Seen 'em all – 132 FBS teams in action. Two newest to be added. All divisions: 681 games since 1979! Get my new book now available on Amazon.com in Kindle and in Paperback: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly! Featuring essays: "Vision of the Future" and "For the Love of the Game."
Austin, Texas – The Texas vs. Texas Tech game ticket prices fall way out of our budget this Friday, but a game at Troy next week will compensate. In retrospect on Saturday morning, great call. $150 plus fee proved to be a waste of money and time to see Texas destroy Texas Tech, 57-7. Even if Arch Manning got to play.
Troy lies in wait
Still have South Alabama (6-5, 4-3) at Texas State (6-5, 3-4) for Saturday night in a battle for better bowl games. Already for Saturday, December 2, we’re looking good for the Sun Belt Championship when the Troy Trojans (9-2,6-1), winners of the SBC West, will host the winner of the SBC East. That will be determined this Saturday. Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina will provide the competition. With 5-2 SBC records, if both win, CCU gets the edge based on their 27-24 win over Appy earlier this season. ASU has the easier task today though Georgia Southern is no SBC light weight. On the other hand, CCU hosts James Madison, fuming after their first loss of the year to Appalachian State. Troy played neither in the regular season.
Looking back lasts season, we rate Troy’s garnet and black uniforms among the best we’d seen.
Is James Franklin reading this website?
Penn State (10-2) destroyed Michigan State, 42-0, last night. Maybe his promotion of two coaches as co-offensive coordinators paid off, or else he read our comments regarding the Michigan loss we attended. Granted, he fired former OC Mike Yurcich after the loss. On the other hand, right from the start against the Spartans, we noted Drew Allar looking off his receivers and finding his receiving corps open. Early on, even the broadcasting team of Brian Griese and Noah Eagle called out “play action” on several occasions throughout the game. The two deficiencies pointed out here after both the Illinois and Michigan PSU games we attended, showed well in the big win last night. Too bad, the same weren’t display against the Buckeyes or the Wolverines this season. We believe the results would have been different.
Bucket List!
In addition, plans are being considered to attend this year’s FCS title game in Frisco Texas on January 6. FCS playoffs get underway this weekend. The Top Four seeds entering play include South Dakota State, Montana, South Dakota and Idaho. The FCS championship game is on our Bucket List which we share in our book Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to get your copy today!
Bowl bids
A couple of other options we’ll consider in the post season. If Liberty finishes undefeated and Toledo finishes with their one-loss record, if they meet in the Camellia Bowl, that might become a priority. If Penn State meets Alabama in the Orange Bowl or Peach Bowl, we may have to re-think our attendance at the FCS and at the Music City this upcoming bowl season.
Victor Venn fights and twists in to end zone for a 21-10 lead for Liberty in their victory over WKU this season.
Murfreesboro, TN – On a brilliant, sunny afternoon to play football, the MTSU Blue Raider “O” stayed ahead of the UTEP Miners over the course of the game, but the visitors’ “O” came back to tie the score on three different occasions. Not until 37 seconds remained to play did a Blue Raider stop of a Miner scoring threat on fourth down settle the score for a 34-30 victory for the home team. Both teams capitalized to score after turnovers. However, long, exciting scoring plays highlighted play for both teams in this game. MTSU QB Nick Vittiato passed for 242 yards on 18-of-35 passing while running for 100 yards on 14 carries. He threw for two TDs and one INT. UTEP QB Cade McConnell finished with 24 of 41 for 364 yards passing, two TDs and an interception. He misfired badly on the critical interception.
Offensive bout from the start
Raider RB Frank Peasant (24) scores game’s first TD.
UTEP (3-8, 2-5) fumbled the ball away on its opening series to give the Raiders the ball at the UTEP 48. Frank Peasant ran it in for a nine-yard score. The Miners got their offensive act together with a 75-yard scoring drive. McConnell hit WR Kelly Akharaiyi (six catches for 138 yards and two TDs) who made a beautiful over the shoulder catch before going out of bounds in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown grab to tie. The Blue Raiders (4-7, 3-4) responded with a 62-yard catch and run by wide-open WR Holden Willis down the right sideline to reclaim the lead. UTEP completed a 43-yard pass to Torrance Burgess on its next series, but to no avail, and punted. However, they backed the Raiders deep in their own territory.
The Raiders stay in front, but…
Torrance Burgess (5) returns punt for UTEP Miners to tie score, 14-14.
In the second period, UTEP forced MTSU to punt from its 11. The trajectory was low, and Burgess, the returner, took advantage as the ball beat the Raider punt team down field to give him a running start. He charged up field and then crossed over to the far left pylon escorted by his blockers for a 54-yard touchdown. UTEP knotted the score, 14-14. On the ensuing Blue Raider series, they lined up to punt from their 33 on a fourth and two. Instead, the snap went directly to blocking back Jordan Branch, a 290-lb defensive tackle. It was recognized later as the Play of the Game. He rumbled 24 yards for the first down to the Miner 43. MTSU continued to drive. Vittiato connected with Willis (six catches, 105 yards, two TDs) on a crossing pattern this time for a 17-yard touchdown.
Blue Raider WR Holden Willis grabs pass enroute for 17-yard score.
The sunny day seemed to affect the Miners several times this day. On the ensuing kickoff, the ball bounced off Caden Harris’s chest to be recovered by the Raiders at the UTEP 18. The Miners held the Raiders out of the end zone. MTSU had to settle for Zack Rankin’s 38-yard field goal to extend their lead, 24-14. Late in the first half, the Miners took possession on their 15-yard line. A roughing the passer call moved the Miners to the MTSU 37. A screen pass to Deion Hankins put UTEP on the two. From there, Hankins ran it over for the final score of the first half to trail, 24-21.
Blue Raider Dance Team performs at Halftime.
The Miners pick their way back
The third period started similar to the first on the opening possession. An out pass to Harris was fumbled, and UTEP recovered at the 24. At 11:51 into the half, Buzz Flabiano booted a 33-yard FG to tie the score once again, 24-24. It didn’t take the Blue Raiders long to recover though. Five plays later, Vittiato connected with Zack Dobson on the right sideline for a 56-yard touchdown. The two teams exchanged turnovers before the third expired with MTSU in the lead, 31-24.
Zack Dobson cruises down field for long, Blue Raider scoring play.
To start the final period, the Raiders called on Rankin to extend their lead with a 24-yard field goal. UTEP responded right away on their next possession following a procedure penalty. A screen pass left to Akharaiyi went the length of the field for an 80-yard touchdown. However, the PAT was missed. With 14:32 left and trailing by four instead of three, it changed the nature of the game for the Miners. They turned the ball over on downs at the MTSU 43. They forced a Blue Raider punt, and they started from their 12. DB Marvae Myers stopped their drive when McConnell threw the ball directly into his chest with no Miner receiver any where near him. The next MTSU possession resulted with a punt at the UTEP 37.
Miner WR Kelly Akharaiyi outdistances everyone on this 80-yard score on a screen pass.
Raider D rises to the final occasion
Starting from their 20 following a touchback, UTEP moved the ball out to the 45 for a fourth and six. A pass to Akharaiyi kept them in business at the MTSU 43. They gained only eight yards on three plays. On fourth and two at the Raider 37, McConnell’s got sacked with 37 seconds remaining. Middle Tennessee (4-7, 3-4) went into victory formation on its last play to take the victory in the final home game of their season, 34-30.
As shadows creep in, Raider D finally puts a stop to the day’s scoring on this fourth down with 37 seconds left to play.
Next, Texas for Thanksgiving!
The two teams finish at extreme opposites in Conference USA play next week. MTSU visits FBS newcomer Sam Houston State sitting at the bottom at C-USA. UTEP returns home to host first place Liberty (11-0, 7-0) ranked No. 22 in the AP poll. Collegefootballfan.com also travels to Texas this weekend to see two games, but neither of these. On Friday night, we plan to be in Austin to see No. 7 Texas (10-1, 7-1) host Texas Tech (6-5, 5-3). On Saturday night, we will be at a Sun Belt West finale between South Alabama (6-5, 4-3) and the Texas State Bobcats (6-5, 3-4) in San Marcos for our Thanksgiving weekend double-header.
Oxford, OH – The Miami Red Hawks relied on it strong defense and two touchdowns by Rashad Amos to subdue a feisty Buffalo Bulls (3-8, 3-4) team, 23-10. The Bulls almost pulled closer in the final minutes with a play that went 80 yards for naught despite crossing the goal line. As one Miami fan nearby stated, “So goes our defense, so go our Red Hawks.” For collegefootballfan.com, we attended this game at our 85th FBS venue – only 49 more to go! As a bonus, we saw the two the MAC finalists on consecutive nights. Miami (9-2, 6-1) will face Toledo (10-1, 7-0), Champions of the West at Ford Field in Detroit on December 2. Toledo defeated Miami at Yager Stadium on October 21, 21-17. Should be a good rematch.
The Miami Red Hawk defense held Buffalo QB CJ Ogbonna in check this evening for only 50 yards on 16 carries.
After a scoreless first period, most noticeable was that Buffalo QB CJ Ogbonna had no capability to throw a football. He finished 0 for 2 passing on the night, and both were feeble pass attempts out of bounds to avoid rushes. They were more like flips out of bounds as opposed to actual passes. Eventually, Head Coach Maurice Linquist shuttled in Cole Snyder sporadically. It was evident that when Ogbonna set up, it was to run. It made no sense to run a two-quarterback system under these circumstances. Miami had their number. By the end of the night, the Bulls totaled 131 rushing yards and 147 passing, 80 of which as mentioned came on one play that resulted in no points.
Miami defense carries the offense
Miami’s offense didn’t fare much better on the evening. They gained 180 on the ground. Amos led with 82 yards and two scores. QB Aveon Smith connected on 9 of 16 passes for 146 yards, 123 to Javon Tracy. The Red Hawks depended on few players offensively to carry them to aid their staunch defense. The Hawk defense allowed only 10.1 points per game in their previous six Mid American Conference games. Following Kenny Tracy’s 37-yard run to the Buffalo seven, they struggled and even lost a yard to the Bulls. Miami settled for Graham Nicholson’s 25-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
Miami RBRashad Amos beats the Buffalo defense to the outside for his 30-yard touchdown run and a 10-0 first half lead.
Later in the period, the Red Hawks drove 61 yards that saw Rashad Amos ramble around left end for a 30-yard score to increase the lead, 10-0. At that point, it looked like the night was going to be long for the Bulls. They seemed to have little offense to answer the call. However, Snyder played the entire, next series starting from the 22. He completed three passes along the way to get to the Miami 30. From there, Alex McNulty booted a 47-yard field goal. The Bulls were on the board with :02 left in the first half, down 10-3.
What a difference one night makes
Two and a half hours north of Oxford the night before, what a difference in game atmosphere. Granted, Bowling Green versus Toledo is a rivalry between two teams about 20 miles apart and the game atmosphere was lively. Both teams came in with winning records. One sign was that the Buffalo Wild Wings across the street was busy, and some fans planned to be back after the game. They left cars there and walked over to Doyt L. Perry Stadium to watch the 32-31 comeback by Toledo over Bowling Green.
Notre Dame Hall of Fame Head Coach Ara Parseghian is one of three coaches I saw in action over the years along the sidelines who is one of the honored at “The Cradle of Coaches.”
This evening, I walked into the BWW in downtown Oxford. No parking lot. Found a parking space with a meter that still takes quarters. Luckily, I keep some in the car for emergencies like this. There were a couple of dozen people there. Mostly empty tables. Basically, they depend on walk-in student business. Little pre-game activity here whatsoever. Drove to Yager Stadium. No traffic. Most of the empty lots available only accepted prepaid parking. I parked beyond the stadium in the one lot taking credit cards, and walked to Yager. When I entered, I stepped into a ghost town. Speaking of ghosts, I snapped some pictures of statues of famous coaches, most who have passed on, who mentored at Miami. Famously recognized as “The Cradle of Coaches,” Miami launched the careers of many head coaches from here into both College and Pro Football Hall of Fames.
Miami fans must be holding out for the Big One
Beyond the entrance gate past the statues, there were more players, marching band members, cheerleaders, and football recruits on the playing surface than there were people in the stands. Yager Stadium looked vast, but empty. Not many wearing the blue of Buffalo. Eventually, they announced 7,561 attended. Of course, colleges report seats sold, not how many fans actually passed through the turnstiles. Had to be less than that. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of following Miami gets at Ford Field when they face Toledo. The Rocket fan base seems more excited about their winning team, and it’s much closer to Detroit. Hopefully, Miami fans show their team more support at the title game.
Head Coach Chuck Martin of Miami invited a huge group of recruits and their families to attend the Red Hawk Senior night on Wednesday. They would help fill the stands after kick-off.
Buffalo’s second leading passer of the game
Miami moved the ball on its opening possession of the third to the UB 20. Nicholson put it up from there to extend the lead, 13-3. Buffalo showed a sense of urgency on their next possession. In punt formation at the Miami 49, the center snapped directly to the up-back, Tadd Barr. Th
e third team QB tossed a lob pass to Darrell Harding who took it 27 yards for a first down. Ogbonna came back in to quarterback. The Bulls stayed on the ground, and Ogbonna finally scored from the three. The Bulls surprisingly made a game of it trailing by three going into the final period, 13-10.
WR Javon Tracy (11) makes the reception before racing the rest of the 51 yard gain to the Buffalo two-yard line.
In the fourth, Aveon Smith connected with his favorite receiver, Javon Tracy, who caught it along the left sideline and bounced off two defenders. He raced 51 yards downfield to the UB two. Amos finished up the drive to put Miami up, 20-10. Forcing Buffalo to punt from their eight on the next possession, they started at the Bull’s 45. On a fourth and one at the 20, Amos ran it down to the ten. Buffalo allowed Miami no closer than the four. The Red Hawks settled again for a Nicholson 24-yard FG with 3:14 left.
Almost had us a new game
Looking inept at the passing game all night and with no time-outs remaining, the Bulls appeared to be finished. Shockingly though, Snyder connected on a short pass to WR Marlyn Johnson for his first reception of the game on a second and 15 from the 20. Johnson took it to the middle of the field and raced Red Hawk defenders toward the goal line. As he crossed it, he was tackled from behind by DB Michael Dowell. As he fell, the ball came out and was pounced on by a teammate before the ball went out. The officials ruled it a touchdown. They said Johnson had control of the ball before the ball came out when he hit the ground.
It’s never “official” until replay says so
Of course, the play was reviewed. Not only did Johnson not have control when he crossed, but the replay indicated the teammate who recovered had his foot out of bounds. After eighty yards on one play and a supposed six-point differential with 2:24 left on the clock, instead they turned the football over to the Hawks at their 20. Miami could not run out the clock, and their punt put the Bulls on their 36. Miami sacked Snyder and forced the fumble. Game over, 23-10. Too bad the Bulls didn’t put up the score at the end. With Miami only up by six instead, and a pending onsides kick, we’ve seen stranger things happen. It would have made this defensive struggle more exciting at the end.
Next!
Buffalo hosts Eastern Michigan (5-6, 3-4) next Tuesday to finish out 2023. EMU will have bowl eligibility to play for at least. Miami visits Ball State (3-7, 2-4) on November 25 hoping not to look beyond the Cardinals before their championship bout with Toledo in Detroit for the all the MACtion marbles. Collegefootballfan.com stays local this weekend to see Middle Tennessee (3-7, 2-4) and UTEP (3-7, 2-4) play their next to last CUSA games of 2023. Neither looks to become eligible for a bowl game.
The Red Hawk cheerleaders should look happy. Their team plays in Detroit for the MAC Championship on December 2.
Bowling Green, OH – In the Battle of I-75, the Falcons of Bowling Green took a commanding lead in the first half. In the second, the Rockets of Toledo (9-1, 6-0) came back with big plays to put up 22 points. They took a 32-31 win with 1:45 remaining on a swing pass from Dequan Finn to Jacquez Stuart for the final score. Both teams came out hot, but the Toledo defense halted BGSU in the second to climb back into the game.
Toledo Rockets and BGSU Falcons come out flying
Both squads scored quickly on their respective first possessions. Finn burst for a 23-yard touchdown scamper up the middle for first blood. The Falcons (6-4,4-3) retaliated with a 44-yard scoring strike. Connor Bazelak threw to Harold Fannin, Jr over the middle on a slant to tie. Late in the first, Bazelak and Fannin connected again on a two-yard pop pass over the middle.
Harold Fannin, Jr. (44) grabs a pop pass from Bazelak for a BGSU 14-7 lead over Toledo in the first quarter.
In the second, Luke Pawaluk’s 39-yard FG cut the BGSU lead, 14-10. It was all Falcons for the balance of the half. Back-up QB Camden Orth finished a 75-yard drive with a five-yard run up the middle. The defense halted the next Rocket drive at their their 38. On a direct snap at the one, Ta’ron Keith took it in for a Bowling Green 28-10 lead at the half. In front of a good crowd of 20,590 on a cold night at Doyt L. Perry Stadium, an upset seemed to be in the making.
Typical MAC football in November at night: BGSU dance team and cheerleaders suit up in warmup suits.
Toledo record on the line
The second half did not start off well on the Falcons’ first possession. On the punt, the snap sailed way off the mark, and the punter shanked the ball for 11 yards to their own 41. Finn hooked up with Junior Vandeross III with a perfect 22-yard strike in the end zone. Before the final period, both defenses buckled down. Toledo recovered a fumble by Orth. They halted a Falcon drive with a sack on a fourth and four to take over on downs. Bowling Green stopped Toledo on a fourth at their 48 to end the period still ahead, 28-17.
Following the opening series of the final period, Toledo forced a punt and took over on its ten. At their 35, Peny Boone (15 carries, 131 yards,1 TD) raced around right end for 55 yards to the BGSU ten. On a one-yard run, he scored. A two-point pass play to Anthony Torres closed the Falcon lead at 28-25. An underthrown pass by Finn got intercepted by Jordan Oladokun to put BGSU in business at the Toledo 39. Bazelak returned to play. However, Bowling Green had to settle for Alan Anaya’s 40-yard field goal with 7:30 to play with dangerous six-point lead, 31-25.
Six points not enough
A sack by Bowling Green forced a Toledo punt. However, the Falcons gained no yardage from their own 34. They punted to put Toledo on their 23 with 4:36 to play. On their 39, Finn connected with Stuart in the right flat, and he sailed up the sideline for the winning touchdown. Toledo held in the final 1:45 as the Falcons had only one time-out remaining. The Falcons and their fans enjoyed a happy 25-minute ride home with a satisfying 32-31 win over its very close rival. Glad we could work this one in this season!
Toledo RB Jacquez Stuart races 59 yards for winning score.
We’re hoping that the winner of the MAC, to be determined in Detroit, will get the bid to play in this year’s Bahamas Bowl. If Liberty defeats New Mexico State in the Conference USA championship game to remain undefeated, the MAC champ will probably play undefeated Liberty. Due to stadium reconstruction in the Bahamas, this year’s contest will be played at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte on December 18. Sounds like a road trip to us!
State College, PA – Amid the sign stealing and scouting scandal that banned head Coach Jim Harbaugh from the sideline, Michigan (10-0, 7-0) stayed on the ground for 32 straight plays and Penn State’s offense could not overcome the Wolverine defense to win, 24-15, to remain No. 2 in the AP. Penn State had no offensive answers as they gained 74 yards through the air and 168 on the ground. The Wolverines stopped the Nittany Lions on 10 of 14 third down conversions. Some questionable play calling by the offense got PSU offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich fired the day after the game. Michigan won the game under the game day guidance of their offensive line coach Sherrone Moore.
Michigan squares off with Penn State in State College.
Good first half, questionable ending
Before the first period ended, the Lions scored first driving 66 yards to the Michigan three. They settled for Alex Felkin’s 20-yard field goal. The Wolverines responded with a 78-yard drive finished off by Blake Corum’s three-yard touchdown run to lead, 7-3. After a Lion three-and-out, this time the Wolverines drove 75 yards capped by Donovan Edward’s 22-yard run to extend the lead. Not to be outdone this time, the Lions roared back. They converted wo fourth downs into firsts before QB Drew Allar capped the drive with an 11-yard TD run.
Trailing, 14-9, with an entire half to play, State HC James Franklin decided to go for two. Michigan stuffed the attempt. After the game on ESPN radio, we heard Franklin describe the Michigan defense as tough. Based on that, he and decided to go for two despite the entire second half yet to be played. Guest Game Analyst Paul Fraley and I determined from what we we saw in the first half, it seemed more like a lack of confidence in his offense by James Franklin.
Blake Corum breaks out for big pick-up for the Wolverines among his 145 yards in second period.
No need for Wolverines to steal signs in this one
As I recorded in my pregame analysis, from my observations made at the PSU vs. Illinois game previously, Penn State had to improve on two things since. Firstly, Allar had to look off his receivers. No need to steal signs by anybody to stop this. As soon as Allar drops back to pass, he looks only at his primary receiver. The secondary knows where the football is going. Every PSU pass attempt, I saw who he was throwing to from Row 43 among the record crowd of 110,856 at Beaver Stadium. Obviously, the maize and blue secondary knew this too. On the other hand, every time Allar rolled right, an unblocked defender pressured him from the left forcing rushed, errant passes. They sacked him once.
More help for James Franklin
Secondly, I saw only one play action pass among Allar’s drop back and roll-outs. Among his 22 attempts, he made 10 completions for only 70 yards today. In that one case, the fake froze the Wolverines momentarily, and Allar completed a pass. Never ran another play action again in this game. On Sunday for the balance of this season, Franklin named co-offensive coordinators in running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider and tight ends coach Ty Howle to replace Yurcich. Time will tell in the next three games (bowl included) if Penn State will see any strategic changes at all. If not, Franklin will have to answer to more regarding his philosophy behind the Lions’ passing game strategy.
It’s one thing to delegate to your assistants for a time-out, but does it make sense for a Head Coach (far right) not to work with his players during a critical time-out in the third period of this game against Michigan?
What goes around comes around?
What’s interesting is that next Saturday, Rutgers visits State College with Offensive Coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca. After the 2020 season at Penn State as OC when PSU defeated Michigan, 27-17, in the season of Covid-19, Franklin released him and hired Yurcich. Rutgers has at least improved with him this year. They to come into this game at 6-3, 3-3 despite a shutout by Iowa last week. Franklin certainly hopes that his defense doesn’t let up after the loss to the Wolverines.
Biding time in the third
In the third period on the first series, a run up the middle by Allar resulted in a lost fumble. The Wolverines taking over at the PSU 45. Following two rushing attempts at the end of the first half, U of M never threw another official pass the rest of this game. Michigan came up with James Turner’s 22-yard FG, but they ate up 8:04 off the clock. Both teams punted three times each on the next six series. Both combined for only 12 plays each over this juncture. After a four-yard run by Penn State to their own 30, Allar threw three incomplete passes. They turned the ball over on downs to Michigan with only 4:21 left in the game.
Fool us once, but twice?
At the PSU 30, Corum (26 carries for 145 yards, 2 TDs) ran around the left side of the bewildered PSU defense for a 24-9 lead. Seemingly out of reach, Penn State fought back for a second touchdown. On their eighth play on a 75-yard drive, Allar connected with TE Theo Johnson for an eight-yard TD. Despite Franklin’s comment about analytics after the game, his decision to go for two points at this moment made no practical sense whatsoever. If he elected to kick the PAT, most assuredly good with Felkin, his team would stay in reach by eight. If an onsides kick became successful, his anemic offense may still have a chance to tie in regulation. Instead, the Wolverines thwarted the two-point attempt.
Theo Johnson (84) hauls in touchdown pass with 1:59 left before Penn State failed on a two-point conversion to put this game out of reach.
With 1:59 left, the beleaguered Lions trailed now by nine. The onsides was recovered by Michigan. They triumphed over Penn State, 24-15. In post game reviews, Franklin admits he needs to get his young quarterback some help. I wish the old East Stroudsburg QB would give me a call. I have two messages to give him to help his young QB out right away.
Next for Lions, Wolverines and CFF.com!
As stated, Rutgers (6-3, 3-3) visits Penn State (8-2, 5-2) next Saturday. Michigan visits Maryland before hosting No. 3 Ohio State in what should be a battle between unbeatens. We at collegefootballfan.com are on the road again already this week for two MACtion games. We’re excited about the first of our two. We head to Bowling Green, Ohio for the “Battle of Interstate 75.” The Toledo Rockets (9-1,6-0) visit the Bowling Green Falcons in our first game to be attended at Perry Stadium.
Big MAC Attacks
The Rockets only loss came in their opener to FBS opponent Illinois, 30-28. However, the Falcons have come via a road more well-traveled. Their four losses came against foes with a combined record of 35-5, including losses to two undefeated (10-0) teams we watched play recently this season – Liberty and Michigan. Against common MAC play opponents, the Rockets are 3-0 and the Falcons 2-1. Both defeated Buffalo and Ball State. Toledo beat Miami (O.) while the Falcons got whipped by the Red Hawks, 27-0. Throw that out the window. This is a rivalry we were told about many years ago by business colleagues of both schools – Jack Howald of BGSU and his boss Jerry Yeager, a former Toledo quarterback. They compared this MAC rivalry to that of the Big Ten’s Ohio State vs. Michigan! We’re attending in their honor.
Speaking of Miami, we’ll travel to Oxford the next day to see the Red Hawks (8-2, 5-1) host Buffalo (3-7, 3-4). I look forward to seeing the statue honoring The Cradle of Coaches there. I’ve seen some of the honorees roam the sidelines over these many years. If the Red Hawks defeat the Bulls and then Ball State in their season finale, they will most likely face Toledo in the MAC championship in Detroit. If so, both teams will boast of 10-win seasons. Toledo defeated Miami already, 27-17. Revenge factor?
Potential unplanned bowl trip
We figure the winner would get a shot to play a Big Ten entry at the Quick Lane Bowl, again in Detroit. The runner-up may get a shot to play Liberty, currently ranked No. 25, in the Bahamas Bowl that will be played in Charlotte this year. If that happens with Liberty’s record unblemished, we may have to work that one into our bowl slate. Either MAC team against the Flames will make for a great post-season, must-see match-up.
State College, PA – We anticipated this meeting would be the biggest and our best regular season match-up before the season even began – Michigan at Penn State. However, on top of the Big Ten standings implications, the intensity ratcheted up with all the added tension regarding Michigan’s sign-stealing allegations. We know throngs of Blue and White Penn State Faithful in striped-out sections of Beaver Stadium will be amped up for this one. No problem with a noon time kick-off instead of a long day of tailgating in Happy Valley to a game after dark. Nittany Lion fans remember last year’s 41-17 decimation against the Wolverines in Ann Arbor.
Many eyes on this one
The Lions gave the home team a rousing boost to start on Joey Porter’s unnecessary roughness call right on the first play. From there, things went downhill for the visitors. Lion fans will only insinuate there was some sign-stealing that gave Michigan an edge last year. Now it’s payback time for one of only two losses in 2023. Already, the Lions have a bad taste reeling from their 20-12 loss to Ohio State earlier this season. Eyes will be peeled on the U of M sideline to see where their defensive coaches stand to possibly intercept and transfer any signals. Does James Franklin have any plans to jam Michigan communications? This will be one interesting and intense football game before 110,000 pairs of eyes in State College.
This will be my ninth meeting between Michigan and Penn State. The Wolverines lead this series in my presence, 5-4. However, the Lions won the last four. The last was in 2013 in a thrilling, four over-time victory by the Lions, 43-40.
Is Michigan over-rated?
Michigan has allowed only 7.3 points per game in 2023. Only twice did foes score into the teens thus far. On the other hand, their offense averages 40.6 points per game comparable to the Lions’ 40.2. Michigan relies on the running of Blake Corum with 649 yards and 16 touchdowns. Penn State counters with the one-two punch provided by Kayton Allen and Nick Singleton combining for 1,053 yards and 11 TDs. The Lion offense has been tested by the likes of Ohio State and Iowa. The Wolverines have yet to run into a stalwart defense like those or PSU’s.
Michigan has not yet faced a Big Ten opponent yet among the top six offenses in the conference. Rutgers, who they defeated, carries the highest scoring average among all teams they vanquished with 26.8 per game. The Lions will be their first among the top six averaging 394 total yards per game and stands second only to Michigan in the Big Ten scoring department.
Difference-maker?
The key to a win for either team here this weekend comes down to the performance of Penn State Soph QB Drew Allar. That will depend on two observations that we came away with after seeing the Lions defeat Illinois earlier in the season, 30-13. Some pundits have criticized the Penn State coaching staff about the lack of development they’ve provided to Allar thus far. The first issue noted against Illinois was Allar’s tendency to eyeball only his intended receiver on every pass attempt. His arm is strong, but he’s got to look off his key receiver to help his intended target to get open.
Secondly, the PSU coaching staff needs to provide him with more play action opportunities than when we watched the game against the Illini. With Penn State’s running tandem, Michigan has to be wary and the Lions have to freeze the front pressure and keep the secondary guessing to allow his receivers like KeAndre Smith-Lambert and Dante Cephas, like last week against Maryland, to get open.
Got to get ahead on the Learning Curve
Allar has a strong arm no doubt, but Penn State needs to use more deception to help their young QB. In a few instances when they went play action against a tough Illinois front that day, it paid off. If Penn State does that, they can win this game by a touchdown or even two. If they don’t, it will be a slugfest and anybody’s game down to the wire. The striped-out crowd is going to be a wave the Lions can ride on to their advantage one way or the other. We really look forward to being at Beaver Stadium for this one.
Penn State applied pressure to Illini QB Luke Altymer to hold U of ILL to one score. They will need to do the same to J.J. McCarthy of Michigan to come out on top this weekend.
Fifty Years of Experience tells me…
Extra point – Sign stealing by Michigan came to light only in recent weeks. Before the season started, I addressed other issues with Jim Harbaugh’s strategies to find his way into the upper echelon of college football in my recently released book Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. He learned from his earlier experiences at Stanford and adapted his new strategy at Michigan. He learned. I noted similarities with Nick Saban after his hiatus to coach at the pro level. In the book, I also pointed out the soft under-belly of Lincoln Riley coached teams at Oklahoma, and now similar results are well exposed now at USC. I also made some analysis of Deion Sanders transition from the FCS to the FBS. Things are shaping up as anticipated.
I also provided insight regarding other coaches in new positions like Lance Leipold at Kansas, Mike Elko at Duke, and Matt Rhule at Nebraska. My one essay, “Vision of the Future,” regarding changes involving Super conferences, the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy, and the transfer portals are well underway impacting the future of college football. My solutions suggested in the second essay, “For the Love of the Game,” are ideas that many fans can consider to improve the game for all FBS teams by leveling the playing field. The ideas introduced will make more teams competitive adding to the excitement of the collage football season for more fans among the many teams.
…About the Future
Go to Amazon.com, and buy your copy of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly, enjoy the stories, analyze the essays and submit your impressions to share on line. After bowl season, a flurry of sudden changes for the college game will come to light. The first essay, in particular, will prepare you for this. As the saying goes, “If it ain’t broken, don’t fix it.” On the other hand, it seems forces are already breaking down what we’re used to. Will the final result be what fans want for the college game? Each can decide for himself or herself.
The Nittany Lion student body will be raring to go when Michigan shows up at Beaver Stadium on Saturday.
Nashville, TN – After much extra effort to find a seat in packed First Bank Stadium, we sat down as Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter exploded on the Tigers’ second play from scrimmage for a 67-yard touchdown jaunt. Before the first period ended, he did it again for Auburn with a 56-yard sprint to go up, 14-0. After that, the Auburn Tiger defense dominated Vanderbilt until late in the game to rack up a 31-15 SEC victory.
Fast and furious, Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter leaves Commodord defenders in his wake for an early 67-yard touchdown run.
A season full of Dropsies
The final result could have ended in a much wider margin had AU receivers not dropped so many passes. Among the 18 college games attended by collegefootballfan.com this season, we don’t remember ever seeing so many well thrown passes dropped in one season. This day’s performance by Auburn definitely topped them all. The performance by Hunter and the defense that allowed only 90 yards until the 44-yard Commodore scoring drive late in the third sealed the win for Auburn.
In the second period, Auburn QB Payton Thorne threw an ill-advised pass into the right flat from his end zone. Commodore LB Bryce Cowan stepped in front of the intended receiver to score from the five. With 20 seconds left in the half, Alex McPherson’s 32-yard FG gave the Tigers a 17-7 halftime lead.
The Auburn defense shut down Vanderbilt for three quarters before they allowed a touchdown.
Auburn fans overwhelmed Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt celebrated both Senior Day and its annual homecoming. The official attendance announced was 28,500 in the 40-000-seat stadium, but that was hard to believe. Primarily, orange and blue Auburn fans packed the venue currently under construction. Some of my Auburn friends that came to tailgate couldn’t find tickets, or they found the prices so high due to the demand, it wasn’t worth attending. However, they came and tailgated and enjoyed their day in the Music City. Some Vanderbilt alum after the game mentioned that the only empty seats were in the Commodore student section.
Vanderbilt University did a poor job in preparation for a sold-out crowd no matter what the “official attendance” supposedly was. Granted, construction reduced the number of parking spaces available for the game forcing fans to buy prepaid parking until those ran out. Only two entrances opened to let fans into the stadium. No adequate signage provided fans directions of where or to how to easily find their respective sections to sit in. Only one entrance existed for each side of the stadium. The visitors side went through the basketball arena, but no one knew till it took about half an hour in one of two single file lines in different directions searching for them. Many, like myself, basically encircled the entire stadium.
Vanderbilt evidently did not anticipate the crowd of blue and orange Auburn fans coming to cheer on their Tigers.
The Spirit of Vanderbilt
It was the last home game for Vanderbilt this year. One of the ushers somewhere along the way said it will be better next year. A school of such high academic standards should have prepared much better for this being the last game of the season looking to celebrate homecoming against a team with a fan base not too far away. They host Bama, Tennessee, and Texas next season – one team with a rabid road following, a rival living literally in the Nashville neighborhood, and a new conference foe with a ton of Country and Western music fans. No need to hold seats available for Vandy students. They seem to care less about rallying around their perennial, struggling football team.
Auburn takes to the air
Auburn started up the third period with a passing attack. On the third play of the opening drive, Thorne (17 of 24, 194 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT) connected with TE Rivaldo Fairweather on a pass and run TD for 53 yards and a 24-7 lead. I felt better after Tony, an Auburn fan I sat with from Huntsville, Alabama had asked me what I predicted in the first half. I told him I expected a “blow-out” by Auburn. One of the other AU fans sitting nearby was surprised. He asked, “Have you seen us play before?’ Well not this year any way. I replied, “No but I’ve seen Vanderbilt play this year.”
I figured the Tigers had to be better because Vandy just doesn’t seem to belong year after year in the SEC. Auburn had to be improved. However, Dave Duerk, an Auburn classmate of my Auburn friends Charlie and Lynda Murren, who was among the tailgaters before the game, provided me a glimmer of reality. He said the last two times he was in Nashville for this game, Vanderbilt won. For the benefit of his Alma mater, he sat this game out.
Commodore comeback?
Well after that score, the Tigers roared again. Thorne finished a 64-yard drive with a five-yard TD pass to Jeremiah Cobb. My prediction looked to become reality – Not! The Commodores forced the Tigers to punt on its next series and took over at the AU 44. Vanderbilt scored its first and only TD of the game when Ken Seals connected with Junior Sherrill for a 30-yard TD pass. To play catch-up, Sherrill took it over for a two-point conversion. With 2:43 left in the third, it looked like there was plenty of time left for Auburn to add to their 31-15 lead.
Sherrill (left) took it in for two for Vanderbilt to nail down the final score , 31-15.
Over in Three
Auburn punted after it next possession. Vanderbilt countered with a drive over nine minutes when it turned the ball back over on downs at AU’s 14. Following another Auburn punt and another Vandy turnover on downs, the final score stood at 31-15. With its fifth win of the year, our toast among the Auburn faithful at our pregame tailgate to start the drive to bowl eligibility became reality.
Next!
The Tigers (5-4, 2-4) head to Arkansas next week and then host New Mexico State to claim a bowl bid before Alabama visits Jordan-Hare Stadium to spring an upset on their archrival. Vanderbilt (2-8,0-6) heads to play South Carolina (3-6, 1-5) before playing No. 14 Tennessee (7-2, 3-2). Collegefootballfan.com heads to our biggest clash of the season when No. 2 Michigan (9-0, 6-0) visits No. 9 Penn State (8-1, 5-1) in fired-up Beaver Stadium for a noon time kick-off!
Collegefootballfan.com will be looking for a reason to attend another lowly Commodore football game next season. At least they get great support from their Dance Team!
Winston-Salem, NC – No. 4 Florida State (8-0, 6-0) sped past Wake Forest (4-4,1-3) to a big, first-half lead to upend the Demon Deacons, 41-16. FSU QB Jordan Davis threw for 359 yards and three TDs to take a 34-7 lead at halftime. He ran for a 13-yard score to finish the first drive of the game to put FSU in front early. The Seminole win ended a three-game losing streak to the Deacs who displayed little offense. Quarterback Mitch Griffis struggles running the Run-Pass Option Wake ran effectively in recent years under Sam Hartman. After Wake closed the score 10-7 early in the second period, Florida State came back with 24 unanswered points by halftime.
Florida State QB Jordan Travis starts Seminoles on a 75-yard scoring drive on their first series.
Florida State dominates second quarter
Deuce Spann returned the ensuing kickoff 43 yards for Florida State to the 43. At the Wake 29, The Noles isolated Keon Coleman one-on-one with the CB to the left side. He beat him on a short route and with one move raced to the end zone for the 17-7 advantage. Later in the period, a screen-pass to the left by Davis on first down to Trey Benson went 80 yards for a touchdown to widen the lead for Florida State.
On their next possession, Davis hooked up with Jaheim Bell on another screen. He raced for 38 yards that put FSU at the Wake 14. On the next play, Coleman made a standing, one-handed grab off his hip between the sideline and a defender for a 31-7 lead with 1:16 left in the half. With the Demon Deacons backed up with a penalty to their nine on the ensuing kickoff, State used their time-outs and received a punt at the WFU 42. Ryan Fitzgerald closed out Florida State’s first-half scoring with a 34-yard FG.
TE Jaheim Bell (6) takes a Florida State screen pass to the Wake Forest 14 to set up Travis’s second touchdown pass.
Time to hit “Re-set?”
In the third period, Wake showed a little life. They scored with a field goal and on Tate Carney’s four-yard run to cut the lead, 34-16. However, what really stood out was Griffis’s inability to run the RPO. It lacked any quickness or rhythm. At times, he and his ball-carriers appeared to be strolling through the line arm-in-arm before being stopped to execute a play. The coaching staff made no adjustments to utilize a quick strike passing attack. FSU covered Wake receivers well, and because of that, the Seminoles totaled six sacks, ten tackles for loss, and six passes knocked down. After the game, Guest Game Analysts and staunch Wake Forest supporters Jim “Bugaluga” Harton and Earl Beasley wondered why Coach Dave Clawson didn’t turn to another QB at some point.
Demon Deacon S Malik Mustapha (3) shone as one of the defensive stalwarts breaking up this pass against Florida State during this rout.
“Oh” no!
Florida State tallied the only points in the final quarter on Trey Benson’s 18-yard touchdown run. Eleven minutes remained. After that, FSU Head Coach Mike Norvell went to his second and third stringers to provide some experience. In the first half, FSU held Wake to only nineteen yards passing, eventually only 82 in the entire game. The No. 4 Seminoles dominated from start to finish. For the sell-out crowd at Allegacy Stadium with about 30% wearing FSU Garnet and Gold, the majority of Demon Deac fans left highly disappointed.
For myself, after having attended my thirteenth Demon Deacon contest since 1981, it turned out to be a devastating loss. Of the previous WFU games attended, they won 11 and lost the 12th to Louisville in 2019, 62-59! My personal record among the Demon Deacon faithful earned me the nickname, “11 and almost OH” Koreivo. Still considered a remarkable accomplishment according to Bugaluga, they’ll probably come up with some kind of appropriate, new nickname for me.
Next!
Florida State travels to play Pitt (2-6, 1-3) who got humbled by Notre Dame last Saturday, 58-7. Wake needs to make some quick adjustments to deal with much-improved Duke (5-3,2-2) in nearby Durham on Thursday night. For collegefootballfan.com, after having attended five weekday night games during the last five weeks, we don’t attend another game until Saturday. And instead of flying to a game (or weddings) for the first time in four weeks, we’ll take a short trip to nearby Nashville. Friends and alum of Auburn visit The Music City this weekend when their Tigers (4-4, 1-4) visit Vanderbilt (2-7,0-5). Fun times coming up with good, long-time friends this Saturday.
Speaking of good (new) friends…
St. Laurie and I were hosted this weekend in North Cackilacky , as Jim “Bugaluga” refers to his home state, by he and his wife Courtenay at their beautiful home in Oak Ridge. This weekend, they introduced us to their good friends Tom and Paula Dille. Now in their 80s, they moved to Greensboro to be closer to family. Tom mentored Jim during his rewarding career in the chemical industry before becoming president of a division of Solvay. We met at the company gym.
Tom played football at Iowa State University back in the late 50s. A memorable game moment he shared was against Oklahoma in 1956. Despite a loss to Oklahoma, he laid some heavy hits against the Sooners including RB Tommy McDonald. This game took place during the Sooners 47-game record breaking winning streak under HC Bud Wilkinson. He said that Wilkinson had a tradition. He awarded a game ball to a player he selected as each game’s MVP. Wilkinson was so impressed by Tom’s effort that day, he awarded the game ball to him after the game. Tom still keeps it at home.
Football history
He reminisced about those days running the single wing and playing both ways. Some of his tackles came up against Sooner RB Tommy McDonald who got drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1957. McDonald played in the Pro Bowl six times during his 11-year career. He played for the Eagles in their 1960 NFL championship game. In 1998, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Quite a long-lasting memory for a player who went on to a very successful business career and happy life for many years. He and Paula now enjoy season tickets at Wake Forest football games.
Wake Forest cheerleaders performed during record setting hot temperatures on this Saturday in late October.
Bowling Green, KY – Liberty remained undefeated as Kaidon Salter threw three touchdown passes and ran for another to overwhelm WKU into final period for a 42-29 victory. The Flames (8-0, 6-0) took a 35-16 lead on a six-yard TD run by Aaron Bedgood with 8:40 remaining in the game. The Hilltoppers (4-4, 2-2) put up two late scores on passes around Salter’s 27-yard scoring strike to Treon Sibley to make the final score respectable.
After a 14-10 halftime lead, Liberty moved the ball at will. They totaled 323 rushing yards while Salter performed efficiently with 10 of 15 passes for 169 yards. He led Liberty in rushing with 117 yards on 13 carries including a 20-yard touchdown run in the first period. Making no turnovers, the Liberty Flames allowed only one sack, and WKU made only one tackle for a loss. Liberty constantly moved the ball forward. They converted all three times on fourth downs to keep drives alive.
Liberty CB Kobe Singleton ends first half with game’s only turnover for either team.
Liberty torch still burns slowly to start second half…
The first half concluded with the only turnover of the game when Topper QB Austin Reed lofted a “Hail Mary” into the end zone where Liberty CB Kobe Singleton hauled it in. The Flames took a 21-10 lead into the final period with Salter’s nine-yard scoring pass to Victor Venn who twisted in near the right pylon. The scoring heated up in the final period, but too little and too late for Western Kentucky.
In the first minute of the fourth, Liberty completed an 80-yard drive with Quinton Cooley’s two-yard TD run. WKU countered with a 75-yard drive capped by a 43-yard scoring pass to wide-open Elijah Young down the left sideline. The two-point conversion failed, and Liberty led, 28-16. The Flames followed with a 75-yard scoring drive as well. Bedgood’s run put the visitors up, 35-16. The 16,036 in attendance at Houchens Industries- L.T. Smith Stadium dwindled as Topper fans had seen enough. Their team tried to mount a comeback after, but it was too late.
RB Victor Venn (2) fights and twists into end zone for a 21-10 lead for Liberty.
Both teams on fire in fourth
As Guest Game analyst Al Tatum and I surmised early in the game, Austin Reed, who led the FBS in passing yards the previous season, finally threw long. One play after the kickoff return, his 63-yard pass to River Helms cut the Liberty lead once again. Reed finished with 30 of 44 passes for 365 yards, four touchdowns and one INT. Not to be denied, Liberty countered with Salter’s third scoring pass to Sibley. WKU scored again following a long drive before the Flames ran out the clock.
Under first-year Head Coach Jamey Chadwell who came from Coastal Carolina after Hugh Freeze left for Auburn, Liberty looks in fine shape to get to the ConferenceUSA championship game. The questions are who will they play and who, if any other conference foe, can beat them?
Aaron Bedgood scores from six to give Liberty a commanding 35-16 lead with 8:40 left in the game.
Next!
Liberty hosts Louisiana Tech (3-6, 2-3) on November 4. They’ve already defeated second place contenders Jacksonville State and New Mexico State in CUSA play. These two meet on November 25 to most likely determine who goes to Lynchburg, Virginia to thwart a Liberty CUSA title. Western Kentucky travels to UTEP (2-6,1-3) on November 4. The Miners will be the final CUSA foe Liberty will meet during the regular season. The Flames should clinch CUSA before that meeting.
Annapolis, Maryland – Air Force (7-0) shut down a weak, unimaginative Navy offense for more than three quarters and overcame a tough Navy defense to vanquish its archrival, 17-6. The Midshipmen gained only 48 yards of offense with Freshman QB Mike Woodson into the third period. Tai Lavatai, who sat out last week and this week with a rib injury, replaced him in the fourth. After throwing a pick-six, he led the Mids to a score on their final drive to avoid the shutout.
This turned out to be the brunt of the Navy game through the air in the first half against Air Force.
Defense, defense…
The two military academies played a scoreless first quarter. However, on the first play of the second period, Falcon QB Zac Larrier connected with WR Dane Kinamon. He beat his receiver badly, made a nice over the shoulder catch, and raced 94 yards for the only score of the first half. Air Force held Navy in check allowing only three conversions of 17 in third down attempts. Of the Mids’ first ten possessions, the Falcons stifled them with nine three-and-outs. Navy gained only 22 yards on the ground. On defense, however, they held the Air Force offense which scored 34 or more points in five of six starts to only 17.
Air Force at Navy 2023: how most of the plays looked during the entire game.
In the third period, Matthew Dapore made good for a 40-yard FG to put Air Force up, 10-0. On the subsequent series, he missed an attempt from 35 yards out. Fourth quarter, enter Lavatai at quarterback for Navy. Despite three first down on Lavatai’s first series, the Mids punted again. His next series ended much worse. Linebacker Alec Mock picked off his pass for the Falcons and returned it unscathed for an 18-yard TD. Trailing, 17-0, Lavatai came out firing on Navy’s next and final series. He completed ten passes for 78 yards resulting in a 10-yard touchdown toss to Eli Heidenreich. The two-point conversion failed and with a failed onsides kick, the game was over. Air Force triumphed over the Mids (3-4), 17-6, and rose to No. 19 in the AP poll.
Falcons of Air Force keep Mids out of the end zone on two-point conversion, but the game was basically over.
Air Force brings crabbiness to Crabtown
It was a disappointing day for Navy fans who set a new Navy Marine Corps Stadium attendance record this day with 38,803 paid seats. Among them attended two legendary Naval Academy honorees. Former 1963 Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Famer Roger Staubach attended. So did former new College Football Hall of Fame inductee and former Navy Head Coach Paul Johnson.
He came to Navy from Georgia Southern where he won three FCS championships. He led Navy to a 45-29 record over six seasons (2002-2007). His teams beat Army all six of his seasons and went 11-1 in games against Army and Air Force. Johnson took the Mids to five straight bowl games. In addition, friends of mine from USNA class of 1978 came to the game to celebrate their 45th reunion. Disappointing outcome on the field, but great get together tailgating with them and 11 other friends who attended our annual excursion to see a Navy game in Annapolis.
Our “crew” had a great time getting together for this year’s annual get-together in Annapolis. Next year – Navy vs. Notre Dame in The Meadowlands.
Next!
Air Force (7-0, 4-0) looks to keep rolling next Saturday. They visit the Colorado State Rams (3-4, 1-2) in a Mountain West clash. Navy (3-4, 2-2) has a bye week before visiting Temple (2-6, 0-4) in Philly for an American Athletic contest on November 4. As for collegefootballfan.com, we not only follow up seeing another undefeated team on Tuesday night, we have two other undefeated teams on our slate for our next three games.
Liberty (7-0, 5-0) calls on Western Kentucky (4-3, 2-1) in a key Conference USA clash. This could determine if both these teams will meet in the eventual conference championship. On Saturday, we’ll see No. 4 Florida State (7-0, 5-0) visit Wake Forest (4-3, 1-3). The following week, we travel to State College, PA to see No. 2 Michigan (7-0, 4-0) tangle with Penn State (6-1, 3-1) in a Big Ten thriller. Both games start with a noon kickoff.
