Code Orange

The ending to this game may be downplayed because it wasn’t in such a big game, but it is better than the hook and lateral by Boise State. It is better than the lateral kickoff return in the Cal/Stanford game (though no one can beat “the band is on the field!”

ESPN.com has the video up, and if I can find a youtube video of it, I’ll post it, but the jist of it is this: Trinity (TX) is down 24-22 to Millsaps in a Division III matchup with 2 seconds to go. The short of it is that 15 - yes 15 - laterals later, including a once-bounce lateral on the final toss, Trinity scores the touchdown to win. Amazing.

Update, here is the video:

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/video?id=3083220

I tried embedding it, but it didn’t like it…maybe i’ll try later…

Update: here ye go:

Update Late

Hawaii takes care of New Mexico State 50-13.

Update 1:52 AM

Arizona State puts away California, winning 31-20. That sets up a huge game between the Sun Devils and Oregon, who beat USC today, next week.

Update 1:35 AM

It’s been all Arizona State in the 2nd half as they take a 31-20 lead on California with 7:07 to go.

Meanwhile, Hawaii leads New Mexico state 23-3 at halftime.

Finals:

Houston 34, UTEP 31

Update 12:45 AM

Arizona State takes their first lead of the game 21-20 in the 3rd quarter. Meanwhile, Hawaii is now up 13-0 on New Mexico State.

Update 12:13 AM

Hawaii strikes quickly as they go up on New Mexico State 6-0, missing the PAT.

Update 11:37 PM

Arizona State responds to California’s touchdown and now it’s 20-14 California nearing halftime.

Update 11:30 PM

South Carolina misses a field goal in overtime, and Tennessee survives against South Carolina after blowing a 21-0 lead, and go on to win 27-24. Tennessee now controls their own destiny in the SEC East.

Update 11:25 PM

Tennessee can only muster a field goal in the first half of overtime, but they do now lead 27-24. Now it’s South Carolina’s turn.

Finals:

Florida State 25, Duke 6

Update 11:20 PM

California picks up another touchdown and now leads Arizona State 20-7.

Update 11:16 PM

Tennessee drives down the field, but then gets a 9 yard sack, then a false start penalty, turning a 34 yard field goal into a 48 yard field goal, but Tennessee still hits it to make the game 24-24 and going into overtime.

Update 11:07 PM

Ohio State finally finishes off Penn State 37-17.

Meanwhile, Tennessee gets a 37 yard kickoff return to start their drive near mid-field.

Update 11:04 PM

Arizona State finally gets on the board, and California leads 13-7.

Meanwhile, South Carolina hits a 49 yard field goal with 1:24 to go to take a 24-21 lead on Tennessee after Tennessee lead 21-0.

Update 10:38 PM

Tennessee starts to crumble as South Carolina ties the game at 21. South Carolina now has the ball again and is driving with just over 7 minutes to go.

Meanwhile, Ohio State now leads 27-10. Also, Kansas finishes off Texas A&M 19-11. Cal also leads Arizona State 10-0.

Finals:

Troy 27, Arkansas State 0
Middle Tennessee 48, North Texas 28

Update 10:11 PM

Penn State’s supposedly good defense gives up another touchdown and Ohio State goes up 24-7. Every Ohio State drive except one that ended in an interception and one that ended the 1st half have resulted in points.

Meanwhile, the Kansas kicker just missed his third field goal of the night, but the Jayhawks still lead Texas A&M 19-3 late in the 4th quarter.

Finals:

Western Kentucky 50, North Carolina Central 14

Update 10:05 PM

It’s not over yet in Knoxville. Tennessee jumped out to a 21-0 lead, but South Carolina has come back and has made it 21-14 late in the 3rd quarter.

Finals:

Toledo 70, Northern Illinois 21
Washington State 27, UCLA 7

Update 9:46 PM

Kansas continues to run their engines in the 2nd half, now going up 19-0 in the 4th quarter.

Finals:

Oregon State 23, Stanford 6
Ohio 38, Bowling Green 27

Update 9:10 PM

Kansas gets their engine going and now goes up 10-0 on Texas A&M

Final:

Auburn 17, Mississippi 3

Update 8:56 PM

Kansas finally strikes first and leads Texas A&M 3-0 in the 3rd quarter.

Meanwhile, the Penn State’s secondary and linebacker corps appears to have non-existent pass coverage as Ohio State slices down the field again and now lead 17-7.

Update 8:51 PM

The game in Knoxville is turning into a blowout, as Tennessee now goes up 21-0 on South Carolina.

Update 8:37 PM

Tennessee strikes again, going up 14-0 on South Carolina.

Update 8:33 PM

Ohio State moves down the field and retakes the lead themselves 10-7

Update 8:25 PM

Newsflash:

Syracuse doesn’t lose today. Today, they defeated the bye week 1-0.

Update 8:23 PM

Penn State strikes back and takes the lead on the #1 Ohio State Buckeyes 7-3.

Meanwhile, people are wondering where all the points are in College Station as Kansas and Texas A&M go into halftime scoreless.

Finals:

Utah 27, Colorado State 3

Update 8:16 PM

Ohio State kicks a 50 yard field goal and strike first against Penn State 3-0.

Meanwhile, Tennessee also strikes first against South Carolina in a battle to take control of the SEC East, going up 7-0, scoring a touchdown after recovering a fumble on the Gamecocks 2 yard line.

Update 8:11 PM

Virginia can’t pull it out as North Carolina State picks up the upset 29-24.

Update 8:05 PM

Will Virginia survive? They’re trying to drive down the field against N. C. State down 29-24 with a minute to go in the game.

Finals:

Louisiana Monroe 33, Florida Atlantic 30, 3OT
Marshall 34, Rice 21

Update 7:25 PM

Texas pulls it out against Nebraska 28-25.

7:22

Virginia finally takes a lead on N. C. State 24-23 early in the 4th quarter.Finals:

Clemson 30, Maryland 17
Kansas State 51, Baylor 13
Nevada 37, Idaho 21

Update 6:58 PM

Georgia finishes off Florida 42-30.  With that, the winner of the South Carolina/Tennessee game tonight will control their own destiny in the SEC East.

Update 6:54 PM

Texas finally takes the lead in Austin 21-15 over Nebraska with 7:23 to go.

Georgia also recovers a Florida fumble, crushing a Florida drive as they were threatening in the red zone.

It’s official: Connecticut 22, South Florida 15.

Update 6:51 PM

It’s all but officially over in Connecticut as UConn holds South Florida on 4th and goal to take over with 54 seconds left ahead 22-15, and South Florida has no time outs.

Finals:

East Carolina 41, UAB 6

Update 6:46 PM

Georgia starts putting nails in the coffin as they go up 42-30 on Florida with 3:54 to go.

Finals:

Arizona 48, Washington 41
Michigan 34, Minnesota 10
Tulsa 29, Southern Methodist 23

Update 6:32

Florida says “not so fast” to Georgia as they make the score 35-30 after missing a point conversion.

More Finals:

Eastern Michigan 19, Western Michigan 2

Update 6:22 PM

Georgia starts putting serious heat on Florida as they go up 35-24 on Florida with 11:03 to go in the game.

More Finals:

Louisiana Tech 31, Utah State 21

Update 6:08 PM

It’s over in Eugene, and USC can forget any hopes of climbing back into the title game. Oregon intercepts USC in a desperation final drive to end the game and the Ducks win 24-17.

Finals:

Memphis 28, Tulane 27

Update 5:54 PM

The Trojans are trying to come back, scoring a touchdown and closing to 24-17 of Oregon with 4:44 to go.

Update 5:47 pm

All of a sudden South Florida shows up. After the kickoff following the safety, South Florida goes 3 plays and 63 yards to get a touchdown and closes the gap to 16-9.

Meanwhile, Florida answers Georgia’s touchdown and closes their gap to 28-24.

Also, Nebraska takes a 17-3 lead on Texas.

Update 5:43 PM

Correction: It is South Florida who blocks the punt and gets the safety. 16-2 Connecticut

Finals:

Wyoming 29, UNLV 24

Update 5:40 PM

South Florida drives down to the Connecticut 4 hoping to finally get on the board, but UConn intercepts a pass in the endzone, and keeps their 16-0 lead in the middle of the 3rd quarter.

Also, Tebow is already effected with a bruised shoulder for Florida. Now, Harvin looks like he’s injured his arm. That is basically Florida’s entire offense both with injuries now. If Florida loses today, the road is cleared once again for South Carolina to win the SEC East. However, if they lose to Tennessee tonight and with Kentucky losing, Tennessee would once again be in the drivers seat.

Update 5:34 PM

The Gators are getting in trouble. Georgia comes out at halftime and quickly takes a 28-17 lead.

Update 5:29 PM

Duck and cover? Oregon takes a 24-10 lead on Southern Cal in Autzen Stadium in the 4th quarter.

Finals:

Missouri 42, Iowa State 28

Update 5:10 PM

Nebraska takes a 10-3 lead on Texas as they near halftime.

Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan leads Western Michigan 3-2 in the bottom of the 4th inning at halftime.

Mississippi State isn’t the only SEC team on the verge of bowl eligibility. Vanderbilt gets win #5 themselves, beating Miami (OH) 24-13. The SEC could get 11 bowl eligible teams. Of course, since they’ll have to all beat each other to do so, they may all be 6-6 or 7-5…

Other Finals:

Arkansas 58, Florida International 10

Update 5:03 PM

Southern Cal has now tied up Oregon at 10, halfway through the 3rd quarter.

Meanwhile, Michigan has come back to take the lead on Minnesota 13-10 at halftime.

Update 4:56 PM

Georgia goes up again nearing halftime, taking a 21-17 lead on Florida.

Update 4:40 PM

UConn goes up on South Florida 16-0.

Update 4:37 pm

Looking forward maybe? How embarrassing is this for Navy in their final game before they play Notre Dame. The Blue Hens of Delaware come in and defeat the Midshipmen 59-52.

Update 4:30 PM

UConn tries to show that they’re really for real, and they’re off to a good start over South Florida, leading 9-0 in the 2nd quarter.

Update 4:23 PM

Florida strikes back by picking off a Georgia pass for a touchdown to tie that game up at 14. Elsewhere, Oregon leads Southern Cal 10-3 at halftime and Minnesota leads Michigan 10-3 in the 2nd quarter.

Finals:

Central Michigan 41, Kent State 32

Update 4:05 PM

We might get 100 points put up in Jacksonville as Georgia responds quickly themselves, going up 14-7.

Update 3:58 PM

Florida strikes back fast, and ties the game at 7.

Also, Buffalo gets their 4th win of the season by defeating Akron 26-10.

Update 3:57 PM

Navy has now allowed 52 points to Delaware are they trail 52-42 late in the game.

Update 3:55 PM

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team have to kick from the 7 1/2 yard line, like Georgia just had to…

Update 3:51 PM

Georgia strikes first in Jacksonville and goes up 7-0 (after Georgia gets a great double-excessive celebration penalty on Georgia, who sent out the entire bench to celebrate their touchdown).

Update 3:46 PM

Mississippi State gets the first major upset of the day, defeating Kentucky 31-14.

3:42 PM

Colorado recovers the onsides kick and finishes off Texas Tech 31-26.

Update 3:31 PM

Iowa pulls out the upset over Michigan State 34-27 in double overtime.  Meanwhile, Texas Tech isn’t done yet, scoring another touchdown with 2:08 to go to creep to within 31-26 against Colorado.

Also, Oregon leads Southern Cal 7-0 in the first quarter.

Update 3:28 PM

West Virginia finally ends Rutger’s misery and wins 31-3.

Also, Delaware is now leading Navy 42-35 (yes, that score is right).

More Finals:

Wisconsin 33, Indiana 3

Update 3:18 PM

Louisville survives against Pitt by recovering a fumble inside their own 5 and win 24-17.

Meanwhile, Michigan State and Iowa exchange touchdowns, so they head to a 2nd overtime tied at 27.

More Finals:

Purdue 35, Northwestern 17

Update 3:09 PM

Michigan State and Iowa move on to overtime tied at 20.

Finals:

West Virginia 37, North Carolina 10
Illinois 28, Ball State 17

Update 2:58 PM

West Virginia puts the final nail of the coffin, putting up another touchdown on Rutgers and now leads 31-3.

Update 2:49 PM

Panthers not done. Pittsburgh comes back to tie Louisville at 17. Texas Tech also scores another touchdown to close to 31-19 against Colorado.

Update 2:33 PM

Colorado says “not so fast” to Texas Tech as they expand the lead back to 18, taking a 31-13 lead.

Update 2:29 PM

Looks like we’re en route to another top-25 upset today: Mississippi State expands their lead over Kentucky to 24-7.

Update 2:21 PM

West Virginia is putting a hurting on Rutgers as they now go up 24-7. Meanwhile, Texas Tech is trying to climb back, putting another touchdown on the board and closing the gap against Colorado to 24-13.

In the meantime, one wouldn’t think that Navy would be a candidate for our loss-to-a-I-AA game of the week, but they’re currently tied with Delaware 21-21.

Update 2:18 PM

We’re looking at a couple of possible mild upsets today. Northwestern currently leads Purdue 17-14 while Iowa has now tied Michigan State at 17. Also, Colorado is starting to run all over Texas Tech 24-6.

Missouri is also up on Iowa State early 7-0.

Update 1:31 PM

West Virginia and Rutgers head towards Halftime with West Virginia leading 17-3. Wake Forest also leads UNC 17-3 at halftime. Also at halftime: Louisville leads Pittsburgh 14-0, Wisconsin leads Indiana 17-3, and Colorado leads Texas Tech 14-3.

Update 1:15 PM

I just saw an ad for the Big East called “someday…” and they went through a “someday” thing for each team, and one of them was “Someday, Syracuse and Pittsburgh will build on their great tradition” and at the end it said “someday is today.”

Um, sure. Syracuse is certainly building on their great tradition this year…

Update 1:03 PM

West Virginia fumbles the ball while going into the end zone, but recovers for the touchdown and now lead 14-0.

Also, Wisconsin leads Indiana 17-0 and Colorado leads Texas Tech 14-0.

12:50 PM

West Virginia strikes first against Rutgers and leads 7-0. Louisville is also deciding that they’ll play football again, jumping on Pittsburgh 14-0.

Kentucky, meanwhile, goes down early to Mississippi State 7-0.

It’s a little late, but here are my rankings for Week 9.  This does not take into account the games from Thursday or Friday night:

1. Ohio State (8-0) [–]
2. Boston College (7-0) [–]
3. West Virginia (6-1) [+1]
4. Oklahoma (7-1) [-1]
5. Oregon (6-1) [–]
6. LSU (7-1) [+2]
7. Viginia Tech (6-1) [+2]
8. Southern Cal (6-1) [+3]
9. Florida (5-2) [+5]
10. Hawaii (7-0) [+3]
11. Arizona State (7-0) [+4]
12. South Florida (6-1) [-5]
13. Kansas (7-0) [+4]
14. Kentucky (6-2) [-4]
15. Missouri (6-1) [+3]
16. Texas (6-2) [–]
17. Georgia (5-2) [+2]
18. South Carolina (6-2) [-12]
19. Wisconsin (6-2) [+2]
20. Virginia (7-1) [+3]
21. Michigan (6-2) [+4]
22. California (5-2) [-10]
23. Texas A&M (6-2) [NR]
24. Alabama (6-2) [NR]
25. Connecticut (6-1) [NR]

Dropped Out: Cincinnati, Auburn, Texas Tech

Waiting in the Wings:  Air Force, Boise State, Brigham Young, Penn State, Rutgers, Texas Tech, UCLA

I thought I should post this before some of the biggest games, you know, are played…

Boston College (7-0) at Virginia Tech (6-1) - Thursday, 7:30 PM

This is probably the game of the week as both of these teams are still legitimately in the national title hunt.  The the AP #2 team in the nation has lost 3 weeks in a row (USC, California, South Florida), and that’s a streak that Boston College would like to end.  This is easily the toughest game on BC’s schedule, but that doesn’t necessarily mean things get much easier after this as their other 4 remaining opponents have a combined 18-11 record.

Air Force (6-2) at New Mexico (5-2) - Thursday, 9:00 PM

The winner of this game moves into 2 by themselves in the Mountain-West, and then has to hope that Brigham Young trips up twice in conference.  For Air Force, a win means they move ever close to being ranked.

Boise State (6-1) at Fresno State (5-2) - Friday, 9:00 PM

The first of three games between the big three in the WAC.   The Loser is probably out of contention in the conference unless the three teams all split 1-1.  If Fresno State wins, that sets up a date with Hawaii from the conference title November 10th, while a Boise State win moves that game to Nov. 23.

West Virginia (6-1) at Rutgers (5-2) - 12:00 PM

This is a very important game in the Big East as the loser will pick up their 2nd conference loss, probably eliminating them from the conference title race.  This game is probably more important to West Virginia, however, as they’re still in the national title hunt, plus they need help in the BCS Computers, and a win over Rutgers would help with that

Southern Cal (6-1) at Oregon (6-1) - 3:00 PM

This is the other “game of the week” of the week, and it’s probably lucky that it’s being played in Oregon rather than Los Angeles this week.  This game also features two teams in the national title hunt.  This could basically be considered a playoff game with the winner probably having to play Arizona State for the conference title and a chance to possible play in the title game.

Florida (5-2) at Georgia (5-2) - 3:30 PM

This game suddenly has new importance as Florida once again controls their own destiny in the SEC East.  However, Georgia can perhaps permanently put away Florida’s hopes of playing in the SEC title game with another conference loss.  However, for Georgia to play in that game, they need to win, and they still need help.  A loss all but mathematically eliminates the Bulldogs.

South Florida (6-1) at Connecticut (6-1) - 3:30 PM

Connecticut is the only 1-loss team who is still unranked, and they’re looking for some respect.  They can pick up a lot if they can beat the Bulls.  As I noted, the AP #2 team has lost each of the past 3 weeks, with South Florida being the latest.  However, that team also usually had trouble the following week as well, with USC just edging Arizona, and California losing to UCLA.  South Florida still has marginal national title hopes, and they cannot afford another loss if they want to keep those, or conference title hopes, alive.

Kansas (7-0) at Texas A&M (6-2) - 7:00 PM

One of the biggest disses on Kansas is that they really haven’t played anyone outside of Kansas State (though the computers tend to disagree, ranking Kansas 7th), and Kansas can eliminate that talk with a win over Texas A&M to show just how real they are.  A loss by Kansas also puts the Big 12 North back into play for Kansas State and Colorado.

South Carolina (6-2) at Tennessee (4-3) - 7:45 PM

This was supposed to pretty much be THE game to set up who had a leg up in the SEC East title race, until both teams blew their games last week, sending them into a 5-way tie in the division.  Along with the Georgia/Florida game, this one will help un-muddy the mess.  If Florida wins their game, they would prefer a Tennessee win since they’ve already beaten them.  Otherwise, it sets up a showdown with South Carolina on Nov. 10th.  Meanwhile, Tennessee hopes Georgia wins the other game.

Ohio State (8-0) at Penn State (6-2) - 8:00 PM

This will probably be Ohio State’s toughest game before having to play at Michigan in their season finale (though they still have 5-3 Illinois and 6-2 Wisconsin left too).  With Penn State 2 games out of the conference lead, they are probably out of the conference title race, though a win over Ohio State couldn’t hurt.

California (5-2) at Arizona State (7-0) - 10:00 PM 

This is the first of four games in Arizona State’s death stretch (with Oregon, UCLA, and USC all coming up in the next 4 weeks too).  California is going to desperately be looking to avoid 3 straight losses, less they go from in-line-to-be-#1 to out of the rankings in 3 weeks.  In the meantime, we get to see how for real Arizona State really is.

Update Late

17 points in the 4th quarter and LSU pulls off the comeback against Auburn, winning 30-24.

Update 11:30 PM

Michigan slips by Illinois tonight, winning 27-17.

Meanwhile, Virginia has a 15 play, 90 yard drive to put the game winning touchdown into the endzone with 28 seconds left, and they beat Maryland 18-17. Simpson, Virginia’s Tight End, has 271 total yards and 2 touchdowns in this game.

Also, Tulane and Southern Methodist are heading to overtime, tied at 34.

Update 11:11 PM

Michigan kicks another field goal and goes up 10 27-17 with 3:48 to go

Update 10:59 PM

A wide receiver-to-wide receiver touchdown pass puts Michigan up 24-17 with 8:12 to go. Meanwhile, LSU gets to within a touchdown by kicking a field goal. It’s now 17-10 Auburn in the 3rd quarter.

Also, a 24 point 4th quarter gives Oregon the win over Washington 55-34.

Update 10:42 PM

Oklahoma State kicks a last second field goal to defeat Kansas State 41-39.

Finals:

Boise State 45, Louisiana Tech 31

Update 10:32 PM

Oregon puts yet more points on the board and takes a lead over Washington 38-31 with 12:45 left

Finals:

Toledo 43, Ohio 40

Update 10:24 PM

Illinois kicks a field goal to tie them with Michigan at 17. Meanwhile, Auburn goes up 17-7 on LSU and threatens to cause the 5th top 10 team to lose this weekend (again).

Meanwhile, an upset alert is up for a 6th top 10 team: Oregon and Washington are tied at 31 heading into the 4th quarter.

Finals!:

Stanford 21, Arizona 20
Louisiana Monroe 28, Florida International 14
Houston 49, UAB 10

Update 9:05 PM

Kansas improves to 7-0 as they defeat Colorado 19-14. Meanwhile, the other Kansas team - Kansas State - is in a tussle with Oklahoma State 21-17 in the 3rd quarter.

Oregon is also leading Washington, but not by much, 24-14. Illinois also leads Michigan 14-10.

Auburn and LSU is just underway.

Finals:

North Carolina State 34, East Carolina 20
Fresno State 30, San Jose State 0
Florida Atlantic 39, Louisiana Lafayette 32, OT
Brigham Young 42, Eastern Washington 7
7:57 PM

You know that team that beat Michigan in the first weekend of the year? Well, Appalachian State just lost their 2nd game of the year, this time to Georgia Souther 38-35. Getting 3 teams into the I-AA tournament isn’t unheard of for the Southern Conference, but Appalachian State better win out or else they may not even get the chance to win 3 in a row.

By the way, Kansas is trying to move to 7-0, leading Colorado 13-7 going into the 4th quarter.

Update 7:34

Syracuse holds on to beat Buffalo 20-12.  It’s pretty bad when at least 3 Syracuse bloggers live blog this came as “the game of the year” for Syracuse.  It’s Buffalo.  At least Syracuse won said game.

Finals:

Central Florida 44, Tulsa 23

Update 7:26 PM

Syracuse starts to run the clock out, picking up a big 3rd down on their own 36.

Update 7:19 PM

Buffalo puts another 3 up on the board, but they’ll need to start sticking it in the endzone if they want to win. 20-12 Syracuse with 4:42 to go.

Update 7:16 PM

Buffalo once again must go for it on 4th down and once again gets it. The Bulls are down to the Syracuse 14.

Oops: Florida State fumbles, Miami recovers for a touchdown and suddenly it’s 37-29 with 1:04 to go.

Update 7:14 PM

Miami scores a late touchdown and retakes the lead on Florida State 30-29 with 1:15 to go in that game.

Update 7:13 PM

Too little, too late: Kentucky scores a touchdown on the last play of the game. Unfortunately for them, it only makes it 45-37.

Update 7:09 PM

Syracuse puts up 3 more points and expands their lead to 20-9.

Update 7:08 PM

Another top 10 loses, and it’s California once again as they fall to the Bruins of UCLA 30-21. If the Florida game finishes as it is, we’ll have 4 top 10 teams lose this weekend once again (South Florida and South Carolina).

USC finally finishes off Notre Dame 38-0. What was that about Notre Dame finally finding a quarterback? The Irish are now officially bowl ineligible.

Update 7:06 PM

Kentucky just hasn’t been able to stop Florida today. Tebow has been able to move the ball at will. Florida goes back up by 14 45-31 with only 1:33 left.

Missouri grinds Texas Tech into the ground 41-10 to create even more chaos in the Big 12.

Finals:

Bowling Green 31, Kent State 20.

Update 6:59

4th down fortunes. Buffalo picks up a 4th and 5 on the Syracuse 30 to keep their drive alive, and follows it up with a 29 yard field goal to make it 17-9 Syracuse with 10:25 to go.

Meanwhile, Kentucky hits a touchdown on 4th down to once again narrow their lead against Florida back to 7, 38-31, but with only 3:35 to go.

Cal looks like they’re going down two weeks in a row and UCLA extends their lead to 30-21 with only a minute to go.

Update 6:48 PM

UCLA retakes the lead on California 23-21 with 3 minutes to go.

Finals:

Troy 45, North Texas 7
West Virginia 38, Mississippi State 13

Update 6:43 PM

End of 3 in Syracuse and the Orange leads 17-6.

Update 6:39 PM

Another quick kick by Syracuse on 3rd and 30 on their own 14, and pin Buffalo down on their own 15. This is the third time that a team has been pinned and punted and pinned the other team. Huge changes in field position on special teams today.

It’s over: Ohio State 24, Michigan State 17. And this was perhaps Ohio State’s easiest of their remaining games.

Update 6:30 PM

Florida says “not so fast” to a Kentucky comeback, scoring another touchdown and expanding their lead back to 14, 38-24.

Also, Buffalo kicks another field goal, and it’s now 17-6 Syracuse.

Meanwhile, Michigan State, perhaps unwisely, kicks off after their last field goal, and it appears Ohio State will successfully be able to run out the clock.

More finals: Memphis defeats Rice 38-35. Middle Tennessee defeats Arkansas State 24-7.

Update 6:21 PM

It’s a one score game in Columbus as Michigan State kicks a field goal to make it 24-17. The only problem is that there is only 3:42 to go.

Update 6:15 PM

Just under 6 minutes to go in Columbus, but the Spartans are driving again.

Update 6:12PM

Kentucky scores another touchdown and it’s a game again in Lexington as Florida’s lead is cut to 31-24.

Meanwhile, California finally retakes the lead against UCLA 21-20 in the 3rd quarter.

More finals: Nevada 31, Utah State 28 and Utah State remains winless.

Update 6:09 PM

Syracuse marches into Buffalo territory, but the drive stalls on the 38 and they have to punt.

Update 6:05 PM

Kentucky holds Florida to a field goal, but the Gators still lead 31-17 in the 3rd quarter.

Meanwhile, Miami retakes the lead over Florida State again in the 3rd quarter, 24-23.

5:59 PM

Kentucky makes a really gutsy call and kicks an onsides kick after the kickoff, but Florida recovers after an official review.

Update 5:53 PM

Return of the Spartans?  Michigan State puts up another touchdown and it’s suddenly 24-14 in Columbus.

Update 5:50 PM

Return of the Wildcats? They score a touchdown and get back to within 28-17.

Michigan State finally gets on the board, but still trails Ohio State 24-7.

Update 5:43 PM

Some halftime stats for you:

Total yards: Syracuse 297, Buffalo 180
Passing: Syracuse is 9 for 16 for 170 yards; Buffalo is 14 for 17 for 128 yards.
Rushing: Syracuse 127 yards, Buffalo 52 yards

Update 5:39 PM

Florida is rolling over Kentucky now as they go up 28-10. Also, UCLA takes the lead on California again 20-14.

Meanwhile, Ohio State piles on another touchdown to lead Michigan State 24-0.

Update 5:35 PM

Syracuse picks up another touchdown on a 11 yard touchdown pass, and suddenly Syracuse is up 17-3 just before halftime.

Ball State defeats Western Michigan 27-23.

Update 5:29 PM

Syracuse picks up a fumble on Buffalo’s kickoff return and get it on the Buffalo 26.

In finals: Air Force defeats Wyoming 20-12 while time finally runs out Nebraska as they fall to Texas A&M 36-14.

Update 5:26 PM

Syracuse completes a 99 yard drive with a touchdown and goes up 10-3 against Buffalo.

Update 5:22 PM

Once I say that, Syracuse gets a huge pass and gets into Buffalo territory for at least the 3rd time today.

Update 5:21 PM

Syracuse gets a nice run to get a first down and get from under the shadow of their own goal posts, but the play comes back for holding. Penalties are killing both of these teams today.

Update 5:17 PM

Buffalo drives into Orange territory, but the drive stalls and they have to punt. However, the Bulls down the punt at the 1.

Texas A&M puts the final nail in the coffin against Nebraska, going up 36-14 with 4 and a half to go.

Arkansas defeats Mississippi 44-8.

Update 5:04 PM

Syracuse marches to inside the Syracuse 20, then throws an interception in the endzone. Neither team wants to score in this game it seems.

Update 5:02 PM

Florida extends their lead on Kentucky to 21-10 just before halftime.

Update 5:01 PM

Just reported that Brinkley will not return in the game after a 6 rushes for 40 yards game.

Elsewhere, USC puts up 7 more against the Irish and now leads Notre Dame 14-0.

Update 4:56 PM

Buffalo gets inside the Syracuse 20, but gets a personal foul penalty and Buffalo has to punt.

Update 4:50 PM

End of the 1st quarter in Syracuse, tied at 3.

UCLA kicks a field goal to pull to 14-13 with Cal. Texas Tech finally gets on the board, but still trails Missouri 10-7.

Another final: Western Kentucky 56, Indiana State 7.

Update 4:46 PM

Kentucky kicks a field goal to pull within 14-10 of Florida with 2:38 left in the 1st half.

Update 4:44 PM

Syracuse finally able to respond as they march down the field and get a field goal to tie the game at 3. Unfortunately, Brinkley injured his ankle on the drive.

Meanwhile, Texas A&M puts up another TD on Nebraska and goes up 30-14.

Update 4:36

Florida State takes the lead over Miami 17-14 in the 2nd quarter. Cal also now leads UCLA 14-10 (it was actually UCLA that was ahead 10-7 before).

Update 4:33 PM

Brinkley gets another good run to give the Orange some breathing room out to the 26.

Update 4:30 PM

Buffalo can’t get out from under their own endzone and has to punt, but, a big punt, a Syracuse fumble on the punt catch, and a penalty pushes Syracuse back to their own 11. From the Buffalo 10 to the Syracuse 11. Syracuse just blew a chance to get great field position.

Update 4:23 PM

Syracuse moves down to the Buffalo 34, but a false start on a would-be 4th and 5 that Syracuse was going to go for forces the Orange to punt. However, Syracuse downs the ball at the 2 yard line.

Update 4:21

Meanwhile, Texas A&M scores again and extends their lead over Nebraska to 23-14. Florida State also draws closer to Miami, pulling to within 14-10. Cal leads UCLA 10-7, USC takes a 7-0 lead over Notre Dame, and Ohio State extends their lead over Michigan State 17-0.

Update 4:16 PM

Miami leads in the battle of Florida over Florida State 14-3. Meanwhile, Missouri leads Texas Tech in a Big 12 tussle 10-0.

Update 4:14 PM

Florida takes their first lead on Kentucky on a 66 yard touchdown pass, going up 14-7.

Update 4:12 PM

Buffalo strikes first, kicking a 31 yard field goal and going up 3-0.

In finals, Wake Forest defeats Navy 44-24.

Update 4:10 PM

Kentucky misses a field goal, and they remain tied with Florida at 7. Meanwhile, Ohio State jumps out to a good start against Michigan State, leading 10-0.

Update 4:08 PM

Texas pulls away from Baylor in the 4th quarter to win 31-10.

Meanwhile, Buffalo is already driving in their first drive against the Orange.

Update 4:04 PM

Buffalo gets the ball first. Syracuse actually wearing blue shirts at home this time.

Update 4:02 PM

Alabama takes over the game in the 2nd half and dumps Tennessee 41-17. This means the winner of the Kentucky/Florida game pretty much controls their own destiny for the SEC East title.

4:01 PM

This thread is going to largely going to be a live thread for the Syracuse vs. Buffalo game, but I’ll also keep updating updates of other games, especially the Florida vs. Kentucky game.

Update 3:58 PM

Oklahoma survives Iowa State 17-7.  Meanwhile, Texas A&M leads Nebraska 16-14 at the half.  Florida and Kentucky are also tied at 7 in the 1st quarter.

Update 3:40 PM

Temple continues to turn the football world upside down as they finish off Miami (OH) 24-17 and move to 3-5.

Also, a note about North Dakota State that I grabbed from the Bristol Blog: Minnesota is the 2nd I-A team they’ve defeated this year (Central Michigan being the other), they’re currently ranked #1 in the I-AA (watch out Appalachian State!), and they have the longest winning streak in division I at 11 games.

Update 3:35 PM

Penn State dashes Indiana’s hopes for glory, defeating the Hoosiers 36-31. Georgia Tech also defeats Army 34-10.

Update 3:32 PM

Another Top 10 upset: Vanderbilt defeats #6 South Carolina 17-6. Is this the first time Spurrier ever lost to the Commodores? Meanwhile, in another upset, Pittsburgh defeats Cincinnati 24-17.

Meanwhile, Purdue rolls over Iowa 31-6.

Update 3:27 PM

Clemson emphatically shows there was nothing to worry about, as they roll over Central Michigan 70-14.

Meanwhile, we’re on the verge of two Top-25 upsets, including another top-1o upset.

Update 3:17 PM

At least Syracuse isn’t like Minnesota….yet. North Dakota State just defeated the Golden Gophers 27-21. Didn’t Minnesota go 6-7 last year? Then fire their coach? The similarities are eerie between Minnesota and Syracuse.

Update 3:10 PM

We have our first final as Wisconsin obliterates Northern Illinois 44-3. Meanwhile, Oklahoma finally takes the lead on Iowa State 14-7 with 13:50 to go.

Update 3:01 PM

This can’t be a good sign for Syracuse. A team that Syracuse lost to (Miami-OH) is currently losing to Temple (yes, that Temple) 24-7. Temple, meanwhile, lost to Buffalo 42-7. I’ll try to live blog the Buffalo/Syracuse game later, by the way.

In other games, Penn State and Indiana are still locked in a tough battle, where the Nittany Lions currently lead 29-24. Cincinnati is trying not to lose two in a row, but Pittsburgh is giving them a game, with the Bearcats only up by 1, 17-16.

Oklahoma is in serious upset alert mode now as, nearing the 4th quarter, they’re only tied with Iowa State at 7. Texas must also watch out, as they’re only leading Baylor 10-7 halfway through the 3rd quarter.

However, South Carolina has the biggest upset alert of all, losing to Vanderbilt 17-6 at the start of the 4th quarter. Meanwhile, Alabama has pulled a little further ahead of Tennessee and now lead 27-17.

Update 2:08 PM

Some games are moving into halftime now, and we have several possible upsets brewing, once again some of them involving top-1o teams against unranked teams.

Perhaps the most surprising is Iowa State shutting out Oklahoma in the first half, leading 7-0 at halftime. Also, Vanderbilt is leading South Carolina 17-6 at halftime.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati is leading Pittsburgh, but not by much, 17-10 at the half.

Perhaps the best looking game of the day has been Alabama vs. Tennessee, where the Tide lead 24-17 at halftime.

Update 1:17 PM

Clemson decided to start playing, as they now lead Central Michigan 21-7.

However, elsewhere, Indiana leads Penn State 14-13, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are tied at 10, Georgia and Army are also tied at 10, Minnesota and North Dakota State are tied at 14, Iowa State leads Oklahoma 7-0, and Vanderbilt leads top-10 South Carolina 17-0.

Update 12:44 PM

At the end of one, Clemson and Central Michigan are tied at 7, Indiana still leads Penn State 7-0, and North Dakota State leads Minnesota 14-7.

12:18 PM

Tommy Bowden’s chair will be as hot as the sun if Clemson loses to Central Michigan. I know it’s still early, but the Chippewas are up 7-0. Meanwhile, Indiana also leads Penn State 7-0.