He left the game and did not return.  Iowa had a bye week at the beginning of October.  Bullock didn't get cleared for play, until the week of October 8th.  He is expected to play on Saturday, when Iowa travels to play #24 Michigan State in East Lansing, nearly a month later.

On Thursday, October 4th, USC traveled to Utah to play the Utes in Pac 12 play.  In the first half junior WR Robert Woods of USC took a blow to the head on a punt.  He left the field, after nearly collapsing.  He returned a play later, as ESPN reported.

The Tony Barnhart Show highlighted concussion awareness for last week's show prior to the Woods incident.  This week's show highlighted concerns over USC coach Lane Kiffin's comments, after Woods continued to play, after taking a blow to the head.

Both Tony Barnhart of CBS Sports and ESPN voiced concerns over Woods return in the ball game.  Watching the game, we would agree his return appeared to be premature.

IT'S OUT OF THE QUESTION: Was USC coach Lane Kiffin using his brain about Robert Woods injury? Link to Tom Hoffarth, columnist on the subject.

The issue of concussions in football is very serious at all levels of the sport.  Head injuries in all sports, both women's and men's, is getting more attention throughout the nation over the past year.

Thursday Night College Football: Three games better than one?

Thursday, October 4th


Arkansas State at Florida International 6:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD) / espn3 *9

East Carolina at UCF 7:00 p.m. CBSSN (HD)

#12 USC at Utah 8:00 p.m. ESPN (HD)

Last Thursday night, the Stanford @ Washington game was an outstanding game in the Pac 12 in Week 5.  But the game Friday night was a total one sided game between BYU-Hawaii.     With three games up tonight, hopefully college football fans will have something to enjoy, with games featuring conference match ups from the Sun Belt, C-USA and Pac 12.   The NFL also offers a game on Thursday night, as the old St. Louis franchise, the Arizona Cardinals (4-0) return to St. Louis to face the St. Louis Rams (2-2) on the NFL Network.  

Friday Night Football: Utah show down on the eve of Cy-Hawk series in Iowa City on Saturday.

In Iowa, Friday night football is usually reserved for high schools throughout the State.  With the advent of television, we all know that certain conferences play an occasional football game on Friday night.  This week, it's a Pac 12 vs. WAC show down.

Friday, September 7th


Utah (1-0) at Utah State (1-0) 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 (HD) / espn3

We will take the underdog in this one!  The Utah Utes are enjoying Year 2 in the Pac 12.  Utah State is typically third fiddle in the State of Utah, behind both Utah and BYU.  But, tonight a sell out crowd will likely be on hand to root for the Aggies, when the play the Utes.  The Utes can't afford to over look the Aggies, with BYU up next!

***   ***   ***

Week 2 began Thursday night, with the Cincinnati Bearcats (1-0, 1-0 Big East) taking down the Pitt Panthers (0-2, 0-1 Big East) 34-10 to open Big East play for 2012.

***   ***   ***

Saturday, September 8th will showcase a great array of games, including the Cy-Hawk Series game for 2012 between Iowa (1-0) vs. Iowa State (1-0), in Iowa City.  Other games in College Football.

It's September 1: Time for the Kickoff of the 2011 College Football season!

It should be another interesting year in College Football. Will a program emerge like Auburn last year or will we see a dominate program, like Alabama in 2009, run away with the BCS Title, as the 2011 College Football season kicks off?

• The defending Big Ten co-champion, Wisconsin Badgers, kick off the 2011 season in Madtown! Welcome, former NC State QB Russell Wilson, new #1 at UW!


• Former Iowa assistant and ISU head coach Dan McCarney kicks off his era at North Texas with a conference road game in FL!


• Will Arizona State contend for a division title in the new Pac 12?


• How strong will Mississippi State be in the top flight SEC West in 2011?


• Utah is now in the Pac 12 ... that is something to get used to!

Thursday, September 1st

National Line up tonight!

Murray State at Louisville, 5:00 p.m. on ESPNU (HD)

Drake at North Dakota, 7:00 p.m. DirecTV - 623 / FCSC (cable) - The Bulldogs are a huge underdog, but here's to them any way!

Mississippi State at Memphis, 7:00 p.m. on FSN (HD) (Click for DirecTV channels)

UNLV at Wisconsin, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3

Bowling Green at Idaho, 8:00 p.m. on ALT

Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky (Nashville), 8:15 p.m. on ESPNU (HD)

UC Davis at Arizona State, 9:00 p.m. on FSAZ (HD) / FCSP (cable)

Games not scheduled for nationally available networks

• Montana State at Utah, 7:00 p.m. on (KJZZ / Max Media) (cable) / Live Video


• New Hampshire at Toledo, 6:00 p.m. on espn3


• North Carolina Central at Rutgers, 6:30 p.m. on espn3


• North Texas at Florida International, 6:00 p.m. on espn3


• South Carolina State at Central Michigan, 6:00 p.m.


• Villanova at Temple, 6:00 p.m. on espn3


• Wake Forest at Syracuse, 7:00 p.m. on espn3


• Western Carolina at Georgia Tech, 6:30 p.m. on espn3

The first weekend will have some very good games. Tonight's top game should be Wake Forest at Syracuse, two BCS programs, but it doesn't even garner a major network broadcast. What does that say about the ACC and Big East?

Heading into the 2011 College Football season... who looks worthy and who is not for the preseason Top 25?

The first college preseason magazines are hitting the shelves for the 2011 season. The preseason magazines will get some right and get some wrong, in both directions. In 2010, Auburn and Stanford became the surprise teams of the season, while, on the flip side, Texas went from the BCS title game runner-up in 2009 to a sub .500 season under Mack Brown in Austin in 2010. Who will not make it from the Top 25 in 2010?

Over the past four seasons, Boise State has been the #1 program for winning percentage. Actually, you have to go back to 1996 to knock Boise State off as #1 program in terms of winning percentage. Since 1996, Ohio State was #1, but times may be changing in Columbus with the resignation of coach Jim Tressel on Memorial Day.

Boise State moves to the MWC in 2011, while Utah moves to the new Pac 12 and Boise State become the fourth Independent in College Football. Will Boise State knock off TCU, who is coming off an undefeated season in 2010? It should be an interesting race in 2011 in the MWC.

Auburn is the defending champion. They went from unranked in the final poll in 2009 to #1 in 2010. Are they even worthy of a Top 25 ranking, after one-season wonder, Heisman Trophy winning QB Cam Newton bolted to the NFL? As Phil Steele highlights on his web site, Auburn ranks #120 in number of returning starters for the 2011 season. They could fall from top team in SEC to near the bottom of the SEC West.

peace

The Top non-BCS Bowl of the 2010-11 College Bowl season from Las Vegas

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

Utah (10-2, 7-1 MWC) vs. Boise State (11-1, 7-1 WAC)
Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium
Dec. 22 - 7 p.m.
ESPN or ESPN3.com

ESPN has it's top broadcasting crew for what should be an outstanding bowl game from the Utah Utes from the MWC and the Boise State Broncos from the WAC. The top runner-ups from each conference square off in Las Vegas in the 2010 MAACO Bowl.

The Utes will join the Pac 10 in 2011, while the Broncos will move to the MWC, as the Utes and BYU exit. Sorry Bronco fans, our choice are the Utes from Utah.

peace

Another four days of College Football bowls,with Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg on Tuesday

Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl

Southern Mississippi (8-4, 5-3 C-USA East) vs. Louisville (6-6, 3-4 Big East)
from St. Petersburg, Fla. and Tropicana Field
Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Central Time
ESPN or ESPN3.com

Not the best bowl game of the week, which we would suggest will be Wednesday night, in the Las Vegas Bowl, when Boise State and Utah square off. Of the four bowl games between Tuesday and Christmas Eve, this is the only game spotlighting a BCS team, though it is a Big East team at that and one with a losing conference record.

If this game interests you, here are some news stories on the Beef 'O' Brady's St. Petersburg Bowl Game ...

Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl pits Southern Miss against Louisville ‎- Kansas City Star
... as the Golden Eagles will collide with the Louisville Cardinals on December 21st in the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, ...
Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl: Louisville (6-6) vs. Southern Miss (8-4) ‎ - ESPN (blog)
Bowl notebook: 2 injured players attend practice ‎ - Jackson Clarion Ledger

Despite the Golden Eagles logo, we will root for Southern Miss in this one!

Other Games this week ...

MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

Utah (10-2, 7-1 MWC) vs. Boise State (11-1, 7-1 WAC)
Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium
Dec. 22 - 7 p.m.
ESPN or ESPN3.com

S.D. County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl

Navy (9-3) vs. San Diego State (8-4, 5-3 MWC)
San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium
Dec. 23 - 7 p.m.
ESPN or ESPN3.com

Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

Hawaii (10-3, 7-1 WAC) vs. Tulsa (9-3, 6-2 C-USA West)
Honolulu at Aloha Stadium
Dec. 24 - 7 p.m.
ESPN or ESPN3.com

peace

Happy Halloween: Week 9 closes with only a few BCS teams undefeated and a new Top 25 heading into November in College Football

Happy Halloween 2010!

Only five teams remain undefeated heading into November among the 120 FBS teams. The Big Ten's (Michigan State) and the Big 12's (Missouri) last remaining undefeated team fell in Week 9 in Iowa City and Lincoln, respectively.

Only two BCS programs are undefeated overall: Oregon and Auburn! Three non-BCS programs remain undefeated with Boise State, TCU and Utah. TCU and Utah square off in Week 10.

In conference races, there are undefeated programs in conference play, as we head into November:

• Virginia Tech (6-2) is 4-0 in the ACC Coastal division


• Pittsburgh (5-3) is 3-0 in the Big East


• Central Florida (6-2) is 4-0 in the C-USA East division


• Northern Illinois (7-2) and Toledo (6-3) are both 5-0 in the MAC West division


• TCU (9-0) and Utah (8-0) are both 5-0 in the Mountain West


• Oregon (8-0) is 5-0 in the Pac 10


• Auburn (9-0) is 6-0 in the SEC West division


• Hawaii (7-2) and Boise State (7-0) is 5-0 and 3-0, respectively, in the Western Athletic

Other conference races, where one loss leads the way, heading into November:

• Florida State (6-2) is 4-1, with Maryland (6-2) and North Carolina State (6-2) both 3-1 in the ACC Atlantic division


• Nebraska (7-1) and Missouri (7-1) are both 3-1 in the Big 12 North race, but Cornhuskers own the tiebreaker right now


• Baylor (7-2) is 4-1, with Oklahoma (7-1) and Oklahoma State (7-1) both 3-1 in the Big 12 South division


• Michigan State (8-1) and Ohio State (8-1) are both 4-1 and don't face one another in the Big Ten race, while Wisconsin (7-1) and Iowa (6-2) are both 3-1


• Houston (5-3) and SMU (5-4) are both 4-1 in the C-USA West division race


• Temple (7-2), Ohio U. (6-3) and Miami (OH) (5-4) are all 4-1 in the MAC East division race


• Troy (4-3) is 3-1, with Middle Tennessee and Florida International both 2-1 in the Sun Belt

There is one division in a conference race where two losses leads the way heading into November. The SEC East is lead by South Carolina (6-2) at 4-2. None of the nations FBS Independents have fewer than three losses heading into November. Navy and Army are both 5-3, while Notre Dame is 4-5, with only three games left for the Fighting Irish.

CIDSports Top 25 after Week 9

1. Oregon (8-0, 5-0 Pac 10) 1 - Clearly playing outstanding football during the 2010 College Football season and control their own destiny. Week 9: Won 53-32 @ USC (5-3, 2-3 Pac 10). Next: vs. Washington (3-5, 2-3 Pac 10) in Week 10.


2. Auburn (9-0, 6-0 SEC West) 4 - It's time to give coach Gene Chizik and the Tigers the credit they deserve as the only remaining BCS and SEC program undefeated. Week 9: Won 51-31 @ Ole Miss (3-5, 1-4 SEC West). Next: vs. Chattanooga (5-3, 4-2 Southern), a FCS program, in OOC play in November.


3. Boise State (7-0, 3-0 WAC) 2 - Sorry Broncos' fans, but Oregon and Auburn each deserve a higher ranking based on conference schedule and overall play on the field. Two bye weeks are nice! Week 9: Won on Tuesday night 49-20 vs. Louisiana Tech (3-5, 2-2 WAC). Next: vs. #24 Hawaii (7-2, 5-0 WAC) in Week 10, against a program they are 8-1 and undefeated at home vs. Warriors.


4. TCU (9-0, 5-0 MWC) 3 - The Horned Frogs lost two games in '08, one in '09, so can they continue to trend throughout '10? Week 9: Won 48-6 @ UNLV (1-7, 1-3 MWC). Next: @ #6 Utah (8-0, 5-0 MWC) in the MWC showdown of the year. The away team is 1-4 during this series in the conference.


5. Alabama (7-1, 4-1 SEC West) 5 - We do have the Crimson Tide the Top One Loss program, despite there disappointing loss at South Carolina earlier in the season. Week 9: Bye week. Next: @ #11 LSU (7-1, 4-1 SEC West) in a game that will likely knock out the loser in the SEC West race.


6. Utah (8-0, 5-0 MWC) 6 - The Utes opened the season at home with Pitt and now they have the biggest conference home game coming up in Week 10. Week 9: Won 28-23 @ Air Force (5-4, 3-3 MWC). Next: vs. #4 TCU (9-0, 5-0 MWC), in a game last year the Utes were blown out 28-55.


7. Wisconsin (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) 9 - Only loss was in the Big Ten opener @ Michigan State. Week 9: Bye week. Next: @ Purdue (4-4, 2-2 Big Ten) against a team in year two under coach Danny Hope that is banged up from a physical standpoint, due to injuries.


8. Ohio State (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) 10 - The Buckeyes haven't lost more than one game in conference play, since '05. This year, the loss was first road game in Big Ten @ Wisconsin. Week 9: Won 52-10 @ Minnesota (1-8, 0-5 Big Ten). Next: Bye week, before final three weeks of vs. Penn State, @ Iowa and vs. Michigan.


9. Oklahoma (7-1, 3-1 Big 12 South) 12 - The Sooners are playing some young freshmen this year and have only one blemish, a road loss @ Missouri in Week 8. Week 9: Won 43-10 back home in Norman over Colorado (3-5, 0-4 Big 12 North). Next: @ Texas A&M (5-3, 2-2 Big 12 South), in a key road test.


10. Nebraska (7-1, 3-1 Big 12 North) 13 - The Cornhuskers are in the driver's seat in the Big 12 North, with only a disappointing home loss vs. Texas in Week 8. Week 9: Won 31-17 vs. then #8 Missouri (7-1, 3-1 Big 12 North). Next: @ Iowa State (5-4, 3-2 Big 12 North), against a team that pulled out a 9-7 upset win in Lincoln last year, under coach Paul Rhoads now in his second season for the Cyclones.


11. LSU (7-1, 4-1 SEC West) 11 - The Tigers don't get a lot of respect, but on the field they didn't get it done @ Auburn in conference play. Week 9: Bye week, after first loss @ Auburn. Next: vs. #5 Alabama (7-1, 4-1 SEC West).


12. Stanford (7-1, 4-1 Pac 10) 14 - The Cardinal need help in Pac 10 play, since Oregon is rolling and gave Stanford it's lone loss. Week 9: Won 41-0 @ Washington (3-5, 2-3 Pac 10). Next: vs. #13 Arizona (7-1, 4-1 Pac 10).


13. Arizona (7-1, 4-1 Pac 10) 16 - Despite a loss against Oregon State, the Wildcats can get to the Rose Bowl, if they can win out in the Pac 10. Week 9: Won 29-21 @ UCLA (3-5, 1-4 Pac 10). Next: @ #12 Stanford (7-1, 4-1 Pac 10), in the game that will likely determine, if Oregon is in a race in the Pac 10.


14. Iowa (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) 17 - The Hawkeyes two losses @ Arizona and vs. Wisconsin can be highlighted by poor special teams play. Week 9: Won 37-6 at home over former #7 Michigan State (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) to knock out the Big Ten's final undefeated team. Next: @ Indiana (4-4, 0-4 Big Ten), where Iowa has won 5 of the last 7 in series.


15. Michigan State (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) 7 - The Spartans don't play Ohio State this season, but the Hawkeyes put a dent in the Spartan armour. Week 9: Lost 6-37 @ former #17 Iowa (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten). Next: vs. Minnesota (1-8, 0-5 Big Ten) at home to clean up things.


16. Oklahoma State (7-1, 3-1 Big 12 South) 18 - The Cowboys are playing far better than some thought they would heading into 2010. Week 9: Won 24-14 @ Kansas State (5-3, 2-3 Big 12 North). Next: vs. Baylor (7-2, 4-1) for a huge division game, something the Bears haven't encountered typically during the history in the Big 12. Next: vs. #t25 Baylor (7-2, 4-1 Big 12) that will determine plenty in the Big 12 South race.


17. Missouri (7-1, 3-1 Big 12 North) 8 - The Tigers picked up a nice home win over Oklahoma, but the game in Lincoln knocks the Tigers back in the Big 12 North. Week 9: Lost 17-31 @ then # 13 Nebraska (7-1, 3-1 Big 12 North) to close out the conference history with the Cornhuskers on a familiar note. Next: @ Texas Tech (4-4, 2-4 Big 12 South).


18. Mississippi State (7-2, 3-2 SEC West) 19 - The Bulldogs only blemishes are vs. Auburn and @ LSU. Week 9: Won 24-17 vs. Kentucky (4-5, 1-5 SEC East). Next: Bye week before hitting the road @ Alabama, against the defending BCS champ.


19. Arkansas (6-2, 3-2 SEC West) 20 - The Razorbacks only blemishes are vs. Alabama and @Auburn. Week 9: Won 49-14 vs. Vanderbilt (2-6, 1-4 SEC East). Next: @ South Carolina (6-2, 4-2 SEC East), in a game that the Razorbacks could real play the role of spoiler.


20. South Carolina (6-2, 4-2 SEC East) 22 - The Gamecocks and coach Steve Spurrier have an opportunity to win their first SEC division title in the SEC this season. Can they keep the wheels going in this race? Week 9: Won 38-24 vs. Tennessee (2-6, 0-5 SEC East). Next: vs. #19 Arkansas (6-2, 3-2 SEC West), in a huge inter-SEC game that has a huge impact on the East race.


21. Virginia Tech (6-2, 4-0 ACC Coastal) 21 - The Hokies are the only remaining team in conference play undefeated, after a dismal start in 2010, the Hokies have won six straight. Week 9: Bye week. Next: vs. Georgia Tech (5-3, 3-2 ACC Coastal).


22. North Carolina State (6-2, 3-1 ACC Atlantic) 24 - Coach Tom O'Brien is a good coach and picked up a big Thursday night win in conference play to close out October. Week 9: Won 28-24 vs. former #15 Florida State (6-2, 4-1 ACC Atlantic). Next: @ Clemson (4-4, 2-3 ACC Atlantic)


23. Florida State (6-2, 4-1 ACC Atlantic) 15 - The Seminoles are enjoying their first season under new coach Jimbo Fisher. Week 9: lost 24-28 @ then #24 North Carolina State (6-2, 3-1 ACC Atlantic). Next: vs. North Carolina (5-3, 2-2 ACC Coastal) for Homecoming in Tallahassee.


24. Hawaii (7-2, 5-0 WAC) nr - The Rainbows lead the WAC and have a huge opportunity in November to make some major noise. Week 9: Won 45-10 on Homecoming vs. Idaho (4-4, 1-2 WAC). Next: @ #3 Boise State (7-0, 3-0 WAC) in a huge game with national ramifications, as well as impact in conference play.


25. (tied) Baylor (7-2, 4-1) nr - The Bears lead the Big 12 South, with only three games remaining. Could history be written in 2010? Week 9: Won 30-22 @ Texas (4-4, 2-3 Big 12 South). Next: @ #16 Oklahoma State (7-1, 3-1 Big 12 South) in even a bigger road game in back to back weeks for Bears.
    
    (tied) Nevada (7-1, 2-1 WAC) 25 - The Wolf Pack only lost was at Hawaii in conference play. Week 9: Won 56-42 vs. Utah State (2-6, 0-4 WAC). Next: @ Idaho (4-4, 1-2 WAC).

Out of the Top 25 after Week 9: former #23 Miami (FL) (5-3, 3-2 ACC Coastal) lost 19-24 to Virginia (4-4, 1-3 ACC Coastal).

We head into November with some outstanding races ahead. Will a non-BCS program get into the BCS Title Game this season? Will the Pac 10 and SEC allow one to get through the season unblemished?

peace

Oregon 60, UCLA 13 in Thursday night College Football in the Pac 10

#2 Oregon certainly has an offense today, in contrast to the performance in Boise in the 2009 season opener. After Thursday night's performance in Eugene, it may be getting harder and harder to not vote Oregon #1 right now in College Football.

Why Oregon will beat UCLA on Thursday - ‎ESPN (blog)
This week the Oregon Ducks will play their first-ever game as AP No. 1, but don't expect the Ducks' stay at No. 1 to be short-lived. Since No. ...
No. 1 Ducks romp over UCLA 60-13 ‎ - The Associated Press

Interesting to see that Colorado and Utah will be joining both Arizona and Arizona State in the same division of the Pac 10, soon to be Pac 12. The Pac 8 has come a long way and it is a little interesting that the four newest members are all in the same division ...

Conference reveals two-division setup for football as Pac-12 - The Statesman Journal
It's a whole new world in the Pac-10, er, Pac-12 Conference ...

peace

Week 5 in in the Books: Here's a look at the Top 25 and the Top 3 conferences: SEC, Big Ten and Pac Ten

The 2010 College Football season is off to an interesting start, as Week 5 concludes, after the first weekend in October. Conference Standings for 2010.

• Alabama remains on top of the College Football world, after a solid win in the SEC inter-division play over Florida ...


• Ohio State opens sluggishly in Big Ten play on the road @ Illinois ...


• Oregon remains the top program in the Pac 10, but where is the defense in the conference, again?


• Oklahoma beat Texas to win the Red River Rivalry for the first time, since the 2006 season!


• TCU and Utah are the Top 2 programs in the MWC, as Horned Frogs open conference play in Week 5 ...


• Boise State opens WAC play with a blowout on the road ...


• 4-1 is the best an ACC program can show for thus far, while 3-1 is the best a Big East program can show for through Week 5


• No teams are undefeated as Independents or as members of the C-USA, MAC or Sun Belt conferences through Week 5.

Our CIDsports Top 25 after Week 5 ...

1. Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC West) 1 - The Crimson Tide roll over former #6 Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC East) 31-6 to remain unbeaten. Next: the defending BCS national champions will travel to #16 South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC East), who are coming off a bye week, after Gamecocks first loss, for a key SEC inter-division match up in Week 6. Last loss: vs. Utah in '08 season in the 2009 Sugar Bowl, 17-31.


2. Ohio State (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) 2 - The Buckeyes didn't appear real excited in the Big Ten opener and first road game of the season in a 24-13 win @ Illinois (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten). Next: vs. Indiana (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten), who blew another game, losing 17Th straight, with a 35-42 loss vs. then #25 Michigan at home. Last loss: @ Purdue in game 7 in '09, 18-26.


3. Boise State (4-0, 1-0 WAC) 3 - The Broncos open WAC play on the road, with a 59-0 win @ New Mexico State (0-4, 0-1). Next: vs. Toledo (3-2, 2-0 MAC West), in the final OOC game of the season against one the better MAC teams. Will the MAC gain some respect here? Last loss: vs. TCU in '08 season in the 2008 in the 2008 Poinsettia, 16-17.


4. TCU (5-0, 1-0 MWC) 4 - The Horned Frogs open MWC play with a solid 27-0 road win @ Colorado State (1-4, 0-1). Next: vs. Wyoming (2-3, 0-1 MWC) in the conference home opener for the Horned Frogs. Last loss: vs. Boise State in the '09 season in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl, 10-17.


5. Oregon (5-0, 2-0 Pac 10) 5 - The Ducks roll on offense in a 52-31 win over then #12 Stanford (4-1, 1-1 Pac 10). Next: @ Washington State (1-4, 0-2 Pac 10), who is coming off a 28-48 loss @ UCLA (3-2, 1-1 Pac 10). Last loss: vs. Ohio State in the '09 season in the 2010 Rose Bowl, 17-26.


6. Oklahoma (5-0, 1-0 Big 12 South) 7 - The Sooners win the Red River Rivalry over then #18 Texas (3-2, 1-1 Big 12 South) 28-20 in Dallas. Next: Bye week, before another Big 12 game vs. Iowa State (3-2, 1-1 Big 12 South), who took care of Texas Tech (2-2, 0-1 Big 12 South) 52-38 at home in Jack Trice Stadium. Last loss: @ Texas Tech in the '09 season in game 11, 13-41.


7. Utah (4-0, 2-0 MWC) 8 - The Utes are the second MWC program in the Top 10 in our book. Are they capable of becoming the sleeper among the top non-BCS programs in '10? Next: coming off a bye week and a 56-3 win over San Jose State in Week 4, the Utes continue OOC play @ Iowa State (3-2, 1-1 Big 12 South), in a series that will be one and done, since ISU canceled this past week the game scheduled in 2011 at Utah. Last loss: OT loss @ BYU in the final regular season game in '09, 23-26.


8. LSU (5-0, 3-0 SEC West) 11 - The Tigers are taking care of business and pull out an exciting 16-14 win over Tennessee (2-3, 0-2 SEC East) in SEC inter-division play. Next: @ #15 Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC East) in another key SEC inter-division match up. Last loss:


9. Auburn (5-0, 2-0 SEC West) 13 - The Tigers pick up a 52-3 OOC win over Louisiana-Monroe (1-3, 0-1 Sun Belt). Next: @ Kentucky (3-2, 0-2 SEC East) in a SEC inter-division game. Last loss: vs. Alabama in the final regular season game of '09, 21-26.


10. Nebraska (4-0) - Sorry Cornhusker fans... bye week in Week 5 and 17-3 win over FBS South Dakota State (0-4, 0-2 MVfC) in Week 4; who lost 14-24 to Northern Iowa (2-2, 2-0 MVfC) in Week 5, costs the Cornhuskers a place in the Top 10, along with a loss by former #10 Wisconsin. Next: a Thursday night Big 12 opener @ division leading Kansas State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12 North), who also enjoyed a bye week in Week 5. Last loss: vs. Texas in the '09 in the 2009 Big 12 title game, 12-13.


11. Miami (FL) (3-1, 1-0 ACC Coastal) 14 - The Hurricane win ACC opener on the road 30-21 @ Clemson (2-2, 0-1 ACC Atlantic). Next: vs. #18 Florida State (4-1, 2-0 ACC Atlantic) in a huge conference opener in ACC inter-division play. Last loss: @ #2 Ohio State in Week 2 by the score of 24-36.


12. Arkansas (3-1, 1-1 SEC West) 15 - The Razorbacks are coming off a bye week, after the Week 4 home loss vs. #1 Alabama 20-24. Next: @ Texas A&M (3-1, 0-1 Big 12 South), who are coming off a tough 35-38 loss @ Oklahoma State in Big 12 opener. Last loss: vs. #1 Alabama in Week 4.


13. Arizona (4-0, 1-0 Pac 10) 16 - The Wildcats are coming off a bye week, after a Week 4 Pac 10 opening home win 10-9 vs. California (2-2, 0-1 Pac 10). Does defense win championships in the Pac 10? Next: vs. Oregon State (2-2, 1-0 Pac 10), who won 31-28 in Pac 10 opener at home vs. Arizona State (2-3, 0-2 Pac 10). Last loss: vs. Nebraska in '09 in the 2009 Holiday Bowl, 0-33.


14. Iowa (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) 17 - The Hawkeyes beat then #21 Penn State on Homecoming 24-3 to win third straight in series and 8 of 10 for coach Kirk Ferentz during his 12 years as head coach. Next: bye week to get healthy, then @ Michigan (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) in Week 7. Last loss: @ #13 Arizona in Week 3, 27-34, after a poor first half of play for Iowa on the road.


15. Florida (4-1, 2-1 SEC East) 6 - The Gators lost @ #1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC West) 6-31 to fall for the first time in '10, after losing to Alabama 13-32 in the 2009 SEC title game. Next: vs. #8 LSU (5-0, 3-0 SEC West), in a huge SEC inter-division match up. Last loss: @ #1 Alabama in Week 5.


16. South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC East) 20 - The Gamecocks are coming off a big bye week. Next: vs. #1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC West) in a huge SEC inter-division match up. Last loss: @ #9 Auburn (5-0, 2-0 SEC West) in Week 4, 27-35.


17. Michigan State (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) 22 - The Spartans open Big Ten play with a solid 34-24 win over then #10 Wisconsin (4-1, 0-1 Big Ten), despite coach Mark Dantonio's absence. Dantonio was hospitalized for a blood clot, following a recent mild attack. Next: @ #21 Michigan (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten), in a huge Big Ten match up. Last loss: vs. Texas Tech in the 2009 Alamo, 31-41.


18. Florida State (4-1, 2-0 ACC Atlantic) 23 - The Seminoles won @ Virginia (2-2, 0-1 ACC Coastal) 34-14 to take lead in their ACC division. Next: @ #11 Miami (FL) (3-1, 1-0 Coastal), in a series where there have been five straight upsets, with visitor winning four straight. Last loss: @ #6 Oklahoma in Week 2.


19. Stanford (4-1, 1-1 Pac 10) 12 - The Cardinal lost 31-52 @ #5 Oregon (5-0, 2-0 Pac 10) to fall back in the Pac 10 race for the Rose Bowl. Next: vs. USC (4-1, 1-1 Pac 10), in a series where the home team has lost four straight. Stanford won 55-21 last year @ USC. Last loss: @ #5 Oregon in Week 5.


20. Wisconsin (4-1, 0-1 Big Ten) 10 - The Badgers fall 24-34 @ then #22 Michigan State (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten). Next: vs. Minnesota (1-4, 0-1 Big Ten), as the Badgers look to rebound in the battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. Last loss: @ #17 Michigan State in Week 5.


21. Michigan (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) 25 - The Wolverines win the 17Th straight game vs. the Hoosiers in a 42-35 win @ Indiana (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) to open conference play. Next: vs. #17 Michigan State (5-0, 1-0 Big 12), as coach Rich Rodriguez looks to win first game in the MSU series, after a 21-35 loss in '08 and 20-26 OT loss on road in '09. Last loss: @ Ohio State to close out '09 regular season, 10-21.


22. Nevada (5-0) NR - The Wolf Pack win the battle for Nevada with a 44-26 OOC win over UNLV (1-4, 0-1 MWC). Next: vs. San Jose State (1-4) to open WAC play for '10. Last loss: vs. SMU in '09 in the 2009 Hawaii, 10-45.


23. Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12 South) NR - The Cowboys won 38-35 over Texas A&M (3-1, 0-1 Big 12 South) at home to open Big 12 play in the South. Next: @ Louisiana-Lafayette (2-2, 2-1 Sun Belt), for the first road game of the year for the Cowboys.


24. Air Force (4-1, 2-0 MWC) NR - The Falcons end a seven game losing streak in the series with a 14-6 win vs. Navy (2-2). Next: vs. Colorado State (1-4, 0-1 MWC), as the Falcons return to MWC play. Last loss: @ #6 Oklahoma in Week 3.


25. Northwestern (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) NR - The Wildcats pull off a 29-28 win @ Minnesota (1-4, 0-1 Big Ten) to open conference play. The Wildcats have three wins on the road in '10. Next: vs. Purdue (2-2), who is coming off a bye week. Last loss: vs. Auburn in '09 in the 2010 Outback, 35-38 in OT.

Out of the Top 25 after Week 5: Former #18 Texas (3-2, 1-1 Big 12 South), lost 20-28 in Red River Rivalry to Oklahoma in Dallas; former #19 USC (4-1, 1-1 Pac 10), lost 31-32 vs. Washington (2-2, 1-0 Pac 10); former #21 Penn State (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten), lost 3-24 @ then # 17 Iowa; former #24 North Carolina State (4-1, 1-1 ACC Atlantic), lost 30-41 vs. Virginia Tech (3-2, 2-0 ACC Coastal).

Big East - Conference play begins in Week 6 with a couple of conference match ups: Syracuse (3-1) @ South Florida (3-1), while UConn (3-2) @ Rutgers (2-2). Others are still playing out of confence for one more week. Pittsburgh (2-2) @ Notre Dame (2-3) in Week 6. West Virginia (3-1), Louisville (2-2) and Cincinnati (1-3) all play non-BCS opponents in Week 6.

Independents - Does BYU (1-4, 0-1 MWC) really want to join this group? They would be dead last, if they were currently an Independent, with Army (3-2), Navy (2-2) and Notre Dame (2-3). Army lost vs. Temple (4-1, 1-0 MAC East) 35-42 in Week 5. Navy lost vs. Air Force (4-1, 2-0 MWC) 6-14 in Week 5, while Notre Dame won on the road 31-13 @ Boston College (2-2, 0-1 ACC Atlantic).

C-USA - East Carolina (2-2) is 2-0 in the East Division to lead, but was hammered 17-42 in Week 5 @ North Carolina (2-2, 0-1 ACC Coastal). Next: @ Southern Miss (4-1, 1-0 C-USA East) in a division showdown. Houston (3-1) and SMU (3-2) lead West Division at 2-0. Next: Houston vs. Mississippi State (3-2, 1-2 SEC West) in OOC play, while SMU vs. Tulsa (3-2, 1-1 SEC West) in a division showdown.

MAC - Miami (OH) (3-2) leads the MAC East at 2-0 after Week 5, with 27-21 win over Kent State (1-3, 0-1 MAC East). Next: Miami (OH) @ Cincinnati (1-3), in OOC play. In the MAC West, Toledo (3-2) leads the division at 2-0, but lost 15-20 vs. Wyoming (2-3, 0-1 MWC). Next: @ #3 Boise State (5-0, 1-0 WAC), as they hope to pull off the major upset in non-BCS football in '10.

Sun Belt - Middle Tennessee (2-2) and Troy (2-2) are in the lead at 1-0. Next: On Tuesday, for an ESPN2 game at 7 p.m., Central Time, Troy @ Middle Tennessee for the lead in the Sun Belt Conference.

Early Games for Week 6

Tuesday, October 5Th

• Troy at Middle Tennessee
  7:00 p.m.
  ESPN2 (HD)

Wednesday, October 6Th

• UAB at Central Florida
  7:00 p.m.
  ESPN (HD)

Thursday, October 7Th

• #10 Nebraska at Kansas State
  6:30 p.m.
  ESPN (HD)
  
  Friday, October 8Th
  
• Connecticut at Rutgers
  6:30 p.m.
  ESPN (HD)


• #23 Oklahoma State at Louisiana-Lafayette
  8:00 p.m.
  ESPN2 (HD)

peace

Football Begins Tonight with Buckeyes, Cyclones and Utes among the many teams kicking off the 2010 College Football season

It's Labor Day Weekend and the Kickoff of the 2010 College Football season begins Thursday with several match ups on TV and otherwise (Times are Central Time) ...

Top Game of the Day:

#22 Pittsburgh @ #13 Utah, 7:30 p.m, Versus (HD)

Look for a solid game in a rematch of the 2005 Fiesta Bowl: look for the Utes to likely pull it off at home! Utes by 4.

Iowa State opens at Jack Trice:

Northern Illinois @ Iowa State, 6:30 p.m.
(CSNC / CSNBA / FSN affiliates) (HD)

The Cyclones begin their second season under Coach Paul Rhoads in a tough MAC vs. Big 12 North match up. The Cyclones should win this one, but NIU is more than capable. Look for a 30-26 Cyclone victory to open the 2010 season!

BCS upset alert on EPSNU?

Minnesota @ Middle Tennessee, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU (HD)

Prior to the suspension of the Middle Tennessee #1 QB, this game had upset written all over it. Look for the new look Gophers to pull this one out on the road for the Big Ten's first road win of the year. Minnesota 30 Middle Tennessee 20

#2 Ohio State opens in Columbus on BTN

Marshall @ #2 Ohio State, 6:30 p.m.

The Buckeyes should score and dominate Marshall in the opener. Our Pick: Ohio State 38, Marshall 9

Big Ten Network also has IU on!

Towson @ Indiana, 6:30 p.m.

The Hoosiers should win vs. Towson, who played at Northwestern in '09. Look for the Pistol offense to score and the Hoosier defense to hold Towson in check. Hoosiers 45, Towson 17

SEC vs. C-USA match up to open season

Southern Miss @ South Carolina, 6:30 p.m., ESPN (HD)

The Ole Ball Coach Steve Spurrier should have South Carolina ready, despite the NCAA agent issues impacting a Gamecock player. Gamecocks by 13.

What does USC have to play for in 2010?

USC (on probation) @ Hawaii, 10:00 p.m., ESPN (HD)

Coach Lane Kiffin begins his era at USC with little to play for in his first two seasons, due to probation. Will the Trojans be motivated week in and week out? This Pac Ten vs. WAC contest will close out Day 1 of the 2010 College Football season on ESPN! Our pick: USC

Other Games for Thursday, September 2nd

• North Dakota at Idaho, 9:00 p.m., ALT
• Eastern Washington at Nevada, 8:00 p.m.
• Florida A&M at #11 Miami-FL, 6:30 p.m., espn3.com
• Florida Atlantic at UAB, 7:00 p.m.
• Hampton at Central Michigan, 6:00 p.m.
• Murray State at Kent State, 6:00 p.m.
• Norfolk State at Rutgers, 6:30 p.m., espn3.com
• Presbyterian at Wake Forest, 5:30 p.m., espn3.com
• Rhode Island at Buffalo. 6:00 p.m., Time-Warner (cable)
• Southeast Missouri State at Ball State, 6:00 p.m.
• Southeastern at Tulane, 7:00 p.m.

peace