Code Orange

Wow, the pollsters must love South Florida now.  I don’t know if I would have jumped them as much as they did, but the Bulls are now #6 in the AP and #9 in the Coaches poll - the highest ranked team in the state of Florida, at least in the AP (Florida only dropped 4 spots in the Coaches, so they’re still #7).

South Florida for the national championship anyone?  Of course, they still have a tough schedule left, having to still play at Rutgers, at UConn, vs. Cincinnati, and vs. Louisville (they’re a combined 16-3).  The only real hit on the Bulls is their lackluster out of conference schedule, which consists of I-AA Elon, 1-4 UNC, 3-2 Florida Atlantic from the Sun Belt, with 3-1 Central Florida being their only real good out of conference game.

However, there is a good chance that the Bulls will be 6-0 and possibly a top-5 team going into their game at Rutgers October 18th.

As I suspected, Kentucky is in the top 10 as well, ranked #8 in both polls, and they become the highest ranked team in the SEC East in the AP poll as well.  However, Kentucky is looking at a very tough road ahead in the month of October as they have to play at South Carolina, then at home against LSU, Florida, and resurgent Mississippi State on consecutive weeks.

Also, as I thought, LSU also takes over #1 in the AP poll with 33 #1 votes to USC’s 32, but USC maintains their #1 ranking in the coaches poll.  LSU is ahead of USC by a mere 2 points in the AP poll.  LSU closed the gap, but not as much as I thought, in the coaches poll.

Boston College also joins the top 10.

See the AP Top 25 | See the USA Today Coaches Top 25 

Just looking at the polls, several big changes are probably going to occur once the polls get released later today. Some of these include:

1) LSU taking over #1 in the AP Poll

USC’s #1 ranking in the coaches poll appears to be pretty safe, but it is anything but safe in the AP poll where USC has 43 #1 votes to LSU’s 22. All we need are a swap by about 12 voters of those two and LSU should be sitting on top, and given USC’s near-loss yesterday, that isn’t hard to imagine.

2) California at #3 in the polls

With #3/4 Oklahoma, #4/3 Florida, and #5 West Virginia all losing, that clears the road for California to head into 3rd place in the polls. Now imagine this scenario: LSU loses to someone in the next 4 to 5 weeks. It isn’t difficult to imagine - they play Florida, Auburn, Kentucky, and Alabama - all capable of such an upset. That sets up a situation where the Nov. 10 game between USC and California could be a #1 vs. #2 match-up.

Even if LSU doesn’t lose, if both USC and Cal win all their games before November 10, it will decide who is either driving or riding in the front of the car as far as the national championship game is concerned

3) Kentucky in the Top 10?

This one will be a little harder to get, but it’s still quite possible. Kentucky needs to jump 4 spots to get to #10 in the rankings. They should jump at least 2 with Clemson and Rutgers losing ahead of them. However, that also means that #7 Texas and one of the 3rd through 5th ranked teams would have to fall enough. People thought a team from Kentucky would be hanging out in the Top 10. They just didn’t think it would be the one wearing blue.

4) Ohio State and Wisconsin

That November 3rd game between the Buckeyes and the Badgers suddenly got a lot more interesting now that those two teams will probably be ranked 4th and 5th after the polls are released. Of course, they’re biggest problem is the Big Ten, where the conference seems to be turning itself inside out with teams like Indiana and Illinois winning games (they’re a combined 8-2!) while other teams like Michigan and Penn State struggle.

5) Who will Win the Prize?

Despite the fact that we had 9 AP top-25 losses yesterday (10 in the coaches poll) , we’re only likely to see two teams in the AP (Alabama and Penn State) and 3 in the Coaches (add Michigan State) drop out of the top 25 because most of the other losses were by teams ranked so high that they probably won’t drop completely out of the rankings.

Purdue seems to be the logical first team to get into the AP rankings. They’re the first team out in that rankings, they’re already 25th in the coaches poll, and it seems that you gain a lot of spots whenevr you beat Notre Dame, no matter how good they are. So I think Purdue is probably a shoe-in for the AP poll.

Meanwhile, Arizona State seems like a shoe-in for the Coaches poll. They’re the first team out, they’re already ranked in the AP, and they just obliterated Stanford last night. That seems like the obvious first team to put in.

But what about the 2nd team? Next in line for the AP poll is Miami (FL). However, do voters really want to put a team who hasn’t had very many impressive wins, despite playing a cupcake schedule (sans Oklahoma and Texas A&M), and who had to play well into the 4th quarter before disposing of Duke, into the top 25?

The next best team would be UCLA, who has not only beaten someone, but beaten them convincingly. Their only splotch is their blowout to Utah. UCLA would be my guess for the 2nd team that gets into the rankings.

My sentimental favorite to get ranked would be Illinois, but they didn’t even receive any votes last week, so going from no-votes to ranked is quite a jump. They should get votes this week, however, and teams like UCF, Connecticut, Kansas, and Virginia will inch themselves ever closer to being ranked.

How about the coaches poll? I already said Arizona State was the obvious first pick. Cincinnati seems like an obvious 2nd pick to me as well. They’re next in line, they’re undefeated, and they’re already ranked in the AP poll. And guess who is next in line after them? UCLA. All too easy.

6) My Top 25

Finally, if I had to rank teams, here is how I would do it?

1. LSU
2. USC
3. California
4. Ohio State
5. Wisconsin
6. Boston College
7. Kentucky
8. Georgia
9. West Virginia
10. Oklahoma
11. Florida
12. South Florida
13. Oregon
14. Texas
15. South Carolina
16. Virginia Tech
17. Cincinnati
18. Hawaii
19. Missouri
20. Rutgers
21. Clemson
22. Arizona State
23. Nebraska
24. Purdue
25. UCLA

Nevermind 11:46

USC gets the onsides kick.

Speak of the Devil 11:45

Just as I say that Washington would have to pull a miracle - they score a touchdown with 34 seconds to go to pull to within 3 of USC. It’s now 27-24, but they must get the onsides kick.

Do we have to be ranked? 11:42

ESPN Notes that 9 ranked teams have lost. On top of the 5 top-10 teams I’ve already listed, there was #11 Oregon, #13 Clemson, #21 Penn State, and #22 Alabama.

USC should pull out their game as Washington is down 10 with only a little over a minute left. Meanwhile, the only other ranked teams still playing - Cincinnati and Arizona State - are both rolling either at halftime, or just about there, so unless someone can rally off a big 2nd half or Washington can pull a last minute miracle, the number of Top 25 dead will remain at 9 for this weekend.

Noooo! The Streak Ends! 11:33

No I-AA over I-A upsets this week. New Mexico State kicks a field goal at the end of the game to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 20-17. Assuming Yahoo isn’t lying again.

Update 11:29

There’s still life in Seattle. USC drives down to the Washington 16, but Booty throws a pick and Washington takes over on the 20 with 3:06 left and only down a touchdown. Half the top-10 has lost this weekend already (#3 Oklahoma, #4 Florida, #5 West Virginia, #7 Texas, and #10 Rutgers) so what’s another. Let’s make it a whole majority of the top 10!

Oops! Yahoo lies! USC keeps the ball and kicks a field goal. OK, there is still life in Seattle, just not as much. It’s now 27-17 Trojans.

Update 11:24

Auburn kicks 43 yard field goal as time expires to defeat Florida 20-17 in Gainesville. Where have we seen this before?

Finals:

Ohio State 30, Minnesota 7

The I Want Overtime Update 11:14

Florida stops Auburn, then goes 3-and-out themselves, so Auburn gets the ball back on their own 40 with 3:34 left in the game. They’re still tied at 17 in Gainesville. Meanwhile, Washington has closed to within a touchdown by putting up a field goal, but USC still leads 24-17 with just under 8 to go.

Chompity Chomp Update 11:01

Florida ties Auburn at 17 with 7:36 to go in the game.

And I have another final:

East Carolina 37, Houston 35

Top Teams Asserting Themselves Update 10:40

Are the top teams finally asserting themselves? Southern Cal pads their lead with a touchdown. They now lead Washington 24-14. Meanwhile, just inside the start of the 4th quarter, Florida closes to gap on Auburn to 17-10.

Update 10:36

USC still leaving itself wide open for an upset - and a loss of their #1 ranking even if they don’t lose - by allowing Washington to hang with them. It’s still 17-14 USC late in the 3rd quarter.

Meanwhile, New Mexico State is trying to continue the trend of every week so far having a I-AA over I-A upset. They are currently tied with Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 17 a piece in the 3rd quarter.

And a plethora of finals coming in:

Vanderbilt 30, Eastern Michigan 7
Middle Tennessee State 47, Florida International 6
Western Michigan 42, Toledo 28
Texas Tech 75, Northwestern State 7
Arkansas 66, North Texas 7
Troy 24, Louisiana Monroe 7
Tulsa 38, UAB 30

Update 10:25

Can they hit 80?

Texas Tech leads Northwestern State 75-7 with 6 minutes to go.

More Games going too late Update 10:23

Did I perhaps suggest that UCLA was in trouble earlier? Fuggetiaboutit. UCLA romps over Oregon State 40-14.

Oh, and Auburn has added a field goal to extend their lead over Florida to 17-3.

In other finals:

Texas Christian 24, Colorado State 12
Virginia 44, Pittsburgh 14
Oklahoma State 39, Sam Houston State 3

The Games go too late Update 10:05

Florida just can’t handle Auburn it seems. The Tigers lead 14-3 in the 3rd quarter. Also, Washington is giving Southern California all it can handle at halftime with the Trojans only leading 17-14 (LSU loves both of those results).

More Finals!

Central Florida 37, Louisiana Lafayette 19
Bowling Green 41, Western Kentucky 21

Update 8:45

Middle Tennessee State 47, Florida International 0

at Halftime.

Ouch!

Football Match-ups between college teams in the College Bowl Subdivision which have concluded:

Hawaii 48, Idaho20
Florida State 21, Alabama 14

Update 8:24

Florida State is actually looking like, well, Florida State tonight as they are beating up on Alabama 21-7 late in the 4th quarter. Hawaii also strives to be the next BCS darling as they destroy Idaho 48-13, also in the 4th quarter.

And what’s up with UCLA? They’re down to Oregon State 14-6 at halftime. And poor Pittsburgh. Virginia is humiliating them 30-7 near halftime.

Finals!

San Jose State 34, UC Davis 14
Nevada 27, UNLV 20
UTEP 38, Southern Methodist 35 OT

Aren’t we gonna have a I-AA over I-A upset this week? The prospects look dim.

Original Post

Two top 10 teams face very close games against unranked teams. One Wins, and one Loses:

Wisconsin 37, Michigan State 34

Maryland 34, Rutgers 24

Update 7:09

California wins the battle of the west over Oregon 31-24 so set up a showdown later in the season with USC.

Kansas State also finishes the deal against Texas 41-21. So both big Big 12 South teams lose today. Finally Georgia Tech upsets Clemson 13-3. Tiger fans can’t be happy about that.

More Finals!

Kent State 33, Ohio 25
Louisville 29, N. C. State 10

Update 6:46

Looks like the Big East will once again be a three team race between…South Florida, Connecticut, and Cincinnati? Sure looks that way as Maryland now has a 10 point lead on Rutgers in the middle of the 4th quarter.

Also, Kansas State has pretty much taken care of Texas, now leading 41-21, also middle of the 4th.

Update 6:28

Well, that didn’t go well. Syracuse gets a sack, then 3 straight incompletions to hand the ball back to Miami at the foot of the endzone. Miami just runs out the clock to defeat the Orange 17-14.

Meanwhile, Georgia Tech adds yet another field goal to expand their lead to 13-3 over Clemson in the 4th quarter.

Update 6:22

Miami goes 3 and out, running about a minute and a half off the clock. Syracuse gets the ball back on their own 11 with 2:29 to go.

Also, Maryland retakes the lead against Rutgers 20-17 late in the 3rd quarter and Kansas State drops another 10 on Texas to expand their lead to 34-21, now in the 4th quarter.

Georgia Tech tacks on a field goal to expand their lead over Clemson to 10-3 in the 4th as well. Meanwhile, California finds their offense in the 2nd half as they take the lead over Oregon 24-17 in the 4th quarter.

Finals:

Utah 34, Utah State 18

Update 6:16

Not Dead Yet: Syracuse drives down the field to put another TD on the board, closing the gap to 17-14 against Miami with 4 minutes to go.

Update 6:06

Miami tries to seal the deal by scoring a field goal and going up 17-7 in the middle of the 4th quarter. It could have been worse if it wasn’t for a goal line stand by the Syracuse defense. Syracuse has once again given up over 400 yards of offense.

In other games, Wisconsin expands their lead over Michigan State to 10 in the 3rd quarter: 34-24. Maryland also comes back and ties Rutgers at 17 in the 3rd quarter. Louisville is in another close game as N.C. State is behind, but still is in the game, down 16-10 in the 3rd. Finally, Texas has closed the gap to 24-21 against Kansas State.

Update 5:40

Wisconsin tacks on another field goal, as they lead Michigan State 27-21 at halftime. Rutgers retakes the lead in their game, 17-14.

Another final:

Nebraska 35, Iowa State 17

Update 5:14

The Syracuse from last week returns? Robinson throws a 43 yard pass to Mike Williams to pull the Orange to within seven, 14-7.

Also, Wisconsin takes a 24-21 lead over Michigan State, and Kansas State pulls to a 24-14 lead over Texas. Also, Oregon leads California 10-3.

Update 5:06

Syracuse avoids going down by three touchdowns by intercepting a Miami pass deep in Syracuse territory.

Maryland and Rutgers exchange touchdowns as the Terps continue to lead 14-10 nearing halftime. Michigan State and Wisconsin also swap another pair of touchdowns as they are tied up 21-21 in the 2nd quarter.

Update 5:00

Colorado pulls the huge upset over Oklahoma, winning 27-24 on a game ending field goal.

Update 4:44

Colorado recovers a fumble on an Oklahoma punt return, and follows up by putting it in the endzone to tie Oklahoma at 24 with 4 minutes to go.

Update 4:37

Maryland takes the lead on Rutgers 7-3 in the 2nd quarter. Also, Wisconsin and Michigan State exchange touchdowns, making that game 14-14, also in the 2nd quarter.

More:

Boston College 24, Massachusetts 14

Update 4:17

Syracuse appears to be their old self again as they go down another touch down to Miami (OH), who now leads 14-0. Syracuse has 81 yards of offense so far in the 1st half.

Elsewhere:

Georgia 45, Mississippi 17
Kentucky 45, Florida Atlantic 17

Original Post

Let’s start off with some more finals:

Indiana 38, Iowa 20
Army 37, Temple 21
Texas A&M 34, Baylor 10
Navy 31, Air Force 20
South Carolina 38, Mississippi State 21

Meanwhile, Boston College has a relatively close game with I-AA Massachusetts, leading 24-14 with about 8 minutes to go in the game. For once, Oklahoma is also being kept down to a reasonable number of points as they lead Colorado 24-10 after 3 quarters.

Elsewhere, Wisconsin and Michigan State are tied at 7 in the first quarter, Rutgers leads Maryland in the 1st quarter, Miami (OH) leads Syracuse 7-0 in the 2nd quarter, Texas and Kansas State are tied at 7 in the 1st quarter, and Clemson leads Georgia Tech 3-0 in the first quarter.

Update 3:34

Michigan does indeed hang on against Northwestern, winning 28-16, not exactly an impressive win.  One has to wonder what is going on with the Big Ten.  Penn State losing to Illinois this week mixes things up again.  Is everyone in the Big Ten that good, or that bad?

Also, Notre Dame drops to 0-5 as they lose once again to Purdue 33-19.  Notre Dame is looking at possibly going 0-8 now as their next three games are against UCLA, Boston College, and Southern California.

Other Finals:

Central Michigan 35, Northern Illinois 10
LSU 34, Tulane 9

Update 3:29

Illinois pulls it off, defeating Penn State 27-20. Also, Michigan has put another touchdown up on Northwestern.

Also:

Connecticut 44, Akron 10

Update 3:16

Virginia Tech survives North Carolina 17-10.

Update 3:07

It’s over: Miami survives, beating Duke 24-14. Also, Ball State blows out Buffalo 49-14.

Michigan looks like they may avoid the upset as well as they’ve just taken the lead on Northwestern 21-16 with just over 9 minutes to go.

Update 2:59

Nevermind, Duke gets sacked on a 4th and 6 on the Miami 30, and then Miami scores a touchdown 2 plays later. Looks like Duke will let a possible upset slip through their fingers for a 2nd straight week.

Update 2:52

Will Duke beat Miami (the Florida one)? They’re only down by 3 with 4 minutes to go, but they’re in Miami territory and driving…

Original Post

Sorry for not posting until now, but I’ve been busy with other stuff this morning.

I looks like quite a few good teams are having a lot more trouble than they should be in the early round of games, with some possible upsets looming. Here are the games going on right now:

Virginia Tech 10, North Carolina - 3rd Quarter
Northwestern 16, Michigan 7 - 3rd Quarter
LSU 10, Tulane 9 - 3rd Quarter
Illinois 24, Penn State 17 - 3rd Quarter
Miami 10, Duke 7 - 3rd Quarter
Indiana 21, Iowa 7 - 3rd Quarter
South Carolina 17, Mississippi State 14 - Halftime
Texas A&M 10, Baylor 3 - Halftime

Notre Dame looks like they’re heading to be 0-5 as they trail Purdue 23-6 in the 3rd quarter. Meanwhile, Temple is trying to win their first game in a while, as they are tied-up with Army at 21, also in the 3rd Quarter

Here are today’s games to watch:

Penn State (3-1) at Illinois (3-1) - 12:00 PM

Believe it or not, Illinois is 3-1, and is a very close game with Missouri from being 4-0.  Illinois is quickly showing themselves to be a team that cannot be taken lightly.  Meanwhile, Penn State is coming off a disappointing loss to Michigan.  I’ll be interested to see how this game turns out.  How good is Illinois?

Notre Dame (0-4) at Purdue (4-0) - 12:00 PM

Can Notre Dame get a win? This week is another tough week as they travel to Purdue.  Looking at Notre Dame’s remaining schedule, this is a must-win game.  If Notre Dame cannot pull the upset against Purdue, they’re looking at being 0-8 going into the Navy game.

Mississippi State (3-1) at South Carolina (3-1) - 12:30 PM

Yes, Mississippi State is 3-1, with wins over Tulane, Auburn, and Gardner-Webb.  Ok, those are really impressive wins, except for maybe Auburn and this will be Mississippi state’s first true test of the season (they were merely sacrificial lambs against LSU).  South Carolina is looking to rebound from their loss against LSU.

Syracuse (1-3) at Miami-OH (1-3) - 3:00 PM

After their stunning upset at Louisville last week, can Syracuse rebound, or will they fall right back into the hole they were in after their first three games.  Meanwhile, Miami needs to get out of a 3-game losing streak themselves.

Michigan State (4-0) at Wisconsin (4-0) - 3:30 PM

This game as Big Ten title implications.  Wisconsin just survived Iowa last week, and now face an even better looking Michigan State team.  Meanwhile, Michigan State will face their first real test of the season.  The winner of this game definitely has a leg-up on fighting for the Big Ten title.

Maryland (2-2) at Rutgers (3-0) - 3:30 PM

After West Virginia’s loss last night and Louisville’s lost last week, Rutgers is the Big East’s last hope of getting a team into the BCS Championship Game. However, they’re facing what can be a very tricky Maryland team this week.  Maryland has yet to win a good game yet this year, however, by they fared better than expected against West Virginia, and were beating up Wake Forest before they blew that game.  Rutgers should win, but they can’t overlook Maryland.

Kansas State (2-1) at Texas (4-0) - 3:30 PM

Kansas State is thisclose from being 3-0, but haven’t really beaten anyone impressive, though they have won impressively.  Texas, on the other hand, has looked very vulnerable all season, though they have kept winning.  Texas just escaped in both of their games against Arkansas State and Central Florida.  TCU was a possible early-season upset for Texas, but they pulled that game out.  Has Texas finally found their grove?  If note, Kansas State is definitely a worth enough of an opponent to leave Austin with a win.

Clemson (4-0) at Georgia Tech (2-2) - 3:30 PM

Georgia Tech has had two tough losses in a row while Clemson comes in trying to keep up with Boston College in the ACC Atlantic division race.  I still think Georgia Tech is a team one can’t take lightly, so Clemson has to watch out.

California (4-0) at Oregon (4-0) - 3:30 PM

This is probably the game of the week, and appears to be the only game between ranked opponents this week.  This is a huge game in the Pac 10, as the winner gets a leg up on 2nd place in the conference, a BCS bid, and a chance to upset USC for the conference title.

Southern Cal (3-0) at Washington (2-2) - 8:00 PM

Washington started the season with two good looking wins, then suddenly lost two in a row.  Will Washington rebound?  This may be a tricky game for USC and a possible upset if Washington can get their game back together.

Auburn (2-2) at Florida (4-0) - 8:00 PM

Auburn is in desperate win of turning their season around.  They pulled the upset against Florida last season, though Auburn was a much better team last season.  Florida should win, but this is still an upset watch.

Not much movement at the top of the polls this week, except for Penn State dropping because they lost.

The AP poll saw Oklahoma jump Florida for 3rd, which isn’t surprising considering Oklahoma has been obliterating everyone they’ve played, and Florida had a rough time with Mississippi.  I’m just surprised they’re not getting any #1 votes.

Biggest climbers this week appear to be Kentucky and Georgia, both at +7, and Arizona State, Cincinnati, Missouri, and South Florida, all at+5.  Not surprisingly, the biggest drops were Penn State (-11) and Alabama (-6).  Louisville and Texas A&M dropped out.

Similar movement in the Coaches poll, with Michigan State moving up 9 spots (do teams normally do that after beating an 0-3 team?), Kentucky moving up 8 spots, Purdue and South Florida moving up 6 spots, Georgia and Missouri 5 spots.  Penn State dropped 9, but Alabama only dropped 4.  Again, Texas A&M and Louisville drop out.

And I like how Michigan is starting to get votes again…amazing what beating Penn State can do.

Finals

Not a final, but almost one as Wisconsin has their hands full with Iowa, only leading 17-13.

Georgia has to take Alabama to overtime before finishing them off 26-23.  Meanwhile, Connecticut finishes off Pitt 34-14 to show that they are for real and that Pitt, well, maybe isn’t.

San Diego State 52, Portland State 17
Mississippi State 31, Gardner-Webb 15
Troy 48, Louisiana Lafayette31
Texas 58, Rice 14
Kansas 55, Florida International 3
Toledo 36, Iowa State 35
Florida Atlantic 30, North Texas 20
Auburn 55, New Mexico State 20
Tennessee 48, Arkansas State 27
Cincinnati 40, Marshall 14
New Mexico 58, Sacramento State 0
Tulane 35, SE Louisiana 27
San Jose State 23, Utah State 20

Update 9:51

Kentucky comes back and romps over Arkansas 42-39, scoring 21 points in the 3rd quarter. Meanwhile, Connecticut continues to roll over Pittsburgh 34-7.

Alabama also just tied Georgia 10-10 in the 3rd quarter of that game.

In the SEC, Auburn finally starts to pull away from New Mexico State, leading 35-20, while Tennessee is probably having a tougher time with Arkansas State than they should, leading 38-20.

In other finals:

Baylor 34, Buffalo 21
California 45, Arizona 27
Western Michigan 51, Central Connecticut State 14.

Update 9:00

Here is an update for you at 9.

Kentucky is still hanging with Arkansas, but the Razorbacks still lead 29-21 with just under 12 minutes to go.

Texas has now picked it up against Rice and leads 41-0.

Connecticut is wiping the floor with Pitt 27-7.

Auburn is in serious danger of being up set. They lead New Mexico State only 21-20 at halftime.

Georgia is telling Alabama “not so fast” on believing that they are an SEC power again. Georgia leads 10-0 in the 2nd quarter.

USC and Washington State are tied at 7 nearing the end of the 1st quarter.

Some Finals:

Houston 38, Colorado State 37
Northern Illinois 42, Idaho 35

Update 8:00

Here is the 8pm rundown of games currently going on:

Texas leads Rice now 10-0 at the end of the 1st quarter.

Connecticut is leading Pittsburgh in another Big East battle 10-0.

Auburn is having another sloppy game, this time against New Mexico State, whom Auburn is leading only 14-7.

Georgia has taken a 7-0 lead on Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Update 7:40

Oklahoma State beats Texas Tech in a shootout, 49-45. Meanwhile, Kentucky has pulled within six, only trailing Arkansas 20-14 at halftime. Also, Texas also seems to have gotten off to another slow start, only leading Rice 7-0 nearly 10 minutes into the game.

Update 7:13

A bad day for teams in Kentucky? Arkansas leads Kentucky 20-7 in the 2nd quarter.

Original Post

Another game that looks like it may be overtime bound: Texas Tech and Oklahoma State are tied at 42 with 8 minutes to go.

LSU also finishes off Steve Spurrier and South Carolina 26-16.

Update 7:07

Two sacks in overtime seal the deal for Wake Forest as they pull out the win against Maryland 31-24. Just so you know, Wake Forest scored the final 28 points in the game.

Michigan State finishes off Notre Dame 31-14. Notre Dame is now the only BCS team without a win, and future wins are looking sparser and sparser for the Irish.

Update 7:02

Wake Forest scores a touchdown with 17 seconds left to tie them with Maryland. Wake then strikes first in Overtime. Can Maryland respond and sent it to two?

Eastern Michigan defeats Howard 31-15. This leaves the Western Michigan vs. Central Connecticut State game tonight as the rubber match between the battle of football giants that is I-AA vs. Directional Michigan.

Central Florida finishes off Memphis 56-20.

Update 6:49

And Michigan starts looking like the team that they were supposed to be at the start of the season, and JoPa must wait yet another year to get a win over Michigan, as Michigan prevails in a slog (is that even a word?) 14-9.

North Dakota State becomes the 6th I-AA team to beat a I-A team by beating Central Michigan 44-14. So far there has been a I-AA over I-A upset in all 4 weeks of the season.

Other Finals:

Wyoming 34, Ohio 33
Ohio State 58, Northwestern 7
Colorado 42, Miami (OH) 0

Update 6:42

Penn State adds a field goal to make it 14-9, but time is running out with only 2:17 left.

Updated 6:34

Wofford defeats Appalachian State 42-31 to end ASU’s Division I-long win streak and is the first I-AA team to defeat them since 2005.

Updated 6:31

Both Michigans extend their lead - Michigan now leads Penn State 14-6 while Michigan State leads Notre Dame 31-14. Meanwhile, Wake has moved within a touchdown of Maryland now, down only 24-17 with 7:25 left.

Updates 6:05

Not as much going on in the mid-afternoon games, but here are some updates:

• Penn State adds another field goal, and pulls within 7-6 of Michigan at the end of the 3rd quarter.
• Michigan State expands their lead to 24-14 over Notre Dame
• LSU is romping over South Carolina 28-7.
• Maryland still has a healthy lead over Wake Forest 24-10, just starting the 4th quarter.

We also have a final:

Brigham Young 31, Air Force 6

Update: 5:12

Sorry for being so long between updates. Let’s just say, remind me not to take a “trip quick” out into Blacksburg at the same time the game ends again.

In any case, Duke just can’t hang on as Navy kicks a field goal as time expires to win 46-43. In other finals, Boston College defeated Army 37-17 while Virginia Tech defeated I-AA William & Mary 44-3.

In other, bigger, games, Michigan State is hanging to a 17-14 lead over Notre Dame as that game approaches halftime while Michigan is slugging it out with Penn State, sitting on a 7-3 lead at halftime. Maryland is also holding on to a 17-3 halftime lead over Wake Forest.

Update 4:01

Other games of interest: Michigan leads Penn State 7-0, and I believe Notre Dame scored their first offensive touchdown of the season as they lead Michigan State 7-0.

Original Post

Since the other one got interrupted by the Syracuse upset…

It isn’t a good day to be a Cardinal. Nebraska survives Ball state 41-40. Florida also survives Mississippi, winning 30-24.

Duke is still leading Navy 43-32 with 9:55 to go, however.

Others:

Virginia 28, Georgia Tech 23 - Final
Bowling Green 48, Temple 35 - Final
Clemson 42, N. C. State 20 - Final

	Syracuse	38
	Louisville	35

Need I remind you that Syracuse was a 37 point underdog?

This approaches the Appalachian State/Michigan upset in the first week as far as how much of a blowout this was supposed to be. And Syracuse dominated this game. Not necessarily in yards, but they lead by double digits nearly the entire game. Louisville couldn’t do anything to stop them.

428 yards passing? 480 total yards? These numbers absolutely blow away everything Syracuse has done up to this point in the season. Up to this point, Syracuse had gained 596 total yards in 3 games, and 501 passing yards in 3 games. They even got 50% of the rushing yards with 52 yards, against the 95 they had gained combined in 3 games.

Yes, Syracuse allowed another 600 yards of offense, but that was to be expected against Louisville. The point is, however, that they won.

By the way, there were 1,107 yards of offense in the game.