Here's hoping everyone had a Thanksgiving filled with family, food and football. Now sit back and enjoy yet another edition of
Notes on a Big Ten Scorecard. We still miss you, Tom Kelly.
Summaries
USC 29- UCLA 10: Los Angeles, CA- The first 40+ minutes of this game saw the Trojans sleepwalk into a 10-7 deficit to a 3-8 bRuin squad that had been manhandled, 48-14 by Washington last week. SC started the game well by taking the opening kickoff and marching down the field on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off with a 5-yard TD run by RB King Miller who took the handoff from QB Jayden Maiava off left tackle, made one cut and powered thought he bRuins defense for the score. The USC offense then went dormant. Most of the dormancy came from the fact that USC's top two receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon did not start the game. They were both held out for the first quarter for disciplinary reasons by HC Lincoln Riley. USC had two other chances to score in the half with two shots at field goals, but PK Ryan Sayeri had his first attempt from 38-yards away blocked and then he just shanked a 30-yarder wide right. Meanwhile UCLA pressed their punchers chance in this game by stuffing USC''s rushing attack and scoring 10 second quarter points on a 2-yard TD pass from QB Nico Iamaleava to WR Kawazi Gilmer who ran a sharp slant route that left him wide open in the end zone and a 38-yard FG from PK Mateen Bhagahani. The third quarter flew by as the SC defense kept UCLA off the scoreboard, but gave up a lot of yards in the process. Just when USC fans wondered if their squad would ever score again, the Trojans marched 91 yards in 10 plays to take the lead. The go ahead score came on a 32-yard strike from Maiava to Lemon in the right front corner of the end zone. Lemon was interfered with, but managed to haul in the pass for the TD. After forcing a UCLA punt on the ensuing drive, the Trojans went up 21-10 ealry in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard rainbow of a pass just over the UCLA defenders to TE Lake McRee in the right corner of the end zone. The drive was set up by a 35-yard punt return by Lemon where he hurdled a defender for the final five yards. The drive was also almost derailed by a horrible interception thrown by Maiava. However, UCLA was flagged for both pass interference and roughing the passer which erased the errant toss. The Trojan defense then held UCLA for downs on the ensuing drive which set up then offense to put the game away. Miller did the honors gaining all 65 yards of the drive. On the fourth play of the drive he took off through a giant gap over the left side and cruised 41 yards to paydirt to make the score 27-10. SC then went for two with Sr. Walkon QB Gage Roy taking the snap out of the old Swinging Gate formation and completing a pass in a crowd to TE Walker Lyons for two points and a 29-10 lead. The USC defense would assert itself one more time by making a goal line stand to keep the bRuins off the board with :46 left in the game. For the Trojans, Maiava completed 21 of 29 passes for 257 yards and 2 TDs. He also ran 4 times for 10 yards. Miller led all rushers by carrying the ball 17 times for 124 yards and 2 scores. For the team that doesn't own the
Victory Bell, Iamaleava completed 27 of 38 passes for 200 yards and a TD. His favorite target was Gilmer who hauled in 10 passes for 73 yards and a score.
Telling Stat: 30:18= W; The USC defense shutout UCLA for the final 30:18 of the game to set the stage for a Trojan victory. A victory that gives USC a 52-34-7 series lead over the Southern Extension Campus of the University of California.
Iowa 40- Nebraska 16: Lincoln, NE- This one played in freezing temps and some light snow flurries had all the makings of a shootout in the first half as the squads traded scoring salvos. Nebraska drew first blood when RB Emmett Johnson gained all 90 yards on their first drive. 71 of those yards came when he took the handoff around the right end at his own 28-yard line and scooted down the right sideline. He was tripped up an finally ruled down on the Iowa 1-yard line. On the next play he took the ball and went straight up the middle for the score. Iowa then got on the board two drives later when PK Drew Steven split the uprights from 41 yards out to make the score 7-3. The Hawkeyes then took a 10-7 lead on their next possession. QB Mark Gronowski hit wide open TE D.J. Vonnhame right down the right seam of the defense for a 35-yard TD. The Big Red tied the game at 10-10 on a 31-yard FG from PK Kyle Cunanan at the end of the first period. Cunanan then hit a 29-yarder to give his squad a 13-10 lead with 13:53 left in the half. The Huskers would never lead again. Iowa took a 17-13 lead when RB Kamari Moulton bulled his way into the end zone on a three-yard run where he carried a couple of Husker defenders with him. Nebraska got a third FG, this one from 35 yards away to make the score 17-16, but Iowa crossed the double stripe one more time before the half when Gronowski scored on the Hawkeyes version of the Tush Push. Nebraska trailed 24-16, but the Huskers forced an Iowa punt to start the third quarter. This is when disaster struck for the Big Red. PR Jacob Barney, Jr. muffed the kick at his own 10-yard line. He managed to pick up the ball only to be leveled by the Iowa coverage team. The ball was popped free and went rolling into the end zone. It was covered by a Nebraska player for a safety. Iowa now led 26-16. The safety knocked the life out of the Cornhuskers. They never mentally recovered. The Hawkeyes took a 33-16 lead when Gronowski rumbled 6 yards for a TD. Moulton would tack on the final score of the game when he made another 1-yard run to paydirt. When it was over, Gronowski completed 9 of 16 passes for 166 yards an a TD. He also ran the ball 13 times for 64 yards and two more scores. Moulton ran for 93 yards on 18 carries and a pair of scores of his own. For the Huskers, Johnson was their offense, running for 217 yards and a TD on 29 carries.
Telling Stat: Second Half Freezeout; Iowa held the ball for over 20 minutes in the second half and shutout NU 16-0 to claim the victory.
Indiana 56- Purdue 3: West Lafayette, IN- Last year Indiana throttled the Boilermakers, 66-0. This year the Hoosiers let the Boilermakers score. That score came at the end of the first quarter on a 22-yard FG from PK Spencer Porath to cut IU's early lead to 7-3. Indiana then went on to put up three TDs to take a 28-3 lead into the half. IU ran up the lead to 42-3 in the third quarter before emptying their benches. After it was over, Indiana had their first 12-win season in school history. The Indiana QB Brothers of Fernando and Alberto Mendoza combined to complete 10 of 17 passes for 193 yards and 3 TDs. They didn't throw much because they didn't have to. The Hoosiers ran for 355 yards on 37 carries with 5 TDs. RB Roman Hemby led all rushers with 152 yards on 12 carries and a TD. His scoring run was for 82 yards and all he did was run right up the middle through a gaping hole, stiffarm one defender and continue on unmolested to the end zone. Purdue QB Ryan Browne completed 25 of 47 passes with an interception for the hapless Sons of John Purdue.
Telling Stat: A 1st Down average; Indiana ran 54 total plays for 548 total yards. That's a nifty 10.14 yards per play against the porous Purdue defense.
Ohio State 24- Michigan 9: Ann Arbor, MI- If this wasn’t the most overhyped, under delivering rivalry game this weekend, I don’t know what else was. Michigan couldn’t throw the ball and maintain drives. It’s been their Achilles heel all year. TheeeOSU’s defense loaded up to stop the run and dared the Wolverines to beat them through the air. They couldn’t. The result was the Buckeyes gradually pulling away for the win in a contest that wasn’t very competitive. All the Wolverines could muster was 3 FGs against the Buckeyes. Meanwhile TheeeOSU crossed the double stripe 3 times to put the game away. Yawn.
Telling Stat: No O for UM = L; TheeeOSU held Michigan to 163 total yards and just 1 for 9 on 3rd Down Conversions in this snoozer in Ann Arbor.
Oregon 26- Washington 14: Seattle, WA- The Webfoots hung on for the win to go 11-1 and punch their ticket to the CFP. The Webfoots held a 19-7 lead going into the last stanza thanks to a 1-yard TD RPO Keeper by QB Dante Moore and FGs of 46, 32, 37, and 51 yards by PK Atticus Sappington. UW's lone tally came on a 3-yard TD pass from QB Demond Williams, Jr. to WR Denzel Boston. Then with 8:54 left in the game, Boston caught a 13-yard TD strike to cap off a 13-play, 69-yard drive. All of a sudden Oregon's lead was cut to 19-14. The next time Oregon had the ball they faced a 3rd and 9 at their own 36-yard line. The Husky faithful were at full throat urging their defense to make one more stop so the offense could get one more shot at pulling off the upset. The crowd was silenced as were the Dawgs hopes of an upset when Moore hit WR Malik Benson on a crossing route and he split the defenders with his speed and went 64 yards for a TD. The UO defense then held for downs and grabbed an interception on UW's last two possessions to secure the win. Moore finished the afternoon with 20 completions in 29 pass attempts for 286 yards and a TD. He also ran for a score. Moore's favorite target was Benson who caught 5 passes for 102 yards and a TD. For the frustrated Huskies, Williams, Jr. completed 15 of 30 throws for 129 yards, 2 TDs and 2 interceptions.
Telling Stat: 4/4 > 0/0; Oregon PK Atticus Sappington made all 4 of his FG attempts while UW PK Grady Gross never got a shot at trying one. That 12 point swing gave the Quacks the win.
Minnesota 17- Wisconsin 7: Minneapolis, MN- It was a winter wonderland backdrop of falling snow and frigid temperatures as the Golden Gophers hosted the Badgers in the 135th battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe. both teams had trouble finding their footing on the snow covered, slippery field turf. An early Badger fumble led to a 38-yard FG attempt for the Gophers, but PK Brady Denaburg's kick was partially blocked by DL Ben Barten of Wisconsin. The kick fell harmlessly for a touchback. Denaburg got another chance to opening the scoring in the second quarter. He made good, booting a 33-yarder through the high winds and snowfall for a 3-0 UM lead with 6:32 in the period. Both team then traded TDs in the final 2:37 of the half. First, Minnesota extended their lead to 10-0 when RB Darius Taylor burst through a crack in the Guard-Tackle gap on the right side and scampered 49 yards for a TD. Then on the ensuing drive UW QB Carter Smith hit WR Vinnie Anthony for a 67-yard gain for a 1st Down at the Minnesota 8-yard line. Four plays later, Smith hit RB Jackson Acker with a 1-yard toss for a TD. He was originally ruled out of bounds, but the call was overturned and the Badgers were on the board. That made the score 10-7 For P.J. Fleck's Boat Rowers at the half. The only score of the second half was set up by an interception. UW QB Hunter Simmons threw an out pattern that was picked off by DB Jason Nester at the Minnesota 16-yard line. He returned it 86 yards before he was tackled at the Badgers 16-yard line. Three plays later, QB Drake Lindsay threw a floater just over the coverage to TE Jameson Gears in the end zone for a 13-yard score and a 17-7 lead. The defenses took over after that and nobody came close to scoring the rest of the way. For the Golden Gophers, Taylor was the main man on offense rushing the ball 19 times for 100 yards and a TD, while Lindsay completed 18 of 24 passes for 90 yards and a score. For the offensively challenged Badgers, Simmons and Smith combined to complete 17 of 27 passes for 182 yards, a TD and 2 interceptions.
Telling Stat: Turnovers Kill; Wisconsin gave the ball away 3 times and that was the difference in the game.
Penn State 40- Rutgers 36: Piscataway, NJ- It was a sunny, crisp and cold fall afternoon at the State College of New Jersey where this battle for bowl eligibility got underway. Both teams entered the game at 5-6 with the winner getting the prize of bowl eligibility. It was a shootout of a game where the offenses threw haymakers at a pair of haggard defenses. Rutgers lit up the scoreboard first when RB Antwan Raymond ran off left tackle 20 yards for a TD and a 7-0 lead. PSU tied it up on their first possession. QB Ethan Grunkemeyer hit wide open TE Andrew Rappleyea at the RU 38-yard line and he rumbled down the sideline the rest of the way for the score. The Nittany Lions then took a 14-7 lead. RB Kaytron Allen took a handoff this own 25-yard line and wasn’t stopped until he was tripped up at the Rutgers 20-yard line. That led to a an 11-yard TD jaunt though a gaping hole by RB Nick Singleton. The TD by Singleton was his 54th as a Nittany Lion moving past Saquon Barkley to become the school’s all-time leader in touchdowns. The score would be tied 14-14 by the Scarlet Knights when QB Athan Kaliakmanis scored from a yard out on Rutgers version of the Tush Push. The big plays kept coming in the second quarter. when PSU's Allen broke a couple tackles en route to a 15-yard TD run. Rutgers then tried to send the game to the half at 21-21 when Kaliakmanis hit WR D.T. Sheffield at the PSU 6-yard line and he waltzed in for the tying score. I say tried because PSU got into FG range in just 23 seconds. PK Ryan Barker made a 29-yard FG to make the score 24-21 Lions at the half. The Blue & White would extend their lead to 27-21 on a 31-yard FG to start the third quarter. Kaliakmanis then put RU ahead 28-27 when he threw a laser of a slant pass to WR K.J Duff for a 16-yard TD. After another long run by Allen on the ensuing possesion, the Nittanys had a st and Goal from the 2-yard line. Singleton got the ball on a nifty little misdirection play and slipped through the line for a TD. The 2-point conversion try would fail and the scoreboard read PSU 33- Rutgers 28 as the final quarter began. The kids from Jersey would take the lead again. Kaliakmanis hit an uncovered Raymond on a perfect wheel route that covered 46 yards on the catch and run for a TD. The following 2 point conversion try was good and Rutgers now led 36-33 with 13:33 left in regulation play. To this point the defenses hadn’t made an impact in the game. Then Penn State’s did and it changed the game. However they had some help from the Rutgers offense. With 7:37 left Rutgers had a 2nd & 8 just outside of the PSU 35-yard line. A score here would most likely send Rutgers bowling. Instead, Kaliakmanis went to pass and the ball just popped out of his hands. Lions Db Amare Campbell scooped up the loose ball and took it 62 yards the other way for the go-ahead score. Rutgers had one final shot to win the game, but Kaliakmanis was tackled short of the first down on a keeper on 4th and 1 at the Penn State 28-yard line . The Fighting Paternos then ran out the clock and moved to 6-6 on the season. For the now bowl eligible Nittany Lions, Allen lugged the leather 22 times for 226 yards and a TD while backfield mate Singleton gained 86 yards on 9 carries with 2 trips to the end zone . Grunkemeyer had an efficient evening completing 17 of 21 tosses for 209 yards and a TD. For the Scarelt Knights, Kaliakmanis completed 16 of 22 passes for 338 yards, 3 TDs and 1 disastrous fumble. Raymond had great night rushing for 188 yards on 29 carries with a TD. He also caught 2 passes for 62 yards and a score.
Telling Stat: 1 is the loneliest number; The only turnover of the game doomed Rutgers to defeat.
Michigan State 38- Maryland 28: Ford Field, Detroit MI- In the warmth of the dome that is the home of the Detroit Lions, the Spartans got their first Big Ten win of the year in what would be HC Jonathan Smith's last game on the sidelines for the Green and White. This one saw MSU take a 10-0 lead on the Terps via a 2-yard TD toss off play action to TE Kai Rios from QB Alessio Milivojevic and a 25-yard FG from PK Martin Connington. The Spartans spent the rest of the game staying just ahead of the Terps who were nipping at their heels all the way to the end. Sparty led 24-14 in the middle of the third quarter when Terrapin QB Malik Washington threw a perfect back shoulder pass to WR Shaleak Knotts in the left corner of the end zone for a 25-yard TD strike to make the score 24-21. On the ensuing kickoff, KR Alante Brown broke four tackles before getting a key block to spring him and he didn't stop running until he reached the end zone for a 92-yard return. MSU now led 31-21. A little over a minute later, Maryland cut the score to 31-28. Washington threw a laser up the left hashmark 24 yards to WR Jalili Farooq for the score that got the Terps back within 3 points. However, they would never get closer as the Spartan defense forced a missed field goal, held for downs and picked off a pass on the Terps final three drives to seal the win. MSU did get one final TD to put the game put of reach when Milivojevic threw a 10-yard TD pass to WR Omari Kelly with just under 2 minutes to play. For the 1-8 in Big Ten play Spartans, Milivojevic had a great day, completing 27 of 39 aerials for 292 yards, 4 TDs and an interception. For the Sons of Testudo, Washington put up video game numbers, completing 38 of 61, (yes 61!), passes for 459 yards, 3 TDs and an interception. His favorite targets were Farooq who caught 10 balls for 110 yards and 2 TDs and Knotts who hauled in 8 tosses for 139 yards and a score.
Telling Stat: Special Teams Woes= L; Maryland's special teams allowed a kickoff return for a TD and missed a FG. That 10-point swing was the difference in the game.
Illinois 20 Northwestern 13: Champaign-Urbana, IL- Upwards of 8 inches of snow fell during the day at Memorial Stadium which along with 22 MPH winds kept most of the crowd for this one at home, which led to University of Illinois officials to close down half of the stadium. All remaining die hard fans were packed into the west side of the stadium for the 119th edition of this rivalry. The first quarter saw each team possess the ball only one time. Northwestern forced an incompletion from QB Luke Altmyer on 4th Down to stop the Illini on downs at the NU 17-yard line. 15 plays and 9:48 later, PK Jake Olsen kicked a low line drive with the wind at his back for a 35-yard FG and a 3-0 lead for the Wildcats. Northwestern found themselves down two RBs after the first series. Starter Chris Komolafe never saw action as was held out as a game-time decision due to injury and backup Joseph Himon II was hurt on his second carry of the game and did not return. However, after the schools traded second quarter TDs, the Wildcats held a 10-7 lead and looked to add to that lead before the half when QB Preston Stone's 2nd Down throw from his own 31-yard line was broken up by Illinois DT Josh Kreutz and intercepted by DB Tywan Cox at the NU 48-yard line. Five plays later, RB Kaden Feagin did his best Walter Payton imitation diving over from the 1-yard line out of the Power I-Formation for a TD and a 14-10 Illini lead at the intermission. The snow stopped falling in the second half and the defenses took over. The teams managed three field goals in the final two periods. PK David Olano drilled a 47-yarder in the third quarter for Illinois. In the final period, Hansen made a 26-yard kick to make the score 17-13 before Olano made one from 27 yards out make the score 20-13 with 3:00 left in the game. Northwestern had one last chance to send the game to OT, but Stone's 4th down pass fell incomplete deep down the left sideline. One kneel down later and Illinois had the win and possession of the Land Of Lincoln trophy. For the now 8-4 Illini, Altmyer completed 10 of 15 passes for 136 yards, while RBs Feagin and Ca'Lil Valentine combined to gain 87 yards on 19 carries and 2 TDs. For the now 6-6 Wildcats, Stone complerted 19 of 36 passes for 163 yards, a TD and 3 interceptions. RB Robby Preckel played valiantly as a 3rd string RB, rushing for 82 yards on 22 carries.
Telling Stat: 4 + 2 = L; Committing 4 turnovers plus having to settle for two field goals cost Northwestern the game.
Observations
...The Lane Train has departed; Well, the college football world waited while
Lane Kiffin decided if he'd stay as the HC at Ole Miss or bolt for LSU. The real story was the decision by Kiffin was made a while ago to head to LSU. According to our field agent in Oxford, the Ole Miss Admin and boosters topped the dollar figure proposed by LSU and he still left. The big drama was that Kiffin was trying to lead the Rebels into the playoff and still work for LSU at the same time. Yeah, that wasn't gonna fly with everyone at Ole Miss no matter how hard he begged and cajoled. For SC fans, just think of how he begged and cajoled to keep his job as he was being Tramac'd by Pat Haden way back when. Lane could have been a legend in Oxford with a statue built in his honor and revered for generations in the Magnolia State. Now, he's just persona non grata. Rebel Fans gathered at the airport to tell Lane what they thought of his leaving.
Venting Their Anger
...While Lane begged; The SEC had three other HC positions filled as early signing day looms. Florida hired Tulane HC Jon Sumrall who is being allowed to coach the Green Wave in the American Athletic Conference title game and possible playoff appearance. (Shrug). Arkansas hired
Ryan Silverfield from Memphis to be the new Boss Hog and Auburn hired Alex Golesh from USF to be next Man of the Plains. Oh, and Ole Miss made current DC Pete Golding their new full-time HC.
...While Lane landed in Baton Rouge; Kentucky had a big meeting between the Admin and HC Mark Stoops. The rumor of Stoops' tenure in the Bluegrass State coming to an end proved to be true as he was fired on Monday. His buyout is 37.7 million dollars. Stoops went 82-80 in Lexington.
Bluegrass Goodbye Addendum: Kentucky has hired Oregon OC Will Stein as their new HC.
New Bluegrass Baron
...Final Lane Note; LSU does play at Ole Miss in 2026.
...Other turn of the Coaching Carousel ; Michigan State fired HC Jonathan Smith after two lackluster seasons and has hired former Northwestern HC Pat Fitzgerald.
The Right Fitz For the Job
...A new bRuin HC; It looks like UCLA will name James Madison HC Bob Chesney as their new HC after JMU's season ends either in the Sun Belt title game or the CFP.
Patience In Westwood
...Hosed in Albuquerque and San Diego; The Mountain West Conference went to a computer driven tie-breaker procedure to break a four-way tie atop the league standings in order to determine the two teams that would meet in the MWC title tilt this week. The computer spit out that UNLV will face Boise State for the third year in a row in the title game. Boise already beat UNLV, 56-31 on 10/18. Yawn. New Mexico and San Diego State got the short end of the stick by the computer.
Hosed
...The Bulldog's bite; Yale was down 42-14 in the third quarter at Youngstown State in the first round of the FCS Playoffs. The Bulldogs then scored 29 unanswered points to beat the Penguins, 43-42. RB Josh Pitsenberger ran the ball 32 times for 209 yards and three TDs, including the game-winner with 2:47 left in regulation. After the knocking off the #15 Penguins, Yale gets a trip to #2 Montana State next week.
...Dialing 1-1-1; Michigan State TE Kai Rios made his only reception count in the Spartans win over Maryland. His official stat line was 1 reception for 1 yard and a 1 TD.
...Mean Trivia Quiz; What do Charlotte, Oklahoma State, Purdue, UMass, Arkansas and Georgia State all have in common?
...Jackrabbits in the snow; South Dakota State's Jack Smith and his teammates celebrate a TD by diving into the snow bank in back of the end zone after he scored a TD in the Jackrabbits blowout win over New Hampshire in the first round of the FCS playoffs.
Brrrrrrrrrr!
...And then there was one; UMass finished the season at 0-12 making them the only winless team in the FBS for 2025.
...Just Incredible; You have to see this amazing one-handed grab by Rutgers WR K.J. Duff v Penn State.
Speared!
...They quietly made noise; While nobody noticed, Hawaii went 8-4 this year.
...They are going Bowling!; After this past weekend's games only 80 of the 82 bowl slots could be filled by bowl eligible teams. That cleared the way for both Delaware and Missouri State, (Yes that Mo State team that USC decimated to start the season), to play in a bowl. Both schools had the record to be bowl eligible, but were barred from playing in a bowl in their initial year in the FBS by the NCAA's transition rule. However, the lack of bowl eligible teams triggered the clause in the rule that allows both school to fill the available bowl slots.
A Good Thing!
...Mean Trivia Answer; They all went winless in conference play this year. That's a brutal 0-50 aggregate record in league play. Ouch.
...He saids it; Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz discussed his plans for the this week after his Hawkwyes throttled Nebraska, 40-16. "I'm not going to do shit this week, pardon my French."
...7-5 and title bound; Duke went 7-5 overall, but 6-2 in ACC play. Ahhhh but Pitt losing and SMU losing set up a 5-way tie for second place in the league. Duke won the conference tiebreaker based on strength schedule and will face Virginia in the league title tilt on Saturday. Wow.
...Tied; Wazzu beat Oregon State, 32-8. That means the teams split their two games against each other and tied for the Pac 12 title with 1-1 league records. Sigh.
...The Independents were tough; We all know Notre Dame went 10-2 this year, but the only other Independent school, UConn went 9-3 with their three losses by a total of 13 points.
...A rarity; ESPN actually has a positive article about USC. It's how the Trojans have forged what should be the #1 recruiting class in the nation as the early signing period starts on Wednesday.
The Sleeping Giant Awakens
...Gee, they underachieved; Georgia Southern HC Clay Helton announced the firing s of a couple assistants after the Eagles finished the season a disappointing 6-6.
Not Surprised
Big Ten Overreactions
Indiana will finally face a challenge after 12 weeks in cruise control.
Ohio State will finally face a challenge after 12 weeks in cruise control.
USC is one case of food poisoning away from 10-2. Sigh.
UCLA is just a 3-9 team without a Victory Bell.
Purdue is worse than anyone could imagine.
Michigan needs to realize the forward pass is legal.
Washington still wonders how they lost to Wisconsin.
Wisconsin needs an offense their defense cane be proud of.
Minnesota wants all home games for 2026.
Oregon doesn't have the secondary to win the national title.
Nebraska is lucky to be 7-5.
Iowa bored opponents to death to get to 8-4.
Michigan State did not finish 18th in the league. Thats a win.
Maryland could be really good next year.
Northwestern's 6-6 record is better than anyone expected.
Illinois managed to lose 4 games with 19 returning starters.
Rutgers is this year's almost team. They almost won a lot of games.
Penn State will win their bowl game.
Keeping Up With Your Exes
The Territorial Cup resides in Tucson after Arizona beat ASU, 23-7. Utah beat Kansas 31-21 after getting a pick six on a gift of an interception by Kansas. Colorado finished 3-9 after being beaten, 24-14 by K-State. Stanford was trounced by ND, 49-20. And, oh those California Golden Bears held on for a 38-35 upset win over SMU to knock the Poines out of the ACC title game. Thats quite a 1st win for interim Cal HC Nick Rolovich.
Ugly Uniform of the Week
Whatever shade of blue and gold UCLA wears these days is just an ugly color combination. Especially when being left in the dust by the Cardinal & Gold of USC. Fight On!
A Chicle of Wisdom
This week's wisdom comes from 1935 National Chicle football car #13
Homer Griffith. The Trojan legend of Howard Jones' Thundering Herd at USC had an S added to his last name by the card maker in error, but what's not in error is the praise the Coach Casey gives to Homer and fullbacks everywhere.
Departments
Low Score Game of the Week: Holland, MI- We got to the D-III playoffs where the Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles held on for a 9-7 win over the Hope College Flying Dutch. The snow fell all game and points were hard to come by as this one stood scoreless at the break. The Eagles got all their points in the third quarter on a 4-yard TD run by RB Gabe Lynch and a 25-yard FG from PK Michael Stack. Hope got back into the game with 3:49 left in regulation when QB Alex Thole threw a 4-yard TD pass to TE Skye VanderKuyl. Hope's last hope to win the game was shattered when Thole faced a heavy rush on 4th and 3 at the WLC 39-yard line. Thole's pass in the face of the rush was incomplete and WLC took over on downs with :57 left.
Blowout Game of the Week: River Falls, WI- We stay in D-III where the Wisconsin- River Falls Falcons rudely escorted the Chapman University Panthers out of the playoffs, 58-7. The kids from SoCal just could not handle the snow, cold and URF QB Kaleb Blaha. Blaha completed 17 of 23 passes for 227 yards and 4 TDs. He also ran for 81 yards on 15 carries and a TD. The Falcons raced out to a 34-7 lead at the half and never looked back, emptying their benches along the way to victory.
Razorback Report: The Hogs once again had a lead and fell to defeat to end their season at 2-10 with a 31-17 loss at home to Missouri. With new HC Ryan Silvefield on campus, the Hogs Admin needs to empty a brinks truck and buy a boatload of defensive studs for their new HC.
This Week's Three Notes About Nothing...
There ain't nothing like that full, fat and happy feeling after Thanksgiving dinner.
Now it's time to take down the fall decorations and set up for Christmas.
Foghorns in the AM, followed by warm afternoons and chilly nights will be the norm here for a while.
Until next time folks, remember that rivalry wins are always beautiful in their joy, no matter how ugly they may look on the field.
-The Commissioner
