O5 Bowl Games Dec 31

 Sun Bowl: Central Michigan 27 Wash St 24.  CMU has Lew Nichols, the leading rusher in the country, but its weak passing D that will be tested by Cougars QB Jayden de Laura.  This is the first meeting between the schools. If my guess is correct, the Pac 12 will go winless this bowl season.

Cotton Bowl: I'm rooting for Cincy big time, but the Crimson Tide D will probably give Ridder he!!

Bama 28  Cincy 20.

I have no idea why ESPN didn't re-slate the Sun Bowl in its Bowl Mania but did adjust the Gator Bowl. Maybe because the Sun Bowl is on CBS?

Jan 1, 2022

CMU 24  WSU 21. Nichols had a solid game, and the CMU D played a good first half. Delaura was benched in the second half and Gabels led WSU to some scores.

Cincy stayed in the game through three quarters, trailing 17-6, but had no answers for Young and Robinson.

Cincy OC Denbrock ,who worked with LSU coach Brian Kelly at Notre Dame (2010-16), will become the LSU OC.

Jan 4, 2022

USF extended most of their head coaches' contracts, including football coach Jeff Scott, men’s basketball coach Brian Gregory, and baseball coach Billy Mohl. Scott is 3-18 in two seasons. Gregory is 62-73 in five seasons. Not sure what all that is about.

Jan 6, 2021

Memphis(AAC) offensive coordinator Kevin Johns is the new OC at Duke. Just a few years ago Memphis was a school that would've been a candidate to go P5.

Jan 9, 2021

Charlie Batch, a former NFL qb, said his employer , GameAbove Capital, would pay Caleb Williams $1 million for one season with Eastern Michigan(MAC). 

Jan 12, 2022

Clayton Tune  and Alton McCaskill are staying at Houston. CBS sports' analysts are slotting Houston as the 2022 preseason favorite in the AAC over Cincinnati.  I'm sticking with the Bearcats as the favorite until I see otherwise. 

ULL(SunBelt ) is getting raided hard. Napier took a lot of coaches to UF and just poached RB, Montrell Johnson, from his old team

O5 bowl games Dec 27-28

Quick Lane Bowl 

Western Michigan 20 vs. Nevada 17.  I'll go with the WMU running backs, Sean Tyler and La'Darius Jefferson slow the game down which will limit Nevada's QB Carson Strong's opportunities.

Military Bowl presented by Peraton 

 East Carolina 30 vs Boston College(ACC) 28 ECU is a hot team, and the BC Eagles have not been soaring. ECU QB Ahlers will be tossing a lot of passes

Tuesday, Dec. 28

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl 

Houston 28 vs. Auburn 27 This is the first matchup of the best of AAC against SEC teams from the state of Alabama this bowl season.  Clayton Tune will out-duel Finley or whoever is playing QB for Auburn

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl 

 Louisville 31 vs Air Force 27   Cards don't see much triple option in ACC play but Malik Cunningham will make some explosive plays for the Cardinals in a nailbiter.

Dec 28, 2021

I was correct on WMU but wrong on a low scoring game. Eleby threw two TD passes and the Tyler /Kincaide backfield rushed for over 250 yards in a 52-24 rout over Nevada.

Military bowl was canceled.-*

Dec 29, 2021

Houston got a late TD and hung on to beat Auburn. SEC is having a bad start (0-4) so far. Two losses to O5, one to Ind, one to P5.

 Air Force had a balanced attacked, and Louisville's speed didn't help  them play defense.

 AFA 31 LOU 28.

Military Bowl was canceled

O5 Bowl games Dec 23-25

 Next set of games features a lot of even matchups.

Thursday, Dec. 23 

Frisco Football Classic:  Miami (Ohio) 34 North Texas 27. I'll ride with M-OH QB Gabbert (2418 YDS, 24 TD, 6 INT)

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl 

UCF 23 vs. Florida 21 Gus Malzahn gets a chance to beat an SEC team that's loss a lot of snap

Friday, Dec. 24

EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl 

Hawai'i 35 Memphis 31 Memphis got lucky against Miss St in September and stumbled like a drunk through the rest of the season. Rainbows win at home 

Saturday, Dec. 25

TaxAct Camellia Bowl

Georgia State 16 vs. Ball State 13 Panthers D has improved enough to beat the erratic Cards

Dec 24, 2021

Today's bowl was canceled. I went 2-0 yesterday.

M-O blanked NT in the second half for a 27-14 win. Sorenson, a 6' 190lb WR, had his usual solid game  (7 rec , 116 yards) for the victors and could be a nice  rd 4 or 5 selection the NFL draft. 

Stats this season: REC 69, YDS 1,290. TD 10 AVG 18.7.

UCF  29 FLA 17.  The Gators new HC needs to recruit a QB.  UCF ran a balanced attack.

Dec 26, 2021

D. Grainger (15-19, 203 YDS, 3 TD) (11 CAR, 122 YDS, 1 TD) did it all for Ga St in a 51-20 romp over Ball St. I picked the game right but am surprised at the Panthers O.

O5 Bowl Games Dec. 20-21, 2021

 Next three bowl games starts with afternoon kickoff on Monday Dec. 20

Myrtle Beach Bowl Presented by TaxAct 

 Tulsa(AAC) 27 vs Old Dominion(CUSA) 23

Both teams had good Novembers , but I'll go with Brin and Brooks respectively, Tulsa's QB and RB, to lead them to victory.

Then two on Tuesday, Dec. 21

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 

Wyoming(MWC) 20 vs Kent St(MAC) 17

I've been wrong on Kent St often so I'll go with Wyoming who beat Utah St last month.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl 

UTSA(CUSA) 24 vs. San Diego St(MWC) 16

Aztecs have a solid D but not enough O to stay with Roadrunners QB F. Harris(2906 YDS, 25 TD), and RB  Sincere McCormack(298 CAR, 1479 YDS, 15 TD)

Dec 21, 2021

Well, I got Tulsa correct. Brin and Brooks were solid, and J. Johnson(8 rec, 129 yards, and a TD), had a nice game catching passes from Brin.  TuL 30 ODU 17

Dec 22, 2021

I split on Tuesday: I didn't foresee the Aztecs scoring 38 points. SDST 38 UTSA 24.

Wyoming couldn't stop Crum and the Flashes in the first half, but Levi Williams, the Cowboys QB, went wild starting in the second quarter and check out his stat line: 

16 CAR, 200 YDS, 4 TD, 9-11 passes, 127 YDS, 1 TD

WYO 52 Kent St 38

O5 Bowl games Dec 18, 2021

 A long day of games that starts at 11AM EST. My predictions cores

RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl 

Western Kentucky(CUSA) 34 vs. Appalachian State(Sunbelt) 24.

I don't foresee Appy scoring enough to keep up with Zappe, the WKU QB who's tossed 56 TD passes this season.

PUBG Mobile New Mexico Bowl 

Fresno State(MWC) 27 vs. UTEP(CUSA) 17

Haener will toss two TD passes against the Miners who lost four of their last five regular season games

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl 

BYU 31 vs. UAB(CUSA) 28

These are the two players to watch: UAB: D. McBride(176 CAR, 1188 YDS, 12 TD)

BYU: T. Allgeier (249 CAR, 1414 YDS, 20 TD)

LendingTree Bowl 

Liberty 30 vs. Eastern Michigan(MAC) 20

Has Coach Freeze found some way to ease the pressure on  Liberty's QB Willis? Yep, enough to beat the Eagles.

Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl pres. by Stifel 

Oregon State(PAC12) 27 vs. Utah State(MWC) 24

This is a tough one. Ags with QB Bonner are hot, but the Beavers have an explosive RB in BJ Baylor (1259 yards and 13 TDS)

R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl

ULL(SunBelt) 26 vs. Marshall(CUSA) 24

This is basically a home game for the Cajuns. Nip and tuck all the way with Lewis, the ULL QB, finding a way to get them the win

Dec 19, 2021

App got Zapped big time, and WKU cruised in the second half to an easy win

I got the score (31-28) right, but the winner wrong in the UAB win over BYU. Also, both starting RB nearly reached 200 yards each rushing. BTW, UAB has come a long way from almost losing football to  moving to the AAC.

UTEP started off strong but Fresno re-grouped and hung on.

EMU was out of it midway through the second quarter. Willis had another strong game for Liberty but I'm still not sold on him as a QB on Sundays.

Utah St RB, Calvin Tyler Jr, got some revenge on his former team, the Beavers.

Solid day for Lewis in the Cajuns win, and it appears only Ali (160 yards, 3TDs)  showed up for the  Herd.

4-2 for the day. I was wrong on BYU and Oregon St.

Western Kentucky 59, App State 38

Fresno State 31, UTEP 24

UAB 31, BYU 28

Liberty 56, Eastern Michigan 20

Utah State 24, Oregon State 13

Louisiana 36, Marshall 21

O5 bowl games Dec 17, 2021-more HC hires

 Bahamas Bowl: Middle Tennessee(CUSA) vs. Toledo(MAC). I'm surprised both teams made a bowl game , but the young fellas get a trip to Bahamas. Koback rushed for 1274 yards and 15 TDs and he'll continue to be a beast in a 24-17 Toledo win over MTSU.

Cure Bowl: Northern Illinois(MAC) vs. Coastal Carolina(SunBelt). I've been down on NIU and up on CCU often this season and got burned. Into the fire again.  CCU 28 NIU 27. McCall's arm over NIU's rushing attack.

O5 Coaching hires

Colorado State: Jay Norvell moves from Nevada to another MWC team. I guess this is about $$$

FIU: Mike MacIntyre: He's had a few HC gigs, but last season's stint as Memphis DC wasn't inspiring.

Fresno State: Jeff Tedford returns after a few years away.

ULL: Michael Desormeaux gets a promotion from OC to replace Napier.

Temple:  Texas running backs coach Stan Drayton becomes HC at the Philly school. Lotsa luck!

Dec 18, 2021

I split on the games. Koback had a great day rushing for Toledo, but MTSU had an answer each time in a 31-24 win.

McCall made adjustments on the fly and CCU's D made plays in key moments ,and hung on to a 47-41 win with NIU near the goal line but out of time.

Nevada(MWC) hired Ken Wilson (Oregon ILB coach). His assistant coaching history includes a long stint under Doug Ault at Nevada.

Jan 29, 2022

Buffalo U HC Linguist needed help quickly so he hired Florida's Greg Knox who finished up as Gators HC after Mullen was fired.  He also hired. Texas A&M's Brandon Bailey to the Bulls' staff.

O5 Title games 2021

CUSA: I'm taking the hot team WKU led by Zappe who has tossed 52 TD passes. WKU 37 UTSA 31

MAC:  Kent St has a stellar rushing attack led by Marquez Cooper.  Kent St 26 NIU 19

MWC: Tough one to call, but I'll go with Bonner tossing a few TD passes against a solid Aztecs D for the win. Utah St 27 SDST 22

SunBelt: App St has climbed out of a rough September and finished nicely. ULL lost Coach Napier to FLA. App 23 ULL 22

AAC: Cincy keeps the heat on the CFP voters and squeaks by a solid Houston team. 26-24. Bearcats rushing attack led by Ford will carry the day.

Dec 3, 2021

Wrong on pick 1. UTSA couldn't slow down Zappe who threw for 577 yards and 4 tds, so they outscored WKU 49-41 with a big day from SINCERE MCCORMICK (36 carries for 204 yards and 3 TDs).

Dec 4, 2021

I split on yesterday's games. Correct on Cincy and Utah St. and wrong on App St and Kent St.

Utah St and Bonner pierced the Aztecs D in a 46-13 blowout win.

 Cincy rode the Ford(18 carries, 187 yds, 2 TDs) to a 35-20 victory.

Appy couldn't stop Lewis in the first half and never got its own O into gear. ULL 24 App 16. BTW, Napier coached for ULL yesterday.

NIU blanked Kent St in the first half and won 41-23.

BTW, remember Joe Moorhead who Miss St fired as its HC in 2019 and Oregon made its OC in 2020? He's the new HC at Akron.

Dipping my toe into O5 hoops for 2021/22 season

 I've been consumed with Turkey weekend pigskin, but seeing that Georgia Southern(SunBelt) nearly upset GTech (ACC) yesterday gave me a jolt.

AAC: Mixed day: Big win by the Wichita St Shockers over Missouri(SEC). Tulsa beat Ark-LR, but ninth ranked Memphis got beat 78-59 by Iowa St (Big12).

MWC: New Mexico lost to little Towson U (Colonial), which is located a few miles from my home.

For new readers of this blog. O5 = non P5 football conferences: AAC, CUSA, MAC, MWC, and Sunbelt.

Nov 28, 2021

Andrew Taylor( MRSH - G 20 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST) had a solid game but the #herd couldn't keep up the pace and fell to Indiana(B10) 90-79.

Rough day for the AAC: ECU needed a last minute jumper to escape Coppin, a small MEAC school on the west side of Baltimore City. Cincy lost to Monmouth(MAAC), and Temple eked out a one point win over Delaware(COLONIAL). UCF gave OK (B12) a scare but lost by two points.

Dec 4, 2021

AAC woes continue: USF lost South Carolina St (MEAC) and Tulsa fell to Boise St (MWC).  Houston's AAC path looks easy at this moment.

 CUSA has a hard time with WAC with the UTEP loss to New Mexico St, and the UTSA loss to UTRGV.

Dec 9, 2021

I'm curious about how Buffalo(MAC) continues to move on after losing Coach Oats to Bama after the 2018/19 season. They made it to the NIT last season. Last night Josh Mballa had 19 points for Buffalo in a 77-67 win over Western Kentucky(CUSA).

Dec 11, 2021

 Memphis(AAC) is on a four game losing streak: Iowa St, Georgia, Ol Miss, and Murray St.  They face Bama next on Dec 14.

Dec 14, 2021

Houston (AAC) remains in the top 25. Pretty cool to see Colorado St(MWC) make an appearance after a recent win over Miss St(SEC) raised their record to 10-0.

Dec 15, 2021

What a way for Memphis(AAC) to snap its 4-game losing streak. Deandre Williams scored 20 points for the Tigers in a 92-78 win at Bama.

Dec 24, 2021

two games straight against a non-conference opponent is a rarity. South Bama (Sunbelt) split a series  against Tarleton St, coached by Billy Gillepsie, of the WAC. 

Dec 31, 2021

Covid has screwed with xmas hoops, but how about this: Darin Green Jr. scored a career-high 27 points, and Brandon Mahan added 26 to help UCF(AAC) beat Michigan 85-71. Johnny Dawkins got the best of Juwan Howard in the coaching battle.

In CUSA news, Cobe Williams scored 22 points for La Tech which extended its home win streak to eight games, beating Marshall 79-56.

Jan 11, 2022

Tyler Harris scored 20 points for Memphis in an 87-80 win over Cincinnati in AAC play. Their roller coaster season rides onward when they face UCF tomorrow.  Their only conference loss is to Tulane. Houston 3-0 - 14-2

Memphis 3-1 0.5 9-5

Tulane 3-1   0.5   6-7

Jan 13, 2022

Jaylen Forbes led Tulane (7-7, 4-1 AAC) scored 20 points to a 68-67 conference win over Wichita St. Ron Hunter is starting to turn the Green Wave program around in his third season since leaving Georgia St(Sunbelt).

UCF beat Memphis 74-64.

Jan 16, 2022

Reality checks in AAC with a USF blowout of UCF, and ECU edging Memphis. Houston remains undefeated in AAC play.

Odd to see Marshall, who lost to Rice yesterday, sitting in the CUSA cellar.

Coach Odom, who left my alma mater UMBC, for Utah St (MWC), is finding hoops life bumpier out West. Utah State (10-7, 1-3 MWC) lost Wyoming 71-69 yesterday.

Jan 19, 2022

I haven't looked at the MAC often this season. Ryan Rollins scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Toledo's 83-70 win over beat Ball State last night. The Rockets are 6-1 in the MAC and 14-4 overall including a win over Tulane. Their next game is against Ohio (5-0 MAC, 14-2). Ohio rolled Miami O by a score of 86-63 last night.

Jan 20, 2022

Hunter Maldonado had 20 points and 12 assists for Wyoming (3-0 MWC, 14-2 overall) in a 69-60 over San Jose State. I watched some of their win over Nevada on Monday night and was impressed with how hot they can get. Their two losses are to Zona and Stanford.

Jan 24, 2022

UTSA is also winless in CUSA play. Jamal Bieniemy had 18 points and 11 rebounds for UTEP in a 59-54 win over UTSA yesterday. 

Jan 28, 2022

UAB 7-1 in the CUSAW is and have won four in a row. They face the #herd tomorrow. The Blazers HC Andy Kennedy was an Asst with Huggy at Cincy before moving onto Ol Miss and UAB.

Feb 1, 2022

I checked on the Wyoming game on FS1 to see Maldonado who started slow but finished with 35 points for the Cowboys in an 84-78 win over Colorado St. 

Pitino Jr's move from Minnesota to New Mexico has been bumpy San Diego State(12-5, 4-2 MWC) 72 New Mexico(8-14, 1-8 MWC) 47

Feb 4, 2022

 I tuned into the ODU/MU game and was disappointed. ODU won mostly cuz the Herd were bad. A bit surprised that WKU blew out Charlotte.

O5 regular season winds down

 Cincy visits a decent ECU squad and will not cover the 14 point spread but will remain undefeated. The Bearcats D held Mordecai(SMU) in check last week and will slow down Ahlers. CIN 30 ECU 20. Next week Cincy will face Houston, whose only loss this season was to Texas Tech(B12), in the AAC title game.

Zappe (WKU) has tossed 48 TD passes, and Ali has scored 20 rushing TDs for Marshall. I don't think the Herd D will be able to contain Zappe. WKU 31 MAR 23 in a game that decided who plays UTSA in the CUSA title game next week.

I'll take the Gabbert to Sorenson connection to lead Miami (O) to a 27 -25 win over Kent St and a ticket to Detroit to face NIU in the MAC title game.

Air Force, Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State have a shot to play in the MWC title game next Saturday. SDST wins and they're in. The Aztecs D will take charge in a 19-16 win over Boise St .

ULL Ragin' Cajuns will play App St in Sun Belt championship game next Saturday. Coastal Carolina's mid-season stumble kept them out of next week's game, but look for McCall to toss a few TD passes in a 31-10 win over South Bama this Friday.

Nov 27, 2021

Cincy took its time getting in gear while ECU played some fired up D early. Cincy 35 ECU 13.

SDST O played the first half against Boise St like they were hungover but found enough caffeine in the second half for a 27-16 win. They better bring more against Utah St in the MWC title game.

Nov 27, 2021  evening

Wells injury was obviously a factor, but that was brutal second half for Marshall who got zapped 53-21 by WKU.   Miami O lost to Kent St in OT 48-47 in a wild one. Gabbert and Sorenson were great for M(O), but Cooper and Williams rushed for close to  to 300 yards for Kent St. McCall and CCU needed OT to beat South Bama 27-21. 4-1 on my picks. 

BTW what happened to UTSA who got clobbered by NTX

Nov 29, 2021

Jax State to hire Rich Rodriguez, ULM OC, as head football coach ahead of 2023 FBS move to the CUSA

Fresno has a HC opening with the departure of Kalen DeBoer to UW(PAC12). Most of his resume is 1aa and NAIA then this:

2017–2018 Fresno State (OC/QB) 2019 Indiana (OC/QB) 2020–2021 Fresno State (HC)

Dec 1, 2021

La Tech hired Texas Tech's interim HC Sonny Cumbie as its next football coach, but Cumbie will coach TT in the bowl game.

Wacky WAC blogs floats toward 2022

 An early looks at WAC hoops shows some positive signs in OOC play. New Mexico St beat Davidson(A10) and UC Irvine(Big West)  and UTEP(CUSA). Cal Baptist beat SJST(MWC). SF Austin beat MTSU(CUSA). 

 Abilene Christian  took TAMU(SEC) to the limit before falling 82-81. Then a reality check, Gonzaga (WCC ) routed Dixie St by 34.

In football Sam Houston St joined the CUSA so they 'll be brief WAC members, and NMST will likely take all its sports programs to the CUSA.

Prior WAC blog

Nov 25, 2021

TX 68 CBU 44: It appears TX jumped on CBU early and never let go. I watched most of the first half of  MICH 65 TAR 54 on the B10N, and the Wolverines were a mess. Montre Gipson TAR - G (17 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST). 

Nov 30, 2021

Is Tarleton with HC Billy Gillepsie improving quickly or are the Zags rebuilding?  GONZ 64 TAR 55. Tahj Small scored 25 for Tarleton.

Jan 9, 2022

Wow, Brandon Betson made a jumper with three seconds left to give Chicago St a 58-56 home win over Cal Baptist

Freddy Hicks(23 PTS, 8 REB, 1 AST) led Tarleton St over SFA to keep the Texans within a half game of WAC leaders, NMST and Grand Canyon.

Jan 16, 2022

WAC roundup: NMST and Grand Canyon remain undefeated in conference play after the Aggies beat Abilene Christian and GC rolled Tarleton.

Cal Baptist edged UVU for its first WAC win this season.

Chicago State (6-13, 2-4 WAC) beat Lamar for its first conference road win in five years.

Feb 3, 2022

Abilene Christian is having a solid debut season in the WAC. Chicago St is playing better in its final WAC season and hasn't found new conference yet. They're not ready for the MVC. OVC and Horizon are prospects, but I suspect it will be the Summit Conference.

Rest of O5 play in week 12

 AAC: It's sure looks like it will be a Cincy/Houston AAC final, so I'll take a look at Navy who's been playing better in conference during November. Perhaps Navy FB Carlinas Acie will have an 80 yard game against ECU this week like he did in the Tulsa win . It will still won't be enough. Ahlers will toss two TD passes for ECU in a 27-22 win over Navy.

CUSA: Frank Harris UTSA ( 190-284, 2306 YDS, 20 TD and Sincere McCormick UTSA

(230 CAR, 1150 YDS, 11 TD) will be too much for UAB  and win 31-23 to lock up the CUSAW

MWC: L. Bonner(193-315, 2749 YDS, 25 TD, 10 INT)  will lead Utah St  to a hard fought 26 22 win over pesky Wyoming and move closer to winning the MWCM.

SunBelt: Most of the conference is playing OOC games, so I'll go with Grainger leading Georgia St to a 20 17 win over Ark St.

nov 21, 2021

AAC: My totals were off, but I but my assessment was on target in in ECU's 38-35 win over Navy. Ahlers and Acie had big stats for their respective squads.

CUSA: UTSA outscored UAB 17-7 in the second half  for a 34-31 win. Another solid game for Harris, but the UTSA'D had difficulty stopping McBride who  rushed for 144 yards and a TD.

MWC: I blew this pick big time.  Titus Sven finished with 15 carries for 169 yards for Wyoming in a 44-17 win over Utah St.

Sunbelt: Ga St, RB Jamyest Williams rushed got 125 yards and 2 TDs in a 28-20 win over Ark St.

I was correct on 3 out of 4 this week.

Quick note on football in the Carolinas: CCU struggled a bit while beating Texas St, and Charlotte collapsed in a loss to Marshall.

Cincy's big win over SMU and Oregon's loss to Utah keeps the pressure on the CFP.

Rest of O5 play in Week 11

 AAC: In a  matchup  of two erratic squads ECU Pirates led by Ahlers will steal one on the road at Memphis by a score of 34-33.  H. Ahlers (181-298, 2180 YDS, 14 TD, 7 INT)  . Henigan (172-280, 2545 YDS, 18 TD, 5 INT).

CUSA:  WKU has been hot  and home-team Rice will hold them in check for awhile but fall 30-19. Check out these stats for the WKU QB B. Zappe (308-441, 3688 YDS, 37 TD, 6 INT)

MWC: Can San Diego St slow down Nevada QB Carson Strong (289-410, 3197 YDS, 25 TD)? Aztecs will do just enough in a 24-23 win

SunBelt: ULL is 6-0 in conference play, but Troy usually give them a hard time. Cajuns  strong rushing attack including its QB Lewis will wear down the Trojans and win 22 -20

So that ECU,WKU, SDST, and ULL this week.

Nov 14, 2021

4-4 for this weekend. Man, I got really close on SDST 24 Nevada 21 score/ prediction, and the fact the Aztecs survived Carson Strong NEV (34-48, 350 YDS, 3 TD).

ECU broke up a conversion pass in OT for a 30-29 win.

ULL outscored  Troy 21-8 in the second half  after tough 14-13 first half.

Bailey Zappe (34-42, 482 YDS, 5 TD)kept up his production for WKU in a 42-21 win over Rice, which game them a one game lead over Marshall in the CUSA East. Marshall came out flat and fell to UAB, who remained 1GB of undefeated UTSA in the CUSAW.

Mackin Tuesday in week 11

 Ok, I didn't guess on a MAC game last week and haven't reviewed any of its Tuesday and Wednesday games in weeks.

Miami(Ohio) needs this game to stay with a game of Kent St in the East. The focus will have to be on D after suffering a 35-33 defeat to Ohio in the Battle of the Bricks last week. RedHawks will keep McDuffie under 100 yards rushing.  M(O) 19 Buff 17.

Was Ohio's win last week  the spark they needed? It won't be enough this week against Ben Bryant's passing .He's thrown for 2190 YDS and 13 TDs.  EMU 30 Ohio 20

Akron fired its HC Arth . Look for WMU's rushing attack led by Tyler to have a big game . WMU 26 Akron 13.

Nov 10, 2021

Well 2 out of 3. I was wrong on EMU . Ohio jumped out to an early lead and got a 34-26 win.

Akron gave WMU a late scare with a huge second half but the Broncos rallied late. Sean Tyler WMU(16 CAR, 147 YDS, 1 TD) had another huge game.

Brett Gabbert M-OH(21-28, 351 YDS, 4 TD ) was the dude in 45-18 win over Buffalo.  I 'll be back tomorrow with a blog on the rest of the O5.

Nov 11, 2021

Wednesday night  review :   Rocky Lombardi and NIU  edged Ball  St 30-29 on a last second FG and moved to 5-1 in the MAC to stay one game ahead of  CMU in the MACW.                                      Rocky Lombardi NIU 23-38, 264 YDS, 1 TD

Jay Ducker NIU         24 CAR, 155 YDS, 1 TD                                                                               Toledo blew out Bowling Green and CMU beat Kent State.

Nov 16, 2021

Miami (Ohio) has a chance to win the MAC East in a crazy season which includes narrow conference losses to EMU and Ohio. I'll stay on the Gabbert train and take M(O) to beat Bowling Green  33-30 tonight in week 12. BTW, BG beat Minnesota(B10) while Miami (Ohio)lost to the Gophers in September.

Nov 17, 2021

 I was close on the MO total and am surprised the Falcons could only score one TD . MO 34 BG 7. This kid,  Jack Sorenson, M-OH(4 REC, 111 YDS, 1 TD) has had a lot of big games in 2022).

Nov 18, 2021

NIU needed OT to escape with a W over Buffalo.

O5 conference play in week 10

 All the chatter in my Mewe O5 group this week has been about Marshall and Georgia Southern so I can't ignore either team this week.

CUSA: Coach Taggart has FAU trending upward, but I'm going with Coach Huff's #herd who has found a rising star in Rasheed Ali (149 CAR, 808 YDS, 15 TD)  MU 27 FAU 23

SunBelt: Coach Helton just started and he won't have Eagles soaring against Coastal Carolina who will continue its recovery after the Appy loss. CCU 31 GS 19

AAC: I don't think Memphis gets a healing W against SMU . Mordecai will toss a few TD passes for the Mustangs. SMU 31 Memphis 24

MWC: Aztecs will survive an aerial scare from C. Cordeiro (124-224, 1706 YDS, 10 TD, 7 INT)  on Warriors turf .  SDST 36 HAW 34

Since the MAC slate is over this week before my prognostications, I'll go with a military matchup.  It will be ground warfare when  Air Force(MWC) lands to face Armyat Choctaw Stadium in Arlington TX this Saturday. AFA RB ,B. Roberts(185 CAR, 845 YDS, 8 TD) will lead the Falcons to a W. AFA 23 Army 22

Nov 6, 2021

3-2 this weekend: Correct on  the #herd , chanticleers, and #aztecs. Wrong on SMU and Air Force.

Who can figure out Memphis? And a running back had this stat line for Army, Tyrell Robinson (2 REC, 118 YDS, 1 TD).

Don't ignore  Utah State (4-1) in the Mountain division of the MWC. and the tie in the CUSA East with Marshall and WKU each at 4-1

O5 conference play in week 9

 AAC:  Cincy deserve all the press it can get , however SMU(7-0, 3-0 ) /Houston(6-1, 4-0)  matchup this week should be a good one. I don't think Houston's D can slow down SMU's QB T. Mordecai(187-263, 2320 YDS, 29 TD, 7 INT)  SMU 34 Hou 29

CUSA: UTEP's only loss is to Boise St and FAU looked like a new team in a blowout W over Charlotte last week. I'll take Taggart's kids at home . FAU 26 UTEP 22

MAC: Only one MAC game slated and it's in Buffalo this week. Bowling Green has disintegrated since beating Minnesota last month and Buffalo has been doing ok. Buffalo 17 BG 16

MWC: Fresno St QB Haener will toss a few TD passes and help the Bulldogs give San Diego St its first loss. Fres 24 SDST 19

Sunbelt: Is App St back after beating CCU? Can Bowden keep ULM on a roll after wins against Liberty and South Bama? I'll roll Charles Rodgers throwing two TD passes in a ULM win. ULM 23 App St 20

Oct 31

I was wrong on SMU who couldn't contain Tune(HOU), and Buffalo  who couldn't stop Matt MacDonald(BG).

I was correct on  FAU who held back a late UTEP rally, Fresno who handed SDST its first loss, and Appy who rolled ULM .

Nov 3, 2021

Ex USC coach Clay Helton was hired to helm Georgia Southern(Sunbelt) .  Undefeated Cincy(AAC) got F'D in the polls for no valid reasons. 

O5 Conference play in week 8

 A late start this week spared me from picking Coastal Carolina, who was upset 30-27 in SunBelt play   last night by App St.. Appy made some corrections after being crushed by ULL last week.

Sunbelt: So, I'll roll with ULL  to remain undefeated in conference play with a 34 -20 win over Ark St.

MAC:  Jay Ducker won't repeat  go for 210 yards like he did last week for NIU but he'll get over a 100 to keep NIU undefeated in MAC play. NIU 26 CMU 23

MWC: The undefeated SDST Aztecs are coming off a shaky win over SJST and should slow down Air Force RB Brad Roberts enough for a 20-16 win.

CUSA: C. Reynolds,  who has passed for 1314 YDS and 15 TD, will lead Charlotte a 34 29 win over FAU.

AAC: The "Tuned" up Cougars will handle the  Pirates this week.  HOU 37 ECU 31 Clayton Tune will toss a few TD passes for Houston.

Oct 22, 2021

Off to a rocky start 1-1. Charlotte was outplayed by FAU who was too fast for them everywhere  in a 38-9 win. I was right on ULL but it took a he!! of a rushing performance from these two Cajuns: C. Smith 24 carries 238yards 2 TDs . M. Johnson 17 carries 150 yards 2 TDs. ULL 28 Ark St 27

Oct 24, 2021

I finished 4-1. NIU get a last minute FG to get by CMU  39-38. Houston need a defensive TO to survive ECU 31-24 in OT. SDST held off AFA 20-14.

O5 conference play in week 7

Sunbelt:  If I had completed this blog earlier in the week, I would 've picked App St to beat ULL and been wrong.    Texas St Bobcats(2-3, 1-0 Sunbelt) 23  Troy Trojans(3-3, 1-1 Sunbelt) 20.Troy has played  better in OOC games but I'm sniffing upset here.

AAC: Cincinnati (5-0, 1-0 AAC)  30  UCF(3-2, 1-1 AAC) 19  Ridder rides on and won't be slowed down by Gus' Knights

CUSA: UTEP (5-1, 2-0 C-USA) 27 Louisiana Tech(2-3, 1-0 C-USA) 20. I'll take UTEP at home despite LA Tech hanging close in its three losses to Miss St, SMU, and NC St

MAC: Kent State(3-3, 2-0 MAC) 30 Western Michigan(4-2, 1-1 MAC) 27. In the QB battle, Crum will have a slightly better game than Eleby and get the W.

MWC: Nevada(4-1, 1-0 MWC) 39  Hawai'i (3-3, 1-1 MWC) 38 . Hawaii  will roll into Reno, NV feeling great after its upset of Fresno St but will lose a nailbiter in aerial duel  in which Strong edges Cordeiro.

Oct 17, 2021

Picks' review: Correct on Cincy, UTEP, and Nevada   Wrong on TX St, WMU

Sunbelt- K. Vidal (25 CAR, 162 YDS, 2 TD) was a big key for Troy plus the Trojans intercepted three of McBride's passes, one a pick 6 in the 4Q.

AAC- Cincy outplayed  UCF in every facet of the game for a 56-21 W

CUSA: Deion Hankins ran for two first-quarter touchdowns for UTEP earned in a 19-3 win

MAC: Eleby's passing and Tyler's rushing(169 yards) were major factors in the WMU's 64-31 blowout of Kent St.

MWC: Big game for Carson Strong NEV(34-54, 395 YDS, 2 TD) in a 34-17 win but quite a stat line Dae Dae Hunter HAW(8 CAR, 174 YDS, 2 TD), too.

I'm going to keep my eye on UL-Monroe of the SunBelt after they hung on to beat Liberty 31-28

Oct 18, 2021

AAC is raiding the CUSA as it moves away from the northeast to the southeast and southwest continues. AAC has plans to invite: Florida Atlantic, Charlotte, North Texas, UTSA, Rice and UAB. Temple remain the most northern AAC city, 

These six teams won't improve the level of hoops play. I like the Charlotte/ECU  potential AAC rivalry.

Oct 23, 2021

 Sunbelt claims they have USM for 2023 and they're coming for Marshall, ODU, and James Madison (1AA)

O5 Mixed Bag in week 6

 I'm focusing more on conference games this week but there remains some intriguing OOC games this week, too.

CUSA: UTSA (5-0, 1-0 CUSA) has impressive win over Illinois and Memphis and will squeak by Western Kentucky(1-3, 0-0 CUSA) led by B. Zappe (133-183, 1712 YDS, 16 TD, 2 INT). UTSA 36 WKU 32

CUSA: North Texas (1-3, 0-2 CUSA) has played poorly, but they 'll put a scare in Missouri(2-3, 0-2 SEC) who has stumbled in the past two weeks. Missouri 22 NT 19

MAC: Western Michigan (4-1, 1-0 MAC) has won four straight since losing to Michigan(B10) and will hold off Ball St(2-3, 0-1 MAC)    by a score of 24-22

AAC: East Carolina (3-2, 1-0 AAC) has surprised a few folks this season and QB Holton Ahlers 

(101-170, 1266 YDS, 7 TD) has been a major reason.  UCF(2-2, 0-1 AAC) has lost two in a row and Coach Gus will pull out some new tricks to get back on track at home . UCF 37 ECU 27

Oct 10, 2021

CUSA: Harris(6 TD passes) and Zappe(5 TD passes) put on a show as  expected. UTSA got by WKU 52-46. Austin Aune (16-26, 305 YDS, 4 TD) did his best for UNT, but their slow start hurt them in a 48-35 loss to Missouri. (2-0) for me

MAC: Wrong on WMU. Plitt threw four TD passes for Ball St in a 45-20 win over WMU.

AAC: Johnny Richardson (16 CAR, 104 YDS, 1 TD) had a solid day for UCF in a 20-16 win over ECU. Right on this one so 3-1 for the weekend.

O5 Side notes -Surprised that: Marshall needed OT to beat ODU. Boise St handled BYU.  Memphis lost again , this time to Tulsa.

Dealing those Cards MLB 2021

 It finally happened: The Cards lost a game, which ended a 17 game winning streak that earned them a wild card slot. Tyler ONeill was a big reason with 7HR, 21RBI and .310 BA in his last 15 games. They didn't have enough time to catch the Brew Crew who just lost one of their best relievers , Devin Williams, who punched a wall with his throwing hand out of anger after having "a few drinks" following Sunday's celebration of the team clinching the NLC, is likely out for the playoffs. I'm uncertain why he was angry. Braves clinched the NLE. Dodgers and Giants clinched playoff bids and neither has sealed the deal on the NLW. 

TB won the ALE and CWS took the ALC. Astros(92-66) will have to lose out for the M's to tie them in the NLW clinched. Then  comes the battle for the remaining slots

Oct 2

M's and Yankeees lost . Bosox and and  Jays won.

Tyler O'Neill hit his 33rd and 34th homers of the season  and threw out the potential go-ahead run in the ninth inning for the Cardinals last night. This is his fourth MLB season. He was drafted by the Mariners in round 3 of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft from Garibaldi SS (Maple Ridge, BC).

Oct 3

Yanks lost .Other three won including Seattle. Mitch Haniger's 39th HR helped the  M's stay alive in AL wild-card race, Good luck with the tiebreaker formula this evening.  NYY  and Boston are 91-70. Jays and Ms are 90-71.

Oct 4, 2021

Judge and Devers come through in the ninth for respectively, the Yucks and Bosox. Rays should beat the wild card game winner. The Dusty/Larussa series is a tough call

Giants hang on to win the NLW which sends the Dodgers to the WC game against the Cards.

The Battle of the Bs, Brewers\Braves in the other series.

Oct 9. 2021

Jekyl and Hyde Red Sox in one game They went up in inning1, got grand-slammed in the same inning , then roared back to win 14-6 at TB.

Oct 14, 2021

Cards make the playoffs three straight season and fire Schildt due to philosophical differences. It gets better . To do it, the Cardinals had to ask MLB for permission to announce significant news on the day of a post-season game because GM Mozeliak claimed he didn't want to leave the ex MGR hanging for a week until the next open day. yeah, right!

Oct 21, 2021

The Padres plan to interview Shildt but will want to know reasons he was let go by the Cardinals. So far, Shildt has not publicly bad-mouthed the Cards.

Oct 25, 2021

Enter Marmol (35), who was named the Cards first-base coach in 2017 before taking over as bench coach in 2019. Mozeliak is still offering a bunch of mularkey for the coaching change, and it sure looks like a lot of back stabbing

Dec 3, 2021

I guess will get baseball in 2022. Hopefully, the lockout is only a negotiating ploy.

The Red Sox traded Hunter Renfro to the Brewers for Jackie Bradley, and minor-league infielders Alex Binelas and David Hamilton. I guess this trade was about highly rated minor-leaguer Binelas.

Ex Cards MGR Shildt remains unemployed.

Dec 24, 2021

MLB TV was chatting up Scott Rolen, a 3B for Jays, Reds, Phils, and Cards, for HoF. Nope, solid pro, not Hof.

Buck Showalter hired by the Mets. I liked what he did for my O's, but when he left, I thought he was running on empty. Maybe a few years off has filled up his tank.

Jan 13, 2022

The Minnesota Twins will retire the uniform number(36) of former pitcher Jim Kaat, who was recently elected to the Hall of Fame along with former Twins teammate Tony Oliva. Twins gave my O's a tough time in the mid 1960s.

Feb 17, 2022

Mike Shildt will deal primarily in on-field issues and umpiring in his new job working for MLB Senior Vice President Michael Hill

March 1, 2022

Manfred is as lame as Biden. MLB is close to canceling games. Also, this doesn't mean the MLBPA doesn't deserve blame.

April 13, 2022

Schildt got a job as the Padres 3B coach and apparently he's a racist. Giants black coach Antoan Richardson, who was ejected last night , accused Shildt of yelling an expletive at him that "reeked undertones of racism." Schildt said "You need to control that motherf---er" to the Giants' dugout . AR's interpretation: he referred to me as 'that motherf---er,' as if I was to be controlled or a piece of property or enslaved. World continues to get goofier.

June 9, 2022

Chicago Tribune headline Fire Tony La Russa? Not happening, so Chicago White Sox fans need to learn to just deal with it..

Chisox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is one of La Russa’s buddies so he isn't is not going anywhere.

June 10, 2022

 Right on cue: Rather than allow Sousa to continue against Tre Turner with a 1-2 count in his favor, La Russa called for an intentional walk.

June 12, 2022

Loud chants of "Fire Tony!" broke out at Guaranteed Rate Field as manager Tony La Russa and the Chisox blew a five-run lead at home and lost to the Rangers 11-9 in 10 innings on Saturday. Has anyone interviewed Donaldson?

June 26, 2022

Sweet for my O's(34-40) to take 3 of 4 from Larussa's Sox(34-37) in Chi-Town

July 31, 2022

I wonder if Donaldson is grinning. Chisox shortstop Tim Anderson has been suspended for three games and fined by MLB as punishment for making contact with home-plate umpire Nick Mahrley on Friday night. LaRussa thinks TA has a case, no surprise there. Hey Anderson, you're a good player but no Jackie Robinson.

Oct 14, 2022

Catching up on this blog : Larussa will retire for good this time. White Sox may get better now.

Cards eliminated by the Phillies quickly. Schildt , the Padres 3B coach, is still busy

Bruce Sutter, former Cub and Cardinal, died at age 69,.

He was originally a 21st round pick by the Senators in the 1970 draft, but did not sign with Washington.

Oct 26, 2022

Miami Marlins hire Skip Schumaker, Cards bench coach, as new manager. Mattingly did well with what he had in Miami, oh well.

O5 vs Independents in week 5

 Coan is probable  for ND but Ridder is ready for Cincy (AAC). Bearcats  tear out a close one 27-25.

Utah St(MWC), who  barely avoided being shutout by Boise St last week in a 27-3 loss, will lose 30-16 to BYU,  who has beaten three Pac 12 teams this season.

UAB(CUSA) has played well except for the trouncing by Georgia, but I don't think they 'll be able to contain  Malik Willis, the Liberty QB. LIB 31 UAB 24

Ball St (MAC) will have trouble containing Army's QB Christian Anderson, their leading rusher. Army 26 Ball St 17.

Toledo(MAC) will win 33 28 at UMass.

San Jose St(MWC) will host New Mexico St and win 22 -19

Oct 2

BYU's running game made a big difference in last night 's 34-20 win over Utah St. Plus they have 6'6 TE - #IsaacRex

Oct 3

Ball St 28 Army 16.The only wrong pick  was Army. Ball St jumped out to an early 21-0 lead and Army never made it back. 

LIB 36 UAB 12 here's Wallis stat line :  Yds-Pa287 TD-Pa1 Yds-Ru144 TD-Ru2

Cincy 24 ND 13 : Big day  for Ridder plus the Bearcats D was stellar

Toldeo 45 UMass  7 

SJST 37 NMST 31. Spartans won  w/o   the injured Starkel at QB.

O5 OOC play in week 4

N. Starkel (63-123, 937 YDS, 6 TD, 4 INT) takes his San Jose St(MWC)  team  to play Western Michigan(MWC) led by K. Eleby (58-93, 702 YDS, 5 TD). In a battle of productive QBs WMU , who upset Pitt last Saturday , will survive 31-30.

In a battle of two former SWC teams , SMU(AAC) will give TCU(Big12) a tough matchup but fall 28-24. 

Tanner Mordecai SMU(81-111, 1023 YDS, 16 TD)has been productive and one of his TD passes was a final second Hail Mary TD pass in a win over La Tech last Saturday.

Tulane(AAC) has scored some points in losses to Oklahoma and Ol Miss while UAB(CUSA) scored one TD in a loss to Georgia, but the Blazers will keep this a low scoring game and prevail 19-16.

Just heard: Tennessee paid an additional $100,000 to not play Army in 2022.  Army  was supposed to get $1.4 million for the game but was paid a $500,000 buyout to cancel the agreement. Akron(MAC) will replace them and be paid $1 million.  Army hasn't filled the schedule slot yet. Vols' folks claim Fulmer got the ball rolling on this. It's a chicken-sh^t move.

Sept 26, 2021

One for three for this weekend. UAB 28 Tulane 21 Starting qbs, Hopkins (UAB) , Pratt (TUL) each threw three TDs

Another game with 3 TDs QBs: Mordecai lead SMU over TCU and Dugan by a score of 42-34. Also, Bentley rushed for 153 yards and TD for the Mustangs in the Dallas area "bowl"

Starkel and the Spartans laid an egg in a 23-3 loss to WMU

In a day filled with upsets and near upsets, how about  Bowling Green(MAC) defeating Minnesota(b10) 14-10

MWC vs P5 in week 3

 San Diego St is coming off a win against Zona while Utah(Pac12) lost to  BYU last week. Brady Hoke's Aztecs have a strong rushing attack and the Utes has a weak D against the run.  SDST 24 Utah 23

Boise St lost to UCF and crushed UTEP but won't have enough of a passing game  to get by OK St(Big 12) who have been so -so in win over Tulsa and Missouri St. OK St 30 Boise St 19

Fresno St played Oregon tough in a loss and will give UCLA a  hassle ,but the UCLA(Pac12) will get in gear in the 2nd half. UCLA 31 Fresno St 17

Nevada is coming off a win over Cal and will face  a Kansas St(B12) squad who defeated Stanford in week 1. K St minus injured QB Thompson will rely on ball control to keep Nevada QB  Carson Strong off the field. KST 19 Nev 17

UNLV doesn't have enough skilled players to keep up with Iowa St . Iowa St 33 UNLV 16

Sept 19, 2021

Ok,so I didn't have enough faith  in Fresno St who got a he!! of a game from Jake Haener (39-53, 455 YDS, 2 TD)  in a 40-37 upset of UCLA, and I forgot to pick the TAMU/NM game.

Boise St couldn't stop Jaylen Warren (32 CAR, 218 YDS, 2 TD) in a one point loss to OK St

The Hokesters survived Utah in triple OT .

Fresno St and SDST are in the MWC west and only one gets to MWC title game.

No surprise that Nevada and UNLV lost.

Sunbelt vs P5 in week 2

 The SunBelt has a chance to wound the ACC and Big 12 this weekend. 

Canes QB King wasn't so royal against Bama, while UNC read the press clipping and didn't notice VTech came to play. Kansas barely got by South Dakota(1AA).

Coastal Carolina  won at Kansas. last season and they 'll win at home this Friday. CCU is on a mission and QB McCall  understands that.  CCU 24 KU 19.

APP St' D dominated ECU(AAC) last week, and they'll throw a scare into Miami who needs this one badly. This will be a nailbiter and Appy has a knack for biting the big dog, but Diaz has the talent to survive this one 22-20.

UNC will get back in gear against Georgia St who got trounced 43-10 by Army last week.  Howell threw three picks in the loss to VT so the Tar Heels will need to get the running game moving. UNC 34 GA St 9

Sept 11, 2021

McCall: 17-21 245 yards 2 TDs for CCU in a 49-22 romp over Kansas. Will the AAC be sniffing around the Chanticleers?

Sept 12, 2021

Jalen Virgil had a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for App St, but Canes D stopped a final APP St drive to hang on to a 25-23 win.

Georgia St lost 59-17 to UNC.

In other Sunbelt OOC play South Bama came back to beat Bowling Green (MAC) and Texas St beat FIU(CUSA) OT. Ark St scored 50 in a loss to Memphis(AAC), Troy fell to Liberty(I), Georgia Southern got rolled by FAU(CUSA), and ULL beat Nichols(1AA).

O5 UPSET chance vs P5 in weeks 0-1

 Does Chip Kelly have UCLA(Pac12) going  up or can Hawaii(MWC) sneak in to the Rose Bowl for an early upset? UCLA nearly upset Oregon in November 2020. Hawaii beat Houston  in the New Mexico Bowl, then lost its HC to Wash St. Todd Graham , who's bounced around the football map, is the Rainbows HC.

Houston (AAC) could make a big noise in Texas by upsetting Texas Tech (B12) in its home season opener.

Charlotte (CUSA) is a program that showed some promise in Will Healy first season in 2019 but has slipped a little. It has a solid chance at an upset in its home opener against Duke.

There are plenty of other O5/P5 matchups, but these caught my attention.

July 6, 2021

It's a game USC and Coach Helton better not lose. San Jose St(MWC) , who had a great 2020 season( 7-1 Overall | 6-0 MWC - 1st) travels to LA to face USC. USC is 4-0 in this series.

July 13, 2021

Speaking of being Leach-less. Washington St had a terrible, brief 2020 season and they open hosting Utah St(MWC) who has a new HC, former Arkansas State HC Blake Anderson . Nick Rolovich didn't fare well in first WSU season after leaving Hawaii. This game is so hard to guess so I'll say the Ags stumble at the end in Pullman, WA.

aug 7, 2021

Rich Rodriguez takes over as interim HC at ULM(Sunbelt) while  HC Terry Bowden leaves team to be with his dying father, Bobby Bowden. The Warhawks opener is at Kentucky on Sept 4.

aug 19, 2021

Here's a tough one to pick of two top  O5 teams . Boise St is on the road at UCF in a game with some Auburn flavor. Harsin left Boise St for Auburn to replace Malzahn who  moved on to UCF. A lot of hype about Boise St O vs UCF D, but I'm taking UCF in a 33-30 home win.

Aug 29, 2021

Hawaii never had a shot as UCLA rolled over them from the jump in a 44-10 win.

He!! of a day for UTEP QB to WR connection, Hardison  (11-16, 249 YDS, 1 TD)to Cowing(5 REC, 158 YDS, 1 TD) ,in a 30-3 win over New Mexico St.

Aug 31, 2021

 Tulane(AAC)  will be the designated as the home team and retain all net proceeds from ticket sales in a matchup against OK that will be played in Norman, OK due to Hurricane Ida. This is the second in a three game series and would have been the one Tulane hosted. 

Could the Boise St/UCF game be a matchup of two future Big 12 members?

Sept 2, 2021

Last season  ULL took down Iowa St as the Sunbelt beat three B12 teams on Sept 12. My hunch TX beats ULL by 10 on Saturday.

https://busterother5.blogspot.com/2020/09/will-sunbelt-shine-against-b12-on-sept.html

Sept 3, 2021

I got close on the score(33-30) and UCF made a comeback from a 14-0 first half deficit to beat BSU 36-31 . Dillon Gabriel threw for 318 YDS and  4 TDs for UCF.

Some tough O5 losses to AA teams. Tulsa lost to UC Davis and UNLV lost to Eastern Washington

Sept 4, 2021

How about Charlotte(CUSA) knocking off Duke(ACC) 31-28 . Some big stat numbers.

Chris Reynolds CHARLOTTE  19-30, 324 YDS, 3 TD

Mataeo Durant DUKE               29 CAR, 255 YDS, 3 TD

Sept 5,2021

I was wrong on Houston who got blanked in the second half and lost 38-21  to TT.

Noteworthy O5 items:  Tulane(AAC)  outscored OK 21-3 in the second half but lost 40-35. NIU(MAC) beat Ga Tech. MWC vs Pac12: Nevada beat Cal and Utah St beat Wash St ,while Fresno St gave Oregon  a scare and SJST crumbled against USC.

In the CUSA Marshall crushed Navy. UTSA shocked Illinois(B10) and La Tech gave Miss  St(SEC) a huge scare

O5 players in 2021 NFL draft

 Two AAC guys were drafted in round 1. #ZavenCollins, ILB from Tulsa went at 17 to the Cardinals , and #PaytonTurner, a DE from Houston U, went at 28 to the Saints. Both guys have good skills but neither played for stellar defenses last season. I'm glad to see my Saints focusing on D.

April 30, 2021

Day 2: More D players from an AAC schools with a weak defenses were drafted. Richie Grant , a safety from UCF, went to Atlanta in rd2, and his secondary partner Aaron Robinson went to the Giants in rd3. Ravens grabbed Brandon Stephens a CB from SMU in RD3. 

Seattle took Dwayne Eskridge, a short, fast WR from Western Michigan(MAC) in rd 2, and the Raiders took Malcom Koonce an OLB from Buffalo(MAC) in rd3.

The CUSA got on the board when Philly took Milton Williams, a DT from Louisiana Tech.

Sunbelt and MWC haven't had a player drafted yet

May 1, 2021

The first MWC player , Darren Hall , a CB from San Diego St , went to Atlanta early in round 4.

The first Sunbelt player taken ,Shemar Jean-Charles, a CB from App St, went to Green bay  in round 5. I'm surprised that Tarron Jackson, a DE from Coastal Carolina who went to Philly, and Elijah Mitchell , an RB from ULL who went to SF, lasted until rd6

Josh Ball, an efficient run blocker from Marshall, went to Dallas in rd 4

 Grant Stuard, a OLB from Houston (AAC), was Mr Irrelevant.

May 5, 2021

Interesting post -draft FA signing by the Skins: Jaret Patterson , a slash type  runner rushed for at least 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons at Buffalo U. He rushed for  409 yards and 8 TDs in a 70-41 victory over Kent St on 11/28/20.

May 11, 2021

I found a few more interesting post draft O5 FA signings.

Shane Buechele, SMU QB Signing with the Chiefs,

Trey Ragas, Louisiana-Lafayette RB Signing with the Raiders

Wide receivers: Jonathan Adams, Arkansas State : Signing with the Lions

Tim Jones, Southern Mississippi  Signing with the Jaguars

Isaiah McKoy, Kent State  and Rico Bussey, Hawaii  Signing with the Steelers

May 20, 2021

Ravens  signed Jake Verity, FA kicker from ECU,  but I doubt if he'll unseat Justin Tucker.

June 20, 2021

#AntonioPhillips , an all MAC DB from Ball St, who went undrafted due to surgery this spring, is in the Bengals' camp. I'm guessing he'll make the squad.

june 26, 2021

#Jacob Harris, a 6' 5", 211 lbs  hybrid TE/WR from UCF drafted 2021: Rd 4, Pk 141 (LAR), is impressing folks in Rams' Camp

July 27, 2021

 I've been reading positive notes on Richie Grant's (UCF)  camp with the Falcons. Maybe he'll be the starting safety?

August 19, 2021

Dolphins  are happy with #GerridDoaks,  a bruising RB and seventh round pick from Cincy U.

sept 16, 2021

Catching up: Jaret Patterson(Buffalo U) got a few carries for the Skins last Sunday.

Antonio Phillips(Ball St) landed in Houston for gm1 then was released today.

Oct 30, 2021

I've noticed that Darren Hall (SDST) and Richie Grant(UCF) have been getting some playing time with the Falcons. Shouting out to Atlanta folks on how they're doing.

Jan 25, 2022

Obviously, Elijah Mitchell, Niners, rd6 pick, had the biggest impact in the NFL this season. Slight nod to Jaret Patterson, who got some December time with the Redskins. If I missed any O5 draftees who had solid NFL rookie seasons, let me know.

Sept 26, 2022

Richie Grant has become a solid NFL DB. He made some solid plays against Seattle yesterday.

Jan 9, 2023

 I was watching snippets of Cowboys/Skins game on the red zone and saw Jaret Patterson has persevered. He carried the ball 17 times for 78 yards for the Skins in their blowout of Dallas. BTW, Josh Ball from Marshall is still on the Boys' roster.

 

O5 off-season: Hoops and Pigskin

   Calling BS on Coastal Carolina's DeVante' Jones, Sun Belt PoY, using this in his goodbye ,a coach advancing his career by taking a job at a different institution. Why, because it wasn't Head Coach #CliffEllis who left CCU. Assistant coaches are often looking  to become head coaches.  Jones is in  the transfer portal and hoping to be drafted by the NBA this year.

  #TonyBarbee  left Calipari staff at UK for the HC gig at C. Michigan. So I mentioned two former Auburn Head coaches , Barbee and Ellis. in one blog.

april 25, 2021

 Colorado(Pac12) and Colorado State(MWC) have agreed to play each other six more times in a new deal  for the  Rocky Mountain Showdown rivalry that will kick off in 2029. I'm uncertain as to why there's such a gap in years in the intrastate rivalry. The existing deal resumes in 2023 in Boulder, followed in 2024 by the Buffaloes’ first visit to Fort Collins since 1996.

april 27, 2021

I missed this move: Marshall U(CUSA) grad transfer Jarrod West , a 5-11 point guard who averaged 12.5 points and 6 rebounds this season ,  committed to Louisville .

april 28, 2021

Georgia transfer D'Wan Mathis wins Temple (AAC) quarterback competition . Late April is an early time to make that decision.

april 29,2021

I missed this one. Utah State(MWC) hired  head coach Ryan Odom  away from  UMBC,  a school a few minutes southwest of Baltimore City. Odom is best known for coaching the 16th-seeded Retrievers to an upset of 1 seed Virginia in the 2018 Dance. It will  be interesting to see how he recruits out west.

april 30, 2021

Buffalo U football gets raided by Kansas again . In 2006 Kansas hired Turner Gill and today they hired Lance Leipold .

May 5, 2021

DeVante' Jones leaves CCU for Michigan hoops.

May 9, 2021

Buffalo U hired Michigan co-DC Maurice Linguist, who just joined MU's staff in January, to replace Leopold. He coached Buffalo U's defensive backs in 2012 and 2013.

May 18, 2021

There are so many transfers occurring that I take notice of a young man who re-considered a move. #jeremy Singleton decided to return to the Houston Cougars in 2021. His stat line is 55 receptions for 761 yards and five TDs, and he has two years of eligibility remaining.

May 21, 2021

Cain Madden ,a former #herd walk-on and a second-team OL AP All-American in 2020, is using the "super senior" clause to transfer.

May 29, 2021

#artieHenry , a 6-foot-1 wideout who was featured in the Thundering Herd's receiver rotation in each of the last three years, totaling 45 receptions for 517 yards and six touchdowns over his career, is transferring.

June 2, 2021

Buffalo U rewards AD Mark Alnutt with 5-year contract extension before he exits. They lost Football HC Lance Leipold to Kansas a month ago. In 2019, they lost hoops HC Nate Oats to Alabama.

June 3 2021

Kent St(MAC) extends contract for hoops coach Senderoff who has a 196-129 in 10 seasons . He’s also been an assistant at Indiana, Towson, Yale and Fordham. He's recovered nicely from a 2007 NCAA 30-month show-cause penalty for his role in the Kelvin Sampson Hoosiers' scandal.

June 6, 2021

Cool #herd games on CBSSN TV schedule. @ Navy on Sept 4. Hosting UAB on Nov 13

June 12, 2021

#RontaviusGroves , former UNC receiver heads to Texas State (Sun Belt) for his final year of eligibility as a graduate transfer. His best season in Chapel Hill came in 2019 when he caught 27 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown. Good move!

June 15, 2021

Luke McCaffrey transfer: Ex-Louisville, Nebraska quarterback lands at Rice(CUSA). He left Louisville after a few weeks because he wouldn't be the starting QB. These kids are allowed huge shopping privileges.

Cain Madden leaves the #herd for Notre Dame.

june 18, 2021

I missed this move from last Xmas: #grantGunnell , a 6'6 qb who entered the transfer portal after Arizona fired coach Kevin Sumlin, will have a good chance to start at QB for Memphis(AAC). Brady White , last year's starting Memphis QB, was a transfer from Arizona St in 2018, and attended the Titans (NFL) 2021 rookie mini camp.

June 30, 2021

Guess who's coming back? Larry Brown, who got into some trouble while raising SMU (AAC) level of play a few years ago. Memphis (AAC) men's basketball coach Penny Hardaway is likely to hire Larry Brown as an assistant coach.

July 14 2021

frank solich is retiring from Ohio u due to health issues. Solid football career (Nebraska and ohio) . Oc Tim Albin has been promoted to HC, having already agreed to a new four-year contract.

July 16 2021

Cisse, a five-star recruit and AAC RoY after a freshman season in which he averaged 6.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks, is transferring from Memphis to Ok St.(B12). I'm not sure how those stats qualified him for any awards.

July 23, 2021

Even kickers make the news. Brooks Buce, a backup kicker for Georgia(SEC) is transferring to Troy(Sunbelt).

July 28, 2021

I guess the service academies have changed their commitment status. Jamale Carothers who was productive during his last two seasons with Navy(AAC), rushing for 1.092 yards and 16 touchdowns, transferred to Western Kentucky(CUSA).

July 29, 2021

Big 12 sent a desist letter alleging ESPN conspired to damage the league by luring Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC . Commissioner Bowlsby claimed that ESPN has actively engaged the (AAC) to pursue "3-5" Big 12 members join the league, suggesting it would be rewarded with future television proceeds. OK and TX could leave earlier with less penalty payments if the B12 were to weaken or collapse

The AAC has an eleven year deal with ESPN. B12 has a split deal with ESPN and Fox Sports.

I tend to rarely believe ESPN on any topic.

August 12, 2021

Coastal Carolina and ULL , both from the Sunbelt, are in some pre-season Top 25 polls

August 26, 2021

Well Penny will have no excuses if Memphis (AAC) doesn't have a great season? He just signed Emoni Bates, No. 3 in ESPN 100 for 2021, to play hoops this season.

aug 30, 2021

Oklahoma transfer #TannerMordecai beat out highly recruited freshman Preston Stone for the SMU starting QB job. Garrett Riley, Lincoln's(OU HC) brother is SMU's QB coach.

Tough start for O5 at the 2021 Dance

Wichita St (AAC) couldn't take advantage of scoring lulls by Drake(MVC) and lost 53-52.

 #AppSt (Sunbelt) couldn't convert late  and lost to Norfolk St(MEAC) in a tale of two halves:  J Forrest lead Appy with 18 Points                                        

March 20, 2021

I thought NTX(CUSA) would crumble after they couldn't seal the deal in regulation, but they outscored Purdue 17-8 in OT for a 78-69 victory. Javion Hamlet was stellar for the Mean Green providing 24 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST. Too bad I didn't have enough faith to pick them in rd1.

MWC had a rough day :SDST lost to Cuse and Utah St lost to Texas Tech.

Houston (AAC) rolled Clev St.

March 21, 2021

B. Vander Plas(17pts 5reb 4assists) led Ohio(MAC) to a 62-58 upset of  UVA(ACC) .

Ohio has won its last three NCAA first-round Dance games - beating Georgetown in 2010 and Michigan in 2012.

March 23, 2021

Ohio's O ran out of steam against Creighton yesterday. Dwight Wilson III was the top Bobcat scorer with 12 points in a 72-58 loss to Creighton. Nova crushed NTX(CUSA) on Sunday so the only O5 team to reach the Sweet 16 is Houston(AAC). Q. Grimes (22 PTS, 9 REB, 1 AST) led the Cougars to a 63-60 win over Rutgers on Sunday and they face Cuse in the next round.

March 28, 2021

Houston's D led by Dejon Jarreau   held Buddy Boeheim to 12 points on 3-for-13 shooting, including 1 for 9 from 3-point range in a 62-46 win over Cuse.

March 30, 2021

Dejon Jarreau had another stellar night playing D for Houston. This time he held  Ethan Thompson, the Oregon St forward, who was named the most outstanding player of the Midwest Region, to  11 points on 3-for-12 shooting, in the Cougars 67-61 victory.

April 4, 2021

LAST O5 team falls. Marcus Sasser had 20 points for Houston is a 78-59  F4 loss to Baylor, whose tough D made the difference.

While Mick Cronin's, the former Cincy HC, UCLA squad  played the Zags tough  but lost in the other F4 matchup, his replacement at Cincy , John Brannen, was given paid leave as the school looks for  a way to complete a for-cause dismissal.  Only four scholarship players are slated to return and six have entered the transfer portal.  Is the rift between Brannen the players real or are these kids spoiled brats?

April 10, 2021

Brannen  is owed a 5M buyout and he and his lawyers are not getting nasty in public about his dismissal from Cincy.. One strong guess for his replacement is UCLA assistant Darren Savino, who was a longtime assistant under Mick Cronin at Cincinnati.

April 15, 2021

Cincinnati(AAC)  hired Wes Miller, who has been at UNCG for 10 seasons, as its next men's basketball head coach. Over the past five seasons, he has led the Spartans to three regular-season championships and two Dances. He was an assistant at High Point and at Elon, each located in North Carolina, before becoming HC at North Carolina-Greensboro of the Southern Conference. Let's see how he does in the Rust Belt.

april 20, 2021

CUSA news: Joe Golding has been named the new coach at UTEP after a decade at Abilene Christian which included the upset over Texas in the first round of this season's Dance.