O5 title games in 2022

 AAC: I'm tossing an imaginary coin on the UAB- Tulane game. Malazahn comes up with a trick play at the buzzer. UCF 23 Tulane 17.

CUSA- Frank Harris usually find a way to get the Roadrunners a W, plus they're at home in the AlamoDome. UTSA 27 NTX 23

MAC: Ohio replace it's injured QB Rourke last week and didn't miss a beat. Ohio 28 Toledo 20

MWC: Boise St is playing on its blue turf so I'll them to eke out a 21-20 win over Fresno St.

SunBelt- CCU got crushed by JMU last week and has been erratic all season. Troy 's solid D and home field will be the difference. Troy 20 CCU 17

Dec 3, 2022

Riding the Harris train pays dividends again. He threw for 341 yards and 4 TDs in the Roadrunners' victory. UTSA 48 NTX 27.

In AAC news: FAU hired Tom Herman, who made a pit stop with the Chicago Bears (2021)Offensive analyst after a rough, few seasons coaching the Texas Longhorns.

Dec 4, 2022

I was wrong on three(UCF,Ohio,Boise) of four yesterday: Tulane,Toledo, and Fresno were winners.  Man, that kid Spears(22 carries, 199 yards, 1TD) is something else for the Green Wave.

And, I guessed correctly on Troy, but it wasn't about their D. Troy 45 CCU 28.

Dec 5, 2022

North Texas fired coach Seth Littrell on Sunday, two days after the they lost in the CUSA championship game. He was 44-44 in seven seasons. 

Alex Golesh ( Tennessee offensive coordinator) takes over at USF, and Tim Beck (NC State OC) takes over at CCU.

I'm a bit stunned Cincinnati hired Louisville’s Scott Satterfield to be its next coach, and  coincidentally the Cards  will face Cincinnati  in the Fenway Bowl.

Dec 7, 2022

UNLV(MWC) is set to tap Arkansas DC Barry Odom to be their new head coach. He was Mizzou HC before that.

O5 Week 13

 AAC: Tulane visits Cincy to determine who hosts the title game next week against UCF if they beat USF. Bearcats have re-grouped since a loss to UCF three weeks ago. Tulane lost to UCF two weeks ago and crushed SMU last week. Bearcats nip the Green Wave 24-23.

CUSA: WKU will win at FAU and stay in contention with North Texas for a chance at the CUSA title game against UTSA. Austin Reed will toss three TD passes. WKU 31 FAU 23

MWC:  If Fresno St beats Wyoming, they'll face Boise St in the MWC title game. Jordan Mimms rushes for 125 yards for the Bulldogs. Fresno St 24 Wyoming 20.

Sunbelt: James Madison(5-2) survived a rough 3 game loss stretch to remain in contention with Coastal Carolina(6-1) in the East. CCU's veteran QB McCall hangs tough. CCU 27 JMU 24.  Troy U and South Bama are tied for first in the West.

Nov 26, 2022

A split yesterday. Wrong on Cincy, correct on Fresno St. Spears rushed for 181 yards and 2 TDs for Tulane in a 27-24 win over Cincy. Tulane will host the AAC title game. If UCF wins, it holds the tiebreaker with Cincy and heads to Tulane.

 I'm a bit surprised that Fresno blanked Wyoming 30-0.

Nov 27, 2022

It feels like I've been wrong on JMU since October. JMU 47 CCU 7

WKU went for two in OT to defeat FAU 32-31 in OT. There's never a dull moment when Austin Reed is in the game. I went 2-2 in this blog.

What a wild day of football. I found the UTSA/UTEP game on the Stadium channel in time for the 4th Q. UTSA kicked a FG in overtime to take its only lead of the day and also win the game.

Nov 28, 2022

Fickel to Wisky. I thought Cincy would've made sure they kept him for the move to the Big 12. I'm not surprised Tulsa fired Montgomery.

Nov 30, 2022

Trent Dilfer, the head coach at Lipscomb Academy in Nashville and a former quarterback at Fresno State and in the NFL, is new HC at UAB, which is moving to AAC.

O5 - Week 11

 Well, MAC was early this week so here's 4 picks..

AAC: Gus has the UCF(7-2 4-1 AAC) looking sharp. Plumlee will toss two TD passes at Tulane (8-1 5-0 AAC). UCF-24 Tul 20

CUSA: FAU (4-5 3-2 C-USA) at FIU((4-5 2-3 C-USA) in an intrastate battle. Nkosi Perry is having a decent year at QB and had a good game in last week's big win against UAB. FAU 21 FIU 20

MWC: San José State (6-2 4-1 MWC) visits Snapdragon to take on San Diego State (5-4 3-2 MWC). I'll ride with Cordeiro, who has tossed for 2,224 yards and 11 TDs for the Spartans. SJST 28 SDST 23

SunBelt: App St visits Marshall and the erratic teams have identical (5-4 2-3Sun Belt) records. Laborn carries the rushing load for #herd at home. MU 17 APP St 16

Nov 13, 2022

Pratt threw more TD passes than Plumlee but that wasn't enough for Tulane. UCF 38 TUL 31

Nkosi Perry accounted for 4 TDs and FAU rolled FIU 52-7. 

Wrong on SJST. Cordeiro did plenty, but Jalen Mayden threw three touchdown passes and Jordan Byrd returned a kickoff 95 yards for a TD for San Diego State. SDST 43 SJST 27

Marshall U blocked a punt for TD and Fancher tossed two TDs in a 28-21 win over App St

3-1 for the weekend

Nov 16, 2022

Virginia canceled its game against Coastal Carolina this coming weekend after 3 football players  were killed earlier this week in an on campus shooting.

And some Baltimore -related news. Charlotte has hired Michigan associate head coach Biff Poggi as its next HC 

Poggi was a longtime successful high school coach in Baltimore ,Maryland with  Gilman School and  then powerhouse, St. Frances Academy, before joining Jim Harbaugh's staff at Michigan. He  sent  Blake Corum and other St Frances stars to Michigan.

Top dogs in the 05 -week 10

 Ok, I covered the MAC so now I'll focus on conference leaders in the other four conferences.

AAC: Tulane may get a battle at Tulsa for a while, but Spears will rush for over 100 yards and keep the Green Wave undefeated in conference play. Tulane 34 Tulsa 24

CUSA: No team has slowed down UTSA(4-0 in CUSA) QB Frank Harris for long. UTSA 30 UAB 27

MWC:  Boise St  (5-0-MWC) plays an OOC game against BYU, who is desperate to beat someone. Taylon Green has been solid since becoming the starting QB. and I'd love to call this one a tie if they were still allowed.  BYU 26 Boise St 24 at the buzzer.

SunBelt: Coastal Carolina and Troy are each 4-1 and lead their respective divisions. Troy Trojans will march into ULL and come out with a 17-14 win with the help of a pick6.

CCU hosts App St and survives a scare 24-21. McCall looks solid again for the Chanticleers.

Nov 4, 2022

 Lot more points scored than I guessed in last night's CCU  35-28 win over Appy. McCall threw 2 TD passes and no picks.

Nov 5, 2022

5-0 for the weekend

Spears was a beast again for Tulane in a 27-13 win over Tulsa.

UTSA needed double OT to defeat UAB 44-38. Harris had another great game for the victors.

Hall to Nicau connection saved the day for BYU in a 35-28 win over Boise ST. 

Troy outscored ULL 16-0 in the 4Q for a 23-17 win.

Week 4: O5 OOC 4-Pack

 Once upon a time Houston(AAC) and Rice(CUSA) were SWC members. Houston will get a much needed win but it won't be easy. McCaffrey will catch a lot of passes for the Owls, but it won't be enough. HOU 31 Rice 26.

Both QBs have decent numbers in the North Texas(CUSA)/Memphis(AAC) matchup, but Aune won't outduel Henigan. MEM 34 UNT 23

Both teams are off to rocky starts.  D. Finn will have a solid game carrying the ball for Toledo, but the Aztecs outkick them at home. SDST(MWC) 15 TOL(MAC) 13

I'm not seeing USM pulling a  Stunbelt-style upset against the surprising Green Wave(AAC) who are coming off a 17-10 win over Kansas St (Big12). Neither team has a player with incredible numbers. Perhaps a pick 6 turns the game around. TUL 19 USM 16.

Sept 23, 2022

Road party for Coastal: CCU 41-G State 24 

Air Force crushed Nevada, and Boise St lost to UTEP, who may be a threat in CUSA play this season.

Sept 25, 2022

Owls gave the Cougars a scare, but Houston prevailed 34-27.

NTX couldn't restrain the Tigers. MEM 44 NTX 34

I got darn close on picking the final score correctly on the SDST 17 Toledo 14

Zach Wilcke threw a pair of touchdown passes, and the USM D got a pick 6 in a 27-24 win over Tulane. I was correct on a pick 6 but wrong about which team got that and a win.

3-1 for the week.

App St got a taste of its own "stun" medicine and lost to James Madison, a new SunBelt member.

Big CUSA win by MTSU over Miami (FLA).

Mocked out- O5 possibles in NFL rd1 2022

 AAC: No surprise that two Cincy players, QB Desmond Ridder and CB Ahmad Gardner, are forecast to go in rd1.  Logan Hall, a DL from Houston, and Tyler Smith, an OL from Tulsa have high hopes.

MAC: Bernhard Raimann, OL from Central Michigan. Skyy Moore. WR from Western Michigan

MWC: Trey McBride, TE from Colorado St.

If there's an O5 rd1 hopeful, I've missed, add it here.

O5= non P5

April, 29, 2022

Only o5 players to go in rd1: Gardner(Cincy) to the Jets , Smith(Tulsa) to the Boys.

April 30, 2022

Cheers to the AAC who are third behind the SEC and B10 in drafted players through three rounds.

AAC (10)

Cincinnati — 5: Ridder to the Falcons in rd3

Houston — 2: Logan Hall who went to the Bucs in rd 2

Tulsa — 1 Memphis — 1 SMU — 1

Mountain West (3):Colorado State- McBride to the Cards in rd2  Wyoming — 1San Diego State — 1

MAC (3):Central Michigan — 2-Raimann to the Colts in rd3. Western Michigan - Skyy Moore to the Chiefs

Conference USA (2):UAB — 1Western Kentucky — 1

Sun Belt :South Alabama — 1

May 1, 2022

9 Bearcats drafted overall - that's impressive. 

As far as rds 4-7 ,O5 picks that caught my eyes. RD4 : Likely, a TE from Coastal Carolina, to the Ravens. Zappe ,a gunslinger from WKU, to the Pats. 

RD5: I'm stunned Jerome Ford Cincy RB was still around for the Browns and that D'Marco Jackson LB, App St was available for my Saints. 

RD6 Bills take a punter Matt Araiza from San Diego St. 

RD7 Nazeeh Johnson S, MRSHL to the Chiefs. 

May 2, 2022

O5 UFAs : Carson Strong, QB Nevada(MWC) Height: 6-foot-3. History of knee injuries- Eagles signed him.

Sincere McCormick RB UTSA(CUSA)- He had some huge rushing games. I'm unsure why he hasn't been signed.

Sterling Weatherford  S Miami (OH) (MAC) signed with Colts

May 19, 2022

Saints sign UDFA Joel Dublanko who recorded 113 total tackles in 2021 for Cincy(AAC).  His 40 yard dash time was 4.75, but he was a he!! of a college linebacker.

July 16, 2022

D'Vonta Price, who signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent RB from FIU(CUSA) on April 30, 2022, is doing well in camp. He had a decent senior season at FIU.

Sept 10, 2024

2022 draft: Araiza is the Punter for Chiefs. McBride, TE for the Cards, needs more targets.

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 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.

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 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.

Heading toward O5 conference tourney time in 2021

 Central Michigan( 7-15, 3-12 MAC) got 26 points from Caleb Huffman scored  and  then Meikkel Murray made a go-ahead put-back with 2.3 seconds left  for the 81-79 upset of Toledo(19-7, 14-4 MAC)

Buffalo(13-7, 11-5 MAC) edged Akron(14-7, 12-6 MAC) 80-78

It's looking like Memphis may be the team who could upend Houston and Wichita St in the AAC tourney. Memphis (15-6, 11-3 AAC ) defeated South Florida(8-11, 4-9 AAC) 73-52 for its sixth straight winand they'll face Houston on Sunday in the final regular season game.

March 4

Trey Wade scored a career-high 23 points on 9 of 12 shooting for Wichita State in a 78-70 AAC win over Tulane 78-70. That's 6 straight Ws for the Shockers.

In the MWC SDST got by UNLV in a so-so performance, while Colorado St  defeated  UNM and is the hottest MWC team heading into the conference tournament.

March 5

UTEP(12-11, 8-8 CUSA) accepted a call to play a game at # 13 Kansas(B12) and built an early 15 point lead before crumbling in the final 12  minutes of the game in a 67-62 loss. Bryson Williams led the Miners with 23 points and 13 rebounds. 

FAU crushed MTSU 80-50.

March 9

Michael Almonacy scored a career-high 32 points with six 3-pointers for App St in its 80-73 upset of Georgia State  to win the Sun Belt Conference championship and return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2000. The Mountaineers were in the Southern Conference and coached by Buzz Petersen during the 1999/2000 season.

March 12, 2021

MWCT: Nevada popped Boise St bubble hopes and SDST barely survived Wyoming .

MACT:  Top seeds move forward: Akron, Buffalo, Ohio, and Toldeo

AACT-  Tulane got by Tulsa, and I bet their HC, Ron Hunter, thinks he can pull off one of those miracles  that his GA St squads pulled off in the SunBeltT for years.

mARCH  14, 2021

Cincy edged Wichita St  and if they beat Houston in  AACT, a bubble team possibly SMU will feel the pain. 

Jason Preston scored 22 points for Ohio in a 84-69 victory  over Buffalo, which was trying for a record third straight MAC title.

North Texas beat WKU 61-57 in overtime on Saturday night to win the CUSAT title game and earned its first Dance ticket since winning the Sun Belt tournament in 2010.

San Diego State beat Utah St 68-57 victory  to win the MWC title and secure the league's Dance ticket.

march 15,2021

Belmont, Furman,  and two CUSA teams, Marshall and UAB, are listed as replacement teams for the NIT.

March 18 2021

 NIT: Hollingsworth (21 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST)led Western Kentucky(CUSA) to a 67-63 win over St Marys while Toledo(MAC) lost to Richmond

March 21, 2021

NIT: La Tech does the CUSA right with a win over OL Miss. Buffalo (MAC) lost to Colorado St (MWC) and Memphis (AAC) beat Dayton.

March 23

NIT down to 8 teams.  Four matchups on 3/25 including  two CUSA teams LAtech vs WKU.  Thde only game w/o an O5 team is Richmond(A10) /Miss St(SEC). Colorado St(MWC) faces NC St(ACC) and Memphis(AAC) plays BoiseSt (MWC).

I was bit surprised to see the CBIT is going on in Florida and Coastal Carolina(SunBelt) plays Stetson today.

March 25,2021

Darryl Polk Jr. had 19 points and five steals for  Pepperdine in an 84-61 romp over Coastal Carolina in the CBI final.. Pepperdine finished fourth in the WCC, which Gonzaga ruled.

March 26, 2021

NIT down to four teams: In a battle of CUSA teams Kalob Ledoux scored 20 points, making 6 of 7 3-pointers for Louisiana Tech in a 72-65 win over Western Kentucky 72-65  and will play Mississippi State, a winner over Richmond, on Saturday in Texas.

Colorado ST (MWC) got by NC St and will play Memphis(AAC), a winner over Boise St(MWC).

March 28, 2021

The NIT final is set, and it will be Memphis(AAC) vs Mississippi State(SEC) on Sunday for the title. Memphis rolled Colorado State(MWC) 90-67 and  Mississippi State rolled  Louisiana Tech(CUSA) 84-62.   Ben Howland has a decent stint at Miss St since 2015(116–81 )(.589)

La Tech will face CSU in a matchup for third place.

March 29 , 2021

It wasn't a blowout but Memphis  was in control most of the game in a 77-64 win over Miss St  for the NIT title. Boogie Ellis MEM - G (23 PTS, 4 REB, 5 AST)

La Tech  defeated  Col St 76-74 for 3rd place  on a buzzer beater by Kenneth Lofton Jr. LT - F(27 PTS, 13 REB, 3 AST)

April 1, 2021

Coaching news, no foolin: MAC:Akron Zips extend head coach John Groce through 2026 season. He's had more success in the MAC with Ohio and Akron, then the seesaw years at Illinois(Big 10). Ariz St assistant Rashon Burno is on his way to NIU

MWC news: New Mexico hired Richard Pittino quickly after Minnesota fired him, but I don't see it as a good fit. UNLV promoted Kevin Kruger, Lon's son, to HC.

April 7, 2021

This happens from time to time. UTEP(CUSA) head coach Rodney Terry is stepping down and will join Beard's staff at TX. He was a Texas assistant under former head coach Rick Barnes from 2002–11.

April 8, 2021

San Jose State(MWC) replaced Jean Prioleau with  Tim Miles who had some success  at Nebraska(2012-19), a hard gig.

In the MAC Central Michigan fired Keno Davis and Eastern Michigan fired Rob Murphy .

April 13, 2021

E. Michigan(MAC) hired Stan Heath as its new men's basketball coach.

He's an an EMU alum and has previously the coach at Kent State, leading that program to the Elite Eight in 2002. He also guided Arkansas to the NCAA tournament in 2006 and 2007. And did the same at USF in 2012 when they were in the Big East.

April 15, 2021

For years I saw a concrete slab with the Marshall Thundering Herd logo on it standing  in the side yard of a house I'd walk by every two weeks, then a few months ago it was gone. Today, it was back up but in the front yard.  It looks something like this but with more color  and a bull. 

1a NCAA Independents and Geography 2021

 I've been keeping track of  the 1A independents since 2016,  and it's time for a fresh blog but this a nice reference point https://busterother5.blogspot.com/2016/06/o5-geography-matters-martial-re-alignemt.html  

After  watching the big dogs not give Liberty U  a chance play a P5 team in a bowl game instead matching them up against undefeated CCU (Sunbelt) in what turned out to be an exciting LU win, it's time for the Sunbelt to add Liberty as a member in all sports  and maintain a growing, southern rivalry with Coastal Carolina. LU plays hoops in the Atlantic Sun conference.

Would be Army jump to the AAC for football only and join Navy , which is football only there now?

UMass got to play a few games this year as an Independent perhaps a return to the MAC  (football only) is in order. I'd suggest the CUSA but traveling to west Texas could be a pain in the butt. Perhaps UMass will remain a mercenary Independent which is the likely outcome for its neighbor UConn .

New Mexico St would be a cool addition to MWC if  the Aggies keep football.

Big 12 could use BYU for football only.

Jan 12, 2021

While reviewing Liberty U's hoop schedule I came across Bellarmine U, a new ASUN member and a private Catholic college in Louisville. KY. This will be the Knights first season in 1A.

Jan 17, 2021

The 2021 BYU football schedule  is heavy with Pac 12 teams, Zona, ASU, Utah, WSU, and USC, and reminds me of Notre Dame's dalliance with the ACC before Covid.

If UMass were to find an O5 conference for football, it would  be interesting to see if the hoops team would leave  the A10, a  strong basketball conference.

Feb 2, 2021

It's not a big shock but Notre Dame football is Independent again. Next season's schedule looks tough enough. I like seeing the matchup with Cincy and also Wisky

feb 23,2021

Bellarmine(13-5, 10-2 ASUN) and Liberty(18-5, 9-2 ASUN) are atop the Atlantic Sun and have a back to back set on Feb 26, 27 to finish the season.

march 6, 2021

What a crazy way to  make the Dance? Liberty will face North Alabama in the ASUN tournament championship game Sunday, but punched its Dance ticket because UNA is ineligible for the NCAA tournament because it's transitioning to 1A.

 Bellarmine, another ineligible team, went 1-7 in its final eight games of the regular season and lost to Stetson in ASUN rd1

March 20, 2021

Liberty put up a good fight but lost to OK St 69-60. Elijah Cuffee had a solid day with 16 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST  for the Flames, but Cunningham and Anderson III were too much for the Flames to handle.

April 9, 2021

Liberty U goes back to having a so-so competitive football schedule in 2021, but I'm intrigued by the "Freeze Bowl" matchup at Ol Miss.

                                               

 

May 6, 2021

Since UConn has gone independent in football and left the AAC, the two most northern AAC teams are Cincy U and Temple which should give  the AAC more reason to invite Liberty U to join the conference for all sports. I'm not sure if they're ready for a Christian university with  big money and solid athletic facilities. ECU  isn't too far from Lynchburg, VA  and could become a regional AAC rival.

May 22, 2021

What jumped out at me was Army playing Wisky, which doesn't occur often and the Army /Air Force game is in Arlington Texas.

June 5, 2021

While reading the CBSSN  football schedule, which has solid coverage of the military academies, I was stunned to see UConn, an Independent, will be televised nearly every week. The Huskies were terrible in  the AAC and haven't improved since their exit.

These games featuring an Independent look to be good ones:

Friday, Oct. 1 BYU at Utah State(MWC)

Saturday, Oct. 2  Liberty at UAB(CUSA)

Saturday, Oct. 23 Wake Forest(ACC) at Army

June 20, 2021

Good move: CBS Sports and Army football agreed to a multi-year extension through the 2028 season

Also, CBS Sports will carry eight Black Knights football games this season.

July, 2, 2021

BYU athletes seeking to profit off of their name, image and likeness still must follow the university's honor code standards, which means they can't enter business partnerships with alcohol, tobacco and  coffee vendors. 

July 19, 2021

J J Holloman who had eight catches for 108 yards and a touchdown for FIU in 2020 is transferring to Liberty. He was a four-star recruit out of high school and spent two years with Georgia before being dismissed from the program in the summer of 2019, Freeze has a tough nut to crack there.

Aug 5, 2021

Has Notre Dame gone too far? Between now and 2:30 ET on 9/11/21, fans who want to watch the Irish play Toledo(MAC) must subscribe to Peacock Premium streaming service.

I've read a ton of complaints about how frustrated fans of the Olympics have been  about the disjointed NBC/Peacock approach.

BTW, New Mexico St travels to ALBUQUERQUE, NM  to face #NewMexico of the #MWC  on 9/11/21

August 28, 2021

Will the Big 12 take the religious route to recovery buy adding BYU, at least for football ,and Liberty for all sports?

Liberty football has two P5 opponents this season, Syracuse and Ol Miss and improved a great deal in hoops.

 BYU has the brand.

UConn shutout by Fresno St 45-0.  Are Huskies headed for a lower division or out of football?

Sept 6

Notre Dame survived a big scare from Florida St last night.

Edsall does the right thing and announces he 'll retire from UConn after the season.

Edsall move out day is now. Lou Spanos, The UConn DC,  will take over for the rest of this season.

Sept 26, 2021

 UMass got clobbered by Coastal Carolina, and U Conn played a decent game w/o  the Edsel in a 25-23 loss to Wyoming.

Liberty lost 28-21 to Syracuse, who has a shot in the wacky ACC. Another great game  for Malik Willis LIB (14-19, 205 YDS, 3 TD), Hey Auburn folks have you noticed how well this kid has played since he left you?

New Mexico St continues to not include D in its game plan.  Hawaii 41-NMST 21.

Now for undefeated I s: Rip Van Notre Dame woke up and scored 31 unanswered points in the 4Q in a 41-10 win over Wisky.

Baylor Romney(20-25, 305 YDS, 3 TD) BYU's QB led the Cougars to a 35-27 win over USF(AAC).

Christian Anderson (15 CAR, 236 YDS, 2 TD ) in a 23-10  Army win over Miami(Ohio) of the MAC.

Oct 17, 2021

Tough weeks for the Independents. Liberty lost to ULM(Sunbelt) and BYU lost to Baylor(B12) a week after losing to Boise St(MWC).

Army gave Wisky(B10) a good fight but lost 20-14, a week after losing to Ball St (MAC).

Oct 18, 2021

I like MTSU(CUSA) in a rare matchup with UConn on Friday night. Middle Tennessee is 2-0  against UC with wins in 2000 & 2001 when they were in the Sunbelt and UConn was an Independent. The Huskies tried to lose to Yale on Saturday but survived with a W and appear to be headed to 1AA or no football.

Oct 23, 2021

Returning  to a running theme in these "Independent" blogs: James Madison(1aa) is being heavily recruited to step up to 1A and be apart of the Sunbelt conference's expansion into Va(ODU)/WVA(Marshall).

Oct 30, 2021

Coach Mendenhall brings UVA  to play at BYU, his former employer. Look for BYU to beat the erratic Cavs by 5 points and build its resume as it steps up to B12.

Willis and the Liberty Flames will win big vs UMass. Will any conference accept Falwell's school?

UNC has been disappointing and could help its season by beating Notre dame today, but I suspect the Irish will eke out a W.

Nov 4, 2021

Ok guys, the Freeze "Bowl"  @ Ol Miss is on this week. Willis will have a decent not great day for Liberty,  but Kiffin's Rebels can't lose this home game. Miss 38 LIB 26

Nov 6, 2021

 Liberty is getting a conference in 2023 , it's the USA. You mentioned this coming at O5 group. Liberty and New Mexico State will be joining along with two other schools, Jacksonville State and Sam Houston State. who are moving up to 1A. That takes it to nine:  UTEP, FIU, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, and Western Kentucky , however wku and MTsu are talking to the MAC.

 So the SHS' move to the WAC will be short, if it all ,and NMST hoops leaving the WAC will be a plus for the CUSA.

Nov 11, 2021

I guess Uconn wants to stay 1A. Jim Mora joins the UConn program immediately as a hands-off assistant coach, to begin his evaluation and recruiting, and officially become the HC on Nov. 28, the day after the season finale vs. Houston. Interim UConn coach Lou Spanos,  was Mora’s defensive coordinator at UCLA in 2012-13.

Nov 26, 2021

Liberty has struggled a bit as opponents focus on mainly stopping Willis, and Freeze will need some creative thinking for a home win over Army on Saturday.

UConn will lose to Houston and be lucky to stay within 20 points of them. 

UMass/NewMexico St: If ties were allowed, this game would qualify. Minutemen get a final second FG to win.

ND has too much talent for the wingless Stanford Cardinals

BYU makes it 5-0 against the Pac 12 this season with a win over USC.

Nov 28, 2021

Liberty continues to stumble and Army is now 8-3. I guess defense was outlawed in New England yesterday. UH 45  Uconn 17  and NMST 44 UMass 27. ND rolled Stanford and BYU got by USC by 3

Dec 3, 2021

Wow, in the first visit of an SEC team to Liberty Arena, Missouri got waxed.

Darius McGhee scored 20 points and Shiloh Robinson scored a career-high 15 in the Flames 66-45 win over the Tigers. LU (ASUN) may have a seamless move to the CUSA for hoops.

Dec 7, 2021

BYU was 5-0 against the Pac 12, which included a win over Rose Bowl bound Utah, and the best bowl game they could get was against UAB, who finished behind UTSA in the CUSA West. BYU's two losses were to Baylor and Boise St.

Dec 12, 2021

It happens from time to time in Army /Navy series when the "dog" turns the tables. Navy 17 Army 13.  It was 7-7 early in the 1Q then offenses came to a slowed down. Navy shutout Army in the second half.

dec 22, 2021

No doubt Mizzou(SEC) is watching the tapes of how Navy held Army to 13 points on Dec 11. 

Armed Forces Bowl: Army (8-3) vs. Missouri (6-6). 

Army is favored against an SEC team so I'll go with that. Army 20 Missouri 19

Dec 23, 2021

How about Army coming back from a 10-0 deficit in the first quarter to defeat Mizzou 24-22 on Cole Talley's last second 41 Yd Field Goal?

March 9, 2022

Conference seeding matters. Liberty was 2 seed in the ASUNT, but 1 seed Jax St(ALA) wound up with the Dance ticket. CJ Fleming scored a career-high 27 points, Dylan Penn added 22 and 1A newcomer Bellarmine defeated Jacksonville(FLA) 77-72 in the ASUNT but is not eligible for the Dance since it is in the second season of a four year transition to 1A.

Liberty and Jax St(ALA) will be heading to CUSA in 2023 for all sports.

April 19, 2022

I know the transfer portal makes one dizzy, but this one struck me as a bad one for former Notre Dame and Cincy HC Brian Kelly. Corey Kiner, a former Mr. Ohio Football who finished second on LSU in yards rushing in 2021, is transferring to Cincy.

April 21, 2022

2022 Liberty Football Schedule

Flames ain't backing down from the bigger boys. Akron is  a rare trip to  Ohio for LU

Sept. 3 at Southern Miss

Sept. 10 vs. UAB

Sept. 17 at Wake Forest

Sept. 24 vs. Akron

Oct. 1 at Old Dominion

Oct. 8 at FIU

Oct. 15 vs. Gardner-Webb

Oct. 22 vs. BYU

Oct. 29 at UMass

Nov. 5 at Arkansas

Nov. 19 vs. Virginia Tech

Nov. 26 vs. New Mexico State

May 1, 2022

Perhaps this is why Kelly took the LSU job? 2022 draft: 

Notre Dame — 2 (Independent) Hamilton to the Ravens,  Kyren Williams -Rams

BYU — 1 (Independent) Tyler Allgeier RB to Falcons

Liberty — 1 (Independent) Willis to Titans

UConn — 1  (Independent) Travis Jones -Ravens

Army bowl-less for now and more on Independents.

 Yes, the Covid mess continues to wreak havoc, but how can Army not have  bowl opponent when every healthy team is getting an invitation,  Liberty(9-1) gets to play undefeated Coastal Carolina (Sun Belt) in the Cure Bowl and while it's an interesting regional match up why is neither team playing a P5 opponent.  CCU wins a nailbiter 34-33.

BYU should beat an explosive UCF (AAC) squad 54-51 in the Boca Raton Bowl.

Dec 23

Zach Wilson  tossed for 425 yards and 3 TDs in BYU's 49-23 thrashing of UCF and definitely moved up to a round 1  pick in 2021 NFL draft.

Dec 27

Liberty fumbled the ball on the goal line blowing a chance  to win in regulation, then blocked a Coastal Carolina FG attempt in OT to hang on for a 37-34 OT win. The QBs were great:  Grayson McCall CCU (21-32, 318 YDS, 3 TD) ,  Malik Willis LIB (21 CAR, 137 YDS, 4 TD)

And  how about CCU WR, Jaivon Heiligh (13 REC, 178 YDS).

One and one so far.

Jan 1, 2021

I didn't  pick a winner on the Army/WVU game.  Austin Kendall threw 2 TD passes in the final 19 minutes during West Virginia's comeback from a 21-10 deficit. WVU 24 Army 21.

O5 championship week ending Dec 19

 AAC: Cincy(8-0, 6-0 AAC) hosts Tulsa(6-1, 6-0 AAC) and will need to shake off some rust from the month layoff to slow down Zach Smith's passing . I suspect the Bearcats will rely on a solid rushing attack more than Ridder's arm for a 23-21 victory.

CUSA: Marshall(7-1, 4-1 CUSA) hosts UAB(5-3, 3-1 CUSA). Rice  blanked  the #herd two weeks ago and the lost to UAB. Johnston, the UAB QB,  will toss two TD passes, in a 20-15 win . 

MAC:  Buffalo (5-0) led by Jared Patterson's 1625 rushing yards and 18 TDs faces Ball St  led by Plitt's 1674 passing YDS and  13 TDs at Ford Field in Detroit, MI. Last team with the ball wins. Buff 37 Ball St 36.

MWC: Boise St(5-1, 5-0 MWC) faces San Jose St (6-0) in Vegas. Most folks expect a Bachmeier/Starkel shootout but I'll go with  a huge rush game from Tyler Nevens giving SJST a 24 -20 victory of Boise St

SunBelt: The QBs, McCall of CCU(11-0, 8-0 SUN) and Lewis of ULL(9-1, 7-1 SUN), will  entertain us, but McCall will toss late TDs to keep his guys undefeated . CCU 31 ULL 27

dec 19

Sunbelt game was cancelled, and AAC and MWC games are today. I split on the other two. Wells, the #herd QB, matched Johnston's 2 TD passes for UAB with 2 TD passes, but Marshall's D couldn't stop Spencer Brown who rushed for 149 yards. UAB 22 Marshall 13

I didn't foresee Ball St knocking off Buffalo  38-28 and holding Patterson to 47 yards rushing. Blitt tossed three TD in for the Cards victory.

dec 20

Correct on both games yesterday: Cincy eked out a 27-24 win over Tulsa. SJST used some rugged D, and an aerial attack led by Starkel to defeat Boise St 34-20 for the MWC crown.

O5 we got Thursday football Dec 10

 FAU was held to three points by Georgia Southern last week and will likely get enough O back against USM in Hattiesburg, MS for a 13-10 CUSA win tonight.

Will Houston have lift off after a four -week "break"? They'll shake off the rust for 24-23 AAC win over a Memphis team with suspect D. 

I'll take Ball State in a 27-25 win  over WMU in a battle  two 4-1 teams in MAC play. Plitt outguns Eleby.

Fresno St  lost to San Jose St last week and New Mexico upset Wyoming. Haener will throw two TD passes  to lead  Fresno to a 23-16 MWC win over UNM.

Troy hosts the undefeated Chanticleers and will be gunning for the upset but McCall and crew will get the job done. CCU 27 Troy 19 in Sunbelt action.

Dec 11

Off to another rough week of picks. USM 45 FAU 31 USM QB Trey Lowe threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score, and  his teammate Camron Harrell returned a kickoff 100 yards for a TD. Also Gore Jr rushed for 111 yards and a TD. Golden Eagles fans have to be wondering where has this been all season?

dec 13

Two more incorrect picks , Houston, and Fresno St, before I get tot the correct ones, Ball St and CCU.

Tune, the Houston QB, and White , the Memphis QB , were about even in stats so it came down to a FG from Riley Patterson as time ran out to give Memphis a 30-27 win.

The Lobos ground attack, powered by  Bobby Cole who ran for 138 yards and three of the team's six rushing TD, rolled over the Bulldogs. New Mexico 49 Fresno St 39

A crazy final minute of play ended with Ball St winning 30-27 over WMU and earning a right to play Buffalo in the MAC title game. Plitt and Eleby  were about even in the QB stats.

Jaivon Heiligh caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from McCall with 45 seconds left to keep Coastal Carolina undefeated. CCU 42 Troy 38

dec 13  more news

Arkansas St  hired Butch Jones as its next football coach to replace former HC Blake Anderson who stepped down to take the vacant Utah State job.

jan 5, 2021 news

 It happened.  Doc Holliday 's contract was not extended at Marshall. His record there is  85-54 (55-30 in league play) with a CUSA title in 2014 and three division championships. 

 

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Cheers for !A Independents in Covid 2020

In August, 2020 Liberty(9-1) and Coastal Carolina(9-0) of the SunBelt agreed to a game on Dec, 5, 2020. In a battle of productive QBs, Willis will get the better of McCall   and give CCU it's first loss. The pollsters will quickly boot CCU from the top 20 while giving respect to the B10, and Pac 12 despite those two conferences late starting the season late not playing a lot of games. They couldn't wait to give Liberty the boot from the top 25 in some  polls after a narrow 15-14 loss to NC St (ACC).

BYU has hustled to find opponents all season and while they haven't had the toughest schedule, they're undefeated but out of the Final Four frame. Cougar managed to get a final game against San Diego St (MWC)

I've been keeping track of some exciting 1a players here Rare 1A PIGSKIN MATCHUPS

dec 3

Props to BYU football for filling the slot created when Liberty U bailed out of its game with CCU due to Covid problems. ESPN Gameday matters, and they get a battle of the undefeateds. I like BYU in a squeaker.

dec 5

Chant for the Chanticleers. It wasn't the QBs yesterday but CJ Marable, CCU RB, who rushed for 132 and 2 TDs . Coastal Carolina(10-0) 22   BYU(9-1) 17. Props for both teams for making this game happen. 

dec 9

Is Boise St planning to go Independent in football before moving to a P5 conference? Head coach Bryan Harsin began pushing school officials in September to explore an exit from the MWC. 

Dec 10

BYU recovers from the tough loss at CCU and beats San Diego St 31-20. Army has a big rushing game in a 29 -22 "home" win over Navy.

dec 13

dec 13

Army blanked Navy 15-0. San Diego St  was up 14-7 after one quarter of play but never scored again in a  28-14 loss to BYU, who got 3 TD passes from Zach Wilson

dec 16

Army hosts another military academy this week and will rush by AFA 27-19.  #TyhierTyler , the Army QB, will rush for over 100 yards.

dec 20

Army beat Air Force 10-7 on a fourth and goal TD in the 4th Q  and won Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.

Turkey Night in the MWC, and then four O5 games

 I would've predicted the Colorado St/AFA game but it was canceled, so it's role the dice on two 0-4 MWC teams, New Mexico and Utah St.  Jaylen Warren will bust a long run for a TD for the home Aggies in a low scoring win over the Lobos. Utah St 19 UNM 13. The game will televised on FS1.

Friday afternoon AAC game features UCF  led buy Dillon Gabriel (205-332, 3017 YDS,) 26 TD facing USF. UCF will be stoked after the tough loss to Cincy last week. UCF 49 USF 23.

Tighten your Sunbelt for a big intrastate battle between GA Southern Eagles and GA St Panthers .I'm not sure if Werts will be ready to start at QB for the Eagles, but  Brown IV should be going for  the Panthers. GA St 20 GA SO 17

MTSU has improved a great deal since the start of the season but O'Hara and crew will not be able to get a tough FAU squad. FAU 30 MTSU 27. FYI: WKU plays Charlotte on Tuesday morning at 10:30am.

I'm intrigued by the battle of running back in the Ball St (Huntley)/Toledo(Koback) matchup . They'll each post 100 plus yards and a TD, but Ball St will get a late FG  for a 24-22 victory

Nov 27

I was correct on Utah St but way off on the amount of scoring.Andrew Peasley, the Utah St QB, passed for 239 yards and three touchdowns, and rushed for 118 yards another score  in the Aggies 41-27 win over the Lobos. 

Nov 28

Correct on UCF  O and it's win but wrong on its D which is more porous than I thought. UCF 58 USF 46

Nov 29

Brown IV had a huge day in the Panthers  30-24 win over GA Southern who got a big day
8 CAR, 143 YDS, 2 TD from Logan Wright.

Plitt, the Ball St QB, led his Cards to a 24-9 lead through three quarters  , but Toledo roared back with 15 points  in the 4th quarter before fumbling on a possible final winning drive. Ball St 27 Toledo 24.

I went 4-0. The CUSA matchup was canceled.

Special shout-outs to Coastal Carolina (9-0, 7-0 Sun Belt) who beat TX St 49-14 to remain undefeated, and Jaret Patterson who rushed for 409 yards and 8 TDs in Buffalo's win over Kent St.

 

 

 

Midweek pigskin in week ending Nov 21

 A battle of two (2-0) MAC, WMU and CMU, teams kicks off tomorrow tonight at Central Michigan. WMU will need  more than the fake spike TD that saved them against Toledo last week. Richards to Dixon passing game will take  the home team to a narrow victory. CMU 20 WMU 18.

I'm taking field goals as the winner in the FIU/WKU game in the CUSA.  The tossed coin landed on FIU 12 WKU 9

Tulsa reached the top 25 and I don't see Tulane slowing down Zach Smith, who has tossed 10 TD passes, in this AAC matchup. Tulsa 27 Tulane 22

It's hard to resist to the MWC matchup of San Jose St (4-0) and Fresno St (3-1). I'll take the Starkel to Gaither connection to keep SJST undefeated. SJST 31 Fresno St 26

 Coastal Carolina (7-0, 5-0 Sun Belt) hosts AppSt(6-1, 4-0 Sun Belt) and the home team Chanticleers will ride McCall's passing to 34-19 victory over AppSt..

Nov 18, 2020

Props to #JerotPatterson  for this stat line 31 carries for 301yards, 4 TDs in his Buffalo Bulls  42-17 win over Bowling Green. 

Nov19

Wrong about the QBs and the game . It was Eleby, WMU QB, who stole the show by tossing 5 TD passes in a 52-44 win over CMU.

Nov 20

I got damn close on the final score  and was correct on Tulsa, who needed OT to put away Tulane 30-24. Davis Brin, the Tulsa  QB , had  solid night: 18-28, 266 YDS, 2 TD 

Nov 22

 I was wrong on WKU who  outscored  FIU 28-8 in the second half  for a 38-28 victory 

CCU got a hell of a battle from App ST in scrapping out a 34-23 win. McCall is a gamer and Isaiah Likely ( 3 REC, 118 yards, 1 TD) shows a lot of promise and may keep the Chants undefeated this season.

SJST /Fresno ST was cancelled. 2-2 this weekend

Four O5 picks for the Halloween weekend

 AAC-  It's not the marquee matchup, but Tulsa is a team worth watching. After a tough 16-7 loss to OK St , they've had impressive wins over UCF and USF and will stay hot with a 34  -22 win over ECU behind Zach Smith's passing.

CUSA- Don't look now but UTSA(4-3, 2-1 C-USA) has been playing decent with Sincere McCormick(155 CAR, 867 YDS, 7 TD). FAU(1-1, 1-1 C-USA) has been erratic. UTSA 27 FAU 17.

MWC- Boise St  will get enough passing from Bachmeier to survive the Air Force rushing attack  and win 30-29

Sunbelt- Undefeated Coastal Carolina  will stay that way with a 24-22 win over Georgia St. regardless of  McCall being able to start at QB.

Oct 30

I didn't select this game but Kennedy III rushed for two TDs for Georgia Southern in the 4th quarter in a 24-17 win over South Bama.

Oct 31

Tulsa scored 34  and won , as I predicted, TUL 34 ECU 30. Ahlers , the ECU QB, put up betters stats than Zane Smith of Tulsa, but a late rushing TD by Wilkerson gave  Tulsa the W.

Nov 1

FAU's D held UTSA to three points so  I was got that one wrong.  Sears, not Bachmeir, led BSU to a 49-30 win over AFA. Coastal Carolina 51 GSU 0. WTH happened. Mccall passed for 4 TDs and 280 yards, Georgia St passed for 30 yards. 

CUSA Note: Rice 30 USM 6. Southern Miss is on its third HC this season. #ScottyWalden , the interim HC , left for the job at Austin Peay few days ago

Sunbelt shines ,CUSA hopes: week ending October 17

 I missed that the CCU/ULL Sunbelt was last night  and it was quite a battle. McCall to Heligh connection was key  for Coastal Carolina(4-0, 2-0 Sun Belt) in a 30-27 win over ULL(3-1, 2-1 Sun Belt).

TxSt started out the season playing exciting , aggressive football, but they've faded quickly. It won't get much better in this week's visit to South Alabama .  J. Tolbert(15 REC, 327 YDS, 3 TD) will have a big game for  USA in a 30-20 home victory over TX St.

Georgia Southern found an opponent in UMass who reversed it's early decision to cancel  it's 2020 season and will now  be a fill-in for teams who need to fill  their schedules. Unless the Minutemen have another Andy Isabella, I don't think they'll do well  at Georgia Southern. GS 42 UMass 16.

Can Knox and the #herd survive the passing of La Tech QB, Luke Anthony who has tossed ten 10 passes this season. Home field may be just enough for La Tech to pull out a close 24 21 win over Marshall U. 

Oct 16

Tucker Gregg GAST ( 14 CAR, 142 YDS, 1 TD)- He!! of night in a 59-52 loss to Ark St.

Oct 18

3-0 for the weekend. TX St hung tough for most of the game but South Bama had enough in the tank for a 30-20 win, the score I predicted.. Kennedy III and Werts were far too much for Umass to handle. GA Southern 41 UMass 0.  When  the #herd D stopped La Tech at the goal line on the final play of the 2nd quarter to maintain a 14-3 lead,  I thought they'd win.  Wells and Knox had good games  for Marshall in a 35-17 win.

A shout out to undefeated Liberty for a 38-21 win over Syracuse of the ACC. Do you think Auburn misses Willis, the Liberty QB?