Collegefootballfan.com Notes: Week 6-16, 2025

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Lebanon, TN – Up until now, we have provided notes and insight of all games we plan to attend for Week Numbers 1-5. We don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves with insight and predictions for the balance of our regular season. With our first game only one day away to start Week 0 of College Football in 2025, we’d like to just provide some highlights of other games we plan to see. Subject to change of course, but we generally stay on track. Included here, we explain to you where, why, and how come we chose to attend these particular games. Also, we try to pass along some other interesting tidbits.

Don’t forget, to endure this weekly adventure every year, we don’t have enough time nor money (though much more than when we started doing this in 1979) to see the biggest games every time. We leave that up to the TV programmers. For our entertainment and enjoyment, based on those aforementioned fundamental resources, we try to see the most competitive or most interesting match-ups based on time, travel, and money available. We may choose games based on proximity, tradition, a rivalry, a new place to go, old friends to catch up with, a great tailgate venue available, or maybe some side trip of interest.

In WEEK 6, Navy hosts Air Force in their early October rivalry for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.
In WEEK 6, Navy hosts Air Force in their early October rivalry for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

Our inspiration to do this started in the 60’s!

Read on to enjoy this lifelong adventure with others and myself. Fun times and good football ahead. As the late, great broadcaster for College Football on ABC Sports, Chris Schenkel, always used to say, “College Football: what better way to spend an Autumn afternoon?” Of course, his mantra started long before the NCAA started playing games most weekday nights as well. As you can see, weekdays have provided us with many new opportunities now between Saturdays.

Goals include seeing a game at every major (FBS) venue and at least one game in every state. To date, we’ve attended games in 98 FBS stadiums. Among all NCAA college football divisions, total venues attended currently stand at 193 in all. Among 49 states and Washington, DC, we only need to see games in nine more states (no teams in Alaska if you weren’t aware). We’re making some progress on that this year, but not in a hurry. Just enjoying the adventure as we find new opportunities to consider.

WEEK 6 – Maybe two back EAST

Definitely attending Air Force at Navy at 12 noon on Saturday to start the annual round-robin among the three major academies for the fierce competitions for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. We will see Navy and Air Force battle for this hardware for the eighth time since this tradition started in 1974. The Mids won big last season, 34-7, in Colorado Springs. They return a potent offensive attack laden with seniors this year. Air Force shows up with an inexperienced QB. Air Force leads this series, 34-23. Never know what can happen. In our history, Navy’s record is 44-44.  Air Force stands at 7-6 in our book. Great rivalry featuring tremendous flyovers!

Each time Navy and Air Force meet, they exchange "prisoners." Other schools may refer to these as exchange students. Navy prevailed. These "prisoners" take spirited abuse leading up to these games. In WEEK 6, this game starts the competition for the C-I-C Trophy coveted by both.
Each time Navy and Air Force meet, they exchange “prisoners.” Other schools may refer to these as “exchange students.” These prisoners take spirited abuse leading up to these games. In WEEK 6, this game starts the competition for the C-I-C Trophy coveted by both.

Delaware a possible Friday night feature

The Fighting Blue Hens enter ConferenceUSA/FBS play this Year. Delaware Stadium sits a little over an hour’s drive from Annapolis. Meeting USNA alum for Saturday’s game, no plans in place for Friday evening yet. They host Western Kentucky that evening. Look forward to how they fare in their first year of FBS play under fourth-year HC Ryan Carty who played QB for UD back in 2003-06. In our record book, Delaware is 14-7. Of course, all games attended came under their FCS realm. This could be the first time we see them as an FBS competitor. To be honest, we hate to see them leave the FCS.

WEEK 7 serves up three games – Southern fried and New England style

On Wednesday, we’ll stick close to home. Missouri State, like Delaware, starts it inaugural season in ConferenceUSA/FBS against Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro. We know little about the Bears aside moving up from the Missouri Valley Conference with a record of 8-4. Lost to powers Montana, North Dakota State and South Dakota State a year ago. As for their opponent, MTSU, they struggled under new HC Derek Mason to 3-9 last season. Always admired tough QB Nick Vittiato though the last three seasons. Tough, hard runner, good arm, and fights and leads through pressure to the end. Mason calls on many transfers to step up for the Raiders this year. Many did not start regularly at their previous schools.

D-3 Weekend puts us in our 43rd state

As mentioned, a primary goal of ours calls for us to attend a game in every state where NCAA college football exists. In Vermont, only three college football programs exist. All compete at the D-3 level. So, we decided to finally take our shot this season to finally attend a game in the Green Mountain State. Funny thing, we settled on the Castleton State Spartans (3-7, 2-7) a year ago who were axed from the Massachusetts Athletic Conference. The New Jersey Athletic Conference welcomed them this season as an Associate member to play football. On October 11, we will attend this contest game at noon when they host the Chrisopher Newport Captains (7-3, 9-1) visiting from Newport News, Virginia. They are also a member of the NJAC.

A Saturday D-3 Double-Header

Our Guest game analyst this weekend is David Headden. Dave is a D-3 maven. He loves attending the small school games religiously. In 2013, he accompanied me to the Norwich-RPI game. His father and brothers graduated from RPI. He attended Ohio Wesleyan – true D-3 pedigree.

After the game at Castleton concludes, Dave and I follow up to observe a D-3 bonus. We’re catching another D-3 game 7 pm that evening. Amazingly, most schools in New England have bye weeks that Saturday. However, we found a game in Medford, Massachusetts featuring two New England Small College Athletic Conference teams. The Bates Bobcats of Lewiston, Maine visit the Tufts Jumbos. Don’t know much about either, though Bates comes off a 2-7 season. Tufts played to a 7-2 mark last season. In 2026, the champion of this conference will qualify for the D-3 playoffs for the first time.

More than just D-3 football this weekend

In addition to a D-3 double header, as mentioned, we seek other opportunities when we travel to games. We have two other side trips planned this weekend. On Friday afternoon after arriving in Albany, NY, we will visit the Lake George area. That evening, we venture to nearby Troy for a D-1 ice hockey game with Miami of Ohio visiting RPI. On Sunday, most likely I’ll visit my sister Mary Kay who hosted my first game of this journey at her alma mater, the University of Rhode Island. She and her husband, Gunther, still reside in the Ocean State.

WEEK 8: Alabama Week – Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday

No, we’re not seeing Alabama play at all this week. Or even at all during the regular season. It just so happens the TV programmers selected two games of interest to us on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a third is one that keeps a friendship going that started over 45 years ago. Of course, all three hosts play football in Alabama. On Monday, Arkansas State goes to Mobile to take on South Alabama in a Sun Belt clash. The ASU Red Wolves are 1-1 in our history. We saw them play in our first game ever in Arkansas last season (A razorback game is still a must-see, of course). They defeated Tulsa, 28-24, in Jonesboro on their way to a record of 8-5. Along the way, they also defeated South Alabama there, 18-16. The Jaguars finished 7-6. Respectively, the two programs have records of 1-1 and 1-2 when we attend.

Then there is the USS Alabama

A big driver for us to see a game again in Mobile is to visit the USS Alabama Memorial. Our late, great friend Tom Ables, the greatest fan ever of San Diego State sports served aboard the battleship during WWII. For those hearing about him for the first time, Tom became a great friend who shared many stories attending 788 Aztec football games since he decommissioned from the US Navy. We desired to visit Battleship Memorial Park when we had a chance to see another South Alabama game. They honored Tom at a halftime game there several years ago when his Aztecs played the Jaguars. We look forward to paying him tribute once again.

Late SDSU Super Fan Tom Ables striking his football pose in 2014. Our first game in WEEK 8 will be our tribute to him when we visit his WWII Battleship USS Alabama in Mobile.
Late SDSU Super Fan Tom Ables striking his football pose in 2014. Our first game in WEEK 8 will be our tribute to him when we visit his WWII Battleship USS Alabama in Mobile.

Delaware – first or second time?

Not sure if we will see Delaware host Western Kentucky on October 3 as previously mentioned. However, if we don’t get to add them then as our 135th FBS team, we’ll add them this evening as our 136th. We just won’t be able to record Delaware Stadium as a new FBS venue as all games we’ve attended there thus far, they played as an FCS program. Last season, we watched the JSU Gamecocks annihilate Western Kentucky, 52-12, here at JSU Stadium for the CUSA Championship. Jacksonville lost HC Rich Rodriguez back to WVU with a lot of transfers who followed him from last season’s 9-5 championship squad. Only four starters return from last year’s team. UD may have shot at this one. JSU stands 4-0 among their games we’ve attended

Celebrating 47 years with our Auburn connection

War Eagle! We attended our first Auburn game before this avocation turned into this crazy, lifelong adventure. I met my long-time friend Charlie Murren in 1978 working out at The Lakeland Hills YMCA in Mountain Lakes, NJ while at home from college – Charlie at Auburn, me at Juniata. In 1978, while on a fall, trimester break at JC, I got down to Auburn for a fun time down “on the Plain” for a football weekend.

Georgia’s Bulldogs came calling and left for the only tie-score ever attended at the FBS (Division 1) level, 22-22. Our friendship continues since going to games and meeting up outside the season as well. Charlie met his wife Lynda at AU, and two of his four kids graduated from there as well. Over the years, Charlie’s been able to invite me to some memorable games. I’m also in contact often with one of his AU roommates, Rick Selak. He, living in Memphis, and I have gone to several games together the last few years as well.

Once again, we will get together for another Auburn game and tailgate when the Tigers host Missouri on October 18. Of course, this will be a great tailgate party with Charlie and all his fellow Auburn classmates who try to get together now most years, even at road games. This event is so good, even my wife “Saint Laurie” attends as she and Lynda have become good friends. The Auburn Tigers started the season ranked, but they have already dropped out. Missouri, too. Just shows not every SEC team can get ranked. In our history, Auburn is 6-9-1. The Missouri Tigers come in at 4-2. Last season, the teams respectively finished 5-7, 3-6 and 10-3, 7-3. Missouri defeated Auburn in Columbia, 21-17. This game should be good, but the tailgate should be even better!

Here poses a contingent of Nittany Lion fans attending the tailgate at Auburn in 2022. This year, we finish WEEK 8 with Missouri at Auburn. Note C.A. Murren with the Auburn hat over my shoulder on right.
Here poses a contingent of Nittany Lion fans attending the tailgate at Auburn in 2022. This year, we finish WEEK 8 with Missouri at Auburn. Note C.A. Murren with the Auburn hat over my shoulder on right.

WEEK 9: Two games, two new venues

A Thursday/Saturday combo features South Alabama in another Sun Belt battle on a weekday night. This time, we catch them at Center Parc Credit Union Stadium. Who spells “Park” with a c instead of a k? Georgia State, for one. The only time we saw these Panthers play came up against Appalachian State. Not only do they stand 0-1 in our annals, they also haven’t scored yet. ASU trounced them, 44-0, in 2013, the year both programs joined the FBS. Most memorable, laughable play ever recorded was witnessed that day. Click here to buy my book Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly to read all about it.

Back to the FCS

For Saturday’s entertainment, we head east about 50 miles to Cookeville the see the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles play at home for the first time. We saw them play briefly in and rain-delayed, late-night game at Middle Tennessee in Murfreesboro where they fell, 32-25. They’ll host the SE Missouri State Red Hawks in the last season Tech will compete in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference. Effective next July, the Golden Eagles join the Southern Conference where they can play in-state rivals Chattanooga and East Tennessee State. Last season the Red Hawks (9-4, 6-2) defeated the Eagles (7-5, 6-2), 34-3. The AFCA Coaches Poll selected Tennessee Tech as Preseason No. 23 for 2025.

WEEK 10 – maybe two, but definitely one for a road trip

On Wednesday evening. Middle Tennessee hosts Jacksonville State in a CUSA contest. As mentioned previously, the atmosphere at MTSU’s Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium doesn’t stir the senses. If the MTSU team shows little improvement over last season’s 3-9 record, little interest persists. Jacksonville dominated them the last two years. Under new, first-time HC Charlie Kelly, the JSU Gamecocks may be rebuilding. Not sure after the rigorous travel schedule of the last two weeks if we’ll want to go to this one. We’ll wait and see.

As for Saturday, we’ll be heading west to Arkansas. For the first time, we will visit the hostile confines of Ronald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Razorbacks will host Mississippi State, not your top-of-the-line SEC game, but we’re due to get out there to see the Razorbacks at home. Also, last time we saw these two meet, it turned out to be great game! This reciprocates our first and only visit to Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium in November 2004. On that overcast day, the Bulldogs fell to the Razorbacks, 24-21. MSU attempted a short field goal late in the third to tie only for Arkansas to block it into the hands of DB Pierre Brown. With his over the shoulder catch, he raced 76 yards to give his Razorbacks a 10-point lead to clinch the victory. Hopefully, this game turns out to be as exciting.

Another hot time for Pittman at home?

Arkansas split their four games we’ve attended. The last was another exciting finish in their 55-53 overtime, Liberty Bowl win over Kansas in 2022. Mississippi State still seeks a win with us in attendance at 0-3. Arkansas HC Sam Pittman always seems to be on the hot seat and will be again trying to climb up in the SEC standings. He relies on QB Taylen Green returning and playing under former Arkansas HC, now OC, Bobby Petrino. Six starters return on defense and like many other programs, they hope for big things from transfers. They finished 7-6 last season with another Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech. They destroyed Mississippi State in 2024, 58-25

State went 2-10 last season under first-year HC Jeff Lebby who came to Starkville from Oklahoma as OC. Blake Shapen returns at QB after suffering an injury after four games that sidelined him the rest of the year. Lebby looks to fill in with more talent through the transfer portal, but who knows how effective that will be? With wins last year only against FCS Eastern Kentucky and everybody’s patsy, UMASS, they probably have a long way to go to catch up with the rest of the SEC. We just hope they step it up at Arkansas this late in the season. With our trip to Arkansas, that leaves only Oklahoma and Texas A&M as our two remaining SEC venues to visit.

Among games on our 2025 schedule, we finally get to see the Arkansas Razorbacks and their cheerleaders host a game in Fayetteville for our first time on WEEK 10..
Among games on our 2025 schedule, we finally get to see the Arkansas Razorbacks and their cheerleaders host a game in Fayetteville for our first time on WEEK 10..

WEEK 11 – Hopefully better than last year

For our 700th game tailgate last season, our celebration at The NJ Meadowlands turned out to be letdown as far as the game result. Notre Dame belted Navy, 52-14. Not so much the final score, but the Fighting Irish didn’t so much dominate the Midshipman. Instead, Navy mistakes gave the Irish plenty of easy opportunities to score. Misplays and mental mistakes by USNA turned into turnovers and poor field position on the big stage coming in undefeated as did the Irish. The Navy football team did not play up to its standards despite being a lesser team talent-wise. Of course, Notre Dame went on to fall in the CFP championship game to Ohio State, 34-23. Afterward, Navy floundered at Rice (some controversy regarding a new field surface and shoes at that one) and Tulane. However, they finished strong defeating archrival Army and then Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl.

This year for the first time, we will see this series continue in South Bend. Notre Dame will not have an experienced QB returning this season. CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey will both get their chances to see action this season. However, the running attack remains strong and stable with Jerimiyah Love back after 1,125 yards and 17 scores a year ago. Their Oline totals 54 starts together. Defensively, seven starters return and even more experience beyond them. MLB Drayk Bowen led the returnees in tackles with 68. SS Adon Shuler made 49 stops and picked off three passes.

Strength in Navy veterans

As for Navy, they come into this game with chips on their shoulders with a solid group of offensive starters from that 10-3 team from a year ago. QB Blake Horvath provides more passing capability than many of his predecessor past decades. He threw for 1,353 yards and 13 TDs in 2024 while leading in rushing yards of 1,246 and 17 scores. FB Alex Tecza ran for 576 yards and eight TDs. Slotback Eric Heidenreich ran for 444 and three TDs while catching 39 passes for 671 yards and six scores. Young, but big, linemen fill in three spots upfront. Landon Robinson returns at NT and Luke Parris at DE led up front with 68 tackles.

Naval History

We will see this – longest intersectional rivalry in college football – for the ninth time. Notre Dame won eight of the nine. They dominate the series overall, but they continue to play as a tribute to the US Navy who invested money into the school to keep it running financially during WWII. For Navy, it’s the biggest pay day every year after Army, and the “rivalry” helps the football recruiting at USNA. Navy’s only win in our experience came at The Meadowland in 2010, 35-17.

Saw some other close ones including our first in 1974. Navy led heading into the final period, 6-0. Irish pulled out the win late, 14-6. Led late, great Irish HC Ara Parseghian in his decision to eventually retire and end his coaching career. We don’t expect Navy to win this year either, but along with 12 friends from all walks of life joining us, we expect to see the Mids play a much better game this season in South Bend.

In our history, Navy stands 44-44. After Penn State, they’re number two in the total amount of games seen. Since relocating to Tennessee, we try to get to Annapolis once a year. We also caught games in recent years at Memphis, Charlotte and at UAB. Notre Dame’s record is 17-7. Last season, we saw them as mentioned against Navy and in the win over Penne State in the CFP Orange Bowl. Last time in South Bend, we saw them fall to Stanford, 17-10, in 2016. We look forward to going to the Linebacker Inn again and to tailgating all day at South Bend for what will be a 7: 00 pm EST kickoff.

For WEEK 11, some tailgaters from last season's Game 700 will join us In South Bend for what we hope is a better game between Notre Dame and Navy.
For WEEK 11, some tailgaters from last season’s Game 700 will join us In South Bend for what we hope is a better game between Notre Dame and Navy.

WEEK 12 Oh! Our Wake Forest tradition continues

Since I befriended Jim Harton, a Wake Forest grad and fellow employee at our company gym before retirement, I’m basically invited to see his Deacs play to uphold a tradition which I’ve fallen down on recent years. When we first met, our conversation fell on the fact that I’d seen his alma mater, Wake Forest, play six football games and win them all! “Dang! Nobody’s ever seen Wake play that many games and win them all!” In 2016, I got invited down to Winston-Salem where given the honorary nickname among his fellow alum of “Six and Oh Koreivo!” In the win over Louisville that day, my WFU nickname became “Seven and Oh Koreivo.” I got up to “Eight” with a win over Texas A&M in the Belk Bowl. The following year, however, my streak came to a difficult ending with 62-59 down-to-the-wire loss against Louisville.

No regrets or loss of respect from my Demon Deacon friends. They revised my nickname to “Eight and Almost Oh. ‘” Well, a bad loss to Florida State in 2023 and a win over FCS North Carolina A&T with a12-2 mark since still has me referred to as “Almost Oh.” I now try to make it to 13 wins this season in Winston-Salem. North Carolina comes to town with new HC Bill Belichick and his pretty, young girlfriend. I welcome the challenge.

Wake’s new HC Jake Dickert takes over after success at Washington State. Transfers followed him, of course. Looking forward to the tradition of wining with the Deacs no matter who they play. A win here over Belichick and his Tar Heels and would be wonderful achievement for both Dickert and “13 and Almost Oh” to say the least. UNC comes in at 4-2 under our watch. “Oh, here’s to Wake Forest” – Almost once again!

Our 2025 schedule isn't complete if we don't get to catch-up with Jim"Bugaluga" Harton and his Demon Deacon die-hards. We see them host North Carolina and Bill Belichick at Truist Field in Winston-Salem on November 15. Hoping to remain "Almost Oh!"
Our 2025 schedule isn’t complete if we don’t get to catch-up with Jim”Bugaluga” Harton and his Demon Deacon die-hards. We see them host North Carolina and Bill Belichick at Truist Field in Winston-Salem on November 15. Hoping to remain “Almost Oh!”

WEEK 13 Staying local

Moving to the Nashville area, I initially wrote off going to Vanderbilt games nearby. Suddenly, QB Diego Paiva arrived through the portal from New Mexico State of all places, and the Commodores under fourth-year HC Clark Lea became more interesting. Hell, Vanderbilt beat Alabama last year! We’ll probably be catching Paiva’s final game in Nashville. It should be an interesting one. They host Kentucky. Neither one should overwhelm the other. In our book Vandy is 1-6. The only win ever came in 2008 with my 12-year-old son, Eric, to attend the Music City Bowl – my future town of retirement. They clipped Boston College, 16-14. Lost five straight on my watch since. Maybe local comedian Nate Bargatze will MC this one as he did at last year’s homecoming when South Carolina came to town. He can add some laughs.

Kentucky hasn’t fared much better at 2-5 over our visits. Vandy comes into this year after a 7-6 season. Kentucky posted a record of 4-8. In preseason SEC coaches’ polls, both are only ahead of Mississippi State in the SEC. Maybe they will be both better, but even if not, they should be competitive against one another. Like Vandy, the Wildcats QB Zach Calzada transferred in from FCS Incarnate Word after stints at Texas A&M and Auburn. HC Mark Stoops enters his 13th season with the Wildcats. Bad luck for him? Last season, Vanderbilt prevailed against UK, 20-13. The Wildcats have defeated the Commodores the last four times they visited Nashville. Not as easy to win with Paiva under center for the ‘Dores. Whether Bargatze shows up or not, this could be an entertaining event. For both, a win could be a bowl invitation.

WEEK 14 – Up in the air for now

Our Thanksgiving Family traditions have changed the last few years. Instead of New England festivities, visitations and finding BC or NCAA playoff games in the colder climes, there seems to be fewer choices. The past few years with children moving to warmer climates, Texas and Texas State games fell conveniently on to our slates after Thursday. Now for the time being, we look to be heading to Florida.

As grandparents now, someday we’ll be hosting in Tennessee, but I somehow doubt it. They have excused now like work, kids, travel, money, etc. Someday based on family ties, we may get to see Florida vs. Florida State in the Sunshine State. For this year, however, it looks like our only option comes Rice at South Florida. Last season, we ventured to Utah at Central Florida in Orlando. Been to Raymond James Stadium for Outback Bowls in the past, but not as a South Florida home game.

Only seen Rice once at home in Houston to see them and Hawaii both play for the first time in 2002. The visiting Rainbow Warriors triumphed, 33-28. Rice, another 0-1 team in our history, will play the USF Bulls, who’ve struggled in our games at 1-5. Their lone victory came at Syracuse in 2011, 37-17. All other losses came in venues in the northeast – at UConn, Rutgers (2), Temple, and Navy. Now both members of the American Athletic, this regular season finale could be a dud. Last year, with a record of 7-6, USF defeated no teams with a winning record except for San Jose State, also 7-6, in a bowl (or “consolation game” as we like to call post-season games like these between mediocre teams). One of USF’s six losses came against Rice (4-8) in their season finale 35-28.

The Owls play this year under their new HC Scott Abell who comes from FCS Davidson College. He favors running the option. We saw his team in action last season when we watched his Wildcats blast the Stetson Hatters, 70-48. We’ll keep an eye on Scott to see if this game’s possibly worth attending. If anything, at least we’ll hopefully get out of the house savor the sunny weather as cold November sets in north of us.

We always like to feature this picture of USF cheeleaders "sneaking" back into the Temple game at Lincoln Finacial. another reason to the Bulls at home in WEEK 14.
We always like to feature this picture of USF cheerleaders “sneaking” back into the Temple game at Lincoln Finacial. Another reason to see the Bulls at home in WEEK 14. One of our favorite cheer squads of all time.

WEEK 15 Conference Championships or FCS playoffs

Regular season with one exception is over and conference division winners or first place against second place foes pair up to play for better bowl bids this weekend. On Friday night, we go back to Jacksonville, Alabama for the CUSA championship. On Saturday, we will have no idea where the Sun Belt nor American Athletic title games will be played. That’s because the home field advantage goes to the first-place team. If not too far from Jacksonville, we will drive there. If not achievable, we’ll be looking for a playoff among FCS, D-2 and D-3 options if they fall within a few hours’ drive of our Friday night venue. Good luck to us!

WEEK 16 Greatest rivalry in all of College Football+

We’re back in the saddle with our Navy contribution for this season since we’re no longer in range to opt for season tickets in Annapolis. We will be at our 19th Army Navy game. In our games, Navy leads this series 10-8. This year, the rivals play at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. You know who we’re rooting for. This season, we will see Navy vs. Air Force and at Notre Dame as mentioned. Last season, 10-3 Navy defeated 12-2 Army at Landover, MD, 31-13. Both teams will be competitive in the American Athletic once again this season. There is even a chance that they may meet the week before in the title game for the AAC. If so, the question is where and if so, can we get there wherever it may be?

A win in that one for either team can actually offer a bid into the CFP as the Group of Five representative. The original and possibly second game between the two in December will be played for Pride, Tradition and REVENGE. That would be different and awfully appealing to millions of Americans. That would also be amazing to attend. If the first game becomes reality, there is still no way that this meeting will be insignificant to either. What a game this would be. Greatest rivalry!

When these two teams both have losing records, they still draw one of the Top Ten TV college football audiences each year. If these two meet back-to-back weekends, both could eclipse Ohio State-Michigan, Alabama-Auburn, Texas-Oklahoma, USC-UCLA or any other game. People sometimes tell us; this is the one game they watch every year. Many have family ties to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps. USNA grads serve in the Marines as well as the US Navy. For our sake, we look forward to attending another great game in this historic rivalry. Heading into the 126th edition, Navy leads the series 63–55–7.

If you’ve enjoyed stories about our football adventures above, read more below

Click on the title of my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023 and more. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote this book. Also, based on what you read above, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years, and then please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure having seen every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

WEEK 16 between Army and Navy ends with the alma maters sung by both the Corps of Cadets and the Brigade of Midshipman. The Winner closes out the entire regular season of College Football by singing last. What could be more fitting?
WEEK 16 between Army and Navy ends with the alma maters sung by both the Corps of Cadets and the Brigade of Midshipmen. The Winner closes out the entire regular season of College Football by singing last. What could be more fitting?

Oregon at Penn State: Week 5

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State College, PA- On WEEK 5, we attend Oregon at Penn State at newly refurbished Beaver Stadium. This is our most anticipated game of the 2025 regular season. For the annals of our history, this visit becomes our 120th Penn State game. This season and this game in particular mark the potential sendoff of the Nittany Lions to their first national championship since 1986. PSU ranks second in most pre-season polls to Texas. The Ducks start the preseason in the Associated Press poll at No. 5. With our great friend, PSU alum and die-hard Nittany Lion fan, John Massimilla, who we’ve seen PSU games with for 45 years now, we look forward to seeing the Lions play the Ducks for a second time. Last time, saw them battle in the 1995 Rose Bowl. Penn State prevailed, 38-20

Like that game, we hope to see the Lions remain undefeated. Penn State finished that season 12-0. Without a true College Football Playoff (CFP) back then, the pollsters awarded the championship to the other undefeated team that season, Nebraska. Different circumstance this time, of course. We expect both teams to enter Happy Valley undefeated. We’ll have seen the Ducks in their opener against Montana State. The week before this game, they will host in-state rival Oregon State.

White-out!!!

The Lions have a bye week the prior Saturday after meeting Nevada, Florida International and FCS Villanova – all at home. At this home game, the intensity ramps up! Penn State hosts Oregon in a traditional “White-out!” As at any such White-out confrontation, we anticipate a very long day of pregame tailgating, a close game to the end, a slow-to-empty parking lot exit and a late arrival home into the wee hours of the morning.

Penn State fans, students and the Blue Band got ready for a loud and first time White out at the College Football Playoffs! It will be much more intense when Oregon shows up this year.
Penn State fans, students and the Blue Band got ready for a loud and first time White out at the College Football Playoffs! It will be much more intense when Oregon shows up this year.

Our Oregon history

Compliments of Kermit the Frog. As mentioned, we saw the Oregon Ducks play Penn State in the 1995 Rose Bowl. You can read this story in my book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. The Ducks stand 1-1 in the annals of Collegefootballfan.com history. We didn’t see them play again until last season. At Wisconsin, they held off the Badgers to a 16-13 win. They finished the regular season at 12-0 before defeating Penn State in the Big Ten Championship, 45-37. Like the other three CFP teams with byes in the first round, they fell in the next round. Eventual champion Ohio State dominated them, 41-21. OSU defeated Notre Dame in the CFP Championship. The Irish defeated the Lions at the semi-final in the Orange Bowl we attended, 27-24

Oregon up for the FBS hunt once again

HC Dan Lanning’s team lost well-travelled, Heisman candidate QB Dillon Gabriel (3,857 passing yards, 30 TDs and 6 INTs) from last season. To replace him, Dante Moore, a UCLA transfer who joined OU last season steps in. He’ll reap the benefit of having eight returning starters around him. Defensively, the Ducks return six starters. At RB, Noah Whittingham replaces Jordan James who went to the SF 49ers last year as the number four draft pick overall. Whittingham trudged for 540 yards and six TDs. He looks to be the key cog for OU in the rushing department. WR Evan Stewart and TE Kenyon Sadiq return as leading receivers as key targets for Moore. Four starters from their OL moved on including two first round picks. Transfers from reputable programs step in. They’ll probably establish the Ducks as a pretty formidable team by the time they visit Penn State.

Oregon Duck QB Dillon Gabriel (9) tries to elude Badger defenders in second half trailing, 13-6. Penn State will put up more points in the first half than Wisconsin did.
Oregon Duck QB Dillon Gabriel (9) tries to elude Badger defenders in second half trailing, 13-6. Penn State should put up more points in the first half than Wisconsin did.

“D” stands for Defense and Ducks

Defensively, Oregon returns Key EDGE rushers in Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti. ILB Bryce Boettcher returns as leading tackler, and Ole Miss transfer Jadon Canady reinforces the BUs. However, they lost four starting DBs, although two transfers join in from other Big Ten schools. It’s hard to bet against all that Nike money financing all that talent in Eugene. Last season in a night game at Wisconsin, the Ducks played unphased against a very boisterous crowd that evening. However, the Badgers possessed little firepower to challenge a tough Oregon defense.

QB Allar returns, but we recommend some “tweaking”

Despite the Big Ten championship loss to the Ducks last season, the Nittany Lions posted 37 points against the tough Oregon defense. Success for the Lions on offense this season centers on the improvement of senior QB Drew Allar. Though statistically dominant with his passing stats of 66.5%, 3,327 yards, 24 TDs and 8 INTs, we believe his coaching staff needs to make two significant changes to his game to help him to play even better.

The hire of Defensive Coordinator Jim Knowles from Ohio State should be helpful in providing James Franklin with input we think will help substantially having beaten PSU in the past. Allar tends to focus on his primary receiver rather that look off to give his receivers more room with such deception. Secondly, the offense doesn’t take enough advantage of the great running game they possess to utilize more play action. Freeze the opposing secondaries more. If the coaching staff worked on this in the off-season, the Lions will be even better on offense and Allar will dominate.

Penn State RB Nick Singleton (10) runs hard against Michigan in 2022.
Penn State RB Nick Singleton (10) runs hard against Michigan in 2023.

Penn State returns with formidable offense

The Penn State running game reputation already persists. Nick Singleton led in rushing last year with 1,099 yards and 12 TDs. Kaytron Allen provides the second of the one-two backfield punch with 1,108 yards and eight TDs. In front of them opening holes charge seven war horses with starting experience. Second Team All-Big Ten OG Olaivega Ioane leads the way. Most of the 300+ pounders started 16 games last season. The graduation of Tyler Warren loses a degree of production at TE. Khali Dinkins returns after six starts. The Lions also seem to have a revolving door now at that position into the pros.

The wide receiver position warranted the greatest needs for OC Andy Kotelnicki’s offense. James Franklin scoured the transfer portal to add three experienced players to step right in. Kyron Hudson came across the country from USC with 462 yards. Devonte Ross showed up from Troy with 1,043 yards recorded. Trebor Pena comes from Syracuse with 941 yards for the Orange. Kotelnicki’s receiving corps impressed us when we saw his Kansas squad in an exciting 55-53 Liberty Bowl loss against Arkansas in 2022. With improvements as mentioned previously regarding Allar, this could be the most fun, passing team we have ever witnessed at Penn State.

Another season at Linebacker U.

Despite that Linebacking reputation, the Nittany Lions look strong overall. Six starters return on defense along with a wealth of talent at other positions. DE Dani Dennis-Sutton and DT Zane Durant will be returning with 42 stops each to their credit. Dennis-Sutton recorded 8.5 sacks. LBs Tony Rojas and Dominic Deluca return to uphold that stellar reputation. Both had three pick-offs in addition to hard hits a year ago. UNC transfer Amare Campbell adds more depth to an already strong contingent of backers. The secondary features CB AJ Harris with 48 tackles. FS Zakee Wheatley comes back as the leading tackler with 96 a year ago along with three INTs. Most likely, he’ll be joined by SS King Mack who took a one-year hiatus to Alabama. Under new DC Jim Knowles, this defense can be even stronger. Last year, the Lions allowed 17 points per game.

What we expect if…

In front of 110,000 fans fired-up from a full day of tailgating, this White-out Crowd will be intimidating for Oregon. As visitors, they withstood the night game we attended in front of an excited Wisconsin crowd a year ago, but this will be amplified. On top of that, the Nittany Lions let Dillon Gabriel throw effectively against them at a neutral site. The Lions and their fans will be amped about that. Last season in that game, the Lions played some catch-up. If we see adjustments made as prescribed previously, Allar should get this offense going early. If not, the Lions may set themselves up for an upset.

For Penn State, this is what we hope not to see - James Franklin not jacking up his team during a critical drive lie seen here against Michigan in a 24-15 loss in 2023.
For Penn State, this is what we hope not to see – James Franklin not jacking up his team during a critical drive like seen here against Michigan in a 24-15 loss in 2023.

James Franklin needs to lead

In the past, we’ve seen Michigan and Ohio State come in for White-outs and win. The Oregon program is definitely on par with both under HC Dan Lanning. If Oregon hangs close which they may do, our only concern from this perspective is James Franklin. As much as he can recruit among the best, in close game situations, we have to question some of his decision-making processes.

If the Lions can extend a lead entering the final period, the denizens of Happy Valley can rejoice late that evening. If it’s close, we hope Franklin steps up to lead his team to inspire them to victory in a tough situation. The Nittany Lions seem to have everything going for them in the right direction heading into this game. We expect to see them win by more than a TD. However, like other PSU fans, we may be biting our nails if the game is close going into the final period.

Read about the last time we saw Penn State and Oregon Clash and other Tales

Click on the title of my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023 and more. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote this book. Also, based on what you read above, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years, and then please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure having seen every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

Raring to go back to see Penn State back in Happy Valley on September 27!
Raring to go back to see Penn State back in Happy Valley on September 27!

Illinois at Indiana; Week 4

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Bloomington, IN – When we relocated to Tennessee in 2021 and looked at new, closer travel opportunities to attend games, an Indiana Hoosier home got shoved to the bottom of our priorities. In 2024, Curt Cignetti leaves James Madison and brings along quite a few former FCS Dukes to Bloomington. In the biggest surprise of the season, Indiana plays in the College Football Playoff in Year One. “Who’d have thunk it?” as they say. For many years, Indiana University rarely played a game of significance in college football. These Hoosiers didn’t play for Bobby Knight.

With so little at stake for Indiana football over the years, we’ve seen them play only four times. In a shocker, their first appearance on our slate back in November 1993 featured some significance. The Hoosiers ambled into State College, PA to face the Nittany Lions playing in their inaugural season of Big Ten membership. Not only was Indiana 7-1, 4-1 at that point, they were even ranked ahead of Joe Paterno’s team, 5-2, 3-2. The Lions fell the previous two weeks to Michigan and to Ohio State, of course. This contest turned out to be good and exciting. Penn State prevailed, 38-31, in the end.

Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr. (9) seen in action for Indiana in 33-31 win over Western Kentucky in 2021. After a 2-10 season, he took the portal to UDUB to go early in the 2024 draft.
Indiana QB Michael Penix Jr. (9) seen in action for Indiana in 33-31 win over Western Kentucky in 2021. After a 2-10 season, he took the portal to UDUB. From there, he went early in the 2024 draft.

Whose your Indiana Hoosiers?

Two of three subsequent Indiana games we attended provided some significance to the annals of our history. PSU blew them out, 38-17, in 2008. After that, however, the Hoosiers won big in September 2012 introducing UMASS to the FBS in Foxboro, MA. They crushed the Minutemen on the positive side of a 45-6 score. In 2021, they played in a close battle in our first game at Western Kentucky after our relocation to Tennessee, 33-31. Overall, they appeared before us in three competitive games for a 2-2 record. Now, we have reason to travel to Bloomington, Indiana in 2025 to actually see them truly host a game of significance.

Illini offered little historical significance

Like Indiana, we’ve not had much impetus to attend many Illinois games. Penn State introduced them to us as our Team # 62 in 2000 (remember Y2K?). The Lions thrashed them 39-25 when both teams finished dismal seasons with five wins each. Ten years later, the Illini returned the favor in State College with a 33-13 upset at the PSU Homecoming. In 2009, Illinois introduced us to the Ohio State “Horseshoe” during a cold rain where they got drubbed, 30-0, by the eventual Rose Bowl champ. Their last game we attended came at Memorial Stadium on their campus in Champaign, Illinois in 2023. There Penn State, with soph QB Drew Allar, defeated them 30-13.

Tales of two coaches

We’ve seen both coaches lead their previous programs in games in prior seasons. Three years ago, we watched Curt Cignetti lead James Madsion into FBS play at Louisville. His JMU Dukes fell to the Cardinals, 34-10. It was the third loss for the Dukes in their inaugural FBS season on the way to an 8-3 record.

Illini HC Bret Bielema’s first game with us goes all the way back to 2008 when he coached Wisconsin at Michigan State in East Lansing, Michigan. The Badgers fell to the Spartans on a game-winning field goal as time expired. Bielema played a significant part in that loss as he spent a time-out on MSU’s final possession when he could have let the clock continue to run out. Live and learn, but that lingers as a tough way for any coach to lose. He left Wisconsin for Arkansas in 2013, and from there became an assistant to Nick Saban at Alabama. He returned to coach the Illini in the Big Ten once again in 2021.

In the last game college football game we attended in 2022 between a Power Five and a Group of Five team, we saw Louisville defeat James Madison, a first-year FBS program coached by Cignetti, 24-10.
In the last college football game we attended between a Power Five and a Group of Five team in 2022 , we saw Louisville defeat James Madison, a first-yi ear FBS program coached by Cignetti, 24-10.

AP Preseason Poll: No. 10 Indiana vs. No. 16 Illinois

Unusual to say the least. Rarely does the Big Ten feature a match-up between two top 25 teams on the very first week of conference play. Think: Ohio State vs. Michigan. Both coaches bring in teams after strong seasons with some prolific starters returning from within or transferring in since last season. Indiana finished 11-2 last year, tied for second place with Penn State for second with a Big Ten mark of 8-1. Many observers will say that their two losses to Ohio State (38-15) and to Notre Dame in the CFP (27-17) indicated how weak their regular season slate was. They averaged 41 points per game on offense while the defense allowed only 16 on average.

The Illini come off a 10-3 record with losses at Penn State, at Oregon and against Minnesota. They stunned a good South Carolina team, 27-17, in the Citrus Bowl. They averaged 28 points per game on offense and allowed 22 ppg on defense. Indiana and Illinois did not meet last season. However, the Hoosiers triumphed by three in their last two meetings – 45-42 at Champaign in 2023. They posted another close win, 23-20, in Bloomington the season before. An indication of another battle we’ll see this year? We hope so!

Statue University of Illinois' Iconic football legend Red Grange memorialized outside of Memorial Stadium.
Statue University of Illinois’ iconic football legend Red Grange memorialized outside of Memorial Stadium.

Indiana: open portal keeps Hoosiers aloft

QB Kurtis Roarke entered from Ohio U. a season ago and moved on to the pros since. Cignetti found Fernando Mendoza from Cal well-equipped to replace him. He threw for 3004 yards, 16 TDs and six INTs in his second year as a starter in Berkeley. Two leading targets return to IU from last season. WR Elijah Surrat (53 catches for 957 yards and eight TDs) and Omar Cooper ( 28/594/7) look to challenge this year’s slate of Big Ten secondaries. At TE comes double-transferee Holden Staes via Tennessee after Notre Dame. At RB, the portal sucked in Roman Hemby from Maryland. In 38 starts, he rushed for 2,347 yards. Four experienced OL will see action including Pat Coogan who started 26 games for the Fighting Irish.

Seven defenders return on the other side of the ball for Indiana

MLB Aidan Fisher led the Hoosiers in tackles with 118. SS Amare Ferrel came up with 49 stops and four picks. DE (called STUD in IU terminology) Mikail Kamara recorded 47 tackles and 10 sacks applying tremendous pressure. CB De’Angelo Ponds, All-Sunbelt 2nd team at JMU in 2023 returns with 55 tackles and three INTs for the Hoosiers. They allowed 17.6 ppg last year, but their slate didn’t present too many noteworthy offenses. Illinois, Oregon and Penn State will test them this season.

Illini on the rise

Bielema’s fourth season at Illinois last year resulted in his best record at 10-3. With QB Luke Altmyer returning, confidence rises to improve upon last season. With Altmyer at a 60.8% completion rate, 2,717 yards and 22 TDs through the air and six INTs, the Illini feel they can only get better. His offensive line stays intact for great protection and solid skill players provide him a dangerous arsenal of weapons. Typically, the Illini feature a few top NFL OL prospects. Bielema lays claim that only former Alabama HC Nick Saban sent more offensive lineman to the NFL over the years than he did. The line will be among the top choices for the Joe Moore Award this year. College football bestows it on the best offensive line annually.

The backfield returns Aidan Laughery (601 yards, four TDs) and Kaden Feagin (314 yards and three TDs) ranked 2nd and 3rd among U of ILL rushers last season. Feagin started as the top back last season, but he sustained an injury after five games to sideline him the balance of the season. At wide receiver, Hudson Clement, WVU’s top receiver, joins a potent duo of Hank Beatty and Collin Dixon averaging 14.7 yards per reception. Four other transfers will vie for playing time in the receiving corps.

In 2022, Penn State brought the pressure to Altmyer. He will rely on a strongly fortified front to keep the IU pressure off him in this game.
In 2022, Penn State brought the pressure to Altmyer. He will rely on a strongly fortified front to keep the IU pressure off him in this game.

From Dick Butkus to…

Nine starters return on defense. OLB Gabe Jacas made Third Team All-American with 74 tackles including eight sacks. Their linebacking corps looks solid. First team Big 10 LB Xavier Scott returns with 49 tackles and four INTs. Dylan Rosiek and James Kreutz reset as the numbers three and four tacklers from last season’s team. Safeties Matt Bailey and Miles Scott have played in 69 games to combine for 227 tackles and eight INTs. All four secondary starters come back with full seasons of starting experience. Unlike a lot of other programs, this defense grew together within this program.

Great game ahead

Heading into their Big Ten opener, Indiana won’t be tested among ODU, 2-10 Kennesaw State under a new HC and FCS Indiana State beforehand. However, these games will allow them time to adjust to get all the new transfers playing on the same page. It seems like Curt Cignetti has the experience to do this once again. The Illini non-conference includes FCS Western Illinois, Duke and Western Michigan. Duke’s defense under Manny Diaz will be a good test for the Illini offensive potency. A challenge here could help strengthen them for this conflict.

We expect both squads coming into this one at 3-0. Both will have skilled talent returning including experienced QBs which ensures to make this a great early season battle. Assuredly, this game will get settled late the final period. Like that last two meetings, the final margin comes down to withing three points. Indiana has the home field advantage, but after last year’s success and plethora of returning starters among the Illini, is that a significant advantage?

Early season success starts with experienced quarterbacks

We saw Altmyer against Penn State in 2022, and reports indicate he’s improved. Mendoza also has a lot of experienced talent around him that should gel by then. This is a tough call. Cignetti? Bret Bielema? After deep thought, Illinois comes in more motivated as this team is already unified. Some players opted out of the NFL draft to play one more season together. In their first Big Ten game of the season, they see this as a stepping stone to win the conference title. Indiana had its shot last year. The Illini know that and won’t let the Hoosiers stand in their way. With great motivation, look for Illinois to win this in a tight, hard-fought, down to the wire battle. at Indiana’s Memorial Stadium. For our first time there, can’t wait!

Once again, a friendly and informative reminder

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023 and more. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote this book. Also, based on what you read above, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years, and then please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure having seen every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

Morehead State at Austin Peay; Week 3, Game 2

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Clarksville, TN – Decided to take a U-turn north after our Saturday afternoon game to attend the 6 pm game at Fortera Stadium featuring Morehead State at Austin Peay.  Originally, as planned in our previous preview, we planned to attend Stetson at UT Chattanooga after our venture to Sewanee.  After further review, the game between the Hatters and the Moccasin doesn’t look competitive.  That’s what we generally look for.  If anything, that match-up provided us primarily with convenience to see two games in one day.

Last season, we saw the Hatters for the first time in a 70-48 loss at Davidson. Overall, they finished 2-9 and 0-7 in the Pioneer League. The Pioneer League plays as the only Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conference without athletic scholarships.  Hatter wins came over two NAIA teams, and they open with two more this season.  UTC (7-5, 5-3 in 2024) competes as a solid program in the competitive Southern Conference. For our purposes, attending this game no longer interests us.

Stetson (in white) came back to make it close in the third period, but 'five straight TDs by Davidson made the final score our highest in non-FBS competition with 118 points.
Stetson (in white) came back to make it close in the third period, but ‘five straight TDs by Davidson made the final score our highest in non-FBS competition with 118 points.

Good experiences at Austin Peay

Collegefootballfan.com has visited Fortera Stadium several times since relocating to Tennessee on 2021. Leaving Sewanee to get to Clarksville by 6 pm will be a challenge, but it should result in us seeing a more competitive game.  Former HC Scotty Walden brought intensity. spirit and energy to the APSU program before taking over as Head Coach at UTEP in 2024. Under Walden, we saw the Governors go 3-2.

New HC Jeff Faris comes into his second year with the Governors following a 4-8 season, 3-5 in the new United Athletic Conference (UAC).  Walden took a lot of Austin Peay talent with him to El Paso. Faris gleaned much of his coaching experience at Duke under David Cutcliffe as OC and QB coach.

Former Austin Peay HC Scotty Walden brought a lot of fun and spirit to the Governor's program before he left to take over at UTEP before 2024. We look forward to seeing what he can do there to improve the Miners in Conference USA..
Former Austin Peay HC Scotty Walden brought a lot of fun and spirit to the Governor’s program before he left to take over at UTEP before 2024.

Governors of preseason distinction

Unlike Stetson, Austin Peay opens against FBS programs at Middle Tennessee followed by Georgia.  So, we expect them to have at least one loss before meeting Morehead. A preseason UAC Coaches Poll predicts they will finish sixth in conference play this season. Three Governors earned placement on the UAC Coaches Preseason All-Conference Team.  DB Ellis Ellis, Jr. (that’s not a typo) made 26 tackles, three INTs and six pass break-ups to gain recognition.  OL Chandler Kirton logged three solid seasons to be noticed at APSU.  PK Carson Smith impressed on 13 of 20 FGs including his longest from 56 yards in 2024.

Facade of Austin Peay's Fortera Stadium in 2021. We hear it has a lobby now. Hopefully , we can get time to check it out.
Facade of Austin Peay’s Fortera Stadium in 2021. We hear it has a lobby now. Hopefully , we can get time to check it out.

Building around his quarterback

Coach Faris developed QBs at Duke.  He continues a work-in-progress here. QB Austin Smith led all Governor rushers last season in addition to stellar performances in the passing game. He picked up 480 yards and four TDs rushing. He threw for 2,354 yards, 15 TDs and seven INTs. WR Jaden Barnes returns as his favorite target snagging 58 passes for 1,083 yards and nine TDs. Defensively, DB Jarden Lyles led the team in 96 tackles and an INT.  Austin Peay will be looking for more aggressive play from its defensive front.

Morehead moving ahead

Like Stetson, the Morehead Eagles play in the Pioneer League.  In 2024 under first-year HC Jason Woodman, they finished 7-5,5-3.  Woodman cut his coaching teeth at LSU under Nick Saban and Les Miles. He coached successfully for ten seasons at Fairmount State (WV), a D-2 program in the Mountain East Conference.  Morehead appears on our schedule here for the first time.  Like Austin Peay, though in an 11-team conference, PL coaches select Morehead to finish sixth.  Also, like the Governors, the Morehead offense will be built around their returning QB, Carter Cravens.

Cravens career thus far totals 4,013 passing yards and 24 TDs. The Pioneer League Coaches selected him as preseason All-Conference QB.  Among other All-Conference selections, they named WR Ryan Upp with his 42 grabs for 573 yards and five TDs.  On defense, LB Luke Bauer garnered 50 tackles in 2024 including 12 for losses and 4.5 sacks. Among other returnees, Issac Stopke leads RBs with his 290 yards and three TDs.  Defensively, Matthew McClelland recorded 109 stops, four INTs, and four pass break-ups.

Austin Peay vs. Morehead State looks entertaining

Under second-year head coaches at the FCS level, both squads look to develop their rosters before their respective conference slates begin.  Both teams seek improvement from returning players and seek to find talent to move up to step in where needed.  This game should be a fight late into the game.  We’re glad we found this opportunity to find a much more competitive game than we initially planned. 

Austin Peay cheerleaders lead their fans, "Let's Go Peay!"
Austin Peay cheerleaders lead their fans in their chant, “Let’s Go Peay!”

Morehead to honor Alumnus QB Phil Simms

Morehead pays tribute to one of its greatest players of all-time on October 18.  Prior to the game against the Marist (NY) Red Foxes, MSU will rename its Jayne Stadium in honor of Phil Simms.  The New York Giant Super Bowl-winning QB and long-time television game analyst will be on-hand for the fitting ceremony.  As we’ve witnessed many times before, you never know when you’ll see such great players make their marks early in their illustrious careers.

Collegefootballfan.com slate starts moving on up!

 As stated in previous previews, we started the early season with cash flow in mind while seeking mostly interesting, “small school” match-ups on our docket.  Late September, we start making our moves with two critical and exciting Big Ten clashes. Before noting the preseason rankings in parenthesis below, we always refuse to consider coaches polls.  Coaches have interest in their own team only and the next team they will play. They should anyway. Voting for future opponents only bolsters their own team’s ranking. Not that we agree with the media either, but here we’ll utilize the traditional rankings of The Associated Press (AP) Poll. 

Our next preview takes us to see Illinois (16) at Indiana (10).  Our first game in Bloomington because, to be honest, they never played any games of significance there until HC Curt Cignetti arrived.  Next, Oregon (3) at Penn State (5).  The pundits just put too much emphasis on previous season results in their polling methodology as far as we’re concerned. However, they should have more time to analyze many teams than do head football coaches focused on developing, recruiting, analyzing transfer portals, game-planning, fundraising, media interacting and their upcoming opponent.

And a friendly and informative reminder

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! If you’re trying to follow NILs and transfer portals, read what we predicted in 2023 and more. In addition, we offered solutions to issues occurring that we anticipated when we wrote this book. Also, based on what you read above, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years, and then please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure having seen every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

Our upcoming schedule heats up with two teams that battled at the Orange Bowl in the College Football Playoff semi-final. Will Notre Dame and Penn State return in to play one another again in the 2025 edition?
Our upcoming schedule heats up with two teams that battled at the Orange Bowl in the 2024 College Football Playoff semi-final. Will Notre Dame and Penn State return in to play one another again in the 2025 CFP edition?

Brevard College at Sewanee (University of The South); Week 3

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Sewanee, TN – Brevard at Sewanee, you ask? Who? What? Why? I reach back into my Division-3 roots as a graduate of Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA to start this weekend. Like these two schools, Juniata possesses credible marks in the history of American and college football. Brevard and Sewanee celebrate their particular points of history or interest as well. At Juniata for instance, we take pride having played in the 1956 Tangerine Bowl, later Citrus Bowl (tied Missouri Valley, 6-6). In 1973, the Juniata Indians played in the first Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the D-3 championship. Lost to Wittenberg of Ohio badly, 41-0. However, JC won the first playoff game ever when the Indians defeated the University of Bridgeport (CT) in the first D-3 final four playoff ever, 35-14. My father took me to see the game my junior year in high school. As far as alumni, we featured one of the best NFL coaches of all time. Chuck Knox graduated in 1954. He coached the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks and Los Angelas Rams for a career record of 186-147. Juniata’s football stadium bears his name.

The Juniata College Eagles enter their home field in Knox Stadium in 2013. The facility is named for former late Juniata Indian and NFL Head Coach Chuck Knox. He donated one million dollars to refurbish the facility when he was with the LA Rams.
The Juniata College Eagles enter their home field in Knox Stadium in 2013. The facility is named for former late Juniata Indian and NFL Head Coach Chuck Knox. He donated one million dollars to refurbish the facility when he was with the LA Rams.

Cash flow strategy

Like the previous week, made a decision to keep costs down early for more enticing trips to big games later in the season. No game tickets on sale, but a $20 parking fee provides a tailgate spot and a seat at Hardee-McGee Field. For Collegefootballfan.com, this looks like a good opportunity to consolidate two local games into one weekend. In addition, my Guest Game Analyst (GGA) that week actually played for Sewanee in the late 60’s. My friend from the local gym, the “Commissioner” of our Gym Plus Friends Fantasy Football League, David Oakley, convinced me to join. Because of my inability to focus much on pro games, I invited him to revisit his struggling alma mater. His first time back on campus in a while, hopefully the atmosphere that day will conjure up some of his football memories. Maybe his mind will clear. Playing halfback, he supposedly doesn’t remember wearing a face mask.

David played for the late Sewanee Hall of Fame HC Shirley Majors. At Sewanee, he achieved a record of 93–74–5. Among Major’s five football-playing sons, he was the father of the late Johnny Majors (185-137-10) who coached the University of Tennessee to three SEC titles and the Pitt Panthers to the National Championship in 1976. I got to see him coach Pitt in 1974 when I attended the US Naval Academy. Pitt defeated the Midshipman that day with Tony Dorsett, the eventual 1976 Heisman Trophy winner, at running back, 13-11. The entire Majors Football Family enshrined into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame together in 1966.

Sewanee: 1899 University of the South “Iron Men”

The Sewanee Tigers of 1899 were one of the greatest college football teams ever. In their 12-0 season, they won five of those games in six days. They outscored their opponents that season, 322-10. The teams they defeated dwell in this year’s Top 25: Geogia, Texas, Texas A&M, Auburn, Tennessee LSU, and Ole Miss. Get this: they won all five games in six days on the road. They hosted only three games at home on Hardee Field. Who schedules like this today? In their final win of the season, Auburn, under HC John Heisman, scored the only points of the season against Sewanee in their 11-10 struggle.

After winning six D-3 National Championship games at Wisconsin-Whitewater, we saw HV Lance Leipold mkove on to coach Buffalo at Penn State and vs Army. Now he is HC at Kansas where he's making a bigger impact in the FBS.
After winning six D-3 National Championship games at Wisconsin-Whitewater, we saw HC Lance Leipold move on to coach Buffalo at Penn State and vs Army. Now he is HC at Kansas where he’s making a bigger impact in the FBS.

From 1934-1939, Sewanee played as a charter member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). During those seasons, they won only 16 games. None came against any SEC programs of today. The University of the South bounced around among several conferences after. And even at the D-3 level, they still clamor for success. The Tigers enjoyed their last winning season in 2000 with a record of 6-4.

Sewanee: committed to turn football around

Fed up with losing, to get back on track, in 2022, The University of the South hired Andy McCollum as its new HC. McCollum coached Middle Tennesse in nearby Murfreesboro from 1999-2005 leading the Blue Raiders in their step up into Division 1A football (now the FBS). We happened to add MTSU as our 64th major football program in 2000 when they visited the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT. McCollum’s team blasted the Huskies, our 65th team added that day, 66-10. After that 6-5 season, MTSU joined the Sun Belt and won the title with an 8-3 record overall in 2001. The momentum died after that season though. McCollum left behind a record of 34-45. Subsequently, he became a defensive assistant including nine seasons at Georgia Tech under successful HC Paul Johnson who we saw many times coaching Navy into a much-improved program running the triple option.

McCollum took over a Sewanee Tiger team that won two games during the previous four seasons before he arrived. He now holds a record of 5-15 after his first two. So, progress has been made. Last season, the offense averaged 20.7 ppg while the defense allowed 30 ppg. They finished 2-8 overall and 1-6 in the Southern Athletic Association. The good news indicates that his passing and rushing leader, QB Alcorin Thomas returns for his junior season. Second leading rusher, Dawson White, returns as a sophomore. Also, his leading wide receiver, Dyer Barnes and his leading TE Cooper Alford both return as juniors. McCollum looks like he started rebuilding his offense last season. Most of his leading tacklers on defense have graduated. Maybe this will be his season that he starts filling in positions with newcomers he’s recruited. We look forward to seeing if that unit steps up somewhat in this game.

Meet the Brevard College Tornados

HC Bill Khayat took over the Brevard program in 2017 that had only one winning season ever prior to his hire. Since then, the Tornados have mounted a record of 42-32. In his third season, his team finished 8-2 including a Bowl win over Carnegie-Mellon. Since then, his teams have challenged for first place in the USA South Atlantic Conference annually. Amazingly for a school of 713 students in Brevard about 35 miles south of Ashville, at least 113 players make up the football roster (15% of all students). Reportedly, more make up a JV roster. Last season, the Tornados finished 6-3 and 5-2 in conference play.

On offense, QB Ethan Beamish returns with 2,093 passing yards and 25 TDs for an offense that averaged 36 ppg. Leading rushers and receivers have moved on. USA Southern Division recognized Beamish as their second team QB last season. At LB, Baylee Ramey returns after earning Honorable Mention and leading the Tornados in tackles. Again, seniors and graduate students led many stats on both sides of the football for Brevard last season. Looks like many starters from last year will need to be replaced. Certainly, there will be a lot of competition for open spots in this year’s starting lineup in Brevard.

Family Day at Sewanee’s Hardee-McGee Field

Both teams will come in with games under their belts. Sewanee’s Tigers open at Bethany (WV) who finished 0-10 last season. The Tornados host Kentucky Christian (NAIA) who they defeated in their last game in 2024, 41-25. Both teams should come into this contest with adjustments made in their openers. This could be an interesting game as the Tigers return skill positions on offense, and neither team has a wealth of experienced starters on defense. Throw out last year’s records. Seems like this could be a fun and competitive football game to watch between these D-3 programs in a non-conference battle for both. Development of new players and strategies by both coaching staffs will weigh heavily in this game. McCollum and Khayat both look to get their teams on a winning track early in 2025.

Collegefootballfan.com looks forward to attending this game with no TV time-outs and instant replay delays – just flat-out football. Players play to win, and they don’t even get scholarship money at this level. Sure, not the best, the biggest nor the fastest. NIL offers for any? Probably not. We look forward to a game fought between actual college students. We figure this game gets over in time to put us on the road to our second game in Chattanooga when the UTC Moccasins host the Stetson Hatters in an FCS game an hour away. Hopefully, our GGA will entertain us with some stories about his “glory days” at Sewanee as well.

Unlike Sewanee and Brevard, the Purple Raiders of Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders, shown here in the 2017 title game, tend to always go deep into the D-3 playoffs annually. The talent level may differ, but the desire to win here is just as intense as in the higher NCAA divisions.
Unlike Sewanee and Brevard, the Purple Raiders of Mount Union and Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders, shown here in the 2017 title game, tend to always go deep into the D-3 playoffs annually. The talent level may differ, but the desire to win here is just as intense as in the higher NCAA divisions.

And once again, don’t forget…

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

North Dakota State at Tennessee State, Week 2

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Nashville, TN – We attribute seeing North Dakota State at Tennessee somewhat to “budget.” Collegefootballfan.com cannot afford travel, stayovers and high-cost tickets (nice to no longer pay for those outrageous Ticket Master fees!) every college football weekend. So, this week we stay close to home – Nissan Stadium. Half-hour drive, no hotel, home for dinner, catch some games on TV in the evening.

On the other hand, once again we get to see perennial FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) powerhouse, North Dakota State, in action. In case your football focus fixates only on the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) or only on the NFL, NDSU has won the FCS championship ten times since 2011. Last season under first-year HC Tim Polasek, the Bison (14-2) defeated Montana State, 35-32, for its latest championship. They may win Number 11 in 2025.

Perennial FCS contender North Dakota State comes to Nashville early this season on our 2025 college football schedule when they play Tennessee State at Nissan Stadium. The Bison can come back to play for at the 2025 title when the championship game will be played at Vanderbilt Stadium on January 5.
Perennial FCS contender North Dakota State comes to Nashville early this season on our 2025 college football schedule when they play Tennessee State at Nissan Stadium. The Bison can come back to play for at the 2025 title when the championship game will be played at Vanderbilt Stadium on January 5.

Tennessee State Tigers on the prowl

Lass season under HC and former Heisman Trophy Winner Eddie George, the Tigers enjoyed their best record in years. They finished 9-4 overall and 6-2 in the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference. TSU won their first conference title since 1999. They made the FCS playoffs, but they fell in the first round to Montana, 41-27. Success turned out to be somewhat detrimental for the Tigers. HC Eddie George gained national attention. With it, he took a new job to lead the program at Bowling Green State in the Mid-American Conference. He also took key assistants from his Tennessee State staff and some starting defenders.

The Tennessee State Tigers start their new season under first-year HC Reggie Barlow on August 30 in Nashville versus North Carolian A&T. He’s proven himself as a winning HC with the UFL’s D.C Defenders, at D-2 Virginia State and at his alma mater, Alabama State. In 1996, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the fourth round of the NFL draft. During his career as wide receiver and punt returner, he played for the Jaguars, the Raiders, and the Buccaneers. He led the league in punt return yardage in 1998 and played with the Buccaneers in the 2002 Super Bowl. Barlow leads a coaching staff with an array of great experience. They came with him from the UFL and from other successful college and pro coaching staffs.

Bison and Tigers both 1-1 in our history

In 2019, we got our first glance ever at the North Dakota State program. With Freshman Trey Lance at QB and OT Dillon Radunz, now of the Titans, among the Bison, they defeated the Fighting Blue Hens of Delaware on the road, 47-22. Former NDSU QB Cason Wentz, then of the Philadelphia Eagles, who led the Bison to two consecutive FCS titles, roamed the North Dakota State sideline that day.

Carson Wentz (in yellow) played QB for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019 when we saw the Bison play at Delaware. QB Trey Lynch who played for NDSU day was drafted too early and never made in big with the 49ers who drafted him. Last year's Bison QM Cam Miller is now in the LV raiders training camp.
Carson Wentz (in yellow) played QB for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019 when we saw the Bison play at Delaware. QB Trey Lynch who played for NDSU day was drafted too early and never made it big with the 49ers who drafted him. Last year’s Bison QB Cam Miller is now in the LV Raiders training camp.

Strategic move on our part

After moving to Tennessee, we scheduled the Tennessee Tigers to see what first-year HC Eddie George was doing with that program. The former Ohio State and Tennessee Titan RB took over a program with nine wins during the previous three seasons. With a record of 1-3, we saw hm take his Tigers to Austin Peay in Clarksville, TN. There, we watched his team win a tight one, 24-22.

In that inaugural season, the Tigers won five games. They followed the next three seasons with four, six and nine victories proving George could truly build a football program. And so, George’s move to Bowling Green ensues. With his move up to the FBS and with the hire of Reggie Barlow by TSU, both BGSU and Tennessee State look like they both hired good program builders for their futures.

Tennessee State HC Eddie George (in black) keeps a watchful eye on his teams on their way to their second victory against Austin Peay in his first season.
Tennessee State HC Eddie George (in black wearing white visor) keeps a watchful eye on his team on their way to their second victory against Austin Peay in his first season.

North Dakota State loaded for Tigers and other FCS beasts in 2025

With the exception of their quarterback returning in 2025, the Bison load up. Nineteen players who accumulated 200 plays each under their collegiate belts return. Another championship looms for the team in Fargo, ND. Last year’s QB, Cam Miller, now plays for the Las Vegas Raiders who selected him as the 215th pick. He led the Bison to two FCS championships as did Carson Wentz. The program in Fargo seems ready to do the same for whoever replaces Miller. Cole Payton, last year’s back-up ran for 1,100 yards and 18 TDs. How well he can pass consistently remains to be seen. Among 58 passing attempts, he accumulated 469 yards, five TDs and two INTs. Nathan Hayes looms as his back-up. With talent around him, Payton has plenty of support to improve his numbers.

Among the experienced talent, WR Bryce Lance (brother of Trey) returns with All-Conference status. Last year, he caught 17 TD passes. Three other receivers remain on board with over 250 plays each from a season ago. The transfer portal took their best RB from last season to Miami. They supposedly pay very well there. Stepping up comes Barika Kpeenu who rushed for 725 yards and seven TD. Not bad for a number two rusher in any program. Others line up behind him looking to improve with more experience.

North Dakota State OL Dillon Banusz (75) seen here against Delaware in 2019, now plays for the Tennessee Titans.
North Dakota State OL Dillon Radunz (75) seen here against Delaware in 2019, now plays for the Tennessee Titans.

Bison defense fills few holes

The North Dakota State defensive front returns DT Jaxon Duttenheffer and Keenan Wilson at DE who will see much more action in 2025. The Bison welcome Jack Iuliano who starred at UAlbany the last three seasons. LB Logan Kopp earned an All-Missouri Valley Conference honor for the second consecutive season. 2024 non-starters Austin Altepeter and Donovan Wollen figure to play bigger roles alongside him. Their secondary remains solid. CBs Jailen Duffie and Anthony Chedime-Alfaro return after starting as freshman. JMU transfer Antoine Booth II and Jaquise Alexander (All MVFC Newcomer Team) will challenge for more playing time. Safeties Darius Givance excelled, and Jaylin Crumby earned MVFC All-Newcomer Honors as a freshman. The Bison defense should be formidable with much more experience.

Tennessee State Tigers rebuild

HC Reggie Barlow’s team has talent, but it seems he will be redeveloping depth lost after the program’s 2024 success. In a pre-season poll of the OVC-Big South Football Association Head Coaches, they selected the Tigers to place eighth in the nine-team conference. Six players made the Association’s Preseason Watch List. As noted in their stats, they indicate great anticipated potential among these returnees.

WR Delanie “Juice” Majors totaled 15 catches for 149 yards and a TD last year. TE Jason Hoath, Jr. earned a reputation as an effective blocker and caught nine passes for 86 yards. OL Anthony Smith brings leadership with his physical style of play to lead the offense. LB Sammy Taylor returns with 15 solo tackles to his credit. DB Camani Cobbs made the Watch List for great coverage capability and physical defensive play. Punter Mark Shenouda places kicks inside the 20 often enough to make an impression on the selection committee. Positions of QB, RB and defensive line require some development.

North Dakota State looks for repeat

Though Collegefootballfan.com prefers to attend very competitive games, this one looks not to be one of them. Last season in Fargo, despite an improved Tiger Team, the Bison trampled them, 56-3. We hope the Tigers will give them some battle. However, the Bison roster reloaded with experience looks like an overwhelming favorite once again. We look forward to staying close to home to save some money. However, we look forward to seeing the Bison play their typical style of great football. We envision this being our preview of a team that will return to Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville on January 6. NDSU may come back to defend the 2024 national title from the second-best team in the FCS, whoever that may be.

Regarding Tennessee State, it’ll be a tough game during a rebuilding season. For us, according to our friend, Al Tatum, who will be joining us once again, the TSU Tigers have a great marching band. We look forward to watching their performance! Hopefully, before we see them play at half time, we’ll see some fight put up by the Tiger football team. Tough game ahead though, no doubt.

And don’t forget…

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

In 2025, it looks like the North Dakota State will win in a runaway once again!
In 2025, it looks like the North Dakota State Bison will win in a runaway once again!

California at Oregon State: 2025 Week 1, 2nd of 2

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Corvalis, Oregon – When we catch California at Oregon State, we’ll attend our second of two FBS games in one day. Last time we did this came back in 2021. On that Saturday, we recorded our first two games in the state of Utah. At our early afternoon game in Logan, Utah State defeated Hawaii in a Mountain West contest, 51-31. The Aggies of USU finished their season ranked No. 24. Afterward, we trekked down I-15 to Provo. There, we attended a game determined to be Virginia Coach Bronco Mendenhall’s final season. As an appropriate farewell, he brought his Virginia Cavaliers to Provo to face his former charges, the Cougars of BYU.

The Cougars and Cavs went at it hard with the home team winning, 66-49. BYU finished the season at No. 19. Funny though. It did not turn out to be Mendenhall’s’ final season as a collegiate HC after all. Matter of fact, we saw him start up again in his return debut in 2024 as new HC for the University of New Mexico. After a 5-7 improvement at UNM last season, Mendenhall left for – of all schools – Utah State! Oh, what a tangled web we weave! And we seem to get entangled without even trying.

Bronco Mendenhall bade farewell to college coaching when we saw him lead his Virginia Cavaliers against his former team, Brigham Young. in 2021. Three years later, we saw him making his coaching debut leading New Mexico in its opener in 2024.
Bronco Mendenhall bade farewell to college coaching when we saw him lead his Virginia Cavaliers against his former team, Brigham Young. in 2021. Three years later, we saw him making his coaching debut leading New Mexico in its opener in 2024.

We plan to get back to Provo eventually to see a day game there to enjoy the impressive scenery surrounding Lavelle Edwards Stadium. Of course, we plan to pull it off by attending a Utah Ute home game in Salt Lake City afterward! Timing is everything.

Four games with Cal and OSU in all; almost five

Combined, we’ve seen these two programs play four times. The Golden Bears participated in three. Our first came in late 2001, as the game was postponed until the final week of that season due to the horrific attacks on the World Tade Center on September 11. Read about my personal experiences regarding trips before and after 9-11 from Atlanta and to the West Coast for a game a few weeks later in my book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

In that final game of 2011, Cal avoided a winless season defeating Rutgers, 20-10. In 2007, my 12-year-old son Eric and I saw them defeat Air Force in a thrilling game at the Military Bowl, 42-36. It was one of four bowl games we attended in Texas in five days. Finally in 2016, I attended a game at Berkeley compliments of a Stanford friend who refuses to step foot on her rival’s campus ever. In the Big Game, the No. 12 Cardinal defeated the Golden Bears, 45-31.

We last watched California play in "The Big Game" at home against Stanford in the ???th edition of their rivalry.
We last watched California Golden Bears splay in “The Big Game” at home against Stanford in the 119th edition of their rivalry.

Cross Country challenges from and to Oregon football games

Regarding Oregon State, in September 2002, they came all the way out to Philadelphia to meet Temple at historic Franklin Field, home venue of the University of Pennsylvania. With Juniata friend and former trainer for our football team, Ned Ehrlich, we watched 6′-5″ Beaver QB Derek Anderson and team crush the Owls, 35-3. Anderson went to the NFL for a few years. Ned stayed around the NFL much longer, as a Lawyer. In 2008, I was on my way to see Oregon State at Penn State. While crossing the Delaware River into PA from New Jersey, a bolt in the wheel well of my recently purchased, pre-certified Malibu let loose and locked up my front wheels. With my then 13-year-old son, got towed, gave the dealership “hell” and missed the game. Never had another problem with the car after repairs, thankfully.

Funny thing, with my son Eric once again, another road trip to see a team from Oregon got waylaid by a car problem. With Eric strapped into a back seat at the age of 5, we hopped on to the Jersey Turnpike in November 2000 on our way to see Portland State at Delaware in an 1AA playoff game. After the Ford Escort stalled in a toll booth, we got it pushed off to the side and towed back home for service. UD won the game we missed, 49-14. Hope we don’t run into any car problems on our Oregon Trail this season.

California Golden Bears face mass exodus

Last season, the Golden Bears won six games for the second year in a row. They played their best with Fernando Mendoza at QB. After a season with 3,004 yards and 16 TDs starting the first ten games, he jumped ship for a better opportunity supposedly. We will see him play in another game this season for Indiana. Enter Devin Smith, a QB from an overloaded but talented Ohio State Buckeye QB contingency. He performed primarily as a running QB at Columbus the last two years. The question is, how good will the new players around him be? Certainly, HC Justin Wilcox in his ninth season here starts from scratch to build an offense in 2025.

Since last season, Wilcox’s roster basically fled from Berkeley. Only WR Trond Grizzell returns among the top 12 receivers from a season ago. As for their top ten rushers, none also no longer play for the Bears. Three experienced offensive linemen replace open spots upfront. Several transfers look to step in, but will they mesh in time to play as one unit early this season? In addition, Cal hired Bryan Harsin to take over as OC. Previouslyly, he coached at Boise before getting booted from Auburn as HC. A lot of meshing needs to occur in summer camp to have this offense ready for this game. Last season, the Golden Bears had the Beavers number evidently, as indicated by their 44-7 thrashing at Berkeley.

Bear question marks in secondary

Defensively, eight experienced staters return. Several transfers among them will need to step up. MLB Cade Uluave returns from last season as the second leading tackler with 71 stops. DE Aidan Keenaaina and DT Nate Burrell contributed upfront for the Bears last season. The secondary will be looking for good coordination among transfers from Florida International, James Madison and Montana. Should be interesting to see how well this team full of players who have never worked together before will perform in their first game together.

QB Maalik Murphy, Oregon State – Deja vu

Last year, we witnessed the improvement of Duke football under new HC Many Diaz, his defense, and QB Maalik Murphy – transfer from Texas. We head 2,400 miles west early this year, and once again, Maalik Murphy shows up at QB. With a reputation as a strong-armed quarterback, we never witnessed that in the three wins we watched Murphy perform in last season. He threw for 2,933 yards, 16 TDs and 13 INTs for the Blue Devils. However, his penchant seemed relegated to a very short passing game. “Big arm” to us means one has the arm to go long effectively. We never saw that. Will this change at Oregon State under HC Trent Bray and OC Ryan Gunderson?

They will be depending on Murphy to turn around a passing game. Last season, OSU totaled only seven TD passes and 11 INTs. Should be attainable, but will they show that Murphy has the capability to put up the long ball more often? WRs Trent Walker and Darrius Clemons return as primary targets gaining 901 and 292 yards respectively. Both led the team in TD receptions recording only two each.

Duke QB Maalik Murphy lofts a long pass to set up a third quarter score against Elon last season. We also saw him in wins at middle Tennessee and in Duke's first win over Florida State in 19 years.
Murphy lofts a long pass to set up a third quarter score against Elon last season. We also saw him in wins at middle Tennessee and in Duke’s first win over Florida State in 22 years.

Oregon State seeks defensive strength upfront

The Beavers (5-7 in 2024) welcome back RB Anthnony Hankerson who ran for 1,113 tough yards and 15 scores. Upfront, only C Van Wells returns, and the transfers coming in alongside him possess little experience. Defensively, leading tackler Skyler Thomas returns at SS. LBs Nikko Taylor and Dexter Foster finished third and fifth overall. Some newcomers need to step up. Others transferring in need to make stops before their secondary gets called on to lead in making tackles.

Down to the final minute or the final mistake

Both teams seem to bring back comparable experience in the numbers of returnees and transfers. The defenses will be ahead of the offenses in this game. Both O-Lines undergo major personnel changes, and this determines how the game will be won. Whoever blocks better upfront will have the advantage. However, with experience at the skill positions surrounding Murphy, we see the Beavers possessing the edge at home.

The vocal OSU fans have a solid reputation for filling 35,000-seat Reser Stadium to the hilt. Against a former PAC-12 rival they meet for the 78th time, they seek revenge following last season’s 44-7 loss at Memorial Stadium. Key Golden Bear players from last season moved on during the off-season. Devin Brown and company will have lot of on-the-job-training to figure out how the Bears can work together offensively. Brown will not have the skill sets surrounding him he had at Ohio State. It should be a fun and competitive meeting. However, we expect it to be filled with mistakes by both squads in the opener for both.

Please purchase, read and review

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

Montana State at Oregon: 2025 Week 1, 1st of 2

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Eugene, Oregon – On Saturday, August 30, we hit the Oregon Trial for our first time starting with Montana State Bobcats at Oregon Ducks. The TV scheduling couldn’t have worked out better for us than this! Following this game kicking off at 1 pm Pacific Time, we venture 48 miles north from OU’s Autzen Stadium to Oregon State’s Reser Stadium in Corvalis. In our 7:30 pm nightcap, the OSU Beavers host their former PAC-12 rival, the California Golden Bears, now in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Universities lead now in confusing our sense of geographic reality through conference realignments.

A first for collegefootballfan.com in our 714th game

For Collegefootballfan.com, this marks our first adventure ever of any kind in “The Beaver State.” We add the state of Oregon as our 42nd to ever attend a game in. The two stadiums that day will become our 99th and 100th FBS stadiums among the 136 venues playing in this level today. Montana State (15-1 in 2024) will be visiting Eugene as the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) runner-up from a year ago. Like last year, we will be seeing the Bobcats open their season on the road against an FBS program. Last season, MSU pulled a late, 35-31, upset over New Mexico. The No. 3 Ducks (13-1 a year ago), seek to again win The Big Ten and grab a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the national title.

Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM's University Stadium after the last-minute 35-31 victory to open our 2024 season. They will play in front of us again at Oregon and maybe later at home in our 2025 Schedule.
Montana State players celebrate with their fans at UNM’s University Stadium after the last-minute 35-31 victory to open our 2024 season. They will play in front of us again at Oregon and maybe later at home in our 2025 Schedule.

Our Montana State and Oregon Histories

Both are short and sweet. The Bobcats won the only game as mentioned when we saw them last season at New Mexico. One personal note regarding an MSU connection. Former Bobcat HC Rob Ash coached the program there from 2007-2018 to a record of 70-38. He won three Big Sky championships in Bozeman and led them into four FCS playoffs. Twice, his team made it as far as the quarterfinals. Prior to this, from 1980-88, a year after I graduated from D3 Juniata College in Huntingdon, PA, he coached them to 56-31-3 record before moving on to Drake. In 1980, I watched him coach my Juniata buddies in a game at CW Post in Greenvale, NY. CW Post prevailed, 28-10. Since then, CW Post upgraded to the FCS now known as the LIU Post Sharks of the Northeast Conference.

Compliments of Kermit the Frog. I saw the Oregon Ducks play Penn State in the 1995 Rose Bowl. You can read this story in my book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. The Ducks stand 1-1 in the annals of Collegefootballfan.com history as we didn’t see them play again until last season. At Wisconsin, they held off the Badgers to a 16-13 win. They finished the regular season at 12-0 before defeating Penn State in the Big Ten Championship, 45-37. Like the other three CFP teams with byes in the first round, they fell in the next round. Eventual champion Ohio State dominated them, 41-21.

Bobcats’ huge hole to fill

Montana State returns some key talent after their great season a year ago. However, the biggest void to fill comes at quarterback. Last year’s starter, Tommy Mellott, moved on to the next level selected by the Las Vegas Raiders. Under HC Brent Vigen the last four years, MSU with Mellott at QB, went 33-8. He completed 63.7% of his passes. He threw for 6,016 yards and ran for 3,517. Fifty-five passes and 43 runs resulted in touchdowns. He threw only eight INTs. Pretty big shoes to fill for sure. As of this writing, JR Chance Wilson probably has an early start as his replacement. Among others, Grant Vigen, son of Brent, joins the roster as a freshman.

Bobcat RB Adam Jones looks for room here for short gain. He would follow this up on the left side for a 93-yard touchdown jaunt against New Mexico.
Bobcat RB Adam Jones looks for room here for short gain. He would follow this up on the left side for a 93-yard touchdown jaunt against New Mexico.

Despite the graduation of Mellot, the Bobcats loom as favorites once again to win the Big Sky championship in 2025. RB Adam Jones returns with 1,172 rushing yards and 14 TDS from a year ago. WR and punt returned Taco Dowler caught 38 passes for 597 yards and 11 TDS. OL Tilan Fleischman and DL Kenneth Eiden IV return as preseason All-Big Sky first team selections.

Oregon up for the FBS hunt once again

HC Dan Lanning’s team also lost well-travelled, Heisman candidate QB Dillon Gabriel (3,857 passing yards, 30 TDs and 6 INTs) from last season. To replace him, Dante Moore, a UCLA transfer who joined OU last season steps in. He’ll reap the benefit of having eight returning starters around him. Defensively, the Ducks return six starters. At RB, Noah Whittingham replaces Jordan James who went to the SF 49ers last year as the number four draft pick overall. Whittingham trudged for 540 yards and six TDs and looks to be the key cog for OU in the rushing department. WR Evan Stewart and TE Kenyon Sadiq return as leading receivers as key targets for Moore. Four starters from their OL moved on including two first round picks. Transfers from reputable programs step in, but they will be learning to work together for the first time.

Defensively, Oregon returns Key EDGE rushers in Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti. ILB Bryce Boettcher returns as leading tackler, and Ole Miss transfer Jadon Canady reinforces the BUs. However, they lost four starting DBS, although two transfers join in from other Big Ten schools. It’s hard to bet against all that Nike money financing all that talent in Eugene.

Oregon EDGE Teitum Tuioti (44) in pursuit versus Wisconsin in 2024.
Oregon EDGE Teitum Tuioti (44) in pursuit versus Wisconsin in 2024.

Banking on Oregon

Despite losses at key positions for the Ducks, this program just seems to have too much momentum in this new NIL / transfer portal age to step down too much. A great FCS program, but with a totally new QB filling in for a lot of Tommy Mellot’s production over the past four years, it seems like too big a learning curve for the Bobcats. Both teams will have the same issue.

However, under these circumstances, we’ll look for this game to get off to a slow start for both teams. A home game for OU itching to get back into the CFP should give them the advantage here. We look for them to gain momentum in the second half. Both teams will face lesser non-conference foes and stiffer competition against conference foes thereafter. Development during the early learning curves should right both of them to challenge for titles in their respective conferences after this one.

The other Oregon Duck EDGE, Matayo Uiagalelei (10) mixes it up against the Wisconsin Badgers in OU's 16-13 win.
The other Oregon Duck EDGE, Matayo Uiagalelei (10) mixes it up against the Wisconsin Badgers in OU’s 16-13 win.

On the Oregon Trail

As we head out to Eugene and on to Corvalis for the night cap, we won’t have much time for any stops along the way. We’ll have to study some more about opportunities to find out what’s going on before and between these games. Looking for an adventurous day during our first visit to Oregon. This game should get off to a slow start but big finish for the Ducks over the Bobcats.

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!

Edited by and photos taken by Steve Koreivo – Member of Football Writers Association of America and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.

Adam Jones caught this pass at the UNM 20 to stop teh clock on the winning drive to pull off the upset with four seconds left to play. Tilan Fleischmann (66), a 2025 preseason All-Big Sky OL for MSU, looks on.
Adam Jones caught this pass at the UNM 20 to stop the clock on the winning drive to pull off the upset with four seconds left to play. Tilan Fleischmann (66), a 2025 preseason All-Big Sky OL for MSU, looks on.

Sam Houston State at Western Kentucky: 2025 – Week 0

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Bowling Green, Kentucky – With thirty+ games “tentatively” scheduled for our 46th season attending as many college games as possible each season, we start with Sam Houston State at Western Kentucky. Rather than give a preseason review of every team we plan to see in action, today we present our analysis of our first game this season in our opener on Week 0. Thereafter, updates will continue. We will present our analysis of key games we plan to attend this season up until our first game on August 23.

Our analyses will include not only game factors to include for predicting contest outcomes, we’ll also provide the detail regarding why we selected to attend each particular game, plans to get there, personalities we may be attending with, tailgate plans, side-bar interests, our personal historical memoirs of each program, and what we look forward to in regarding these games as we add them to this unique, life-long adventure. On August 23. we start the 2025 season with our 713th game ever – Sam Houston State at Western Kentucky.

Our 2025 season starts when Sam Houston State Bearkats visit the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky!
Our 2025 season starts when Sam Houston State Bearkats visit the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky!

Sam Houston State: adding our 134th FBS program to be seen in action

In our 713th game, we not only add the Bearkats as the 134th Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program on our slate, but it’s also the first time we see SHSU compete at any level of college football. 2025 marks their third year of competition in the FBS as a member of Conference USA. They finished their second season at this level with a 10-3 record, 6-2 in conference play. Their 31-14 loss to Western Kentucky gave the Hilltoppers the head-to head advantage to play against Jacksonville State (9-5, 7-1) for the CUSA championship. Sam Houston earned a bowl bid to play another FBS newcomer, James Madison, in the Boca Raton Bowl. There, they fell, 27-17.

A disappointment from this perspective regarding this opening match-up is that Sam Houston State HC K.C. Keeler left the program after last season to take over at Temple. He left behind an FCS national championship with the Bearkats in the Spring of 2021. Our remorse is totally nostalgic more than anything else regarding Keeler’s departure. We watched him coach Rowan University four times at the D-3 level. A long-time admirer of the Delaware football program, we watched several of his Delaware teams play including his debut win against Georgia Southern in 2002 and two FCS playoff victories in 2010. Delaware, his alma mater, fired him after a 5-6 season in 2012. In 2014, he took over at Sam Houston State.

A page “torn” from our history dated September 8, 1979: current Temple HC K. C. keeler started at LB for Delaware in Game 1 to start this unbelievable adventure. We must both be getting old!
A page “torn” from our history dated September 8, 1979: current Temple HC K. C. keeler started at LB for Delaware in Game 1 to start this unbelievable adventure. We must both be getting old!

A tie to our first game ever!

Most memorable of all, in our very first game recorded in this life-long history, the former Sam Houston State HC started at LB for UD in the first game we attended on September 8, 1979. The Blue Hens defeated Rhode Island, 49-14. Under his legendary HC and Hall of Fame predecessor, Harold “Tubby” Raymond, Delaware went on to win the D-2 National Championship that year. Seeing him coach at least one more time will provide a benchmark going all the way back to the that first game ever attended on this great adventure – at least 713 games later!

Sam Houston State 2025: a season of transition

Phil Longo takes over for Keeler this season. A former OC at SHSU under Keeler between 2014-16, he moved on as the same at several other P5 programs to land at Wisconsin the last two seasons. We attended Oregon vs. Wisconsin last season. We came away very disappointed in UW’s offensive performance. So was Badger HC Luke Fickell.  On Monday morning after this loss, Luke Fickell fired his offensive coordinator, Phil Longo. 

Our assessment reported that day: “For the third time this season, Wisconsin led a ranked team at halftime but lost each game in the second half. Overall, among the three, they got outscored 49-3 in the second half of each. In college ball, you can’t fire a quarterback, so you might as well start searching for a better assistant.” Longo lucked out. He not only found another opportunity to continue running an offense after his exit from Wisconsin. He also landed a promotion as the Bearkat’s HC.

SHSU offense may need new skill sets for pending changes

Sam Houston State returns five starters on offense and three on defense. What’s more, returning QB Hunter Watson possesses better skills as a runner than as a passer. Longo probably desires to take this offense through the air more. He may struggle this first year in transition on offense. The learning curve will be under way in this opener. Transfers may be needed, but that’s no guaranteed solution for any program needing a quick fix. Watson returns as the team’s leading rusher. Two returning WRs combined for only 35 reception’s last year. They retain some offensive line prowess, but skills may need to develop from run-blocking to more pass blocking.

Last season, we watched Wisconsin’s offense under their then OC Phil Longo struggle against Oregon in their 16-13 loss in Madison. He got fired the following Monday. Now he’s Sam Houston’s Head Coach.
Last season, we watched Wisconsin’s offense under their then OC Phil Longo struggle against Oregon in their 16-13 loss in Madison. He got fired the following Monday. Now he’s Sam Houston’s Head Coach.

Bearkats return only three defenders; DL needs to be rebuilt

Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay, former nickel back coach at NC State steps in as new DC. The transfer portal and graduation depleted last season’s entire starting defensive unit in its entirety. Aughtry-Lindsay will need to build a new unit from scratch. The transfers coming in lack major experience according to reports from several publications. They better bring tackling skills. The three leading tacklers returning enter 2025 with 16. 14, and 12 tackles respectively. A lot of learning on the job looms for this unit against Western Kentucky for this conference opener for both on Week 0.

Western Kentucky football – a welcome addition to our recent game history

Unlike Sam Houston State, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers have become an annual staple on this slate since we relocated to Middle Tennessee four years ago. Our first WKU adventure though dates back to September 2009. They played against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. For the Hilltoppers, the Tennessee Volunteers welcomed them to their inaugural FBS contest that day. Because of this predicted, one-sided match-up, I was able to buy a ticket in the parking lot for $25 from two grandparents escorting their grandson. With the extra ticket, they basically took both me and their 8-year-old grandson, David, to our first Tennessee home game. As UT dominated into the third quarter, David’s grandma quietly leaned over and asked, “Are you sick of hearing ‘Rocky Top’ yet?” To the tune of 63-7. I certainly was! (Read this story in my book, Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.)

Western Kentucky dominates its nearby rival

Seeing the Hilltoppers play eight games since, their record with us stands at 4-5. In three of the wins, they defeated Middle Tennesse in the rivalry nicknamed “100 Miles of Hate.” Their loss to Troy in 2022 featured a classic lesson regarding the revenge factor when it comes to the transfer portal. Read all about it by clicking here! Last season, we saw Western Kentucky humbled by Jacksonville State in the CUSA championship game, 52-12.

The nice thing about attending Hilltopper games, their Houchens Industries – LT Smith Stadium lies a little over an hour away from us. This makes it convenient to attend pretty competitive Conference USA games during weekday evenings as well as Saturday afternoons. In our first game there, we saw them fall 33-31 against Indiana, quarterbacked by Michael Penix in 2021. The great view of the playing field in the upper deck on the visitors’ side offers perfect sight lines.

Looking back, Western Kentucky’s 2022 game hosting Troy was a hard-hitting back and forth game played with a lot of animosity between the two. Especially since the Toppers incumbent starting QB transferred to Troy 10 days before the season started.
Looking back, Western Kentucky’s 2022 game hosting Troy was a hard-hitting back and forth game played with a lot of animosity between the two. Especially since the Toppers incumbent starting QB transferred to Troy 10 days before the season started.

Transfer Portal extraordinaire, or HC Tyson Helton’s juggling act

Tyson Helton enters his seventh season as the Hilltopper HC with a record of 48-32. Among those seasons, we watched QB Bailey Zappe set an FBS season passing record in 2021 with 5,967 passing yards before the New England Patriots drafted him. In 2022, QB Austin Reed threw for 4,744 yards and followed with 3,340 the next season. No doubt Helton loves to throw the football. Both QBs transferred to Western Kentucky from FCS Houston Baptist and from D2 West Florida respectively. This season, losing most of his team to the transfer portal (seven to P4 programs) and DB Upton Stout through the draft to San Francisco, Helton has to compensate by going deep himself into the transfer portal. He started by replacing last year’s Frosh QB sensation Tyler Veltkamp (3,108 yards and 25 TDs) who bolted for more NIL money at Florida Atlantic.

Western Kentucky QB Bailey Zappe led the nation in passing yards and got drafted to challenge New England QB Mack Jones in 2023.

Back to the drawing board

Helton started by enticing FCS Abilene Christian QB Maverick McIvor (3,820 yards, 30 TDs) along with ACU’s OC Rick Bowie to Bowling Green. Together, they combined for 470 yards of offense and 33.79 points per game. They posted a 9-5 record and lost to eventual FCS Champ North Dakota State in the playoffs to end their 2024 season. Two pretty good pick-ups to start by Helton. With only two starters returning on offense and four on defense, his Western Kentucky 2025 roster looks like a smorgasbord of talent from schools at all levels throughout the country.

His top RB played last season for FCS Austin Peay. Wide receivers come from Old Dominion, Wisconsin and FCS Western Illinois. TEs picked up experiences at Florida State and Kansas State. The O-line hales from Kent State, Georgia State and FCS Merrimack. Some have already made multiple transfers, but few have the experience of starting throughout an entire season.

SHSU vs WKU: An early battle of transfer students

With the introduction of so many new players on both rosters, we give a big edge to Western Kentucky. With the stability of Tyler Helton at the helm for WKU, plus his ability to bring in lower-level yet good QB experience into his program on a routinely successful basis, he possesses a distinct advantage. Phil Longo struggled at Wisconsin with questionable QB talent. Here, it seems he has to overcome a huge adjustment converting his run-oriented, offensive leadership with inexperience abound among starters. His own capability to transfix a new offensive strategy in his first game at Sam Houston will be tested. It will be a tough opener, no less a conference opener, for the Bearkats on the road. Western Kentucky has beaten better Sam Houston squads the last two seasons.

Key to Western Kentucky victory

Under Helton, the Hilltoppers are 24-12 at home. Most losses came against more formidable programs than the depleted, inexperienced Bearkats. They look to build some cohesion early in the season under their first-year HC. Western Kentucky should take advantage in front of a supportive home crowd to open their 2025 season. We look forward to finding a good spot to tailgate a few hours before Opening kickoff at 6 pm. In the past, we only found spaces in the multi-level parking lot. My Guest Game Analyst (GGA), Al Tatum, Air Force vet and retired law enforcement officer for the State of Tennessee, and I plan to hang out before. We will discuss some other plans we have later during this season. Hopefully, we’ll be basking in the sun with temperatures starting to drop a little. Firehouse Subs, snacks and beers for this one.

Click on the title of buy my book about this life-long adventure: Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun, and the Ugly on Amazon.com. Read the reviews on the page and get your copy today! As you’ve read here, this fun, unique life-long Journey continues. Catch up on the last 45 years and please submit a review. We hope you will get a kick out of our great adventure to see every FBS team play over the years!

Having led college football in passing this season, WKU's QB Austin Reed has the Toppers headed in he right direction despite the departure of OC Ben Arbuckle.
Following Bailey Zappe’s departure, Austin Reed followed him at QB to repeat a 9-win season in 2022. HC Ty Helton looks to get as many wins this season with Maverick McIvor transferring in from Abilene Christian.

Collegefootballfan.com 2025 Cheerleader Edition

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Lebanon, TN – Sports Illustrated publishes an annual Swimsuit edition every Spring, so we offer sports fans our 2025 Spring Cheerleader Edition? SI anticipates long awaited summer months to celebrate glorified sunshine to admire women enjoying warm beaches in the latest fashions. With college football pre-season analysis fast approaching, we figure we’d conjure up some pictorials of our favorite college cheerleaders. They’e all clad in their cherished school colors. We’ll be admiring them along sidelines when late summer turns from simmering heat to the cooler climes of fall followed by the pending wintery late season rivalries, playoff games and bowl season. These women don’t go into hibernation after summer ends. We can still enjoy their presence before and during the games at any college football stadium. Bring on college football! It starts for us on August 23, 2025: Sam Houston State visits Western Kentucky!

Let’s get our 2025 Cheerleader edition started!

Last season, New Mexico cheerleaders entertained us in our season opener when their Lobos met the Montana State Bobcats. Once again, we'll see these FCS Bobcats early when they visit the Oregon Ducks for our first game ever at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.
Last season, New Mexico cheerleaders entertained us in our season opener when their Lobos hosted the Montana State Bobcats.
Baylor cheerleaders should have much to cheer about in 2025 as their Bears look to challenge in the Big XII.
Baylor cheerleaders should have much to cheer about in 2025 as their Bears look to challenge in the Big XII.
Boomer Sooner! Expectations run high in Norman tostart showing improvement in the SEC after their 6-7 record in 2024.
Boomer Sooner! Expectations run high in Norman to start showing improvement in the SEC after their 6-7 record in 2024. Maybe we’ll see them when they visit Knoxville. Otherwise, we may make a MACtion Run!
We include twirlers in our 2025 Cheerleader edition. We hope to get to Neyland in 2025. However, tickets are difficult to attain. You can understand why we'd be disappointed.
We include Twirlers in our 2025 Cheerleader edition. We hope to get to Neyland in 2025 as mentioned previously to see the Tennessee Vols in action. However, tickets are difficult to attain. You can understand why we’d be disappointed.
Among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), we've seen the Delaware State Hornets perform at home and on the road. This season, we will see Tennessee State and their halftime performance in Nissan Stadium when they play FCS power North Dakota State.
Among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), we’ve seen the Delaware State Hornets perform at home and on the road. This season, we will see Tennessee State bring on their halftime performance in Nissan Stadium. The TSU Tigers host FCS power North Dakota State.

Much to cheer about again this season!

We always feel welcome when we return to State College. We'll be wathching teh Nittany Lions host teh oregon Ducks on September 27 in a critical Big Ten showdown for both teams. In addition, we'll be seeing the Ducks in Autzen Stadium for our first time hosting Montana State in early August.
We always feel welcome when we return to State College. We’ll be watching the Nittany Lions host the Oregon Ducks on September 27. A crucial Big Ten showdown comes for both teams. In addition, we’ll be seeing the Ducks in Autzen Stadium for our first time hosting Montana State in early August.
We don't miss going to Rutgers games in dear old NJ, but we do miss Jersey Girls. Our best opportunity this season to see them is if they the Scarlet Knights eek out a 7-5 record and come down to see us in The Music City Bowl as the Big Ten rep against an SEC squad.
We don’t miss going to Rutgers games in dear old NJ, but we do miss our Jersey Girls. Our best opportunity this season to see them is if the Scarlet Knights eek out a 7-5 record and come down to play in The Music City Bowl as the Big Ten rep against an SEC opponent.
Though we haven't seen Syracuse compete recently, we include their girls in our 2025 Cheerleader edition. We may fly to Syracuse this year enroute to a D3 game in Vermont to add the Pine Tree State as a state we will notch into our travel history.
Though we haven’t seen Syracuse compete recently, we include the Orange Girls in our 2025 Cheerleader edition. We may fly to Syracuse this year enroute to a D3 game in Vermont to add the Pine Tree State as a state we will notch as a first into our travel history.
I vowed not to go to another game in South Bend after the seating fiasco we had there, but with tickets in the Navy section for this year's game, it's the only way for me to return. Maybe we'll get to mete this year's ND Dance team again as well.
I vowed not to go to another game in South Bend after the seating fiasco we had there in 2016. However, with tickets in the Navy section for this year’s game, it’s the only way to return. Maybe we’ll also get to meet this year’s ND Dance team again as well.
South Florida remains one of our top cheerleading squads, so we have to include them in our 2025 Cheerleader edition. If Navy can get to the AAC championship, maybe we can see them play USF for the title on December 6 - in Annapolis or in Tampa. Or wherever!
South Florida remains one of our favorite cheerleading squads ever, so we have to include them in our 2025 Cheerleader Edition. If Navy can get to the AAC championship, maybe we can see them play USF for the title on December 6 – in Annapolis or in Tampa. Or wherever!

More Fond memories to share in our 2025 Cheerleader edition

Pitt Panthers at the New Era Pinstripe Bowl brightened up a cold, cloudy December day in Yankee Stadium.
Pitt Panthers at the New Era Pinstripe Bowl brightened up a cold, cloudy December day at Yankee Stadium.
The Nebraska Cornhusker cheerleaders also brightened up the Music City Bowl in their loss that day to Tennessee.
The Nebraska Cornhusker cheerleaders also brightened up the Music City Bowl in their loss that day to Tennessee. There’s one in every photo – pom-poms down please!
One of many beautiful weekends once again enjoyed in Happy Valley to see the Nittany Lions play!
One of many beautiful weekends once again enjoyed in Happy Valley to see the Nittany Lions play!

2025 Cheerleader Edition Tribute to the late Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys who recently passed. Always appreciated his songs.

"Well East Coast Girls (Temple Cheerleaders) are "hip,," we really dig those styles they wear."
“Well East Coast Girls (Temple Owl Cheerleaders) are ‘hip,’ we really dig the styles they wear.”
"And the Southern Girls (Texas State Strutters) with the way they talk, they knock me out when I'm down there."
“And the Southern Girls (Texas State Strutters) with the way they talk, they knock me out when I’m down there.”
The Midwest Farmers' daughters (Purdue cheerleaders) make you feel so right."
“The Midwest Farmers’ daughters (Purdue cheerleaders) really make you feel alright.”
"And the Northern Girls (Maine Black Bears) with the way the kiss, the keep their boyfriends warm at night."
“And the Northern Girls (Maine Black Bears) with the way the kiss, the keep their boyfriends warm at night.”
"I wish they all could be California (UCLA) Girls. The West Coast has the sunshine and the Girls all get so tan."
“I wish they all could be California (UCLA) Girls. The West Coast has the sunshine, and the Girls all get so tan.”
"But I couldn't wait to get back to the cutest Girls in the World. I wish they all could be California Girls." But from we've seen, we're glad they're All-American Girls!
“But I couldn’t wait to get back to the states , back to the cutest Girls in the World… I wish they all could be California Girls.” But from we’ve seen, we’re thankful they are all American Girls!

More 2025 Cheerleader Action ahead of us this season

Among our 2025 Cheerleader squads to see once again, Wake Forest looms when tehy take on North Carolina under their new HC Bill Belichick.
Among our 2025 Cheerleader squads to see once again, Wake Forest looms when they take on North Carolina under their new HC Bill Belichick.
With the Vanderbilt football program on the rise with QB Diego Paiva 's return, we'll see the Commodores at home against Kentucky in November.
With the Vanderbilt football program on the rise with QB Diego Paiva’s return, we’ll see the Commodores at home against Kentucky in November.
Well, we're back in the fold with three Navy games this year: home vs. Air Force in October; at Notre Dame in November: and thankfully we'll be in Baltimore on December 13 to see the Mids battle Army!
Well, we’re back in the fold with three Navy games this year: home vs. Air Force in October; at Notre Dame in November: and thankfully, we’ll be in Baltimore on December 13 to cheer the Mids battle against Army!
Among other 2025 Cheerleader squads, we look forward to another great tailgate on 'The plain' where the Tiger's of Auburn tangle with the Tigers of Missouri.
Among other 2025 Cheerleader squads, we look forward to another great tailgate on “The Plain” where the Tigers of Auburn tangle with the Tigers of Missouri.
Well, the Houston Cougar 2025 Cheerleader squad isn't on our football slate this season, but we did see their basketball team in San Antonio for our first NCAA Final Four ever in 2025. So, we include them here!
Well, the Houston Cougar 2025 Cheerleader squad isn’t on our football slate this season, but we did see their basketball team in San Antonio at our first NCAA Final Four ever in 2025. So, we include them here! And we did see the game in a football stadium – the Alamo Dome.
And here's a long shot: the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the 2025 Myrtle Beach Bowl? It's possible. Like Chauncy here, we'll be gearing up for Christmas on December 19. If we don't find a convenient CFP game that weekend, maybe we'll hit the Beach instead! Sun Belt (CCU included) plays a MAC or CUSA team.
And here’s a long shot: the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the 2025 Myrtle Beach Bowl? It’s possible. Like Chauncy here, we’ll be gearing up for Christmas on December 19. If we don’t find a convenient CFP game that weekend, maybe we’ll hit the Beach instead! Sun Belt (CCU included) plays a MAC or a CUSA team.

Edited, photographed and captioned by Steve Koreivo, member of Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Author of Fifty Years of Tailgate Tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly. Click on the title to enjoy this life-long tale of attending over 700 college football fans to date and about his inputs and solutions regarding pending changes to this great American sports tradition.