Week Five of college football

Can you believe we are already into Week Five of college football?

This could possibly be a college football Upset special

Illinois over Penn State

How long is Illini coach Ron Zook’s memory? The last time Penn State visited Champaign, the Nittany Lions led 56-3 at halftime and won 63-10. Afterward, Zook told his players this was as bad as it would ever get. “Sometimes you hit rock bottom before you start coming up,” he said that day. Those who were in the program won’t forget, and the Illini are improving every week.

Also worth watching

Florida State vs. Alabama (at Jacksonville, Fla.)

Maybe for the only time this year, Nick Saban isn’t the coaching story in an Alabama game. Bobby Bowden grew up in Birmingham a fan of two programs, Alabama and Notre Dame. He enrolled at Tuscaloosa, stayed a semester before returning home to marry his high school sweetheart. “I lived and died with Alabama,” Bowden said. Florida State defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews was a football star at ‘Bama. Tide defensive coordinator Kevin Steele served at Florida State for four years.

West Virginia at South Florida (tonight)

It was one of the more stunning upsets of 2006, South Florida winning at West Virginia. The Mountaineers will try to return the favor and keep their national championship hopes alive. But it won’t be easy. The Bulls have risen to national prominence and in a season where offenses are going wild, including West Virginia’s, South Florida has one of the nation’s top defenses. Last year, the Bulls held the Mountaineers to 132 rushing yards.

Michigan State at Wisconsin

The Badgers put their nation’s best 13-game winning streak on the line against the surprising Spartans, who will break into the polls with a victory. Michigan State is getting it done like a vintage Big Ten team, with a run-first offense and defense. Wisconsin has been winning ugly and has been unconvincing in victories over The Citadel, UNLV and Iowa.

On the horizon

Don’t make plans for Oct. 6 — it’s a can’t-miss Saturday:

Florida at LSU: Should meet again in early December; Virginia Tech at Clemson: ACC title game preview?; Texas-Oklahoma (Dallas): Winner stays in national title picture; Cincinnati at Rutgers: Two ranked teams from the Big East; Nebraska at Missouri: Big 12 North showcase game; Kansas at Kansas State: Legitimacy at stake for Jayhawks; Ohio State at Purdue: Boilers get to make their case.

college football top 10

With a month of college football games played, it's time to take a realistic look at the Top 10:

1. USC

2. Oklahoma

3. Florida

4. LSU

5. Ohio State

6. West Virginia

7. California

8. Texas

9. Wisconsin

10. Boston College

college football preview

Right out of the chute we get an idea whether either team is a real deal for a major bowl. It’s a statement game for players such as Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge and Cal wide receiver/return specialist DeSean Jackson. Speed to burn in this game and more pressure on the home team to win it. Tennessee came through in this spot last year.

Upset special

Duke (plus-4) over Connecticut

The Blue Devils avenge their 2004 national semifinal loss as Jim Calhoun’s lads went on to the national championship. . . .Oh, wrong sport. On the gridiron, a 20-game losing streak is riding Duke, and it’s been three years since the Devils have defeated a Division I-A opponent. These Huskies should be better than last year’s four-victory team, but now is the time for Duke, which returns all 11 starters on offense.

Also worth watching

ACC showdowns

The hoops league gets down to business with two intriguing opening bids. Wake Forest seeks to prove that last year’s league crown was no fluke when it visits Boston College. The Eagles have the ACC’s most accomplished quarterback in Matt Ryan but are breaking in a new coach, Jeff Jagodzinski.

On Monday, Florida State travels to Clemson in a Bowden Bowl showdown that’s taken a decided Tiger turn recently with three Clemson triumphs in the last four years. The Seminoles shook up their staff but went to a standby at quarterback. Drew Weatherford will start for the third straight year.

East Carolina at Virginia Tech

The numbness has worn off in Blacksburg after last spring’s shooting tragedy, but hearts with be the Hokies. “Tech people are looking for something to rally around,” Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said.

Arizona at BYU

Mike Stoops needs a big season, and a triumph here would be a strong indication the program is moving in the right direction. The Wildcats hired Texas Tech’s Sonny Dykes to put a Red Raiderslike charge into the offense. BYU has its sights set on a BCS bowl.

Georgia Tech at Notre Dame

Big for the Ramblin’ Wreck, but much bigger for Notre Dame. Coach Charlie Weis is keeping Tech and everybody else guessing about the quarterback. Will it be Evan Sharpley, Demetrius Jones or Jimmy Clausen? But the element of surprise might not be enough for the Irish against what may be Chan Gailey’s best Yellow Jackets team.

On the horizon

Sept. 8

>> Virginia Tech at LSU. With these defenses, the game might end 3-2.

>> Miami at Oklahoma. Will Boz show up on the sideline in a headband?

NCAA Football 2008

EA Sports' recently announced NCAA Football 2008 was released. The highly anticipated college football game features new Skill-Performance and a deeper Dynasty Mode to boot.
At least it's something to do in the off season...

Worst College Football Uniforms Of All Time?

everyone knows that Oregon is the be-all and end-all of hideous uniforms. I personally liked the Clemson Purple Uni's and have to say that if they are busting on Penn State for bland uni's they might as well put anything that ND wears in that column as well. oregon's uniforms are worst. I think oregon state,s are not too far behind.

The Lucky Charms-Notre Dame connection is comic gold, and original, but I at least have to mention how gay Brady looks in his gold pants.

College Football Awards

Former Heisman Trophy winners and service academy stars Pete Dawkins and Roger Staubach are the latest recipients of the National Football Foundation's Gold Medal.

The NFF announced Wednesday its Gold Medal and other award winners to be honored at a banquet in New York in December, when the new College Football Hall Fame class will be inducted. Last week, Doug Flutie was among the 12 players elected to the Hall.

Other NFF award winners include former Notre Dame running back Rocky Bleier, who will receive the Distinguished American Award, and Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, who won the John L. Toner Award given to outstanding ADs.

The NFF has honored a wide range of prominent Americans, including presidents, Hall of Fame baseball player Jackie Robinson and actor John Wayne, with the Gold Medal since 1958.

Last year, the NFF awarded Gold Medals to Florida State coach Bobby Bowden and Penn State coach Joe Paterno, the winningest coaches in the history of major college football.

College Football Hall of Fame

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today that ESPNEWS will televise live the announcement of the 2007 inductees into the College Football Hall of Fame from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A).

"College football is truly one of America's great passions, and interest in our sport continues to grow," said NFF Chairman Ron Johnson, a 1992 inductee from the University of Michigan. "We applaud ESPNEWS for recognizing the interest among fans in the history of the game and the value of preserving the legacy of the legends who set the standard for greatness."

Florida Win Bowl Championship Series

Florida pounded top-ranked Ohio State 41-14 to prove the critics wrong and clinch the Bowl Championship Series final on Monday.

Seeking their second national championship in five years under coach Jim Tressel, Ohio State headed into the clash in Glendale, Arizona as favourites but went out wondering what happened.

The Buckeyes entered averaging 36.3 points and 410 yards of offense but managed just one offensive touchdown and 82 total yards.

The Gators (13-1) overcame an opening kick-off return by Ted Ginn Jr and hounded Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith into one of the worst games of his career.

Ginn's return gave the Buckeyes a 7-0 lead just seconds into the game, but the Gators responded with 21 consecutive points and held a 34-14 lead at the halfway stage. Ohio State did not mount a threat after the break.

Smith, who was a member of the scout team that helped Ohio State stun Miami to win the national championship in the Fiesta Bowl four years ago, had a woeful final collegiate contest, completing just 4-of-14 passes for 35 yards and an interception. He also lost a fumble.

"We came out. We fought," Smith said. "If we come up short and you know this is the worst thing that happens in life to us, then I'm pretty cool.

"But, you know, the other guys, my seniors, I want to apologise to them because I wasn't able to send them out on the right note. And I think I could have played better."

Smith earned the Heisman Trophy after completing 67% of his passes for 2,507 yards and 30 touchdowns with just five interceptions.

While Smith struggled, Leak made his final game as a collegian one to remember. He was 25-of-36 for 213 yards and a touchdown. True freshman Tim Tebow also ran and threw for a touchdown.

Florida last won the national championship in 1996 under Steve Spurrier with a 52-20 triumph over Florida State. This is the first time Florida has simultaneously held the national titles in both men's basketball and football.

"Everybody stepped up tonight," said Gators defensive end Derrick Harvey, who tied a BCS game record with three sacks.

"It took a lot of time and preparation to be able to stop a team that is as good as Ohio State. Everybody came out and played as hard as they could and that is why we are national champions."