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[CNOTES]

USC at Utah
September 21, 2016




When I wrote my column about the 14 coaching changes at FBS programs going into the 2016 campaign, I ranked Southern Cal’s hire of Clay Helton at a nearly last-place No. 13. To date, I haven’t seen anything to deter that notion.


USC (1-2 straight up, 1-2 against the spread) is off to a dreadful start and now has to go on the road on a short week to face Utah on Friday night at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City. As of Tuesday, most books had Utah (3-0 SU, ATS) installed as a three-point home favorite with a total of 46.5 points. The Trojans were +135 on the money line at most spots (risk $100 to win $135).


USC is off a 27-10 loss at Stanford as a 7.5-point underdog. The 37 combined points stayed ‘under’ the 48.5-point total. Max Browne completed 18-of-28 passes for 191 yards, but he was yanked in favor of redshirt freshman Sam Darnold in the second half. Darnold connected on 5-of-7 throws for 45 yards without a touchdown pass and one interception.


Stanford raced out to a 17-3 advantage at intermission behind the play of All-American RB Christian McCaffrey, who finished with 260 all-purpose yards. USC responded with a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped by a one-yard TD run from Ronald Jones to trim the deficit to seven.


However, the Trojans would get no closer. They committed seven of their eight penalties in the first half to stymie otherwise successful drives. Five of those flags were for false starts. Jones and Justin Davis both rushed for 63 yards apiece. JuJu Smith-Schuster, a second-team All-American in 2015, was limited to just three receptions for 34 yards.


For the season, Browne has connected on 55-of-87 passes (63.2%) for 474 yards with a 2/2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. The true junior who is a former five-star recruit had a pair of TD passes in Week 2 when USC thumped Utah State by a 45-7 count as a 16.5-point home favorite. Darnold also saw playing time against the Aggies and it wasn’t just snaps at garbage time.


Darnold found Deontay Burnett for a 13-yard scoring strike to push the Trojans’ lead to 14-0 over Utah State early in the third quarter. He also had a 15-yard TD pass to Smith-Schuster early in the fourth quarter. For the year, Darnold has completed 14-of-22 attempts (63.6%) for 136 yards with a 2/1 TD-INT ratio. Helton has decided to give Darnold his first career start at Utah.


This is the third time USC has had to travel in a four-week stretch. It took a 52-6 shellacking from top-ranked Alabama in the season opener at Jerry World in Arlington, TX. The 1-2 start has Helton now sporting a 7-6 record as a head coach. In four road underdog spots on Helton’s watch, the Trojans are 0-4 both SU and ATS with double-digit defeats in each situation.


The offense has to find more touches for Smith-Schuster, who has only 11 receptions for 99 yards and two TDs. He had 89 catches for 1,454 yards and 10 TDs last season. The offensive line was touted as one of the best in the country coming into the year, but Justin Davis’s team-high 135 rushing yards have come at a meager 3.6 yards-per-carry average.


The USC offense is averaging only 323.0 yards per game, which ranks No. 114 among FBS teams. The Troajns’ 20.3 points-per-game average ranks No. 109.


Utah has collected wins vs. Southern Utah (24-0), vs. BYU (20-19) and at San Jose State (34-17). Kyle Whittingham’s squad covered the number as 13.5-point road favorites in the win over the Spartans. The 51 combined points slipped ‘over’ the 46-point tally thanks to a 46-yard TD pass for San Jose State with 3:45 remaining in the fourth quarter.


Troy Williams completed 20-of-28 passes for 257 yards with one TD and one interception. Tim Patrick had six receptions for 121 yards and one TD, while Cory Butler-Byrd snared five balls for 66 yards. Zach Moss rushed for 95 yards and one TD on 12 attempts, while Armand Shyne ran for 92 yards and one score on 12 carries. Troy McCormick added 61 rushing yards on just seven totes, including a 16-yard TD scamper that put the Utes ahead to stay at 13-10 early in the second quarter.


Utah’s defense smothered the San Jose State ground attack, limiting the Spartans to 56 rushing yards on 32 carries for a 1.8 YPC average. Junior safety Marcus Williams, the team’s leading returning tackler who had 66 stops and five interceptions on his way to earning first-team All Pac-12 honors in 2015, had six tackles and one interception. Senior DE Hunter Dimick had five tackles and two sacks to bring his career sack total to 18.


Utah’s defense was playing without junior DE Kylie Fitts for the first time against San Jose State. Fitts sustained a season-ending injury in the victory over BYU. He already had four tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks through two games. The transfer from UCLA saw his first playing time for the Utes last season when he tallied 41 tackles, seven sacks, one TFL and 10 passes broken up. Also in the injury front, the Utes’ leading returning rusher Joe Williams chose to retire last week. Williams rushed for 477 yards and three TDs in ’15.


Utah currently ranks 13th in the nation in total defense, holding foes to 263.7 yards per game. The Utes are 12th in scoring ‘D,’ giving up only 12.0 PPG.


Williams, the prized juco signee who began his career at Washington, threw three interceptions in the 20-19 win over BYU. The defense picked him up, however, making a stop on the Cougars’ two-point conversion attempt with 18 seconds remaining. Junior LB Sunia Tauteoli was the hero with a pair of interceptions, including a 41-yard pick-six on Taysom Hill in the first half.


For the season, Williams has completed 54-of-86 passes (62.8%) for 723 yards with a 4/4 TD-INT ratio. Patrick has been his favorite target, hauling in 14 receptions for 285 yards and four TDs. McCormick has rushed for a team-best 178 yards and two TDs on 29 carries for a 6.1 YPC average. Moss (6.4 YPC) and Shyne (5.5 YPC) have rushed for 153 and 111 yards, respectively.


Utah is 2-6 in its last eight games as a home favorite, but it is 7-4 ATS in its last 11 outings as single-digit home ‘chalk.’ This is the Pac-12 opener for the Utes, who have a road game at California on deck in Week 5.


When these teams met last year The Coliseum, USC captured a 42-24 win as a 4.5-point home favorite. Jones rushed for 73 yards and one TD, while Smith-Schuster had eight catches for 143 yards and one TD. Cameron Smith, the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team All Pac-12 selection, had three interceptions for 122 return yards, including a 54-yard pick-six. The ‘under’ had gone 5-1 in the six previous head-to-head meetings, but the 66 combined points soared ‘over’ the 57-point total.


Since Utah joined the Pac-12 in 2011, USC has won four of five encounters except for the 2014 game in Salt Lake City, where the Utes won a 24-21 decision as one-point home underdogs.


The ‘under’ is 2-1 overall for USC, 1-0 in its lone true road assignment. Meanwhile, Utah has seen the ‘under’ go 2-1, cashing in both of its home contests.


USC won’t have two starters and could be without another one. OG Toa Lobendahn is out for the season with a knee injury, while LB Osa Masina has been suspended for the rest of the year. DT Noah Jefferson is listed as ‘questionable’ with a shoulder injury.


Two starters for Utah, senior CB Dominique Hatfield and WR Tyrone Smith, both missed the San Jose State game with undisclosed injuries and remain ‘questionable’ this week. Hatfield had four interceptions in ’15, while Smith had 18 catches for 193 yards.


Kickoff is scheduled for Fox Sports 1 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.


**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**


-- There are two other games on tap for Friday night. Southern Methodist is poised to host TCU at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. As of early Wednesday, most books had the Horned Frogs listed as 21-point road favorites with a total of 63.5 points. Gary Patterson’s team is 2-1 SU but winless for our purposes with a 0-3 ATS mark. TCU failed to cover in last week’s 41-20 home win over Iowa State as a 24.5-point home favorite. ISU scored 10 points in the final 6:41 to hit the backdoor cover for its supporters. The ‘over’ improved to 3-0 for the Frogs when the 61 combined points stretched ‘over’ the 60.5-point total thanks to a 30-yard field goal by the Cyclones with 1:29 remaining.


-- TCU’s new starting QB Kenny Hill, a transfer from Texas A&M who at one point in late September of 2014 was considered the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, has rushed for 166 yards and six TD while averaging 6.1 YPC. Hill, the Dallas Southlake Carroll High School product, has completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 1,035 with a 4/3 TD-INT ratio.


-- TCU has limped to a 4-12 spread record in its last 16 games as a road favorite.


-- SMU (2-1 SU, 3-0 ATS) has wins at North Texas (34-21) and vs. Liberty (29-14). In the Mustangs’ lone loss at Baylor (40-13) in Week 2, the game was tied at 6-6 at halftime. The Bears pulled away to win easily in the second half, but they failed to cover as 34.5-point home ‘chalk.’ Chad Morris’s squad lost its starting QB Matt Davis to a season-ending ACL tear following the season opener. Davis, who had a 16/7 TD-INT ratio last year, threw a pair of TD passes and one interception against the Mean Green. Redshirt freshman Ben Hicks has taken over as the starter, but he’s been intercepted five times compared to two TD passes in his two starts.


-- SMU is 1-3 ATS as a home underdog on Morris’s watch to date.


-- In the other Friday game, Wyoming makes a long trip on a short week to take on Eastern Michigan (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS) in Ypsilanti at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on the CBS Sports College Network. As of early Wednesday, the Eagles were three-point home underdogs, while the total was at 63. During Chris Creighton’s three-year tenure at Eastern Michigan, it has compiled a 3-6 spread record in nine games as a home ‘dog. The Eagles bounced back from a 61-21 loss at Missouri to win 37-19 at Charlotte last weekend as 1.5-point road favorites.


-- Wyoming (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) is led by junior RB Brian Hill, a second-team All Mtn. West selection last year when he rushed for 1,631 yards and six TDs while averaging 5.8 YPC. Hill has run for 381 yards and five TDs through the first three games this season. The Cowboys are in their first road ‘chalk’ spot of Craig Bohl’s three-year tenure in this contest.


-- The following teams are 3-0 ATS: Army, Central Michigan, Louisville, Miami, Ohio State, South Florida, Texas A&M, Toledo, Western Michigan, Ball State, Colorado, SMU, BYU and ULM. Stanford is 2-0 ATS, while Navy, Nebraska and Tulane are 2-0-1 versus the number.


-- Texas Tech junior QB Patrick Mahomes leads the nation with 1,493 passing yards. Who is second in the country? That would be Cal’s Davis Webb (1,359), a transfer from Texas Tech. Mahomes and Webb are also 1-2 in the nation in TD passes with 14 and 13, respectively. Webb’s favorite target Chad Hansen paces the country in receiving yards with 546.


-- New Mexico State RB Larry Rose is finally set to make his season debut Saturday at Troy. Rose, the Sun Belt’s Offensive Player of the Year last season when he rushed for 1,651 yards and 14 TDs while averaging 6.9 YPC, has recovering from sports hernia surgery. He also had 30 catches for 283 yards and two TDs in ’15.


-- Colorado LB Derek McCartney is done for the year with a torn ACL. McCartney had 49 tackles, five sacks, 6.5 TFL’s and one interception last season.


-- Oregon starting OT Tyrell Crosby is out for the season with an undisclosed injury. The junior had 24 career starts under his belt. The Ducks will also be without speedy WR Devon Allen for the rest of the season.


-- How fun would it be to drink beers with Jerome from Birmingham from the Finebaum Show? Sign me up.

 

[CNOTES]

CFB BEST BETS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


WYO at EMU 07:30 PM

EMU +5.0


U 61.5


TCU at SMU 08:00 PM


TCU -21.5


U 68.5


USC at UTAH 09:00 PM


USC +2.5


O 45.0

 

[CNOTES]

Hill tosses 2 2nd-half TDs, TCU pulls away from SMU 33-3
September 23, 2016


DALLAS (AP) John Diarse was on his hands and knees in the end zone, trying to catch his breath after the TCU receiver took a hard hit that led to a targeting ejection for SMU safety Darrion Millines.


The junior transfer from LSU was just telling himself to breathe. Once he took care of that, Diarse hooked up with quarterback Kenny Hill on the play that triggered a runaway for the Horned Frogs.


Hill threw for 452 yards and two second-half touchdowns, including a 75-yarder to Diarse on the first play after halftime, and TCU pulled away from the Mustangs 33-3 on Friday night.


Diarse's catch-and-run score on a quick slant came after Millines delivered the second-quarter hit in the end zone after Anthony Rhone's interception in front of him.


Athletic trainers and coach Gary Patterson came out to check on him, but Diarse said he just had the wind knocked out of him.


''We always talk about if you get hit, it's about how you get back up and how you finish,'' Diarse said. ''That was my whole mindset for the rest of the game, finish, finish, finish, make up for it.''


Diarse came back later in the second quarter to catch a 23-yard pass on the drive to a field goal that put TCU ahead for good in a fifth straight victory over the Mustangs and the 15th win in the past 17 meetings between the crosstown rivals.


It was the second straight week for a career high in yards receiving for the 6-foot-1, 209-pound Diarse, who had 139 yards on six catches.


''A lot of guys would have taken that hit in the end zone, they'd have been out for the ballgame,'' Patterson said. ''The thing about John is he gives you a big body. He's a wide receiver, but he's kind of like a tight end body.''


SMU (2-2) played a touchdown-free first half against a high-scoring Big 12 team for the second time this season, trailing 6-3 at the half following a 6-6 halftime tie against No. 16 Baylor in Waco two weeks ago. The Bears went on to a 40-13 win.


The Horned Frogs (3-1) scored touchdowns on their first two possessions after halftime, the second on Hill's perfect fade pass to Jaelan Austin from the 2 for a 20-3 lead. The second score came on a 12-play drive after the quick strike to Diarse.


''Immediately it energizes everybody,'' Hill, who was 31 of 45 passing, said of the long touchdown. ''On the sideline, it was kind of dead. Everybody was in it, but it was kinda dead and we hit that play and everybody just sparked up.''


TCU kicked four field goals, two each from Brandon Hatfield and Ryan Graf, who just cleared the crossbar on a career-long 46-yarder.


THE TAKEAWAY


TCU: The Horned Frogs, who opened the season at No. 13, were less than impressive in all three nonconference games. After leading by just four points early in the fourth quarter of a 59-41 victory against lower-division South Dakota State in the opener, TCU trailed by 13 points in the fourth quarter of a double-overtime loss to Arkansas. Even with a 21-point home win over Iowa State in the Big 12 opener, the Frogs look vulnerable with tougher league foes awaiting.


SMU: The Mustangs don't have much to show for another strong first-half performance against a Big 12 team, instead seeing their losing streak against that conference reach 23 games dating to a victory over Kansas in the 2000 opener. But SMU figures to be much more competitive in the American Athletic Conference a year after going 1-7 in league play and giving up 51 points per game in the losses.


UP NEXT


TCU: The Horned Frogs return to Big 12 play against No. 25 Oklahoma at home next Saturday. TCU entered the weekend as the only 1-0 team in conference play.


SMU: The Mustangs open American Athletic Conference play at Temple next Saturday, the first of consecutive league games on the road.

 

[CNOTES]

Eastern Michigan beats Wyoming 27-24 amid protest
September 23, 2016


YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) Protesters gathered near an end zone and marched on the field after Eastern Michigan's 27-24 victory over Wyoming on Friday night, three days after racial graffiti was found spray painted on a campus building.


The students sat peacefully and talked to EMU President James Smith late in the third quarter. They moved outside the end zone area in the closing moments before walking onto the field chanting, ''No justice! No peace!'' A Wyoming player joined them for a few moments.


The national anthem was played early while the teams were off the field, with the university citing safety and security concerns.


The graffiti was found Tuesday and included the letters ''KKK'' and a racial epithet. School officials say another racial slur was found Wednesday in a stairwell. Authorities also are investigating after an SUV pushed through a crowd protesting the graffiti Tuesday.


Eastern Michigan (3-1) rallied to win, taking the lead on Ian Eriksen's 15-yard run with 1:35 left.


Brogan Robach, last year's starting quarterback, guided the winning four-play, 47-yard drive in his first action after being suspended for the start of the season. Eriksen, who had 120 yards on 27 carries, scored untouched on a draw play .


Wyoming (2-2) held the lead most of the game, opening the scoring when Marcus Epps intercepted Todd Porter's pass and returned it 66 yards midway through the first quarter. The Cowboys took a 24-20 lead with 12:45 to go when Logan Wilson returned Porter's interception 27 yards.


''The secondary is playing more explosive,'' Wyoming coach Craig Bohl said. ''It is very encouraging to see their play develop.''


After the Cowboys built a 17-3 lead, the Eagles, off to their best start since going 3-1 in 1995, tied it at 17 by the half. Breck Turner went 50 yards for his first career score, and Porter found John Niupalau for a 7-yard score 18 seconds before intermission.


Jeremiah Harris blocked a Wyoming field goal attempt in the final minute of the third quarter.


''It was a hard fought game and we knew we were evenly matched,'' Bohl said, ''We had good things happen, but had also had some things happen that need to be corrected.''

 

[CNOTES]

Williams leads No. 24 Utah to 31-27 rally over USC
September 23, 2016


SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Troy Williams threw for 270 yards and two touchdown and ran for another score in No. 24 Utah's 31-27 comeback victory over Southern California on Friday night.


The Utes came back in a spectacular fashion with Tim Patrick catching an 18-yard touchdown pass at the pylon with 16 seconds remaining to cap a 15-play, 93-yard drive. Williams had his third 100-yard receiving game of the season.


The Trojans controlled most of the game and had a 27-17 fourth-quarter lead, but Utah (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) scored 14 straight points. USC fell to 1-3 for the first time since 2001.


Utah attempted to control the game on the ground early against the No. 98 run defense in the country, but USC tightened up and forced the Utes to win through the air.


USC's Sam Darnold threw for 253 yards and ran for a touchdown in his first career start after replacing Sam Browne.


THE TAKEAWAY


USC: The Trojans are in serious trouble. There were already whispers that coach Clay Helton was on the hot seat, but blowing a 10-point lead in the final quarter may solidify that. Darnold was an upgrade, but USC is now 0-2 in conference.


UTAH: Friday was the first true test for the Utes and they passed - barely. The run game started hot with 132 yards in the first half, but faded fast and continued to have ball control issues with two fumbles. The defense allowed the most yards it has all season (466), but bowed up in the fourth quarter when the team absolutely needed it.


UP NEXT


USC: The Trojans return home to host Arizona State (3-0, 0-0) in a Pac-12 South showdown October 1.


UTAH: The Utes travel to face California (2-1, 0-0) in Pac-12 action on October 1.

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY'S NIGHT RESULTS: 5 - 1


WLT PCT UNITS


ATS Picks 88-77-5 53.33% +1650


O/U Picks 30-35-1 46.15% -4250

 

[CNOTES]

Saturday's SEC Action
September 23, 2016



**Florida at Tennessee**


-- Another critical SEC East showdown between Florida and Tennessee will be one of the highlights of a Saturday card in late September once again. The Volunteers will be looking to snap an 11-game losing streak against the Gators, who have dominated the series since the early 1990s. As of early Friday morning, most betting shops had Tennessee (3-0 straight up, 1-2 against the spread) listed as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 43 points. UF was available on the money line for a sweet +200 return (risk $100 to win $200). For first-half wagers, UT was a 3.5-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 21.5.


-- Florida (3-0 SU, 1-2 ATS) won’t have starting quarterback Luke Del Rio for this trip to Neyland Stadium. Del Rio suffered a sprained MCL in last week’s 32-0 win over North Texas. The sophomore will be out for 2-3 weeks but could return for an Oct. 8 home date vs. LSU. Del Rio had completed 62-of-101 passes (61%) for 762 yards with a 6/2 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Austin Appleby will get his 12th career start and Jim McElwain has implied that both true freshmen QBs will be ready to play. Appleby spent parts of the 2014 and 2015 seasons as Purdue’s starter, lending credence to the notion that his mediocre numbers aren’t necessarily a reflection of how well he’ll play with much more talent around him at UF. Appleby threw for 2,767 yards with a 19/19 TD-INT ratio for the Boilermakers.


-- I went to the spring game and came away extremely impressed with Kyle Trask, the two-star recruit out of Texas. Listed at 6’4” and 230 pounds, Trask stands tall in the pocket, has a rocket for an arm and moves well. If a true freshman sees action, I think it’ll be Trask ahead of Wakulla High School product Feleipe Franks, a four-star recruit. Franks was intercepted three times during the Orange and Blue Game. Trask didn’t start his senior season after getting injured before the season opener. His high school coach didn’t want to mess with team chemistry when Trask returned because the starter, who signed with Houston, was playing well. But Trask is the real deal and gamblers shouldn’t be surprised if he gets on the field Saturday in Knoxville.


-- McElwain has utilized a rotation of four different RBs in juco transfer Mark Thompson, true freshman Lamical Perine and sophomores Jordan Scarlett and Jordan Cronkrite. Scarlett has rushed 33 times for 175 yards and two TDs, while Thompson has produced 166 yards and two TDs on 32 carries. Perine has the best yards-per-carry average of the bunch (5.5 YPC), turning 29 attempts into 161 yards and one score. He also has a pair of catches for 65 yards and one TD. Cronkrite has 80 rushing yards and one TD on 17 totes.


-- Florida sophomore WR Antonio Callaway will return to the lineup after resting a quad injury in the win over the Mean Green. In UF’s first two games, Callaway had 13 receptions for 201 yards and two TDs. The word out of Gainesville is that Callaway would’ve played this past weekend if Tennessee had been the opponent. The hero of last year’s UT game has 290 all-purpose yards on 21 touches. Callaway is a problem for the Vols, who won’t have their best cover corner to defend him. Senior CB Cam Sutton broke a bone in his ankle during the first half of Saturday’s 28-19 win over Ohio. Sutton, a second-team All-American as a punt returner last year, is out for what Butch Jones said is an “extended period of time.”


-- Florida leads the nation in total defense through three games, giving up only 129.7 yards per contest. This unit is led by a pair of All-American candidates in LB Jarrad Davis and safety Marcus Maye, who has 14 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one pass broken up and one interception. Davis has a team-best 18 stops, two sacks, two TFL’s, one pass broken up and one QB hurry. Junior LB Alex Anzalone has spent most of his time at UF sidelined by injuries, but he’s healthy now and displaying the talent that made him a five-star recruit. Anzalone has 14 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.5 TFL’s, one PBU and one QB hurry.


-- Tennessee received a ton of preseason hype but has yet to live up to that billing. In its season opener at home against Appalachian St. from out of the Sun Belt Conference, Jones’s squad trailed 13-3 at halftime. The Vols were fortunate to force overtime since the Mountaineers missed an extra point in the first half and had a 42-yard field goal in the fourth quarter sail wide right. On its first possession of the extra session on third and goal, senior QB Josh Dobbs scrambled to his right and jumped in the air in an attempt to score. As he tried to reach the ball toward the plane of the end zone, he was stuck by an App. St. defender and fumbled into the end zone. Once again, fortune was on UT’s side as junior RB Jalen Hurd recovered the ball for a TD. When UT batted away a fourth down pass into the end zone moments later, it escaped with a 20-13 non-covering win as a 21.5-point home ‘chalk.’ Hurd rushed for 110 yards and one TD on 28 attempts, while Jeff Malone had two receptions for 85 yards, including a critical 67-yard TD catch to tie the game with 10:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.


-- In Week 2, Tennessee fell behind 14-0 to Virginia Tech in the opening quarter of the ‘Battle at Bristol’ in front of the largest crowd in NCAA history. This time, however, UT responded with authority and scored 24 unanswered points to take a 24-14 advantage to intermission. The Vols would eventually capture a 45-24 triumph as 11-point favorites. The 69 combined points soared ‘over’ the 52.5-point total. Dobbs threw three TD passes and rushed 14 times for 106 yards and two more scores. Hurd rushed for 99 yards on 22 carries, while Malone had a pair of receptions for 46 yards and one TD.


-- UT was in a vintage sandwich spot last weekend with UF on deck following the huge event at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Ohio Bobcats came to Knoxville as 27-point underdogs and easily covered the number. In fact, UT was locked into a one-possession game in the fourth quarter until Dobbs found Malone for a 20-yard scoring strike to extend the lead to 28-19, which was the eventual final. The Vols never trailed but they never led by more than nine points, either. The 47 combined points stayed ‘under’ the 57.5-point tally. Dobbs completed 19-of-27 passes for 203 yards and two TDs with one interception. He also rushed for 59 yards and one TD on 14 totes. Malone had five grabs for 69 yards and a pair of TDs.


-- For the season, Dobbs has connected on 45-of-75 throws (60%) for 486 yards with a 6/3 TD-INT ratio. He has rushed for 161 yards and three TDs on 37 carries for a 4.4 YPC average. Hurd has rushed for a team-best 270 yards and two TDs while averaging 4.2 YPC. Malone has team-highs in catches (9), receiving yards (196) and TD grabs (4).


-- Not only will UT be without Sutton vs. UF, but it will also be missing starting sophomore Darrin Kirkland, who had 66 tackles, three sacks, three TFL’s, one interception and five QB hurries as freshman in 2015. Two other key players, OL Chance Hall (knee) and DE LaTroy Lewis (ankle), are listed as ‘questionable.’ On the bright side, All-SEC LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder) is ‘probable’ after leaving the Ohio game without returning.


-- Tennessee has failed to cover the spread in a pair of home ‘chalk’ situations this year and has limped to an abysmal 7-16 ATS record in its last 23 such spots. On the flip side, the Gators own a 6-2-1 spread record with four outright victories in their last nine games as road underdogs.


-- This is the first time these teams have both been ranked since the 2006 meeting when true freshman QB Tim Tebow battled his way to a crucial first down on a 4th-and-inches play that was the catalyst during the game-winning drive in a 21-20 UF win at Neyland.


-- UF is 6-2-1 ATS in the last eight games against Tennessee. The Gators took the cash as one-point home ‘dogs in last year’s 28-27 win at The Swamp. UT led 26-14 after Hurd scored on a 10-yard TD scamper with 10:19 remaining. However, Jones inexplicably elected to go for the extra point rather than a two-point conversion. The unfathomable decision would end up costing his team. With 4:09 left, the Gators cut the deficit to 27-21 on a five-yard TD pass from Will Grier to Brandon Powell. After getting a stop, UF faced a 4th-and-14 play from its own 37 with just over 90 seconds to play. Grier found Callaway for the first-down yardage, but then the true freshman decided to get greedy. He backtracked and ran to the sidelines where he turned the corner and beat the UT secondary to the end zone. UT’s 55-yard FG attempt as time expired was wide right. It was the second straight season UF rallied from a two-possession deficit in the fourth quarter to beat UT. The Gators trailed 9-0 in 2014 until the defense and a few plays from true freshman QB Treon Harris sparked them to a 10-9 come-from-behind victory.


-- The ‘over’ has cashed at a 5-1 clip in the last six head-to-head meetings between these schools.


-- Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS.

**LSU at Auburn**


-- You talk about a pair of head coaches in dire need of a victory! Man, my Auburn neighbor was at Jordan-Hare this past Saturday and explained how the boo-birds were out in force for Gus Malzahn and his pedestrian offense for basically the entire game. In my SEC preview back in July, I laid out my case for Auburn to go ‘under’ its win total of seven. I certainly don’t wish a pink slip on anyone, including Malzahn, but I explained how there was really no way around it if AU struggled to get a bowl bid this year. If AU can’t get it done on Saturday night vs. LSU, the ‘under’ and Malzahn’s eventual dismissal will appear to be a foregone conclusion. First of all, everyone with a clue realizes that Auburn pulls the trigger on a coaching change in football quicker than any other school in the nation. Secondly, look at what’s left on the schedule. Remember, Auburn hasn’t gone on the road yet. After hosting ULM next weekend, AU goes to Starkville where a Mississippi St. team will be waiting for it after enjoying an open date. There are road dates remaining in Oxford, Athens and Tuscaloosa, not to mention a home game vs. still-unbeaten Arkansas. And hey, don’t sleep on Vandy, which comes to The Plains with two weeks to prepare on Nov. 5 when Malzahn’s troops will be off a game at Ole Miss with at Georgia on deck. With all that said, if Auburn can find a path to victory vs. LSU, it goes to Starkville with a 3-2 record. With a win over Dan Mullen’s club, it would improve to 4-2 and have two weeks to prep for a home game against the Razorbacks. This is life for an SEC coach on the hot seat these days.


-- LSU’s Les Miles is in a similar boat as Malzahn. He was nearly dismissed last year and came under heavy scrutiny yet again following a 16-14 season-opening loss to Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The criticism was similar to what Miles has faced regularly for years: vanilla offensive play-calling and ineffective QB play. The Badgers won outright as 12.5-point underdogs thanks to a defense that forced three turnovers and limited the Tigers to only 257 yards of total offense. Brandon Harris was intercepted twice and threw for only 131 yards.


-- When Harris struggled early in a Week 2 home game vs. Jacksonville State, he was yanked in favor of Purdue transfer Danny Etling, who helped his team to a 34-13 non-covering win as a 28-point home ‘chalk.’ Etling’s numbers weren’t great, but the offense functioned better with him under center. He completed 6-of-14 passes for 100 yards with one TD and one interception. He also ran for a score. Fournette left the game early with a mild ankle sprain, so Derrius Guice stepped in and rushed for 155 yards and one TD on 19 totes.


-- In its SEC opener at Tiger Stadium last weekend, LSU held off a furious late fourth-quarter rally from Mississippi St. to preserve a 23-20 win. However, the Bulldogs’ 17-0 run in the second half resulted in a backdoor cover as 13-point underdogs. The 43 combined points dipped ‘under’ the 47-point total. LSU raced out to a 20-0 lead before both teams traded field goal late in the second quarter to make it 23-3 at halftime. Etling connected on 19-of-30 attempts for 215 yards and one TD without an interception. Fournette rushed for 147 yards and a pair of scored on 28 carries.


-- LSU has a pair of starting offensive linemen listed as ‘questionable’ at Auburn. OT Toby Weathersby (ankle) and OG Josh Boutte (knee) both left the win over MSU with injuries.


-- As of early Friday, most books had LSU (2-1 SU, 0-3 ATS) listed as a 3.5-point favorite with a total of 45.5 points. Malzahn’s team was +145 on the money line, while the Bayou Bengals were favored by two and the total was 23 for first-half bets.


-- Auburn (1-2 SU, 2-1 ATS) took the cash as a 7.5-point home underdog in its 19-13 season-opening loss to Clemson. Kevin Steele’s defense kept AU in the game the whole way by forcing a pair of turnovers and limiting Clemson to 399 yards of total offense. However, Malzahn used three different QBs and the offense could muster only 262 total yards. Auburn was an atrocious 3-for-17 on third down.


-- In Week 2, Auburn covered the number again in a 51-14 win over Arkansas State as a 20.5-point home favorite. The offense came alive with 706 yards against the Red Wolves. Sean White went the distance and completed 17-of-23 throws for 244 yards and three TDs without an interception. Kamryn Pettway produced 152 rushing yards on 15 carries, while Kerryon Johnson ran for 124 yards and two TDs on 18 attempts. Tony Stevens hauled in four receptions for 75 yards, including TD grabs from eight and 24 yards out.


-- Auburn limped its way through last week’s SEC opener, a 29-16 home loss to Texas A&M as a one-point favorite. The Tigers were favored by 3.5 or four for most of the week, but a surge of action on the Aggies had the number moving south all of Saturday afternoon. The 45 combined points dropped ‘under’ the 55.5-point tally. White completed 18-of-27 passes but for just 126 yards. He was pulled in the second half in favor of juco transfer John Franklin III, who connected on 4-of-8 throws for only 37 yards. Franklin, who is a dynamic runner, had 47 rushing yards on nine attempts. Pettway ran for 123 yards and one TD on 20 carries.


-- LSU is mired in a 3-8 ATS slump in its last 11 games as a road favorite.


-- Auburn owns a 3-2 spread record with a pair of outright victories in five games as a home underdog during Malzahn’s tenure.


-- LSU has beaten Auburn in seven of the last nine head-to-head meetings, but Auburn is 5-4 ATS during this span. The Tigers won a 45-21 decision as six-point home favorites last season when Leonard Fournette exploded for 228 rushing yards and three TDs on 19 carries. The 66 combined points jumped ‘over’ the 50-point total.


-- ESPN will provide the broadcast at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**


-- Before we delve into any other SEC nuggets, let’s just take a moment to recognize last week’s Ole Miss-Alabama barn burner in Oxford. What a wild-as-hell football game! The Rebels raced out to a 24-3 lead thanks to a 44-yard scoop and score from John Youngblood with 2:47 to play in the second quarter. However, Alabama struck back fast with a six-yard TD run from Calvin Ridley just 37 seconds later. Then with 1:05 left until halftime, Eddie Jackson returned an Ole Miss punt 85 yards for a TD to trim the deficit to seven at intermission. Another defensive score pulled Alabama even in the third quarter before both teams traded field goals. The Crimson Tide went ahead for good on a Bo Scarbrough one-yard plunge into the end zone with 16 ticks left in the third quarter. Nick Saban’s bunch would go ahead 48-30 on a Jonathan Allen 75-yard pick-six with 5:28 remaining. Game, set, match, right? Wrong. Chad Kelly found Damore’ea Stringfellow for a five-yard scoring strike with 2:59 left. Eight seconds later after an onside kick, Kelly found A.J. Brown for a 37-yard TD pass. With three timeouts left, Ole Miss didn’t even have to attempt another onside kick, but it was unable to stop Alabama and get the ball back (even though it had a great chance when Alabama fumbled, only to recover its own mishap).


-- How easy did Ole Miss and Mississippi State make those successful onside kicks look late in the fourth quarter last week? And then how about the super-quick TDs to follow? Hell, both teams scored so fast they didn’t even need to attempt a second onside kick. We should also acknowledge that both onside kicks led to backdoor covers for the Rebels and Bulldogs.


-- Sportsbook.ag updated its odds to win the SEC earlier this week. I’m not sure how Texas A&M has much longer odds than LSU, Tennessee and Georgia. Likewise, I’m stunned that UF’s odds are so much longer compared to UT and UGA. In other words, I believe A&M and UF have the best value. Here are those odds:


Alabama +110 ‘chalk’ (risk $100 to win $110)
LSU +325
Georgia +750
Texas A&M 10/1
Florida 15/1
Ole Miss 20/1
Arkansas 25/1
Auburn 40/1
Missouri 250/1
Mississippi St. 300/1
Vanderbilt 300/1
South Carolina 300/1
Kentucky 500/1


-- As of early Friday, most books had Ole Miss listed as a seven-point home favorite vs. Georgia. The total was 62, while the Dawgs were +240 on the money line (risk $100 to win $240). Where is the Rebels’ psyche after losing a pair of games in which it led by margins of 22 and 21 points in the first half? Who knows? To any notion that fatigue could be a factor for the Rebels, I would throw that out the window because UGA has played three consecutive close games. The Bulldogs rallied to top UNC in the opener at the Ga. Dome in Atlanta. Next, it narrowly escaped with a 26-24 home win over Nicholls, an FCS school. Then at Missouri last week, Kirby Smart’s club captured a 28-27 win thanks to a 20-yard TD pass from true freshman QB Jacob Eason to Isaiah McKenzie on a 4th-and-10 play with 1:29 remaining. Eason finished with 308 passing yards and three TDs compared to only one interception.


-- Kelly, the Rebels’ senior signal caller, has a 10/3 TD-INT ratio. He leads the SEC in QB rating (164.2) and is second in passing yards (953).


-- As of early Friday morning, most spots had Texas A&M (3-0 SU, 3-0 ATS) installed as a six-point favorite with a total of 49. The Razorbacks were +195 on the money line. The Aggies have collected wins vs. UCLA (31-24 in OT), vs. Prairie View (67-0) and at Auburn (29-16). Kevin Sumlin’s squad has won four in a row over the Hogs, including back-to-back victories in overtime.


-- Arkansas (3-0 SU, 2-1) has a 3-0-1 spread record with a pair of outright victories in four games played at a neutral venue since Bret Bielema took over in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks routed Texas State by a 42-3 count as 28-point home favorites last week. They had to rally in the fourth quarter to a 21-20 home win over La. Tech and a 40-37 overtime win at TCU in Week 2.


-- Arkansas has to be pleased with the play of new starting QB Austin Allen, who is filling the large shoes left behind by his older brother. Brandon was a three-year starter who is currently on the Jacksonville Jaguars roster. Austin has been sharp in his first three career starts, connecting on 53-of-79 throws (67.1%) for 655 yards with a 7/2 TD-INT ratio. He probably has the nation’s most underrated group of WRs led by Keon Hatcher and Drew Morgan. Hatcher has 11 receptions for 204 yards and two TDs, while Morgan has 15 catches for 168 yards and one TD. TE Jeremy Sprinkle, who is also replacing a stud in San Diego Chargers TE Hunter Henry, has nine receptions for 97 yards and three TDs, including the game winner late in the fourth quarter against Louisiana Tech in the opener.


-- Missouri QB Drew Lock is tops in the SEC in passing yards with 1,106. The Tigers, who covered the number as seven-point home ‘dogs in the loss to UGA, host Delaware St. this weekend and have a trip to LSU on deck.


-- Vandy junior RB Ralph Webb leads the SEC with 377 rushing yards. The Commodores, who are 1-2 following a 38-7 loss at Ga. Tech last week, are 7.5-point ‘dogs Saturday at Western Ky. They’ll be looking to avenge a 14-12 home loss in the season opener last year. Vandy is 6-5 ATS as a road ‘dog on Derek Mason’s watch.


-- Kentucky and South Carolina are poised to collide in Lexington at 7:30 p.m. Eastern on the SEC Network. The Wildcats were favored by 2.5 early Friday morning, while the total was at 59. The ‘over’ has cashed at a 3-0 clip for UK, while the Gamecocks have watched the ‘under’ go 3-0.

 

[CNOTES]

Improved South Florida excited to face No. 13 Florida State
September 23, 2016


TAMPA, Fla. (AP) South Florida's Willie Taggart rejects the notion that facing Florida State is his team's biggest challenge of the season.


The fourth-year coach understands what upsetting the 13th-ranked Seminoles could mean for the national perception of his program, however he insists the Bulls are approaching the Saturday matchup as they do every game on their schedule.


''When things were tough and it was hard to win around here, you had to find ways to motivate your guys to go out and try to win a game,'' against tradition-rich opponents such as Florida State, said Taggart, who has resurrected a program that fell on hard times after climbing as high as No. 2 in the country in 2007.


''With our team now, I don't think we have to do those things. Our guys understand what it takes to win ball games.''


Nevertheless, beating the Seminoles (2-1) on national television could go a long way toward catapulting the high-scoring Bulls (3-0) toward a spot in the Top 25 for the first time under Taggart.


Florida State is coming off a 63-20 loss to Louisville, which cost it the No. 2 ranking and perhaps any realistic shot the three-time national champions have of winding up in this season's college football playoff.


South Florida, meanwhile, is off to its best start since 2011 and has won 10 of 12 games since last year's 1-3 start that included a 34-14 loss to Florida State in Tallahassee.


''Only lost, what, two games since we played them? They're very good,'' Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher said. '' Physical up front. Inside guys. Big, strong. ... We recruited a lot of their guys. Dynamic. Playmakers. ... They're a good team.''


Taggart expects FSU to rebound from the most lopsided loss in school history with a solid performance.


''Everybody had them rated No. 2 for a reason,'' the South Florida coach said, adding the Bulls are aren't looking to take a page out of Louisville's playbook to upend the Seminoles, who have not lost consecutive games since 2011, when they dropped three straight to Oklahoma, Clemson and Wake Forest.


''I think that's exactly how you get yourself beat, trying to do like someone else. We're not going to try to be like Louisville. We're going to try to be better at what we do,'' Taggart said. ''We still feel like we haven't played our best ball. It'll be a great time to do it.''


Some things to know about the Seminoles and Bulls, who are meeting the fourth time. FSU leads the series 2-1.


CLOSING IN: South Florida RB Marlon Mack is 137 yards shy of becoming the Bulls' career rushing leader. He led the American Athletic Conference in rushing the past two seasons and is averaging 9.6 yards per carry after gaining 115 yards on nine attempts and scoring two touchdowns in last week's 45-20 win at Syracuse.

TIME TO COOK: Seminoles RB Dalvin Cook ran for a career-best 266 yards and had three TDs in last year's game. In the first three games this season he has only 226 yards, two touchdowns and only one carry over 20 yards. Coach Jimbo Fisher says there is nothing wrong with Cook, but the junior can put those doubts partially to rest with a big game against the Bulls.

REVVED UP: South Florida's so-called ''Gulf Coast Offense'' has been virtually unstoppable since hitting its stride late last season. The Bulls have averaged 532.1 yards and 48.1 points over their last seven games. They're averaging 49.7 points through three games this year, with QB Quinton Flowers and WR Rodney Adams joining Mack as playmakers Florida State must be concerned with.

CAN FRANCOIS REBOUND? Florida State QB Deondre Francois looked like a freshman last week with his decision making. He has done a nice job not locking into one receiver but has already been hit 17 times the first three games. Some of that is due to the offensive line but others can be attributed to holding on to the ball too long. Francois must be quicker in his second and third reads or just get rid of the ball.

INJURY BUG: The Seminoles will be without LB Josh Sweat for a couple weeks after the sophomore had knee surgery. Freshman Brian Burns, who had two sacks and three tackles for loss two weeks ago against Charleston Southern, will move into the starting lineup. The defense is already struggling with safety Derwin James (knee) out, will Sweat's absence also affect them as they have struggled against the run?

 

[CNOTES]

Spartans, Badgers set for early Big Ten showdown
September 23, 2016


EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) The Michigan State-Wisconsin rivalry was just getting good when the matchup disappeared from the Big Ten schedule for a bit.


In 2011, the Spartans beat the Badgers on a Hail Mary on the final play, but Wisconsin won a thrilling rematch in the Big Ten championship game. Michigan State beat the Badgers in overtime in 2012, but the teams haven't faced each other since.


The eighth-ranked Spartans finally renew their series with 11th-ranked Wisconsin on Saturday - their first meeting in East Lansing since that Hail Mary. Both teams already have notable wins this season - Michigan State over Notre Dame and Wisconsin over LSU.


''Wisconsin is a lot like us in a lot of ways - big game against LSU. We've had very exciting games with them,'' Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. ''Both programs have been very successful I think in the last number of years.''


Forget Michigan, Nebraska and even Ohio State. Over the past six seasons, it's been Michigan State and Wisconsin that have won most of the Big Ten titles in football. The Spartans and Badgers each have three conference championships since 2010, the year they both tied for the title.


Ohio State's Big Ten title in 2014 was the only time in that six-year span that neither Michigan State nor Wisconsin won at least a share of the championship.


No matter who wins Saturday, this year's Big Ten race is just getting started. The Badgers (3-0) are beginning a brutal five-game stretch that includes games against Michigan State (2-0), Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska.


''We did a great job of putting ourselves in this position, handling our business,'' Wisconsin tight end Troy Fumagalli said. ''This is why you play here, you want to play in these games against great opponents from here on out really. Just embrace it, enjoy it.''


Here are a few things to watch when the Spartans host the Badgers:


QB DECISION: Alex Hornibrook will start for Wisconsin at quarterback after Bart Houston started the first three games. Hornibrook, a redshirt freshman, helped jump-start the offense in the second half last week in a 23-17 win over Georgia State. He relieved Houston midway through the third quarter and led three scoring drives.

SHAKY SECONDARIES: Wisconsin's front seven leads one of the nation's top defenses, with LBs T.J. Watt and Vince Biegel powering the pass rush off the edge. But keep an eye on the secondary, which is adjusting to the loss of CB Natrell Jamerson to a leg injury.


Michigan State has issues of its own in the secondary after Notre Dame had success throwing deep in last weekend's game.

ON THE GROUND: Wisconsin RBs Corey Clement (left ankle) and Taiwan Deal (right ankle) are listed as questionable for Saturday's game. Clement missed last week's win after getting hurt in Week 2 against Akron.


The Spartans rolled up 260 yards rushing last weekend behind LJ Scott and Gerald Holmes.


DEPTH: Michigan State LB Jon Reschke had a forced fumble and an interception against Notre Dame. His emergence has made it easier for the Spartans to bring LB Ed Davis back slowly. Davis missed all of last season with a knee injury, and it wasn't until earlier this month that the NCAA granted him an extra year of eligibility for 2016.

HONORING SADLER: Mike Sadler, the former Michigan State punter who died in a car crash in late July, is part of an eight-member class entering the school's athletics Hall of Fame this year. The incoming class will be recognized during Saturday's game.

 

[CNOTES]

Cal and Arizona State expected to put on offensive show
September 23, 2016


TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) Sonny Dykes brought an offense with him to California that rolls up yards and points in bunches.


On Saturday, the Bears will face another light-up-the-scoreboard team in Arizona State, setting up the kind of game fans love.


The coaches, not so much.


''I'd love to win one 3-2 if I could,'' Dykes said. ''If it's 70-63, that's not as much fun probably in some ways, but we'll take that one as well. I guess it's all in your perspective. Fans would probably have more fun at the 70-63 game, where coaches might have more fun at the 3-2 game.''


The Bears (2-1) are rolling to start the season, averaging 47 points while ranking second nationally in passing offense (453 yards per game) and third in total offense (580.3). Quarterback Davis Webb has been a more-than-able replacement for Jared Goff after transferring from Texas Tech, entering Saturday's game with 1,359 yards and 13 touchdowns passing.


Arizona State (3-0) has been shaky on defense, allowing 55 points and 540 yards passing in its win against Texas Tech alone, so Webb and the Bears could have another big game.


But the Sun Devils also have a similarly explosive offense, capable of keeping up with nearly anyone.


Arizona State scored 68 points to outlast the Red Raiders and enters Saturday ninth nationally with 48 points per game. The Sun Devils play fast and will likely have it in an even higher gear in opening Pac-12 play at home.


''We know that we are going to be up against one of the top offenses in the country and our guys are going to get ready for the challenge,'' Graham said.


A few more things to look for when Arizona State hosts Cal on Saturday night:


WILKINS' RIDE: Manny Wilkins won a tight battle to be Arizona State's starting quarterback. He's handled the role well. The dual-threat sophomore has been adept at orchestrating the Sun Devils' offense


FINDING HANSEN: Webb has quickly found chemistry with receiver Chad Hansen. The Cal junior leads the nation in receptions (40) and receiving yards (546), while tying for the lead with five touchdown catches. A big receiver at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Hansen is a load for any defensive back trying to cover him and is not afraid of trash talk, mocking a Texas defensive back with a ''Hook `em Horns'' sign after scoring what ended up being the decisive touchdown against Texas last weekend.

NUMBERS: Cal is playing at Arizona State for the first time since 2007. ... A win would give Arizona State its first 4-0 start since 2007 and just its fifth since 1976. ... The Bears allow 39.7 points per game, 117th in the FBS. ... The Sun Devils have 13 rushing TDs this season after having 19 in all of 2015. Kalen Ballage had seven of those in one game on his way to the NCAA record of eight overall TDs against Texas Tech.

 

[CNOTES]

Syracuse travels to meet former Big East rival UConn
September 23, 2016


STORRS, Conn. (AP) Former Big East foes UConn and Syracuse meet Saturday for the first time since 2012.


And while a matchup of the two national basketball powers once elicited excitement on campus no matter the sport, it's being treated this week as just another non-conference game.


''Is it really still a rivalry?'' asked UConn coach Bob Diaco, who is in his third year in Storrs. ''You guys have a much better perspective of that than I do here. I think it's an exciting matchup of local-like teams and universities.''


It's also a matchup of vastly contrasting styles.


UConn (2-1) is a methodical team that runs about 66 plays a game and puts up an average of 330 yards of offense. It wants to win games by controlling field position and time of possession. It is built, Diaco said, to keep games close. The Huskies' three games this season have been decided by a total of 10 points.


Syracuse (1-2), under first-year-coach Dino Babers, runs the fastest-paced offense in college football, with an average of 93 snaps and 505 yards offense. They ran a school-record 105 plays a week ago.


''It's like defending two games,'' Diaco said.


The Orange, who will be playing their first road game this season, are trying to bounce back from back-to-back double-digit losses Louisville (62-28) and South Florida (45-20).


''As we grow together, we'll get better and better at it,'' said Babers.


Here are some other things to watch for as UConn hosts Syracuse:


DOG TIRED


Diaco said he's concerned that Syracuse's hurry-up tempo could be dangerous if he is unable to get fatigued defenders off the field. He said there is nothing he can do tactically to slow down the pace of the game and would never coach a player to fake an injury just to stop play. But he said exhaustion is a real possibility if his team is unable to substitute. Mikal Myers, UConn's 325-pound defensive tackle, said he and his teammates feel they are physically ready for the challenge. Strength and conditioning coach Matt Balis ''kills us all summer, so hopefully in translates to the game on Saturday,'' he said.

RECEIVERS


The game features two of the nation's top wide receivers. Syracuse's Amba Etta-Tawo , a graduate transfer from Maryland, has 28 catches for 436 yards and three touchdowns. He leads the Atlantic Coast Conference and ranks third nationally in receiving yards per game (145.3), and his 9.3 receptions per game are tied for fourth in the Football Bowl Subdivision. UConn's Noel Thomas has 26 catches (seventh nationally) for 277 yards. No other Husky receiver has more than seven catches.

BABERS-QUARTERBACK SUCCESS


Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey is has already thrown for 960 yards this season. He's hoping to follow in the footsteps of other signal callers who have done well in Babers' high-octane offense. One of those guys is Jimmy Garoppolo. The New England Patriots quarterback played under Babers at Eastern Illinois, where he threw for 8,873 yards and 84 touchdowns over two seasons.


GOING FOR IT


Syracuse has attempted to convert nine fourth downs already this season and has been successful five times. The Orange have punted the ball 19 times. UConn is 3 for 3 in fourth-down conversion attempts.


SERIES


UConn has won six of the nine meetings between the programs, which all occurred between 2004 and 2012, when both were members of the Big East. The Orange beat the Huskies 40-10 in their last game, which was played at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse has never beaten the Huskies in Connecticut.

 

[CNOTES]

Rutgers needs better start against Iowa
September 23, 2016


PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) If Rutgers is going to have any chance in its Big Ten Conference opener against Iowa, it can't afford another bad start.


The Scarlet Knights fell behind Washington 24-0, trailed Howard by two touchdowns and New Mexico by 21 points - all in the first quarter.


Rutgers (2-1) was able to overcome the deficits in the last two games, but it won't be so easy if Iowa (2-1) comes ready to play on Saturday at High Point Solutions Stadium after its loss to North Dakota State, the winner of the last five FCS national titles.


''We've got to start games better.'' Rutgers coach Chris Ash said. ''There is no magic formula for that. We're not going to go out and do any extra stretches or jumping jacks or whatever to get ready for a game. We have a process that I think is one that will lead us to being successful.''


Halfback Robert Martin said the players realize the competition is going to pick up.


''We're about to get in to Big Ten play and we're about to be playing some real good teams and we would rather start ahead than start behind,'' he said.


Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said his team made too many mistakes in losing to a good team.


''You've got to move on at some point, and in sports and football, that starts Monday morning,'' Ferentz said. ''You've got to push through it and start your preparation for the next team because we're all on the clock.''


IOWA UNRANKED


The Hawkeyes were ranked No. 13 before the loss knocked them out of the rankings. Iowa got back into the Top 25 for the first time in five years last season and it was ranked as high as No. 3 last season after a 12-0 start. A loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship game and loss to Stanford in the Rose Bowl dropped the Hawkeyes to No 9 at the end the season.


FAMILIAR FACES


Rutgers defensive coordinator Jay Niemann has two sons that play at Iowa, Ben and Nick.


''I love my sons,'' Niemann said. ''I'd take a bullet for either one of them, but football - when it's time to go play they got to do their thing and I got to do mine. For 60 minutes we'll be foes but then after that we'll be family again.''


Rutgers offensive line coach AJ Blazek played for Ferentz at Iowa and started his coaching career there as a student and then graduate assistant coach.


''When he first showed first up as a recruit, he had an Arizona baseball cap on. I didn't think that was real smart. And I'm pretty sure he had cowboy boots on, too, like we would never look at his shoes to figure out that he's really not 6-foot-4, one of those deals,'' Ferentz said. ''You've got to give him credit for trying.''


OFFENSE LINE INJURIES


The Hawkeyes were without starting guard Sean Welsh and center James Daniels - two of their best lineman against NDSU. Iowa was limited to 34 yards on 25 carries last weekend. Ferentz expects them back.

MORE BIG TEN PLAY


As the teams enter their Big Ten schedules, they will be playing nine conference games for the first time in league history. With an East and West Division, each school plays all the teams in their division and three teams from the other.


FIRST TIME'S A CHARM


This is the first game between Rutgers and Iowa as the Scarlet Knights enter their third year in the Big Ten. Rutgers (East Division) is 0-4 against teams from the West Division, where Iowa plays.

 

[CNOTES]

Gophers back to host Colorado State
September 23, 2016


MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota is back from an earlier-than-usual bye week, aiming to keep the passing attack on a productive track.


After feasting on FCS foe Indiana State, Mitch Leidner and the Gophers had extra rest for their final nonconference game against Colorado State. Under new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, with a fully healthy left foot that hampered him for much of last season, Leidner has begun to look and feel like a fifth-year senior quarterback ought to.


''I'm on a really good page with the receivers as well as the running backs and everybody on the offensive side of the football,'' Leidner said. ''We're a tight-knit group, and we really practice and work hard.''


The Gophers (2-0) will again be without tight end Brandon Lingen and wide receiver Rashad Still again on Saturday against the Rams (2-1) because of injuries, but freshman Tyler Johnson and junior Brian Smith have been helpful down-field complements to Drew Wolitarsky.


Wolitarsky, who has 12 catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns, has emerged as the go-to wide receiver the Gophers and Leidner need. The senior connection was in midseason form two weeks ago against Indiana State .


''I'm seeing a different Mitch off the field and on the field as well,'' Wolitarsky said. ''The work this guy has put in is amazing and is definitely something I look up to and I know a lot of guys look up to.''


Here are some key things to know about the game:


THE REMATCH


The Gophers used three field goals by Ryan Santoso, including an 18-yarder in overtime to beat the Rams in Fort Collins, Colorado last year. That snapped a program-record 10-game home winning streak for the Rams.


The Rams returned 13 starters from a 7-6 team that finished 5-3 in the Mountain West Conference and lost to Nevada in the Arizona Bowl in coach Mike Bobo's first season. This will be Colorado State's first trip to a Big Ten stadium since playing at the Metrodome in 2005, a 56-24 victory by Minnesota.


CLIMBING THE HILL


CSU True freshman Collin Hill, in his first career start, completed 21 of 27 passes for 315 yards and four scores plus a 51-yard touchhown run in a win over FCS opponent Northern Colorado . Fourth-year junior Nick Stevens started the opener, a 44-7 loss to Colorado, but fifth-year senior Faton Bauta took over in the second half. Bauta, a graduate transfer from Georgia, took snaps the following week in a victory over UTSA, until Hill entered in the fourth quarter.


''There was a confidence level going up, like, `OK, we're going to be able to complete some passes,''' Bobo said, adding: ''We said there's going to be some growing pains, but we thought the upside was too promising.''


THREE-WAY THREAT


Shannon Brooks has been cleared to return from a broken foot, giving the Gophers their leading rusher from last season to join Rodney Smith and Kobe McCrary in a deep backfield. Smith and McCrary combined for 387 yards and five touchdowns rushing over the first two games.


''We've got ways to get at least two of them on the field at the same time,'' coach Tracy Claeys said. ''You always want your best people on the field all the time.''


FRONT LINES


The Gophers, given a boost by two junior-college transfers in the starting lineup in right guard Vincent Calhoun and left tackle Garrison Wright and the arrival of new offensive line coach Bart Miller, have not allowed a sack yet. The Rams, who have switched their base defense to a 3-4 alignment, lost their entire starting defensive line from last season to graduation.


''It's one of those games you've got dig your cleats in the turf,'' Bobo said.

CALL THE CARPENTER


Santoso, a junior, preferred to switch to punter this season. He's averaging 41.9 yards per attempt. Sophomore Emmit Carpenter has taken over as the kicker, and he hasn't missed yet on 10 extra points and four field goals.


''He's just building confidence in himself to go out there and just be automatic every time,'' linebacker Jack Lynn said. ''So we're 100 percent confident in his capabilities.''

 

[CNOTES]

V-Tech looks to end recent woes vs. ECU
September 23, 2016


Virginia Tech's most lopsided victory in several years might have given the Hokies a bit of a swagger heading into this week, but then came some cautionary words about their not-so-stellar recent past against East Carolina.


The Pirates (2-1) of the American Athletic Conference have won two straight against the Hokies, and six in a row against Atlantic Coast Conference competition. That's more than enough to get the Hokies' attention.


''We're about to face a great team,'' Hokies linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said. ''I think it starts with us. We have to prepare this week, come out to practice each and every day, prepare like a team, prepare to go get a win.''


The Hokies beat Boston College 49-0 last week , and first-year Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said it's not necessary to remind his players about the challenge the Pirates present because of the last two seasons. Ending the skid won't be easy, even at home.


The Hokies have won just three of their last 10 home games against Power Five conference programs.


''This is a program with great tradition that has won a lot of games,'' he said of the Pirates. ''They have very good football players. When you watch them play, they're athletic. Defensively they're moving all over the place.''


The Pirates had 519 yards last week in their 20-15 loss at South Carolina .


East Carolina also has a first-year coach in Scottie Montgomery, but he spent the last three years as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Duke, and the Blue Devils won two of three against the Hokies.


He'll arrive with limited history against Fuente, but plenty against defensive coordinator Bud Foster.


''There is no one, as a coordinator, who has challenged us as much as he has,'' Montgomery said, adding that a veteran secondary seems to key this year's team. ''This is a football team that can cover your receivers.''


---


Some other things to look for when East Carolina visits Virginia Tech:


WHERE'S ZAY? ECU's Zay Jones last week had 22 receptions for 190 yards against the Gamecocks. That left him one catch short of the FBS record for receptions in a game. He has 39 catches for 443 yards in three games, and just one touchdown this season, but has managed five touchdown receptions in each of his first three seasons and will present a challenge for the Hokies' secondary.


EVANS' PROGRESS: QB Jerod Evans fumbled three times and had a snap go over his head for another turnovers in the Hokies' first two games, and threw his first interception last week on a ball that Isaiah Ford juggled into the arms of a defender. But Evans has also thrown for 10 touchdowns, with six different players on the receiving end.


RED ZONE: Both teams have had ball security issues in the red zone. The Hokies had three turnovers inside the opposing 10 yard-line in their first two games, and the Pirates had four inside the South Carolina 20 last week. Those plays can be deflating for the team preparing to score, but invigorating for the team that took it away.

IGNORING HISTORY: The Hokies have not been very good at home against top flight competition in recent seasons, losing nine of their last 12 against East Carolina and Power Five conference teams. A poor start can silence the crowd quickly, so they either need to start strong or play with resolve if the early going isn't promising.

STAMINA IN THE SUN: Both coaches come into games hoping to run a fast-paced offense with a lot of plays. The Pirates had 91 snaps from scrimmage at South Carolina last week, and the Hokies had 77 against the Eagles.

 

[CNOTES]

Beavers look for statement against Boise
September 23, 2016


CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) Buoyed by a victory that snapped a 10-game losing streak, the Oregon State Beavers are looking forward to the test that Boise State presents.


''Basically it's a statement game,'' Beavers safety Devin Chappell said. ''We've just got to play our game and we'll be fine.''


But no one has illusions about the challenge. The Beavers (1-1) are underdogs at home on Saturday, facing a Broncos team that has already defeated Louisiana and Washington State, and is getting votes in the AP Top 25.


Oregon State coach Gay Andersen calls Boise State a team with ''all the bells and whistles.''


''It will be a tremendous challenge for us, just as it always is when you play Boise,'' Andersen said. ''It's like I told our kids in the team meeting, if you're gonna beat Boise, you're gonna have to beat Boise. They're not going to beat themselves, that's for dang sure.''


Oregon State has some reason to be optimistic. The Beavers are coming off a confidence-boosting 37-7 victory at home over Idaho State that ended a losing streak dating to last season. They also challenged Minnesota in the opener, leading 23-17 after three quarters before ultimately falling 30-23 in Minneapolis.


The Beavers are also at home against the Broncos, where they've won all three previous meetings.


But Boise State is rested and coming off a bye after a close home-opening victory over the Pac-12's Cougars, who attempted a Hail Mary in the final moments but fell short 31-28. The Broncos sit at 2-0 at the start of the season for the first time since 2011.


Other things to consider on Saturday when the Beavers host the Broncos:


THE SERIES: It will be Boise State's fourth trip to Reser Stadium. The Broncos have fallen in each of the three previous visits to Corvallis, with the most recent a 30-27 loss in 2005. Overall, the teams have met eight times with the Beavers winning the last one 38-23 in the 2013 Hawaii Bowl.


The Broncos have won their last three games against Pac-12 opponents, including the victory at home over Washington State on Sept. 10.


TURNOVERS KEY?: Boise State sophomore quarterback Brett Rypien threw for 299 yards and a touchdown against the Cougars, but he also threw three interceptions. Senior cornerback Treston Decoud had his first two interceptions of his career at Oregon State in last weekend's victory over Idaho State, including one that he ran back 75 yards for a touchdown. It was the second-longest pick six in school history. He also had a pair of tackles and two pass breakups to earn Pac-12 defensive player of the week honors.


YES, THEY'RE RELATED: Brett Rypien is former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien's nephew.

INJURY LIST: Oregon State won't have starting H-back Noah Togiai and reserve safety Landry Payne because of knee injuries. Inside linebacker Manase Hungalu has a shoulder injury and his status isn't known.


On Boise State's side, tight end Jake Roh and linebacker Joe Martarano should both return from knee injuries.


''Right now, our injury list looks a lot better than it was, those guys were running around last week, the bye week,'' Broncos coach Bryan Harsin said. ''They'll be running around this week. Expect to be at full strength. We have nobody right now that's got an injury that's going to keep them out of the season.''


SURPRISE MOVE: Oregon State on Thursday lost athletic director Todd Stansbury to the job at his alma mater, Georgia Tech. Stansbury's move comes just 13 months after he assumed the AD post in Corvallis, replacing Bob De Carolis. The search for Stansbury's replacement has already begun.


That means that Andersen will have his third boss in just two seasons at Oregon State.


''It's a busy time of the year, obviously, but it's an unbelievably important hire for everybody - for every student-athlete here and for every coach and for Beaver Nation - to be able to get the right guy here,'' Andersen said.

 

[CNOTES]

Washington gets first true test at Arizona
September 23, 2016


TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Washington has been dominant to open the season, picking teams apart with its passing game, shutting down opposing offenses with its cache of talented defensive players.


The competition level is about to ratchet up a few ticks.


After beating up on Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State, the ninth-ranked Huskies face their first true test of the season on Saturday night, when they head to the desert to play Arizona and its snap-before-they're-ready offense.


''We'll see if we're ready. That's easier said than done,'' Washington coach Chris Petersen said. ''It certainly feels better and different when in the fourth quarter you have a comfortable lead, as opposed to fighting and clawing all the way down. That does change things. That we haven't experienced.''


It has been relatively easy so far.


The Huskies (3-0) won their first three games by a combined score of 148-30 and its first-team defense has yet to allow a touchdown. Quarterback Jake Browning leads the nation in passing efficiency at 206.9, throwing for 12 touchdowns with one interception.


Continuing that type of success should be a little tougher in Tucson.


Arizona (2-1) had some early-season struggles on both sides of the ball, but seems to be getting the kinks worked out after rolling over Hawaii last week.


The Wildcats also have a knack for playing well against the best teams; they've knocked off a top-10 team each of the previous four seasons and are looking forward to this challenge.


''You come to this level to play in those games. You want to be one of those top-ranked teams,'' Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said. ''When you play them, there should be a little extra juice because of the attention it will get and because of the challenge you are facing. If our guys want to prove that they can play at the highest level, they are going to get a chance.''


A few more things to look for when Washington faces Arizona on Saturday night.


ARIZONA'S QB: Sophomore Brandon Dawkins has played well in two games since Anu Solomon injured his knee in practice and will likely start again on Saturday. Solomon was limited in practice this week and is listed as questionable on Arizona's injury report. But Dawkins may have started anyway. The dual-threat QB has thrown for 458 yards and a pair of touchdowns, adding 215 yards and five more scores on the ground. The Huskies prepared as if Dawkins would be the starter.


HUSKY D: Facing Washington's defense can be an intimidating task. Rodriguez estimates the Huskies have up to seven potential NFL players on their defense, including safety Budda Baker, linebacker Joe Mathis and Sidney Jones. The Wildcats like to play fast and may need to ramp it up even more with these Huskies chasing them.


''They're probably as big and explosive as any team in the country,'' Rodriguez said.


TAYLOR'S TURN: Arizona became thin at running back after running back Orlando Bradford was dismissed from the team following his arrest on domestic violence charges. The Wildcats took another hit against Hawaii last week, when primary back Nick Wilson was injured in the first half. In stepped J.J. Taylor. The small but ultra-quick freshman ran his way through Hawaii's defense last week, racking up 168 yards on 18 carries, including one 61-yard touchdown dash down the sideline. Wilson is listed as questionable on the injury report and Arizona moved slot receiver Tyrell Johnson to running back to add depth.


FAMILIAR FOE: The Huskies will see a familiar face across the field Saturday night. New Arizona defensive coordinator Marcel Yates spent more than a decade at Boise State working under Petersen before Petersen left for Washington. With Yates at the helm last season, Boise State held Washington to 179 total yards in a 16-13 win in Idaho.

 

[CNOTES]

Arkansas aims to end heartbreak vs. A&M
September 23, 2016


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) Say this about Arkansas and Texas A&M: The two schools have provided plenty of entertainment value since returning to AT&T Stadium two years ago.


Well, for the Aggies and their fans, at least.


The No. 17 Razorbacks (3-0) would like nothing more than to enjoy their own celebration at the giant home of the Dallas Cowboys when the two SEC foes meet on Saturday night. They'd also like to end their skid of four straight losses to No. 10 Texas A&M (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference), the last two of which have come in overtime fashion.


''It wasn't a happy plane ride home for us the last two years,'' Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen said. ''We need to get a happy plane ride home this year.''


While the Razorbacks are focused on ending their recent woes against their former Southwest Conference rival, both schools hope to turn into SEC party crashers this weekend.


At the very least, a victory would give both a strong case as the early season second-best-in-the-West behind No. 1 Alabama.


The Aggies already own quality wins over both UCLA and Auburn this season, while Arkansas has won nine of its last 10 games - including 10 of 12 since last season's loss to Texas A&M. It was the second straight year the Razorbacks led in the second half before falling to the Aggies in overtime.


''We've lost it, but they've earned it,'' coach Bret Bielema said. ''One thing I've always said is, `You earn everything,' and we just haven't been at the point to close this baby out.''


Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin could do without the in-game suspense this time around.


''Do we want it to be as exciting as it has been?'' Sumlin said. ''Probably not, unless we win and then it can be as exciting as it wants to be.''


Some things to watch as Texas A&M tries to win its fifth straight against the Razorbacks:


KIRK'S REPEAT?


Texas A&M receiver Christian Kirk had eight catches for a career-high 173 yards receiving and two touchdowns against Arkansas last season. Kirk knows it's hard to predict if he'll have another big game against the Razorbacks, especially with an offense full of so many weapons.


''We're clicking as a whole right now as an offense, and anybody at any moment can have a breakout game,'' he said.

HISTORY STREAK


Arkansas holds the longest winning streak in the series between the schools that dates to 1903. The Razorbacks won nine straight games against the Aggies from 1958-66, while Texas A&M's current streak against Arkansas is its longest since six straight from 1938-43.

AWESOME ALLEN


In his first year as the starter, Allen leads all SEC quarterbacks in passer rating (160.9) after three weeks. The Razorbacks junior threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in a win at TCU two weeks ago, and he's completing 67.1 percent (53 of 79) of his passes this season.


GRABBING GARRETT


Aggies DE Myles Garrett is arguably the nation's best pass rusher, and if he leaves school early he's likely to be a top-10 pick in next year's draft. When you have credentials like that, it's sure to garner a little extra attention from the opposing team. Sometimes it seems to the Aggies that those going against him might get away with a little holding on Garrett.


''We've sent our concerns in to the proper authorities, I'll put it that way,'' Sumlin said.


WILLIAMS WORKLOAD


Arkansas running back Rawleigh Williams is third in the SEC in rushing with 354 yards after three games, and he's tied with Georgia's Nick Chubb for the most carries (71). The sophomore has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the last two weeks.

 

[CNOTES]

UCLA hopes to end long skid vs Stanford
September 23, 2016


PASADENA, Calif. (AP) UCLA has lost eight consecutive matchups with No. 7 Stanford, and every Bruin knows it.


Some UCLA players attempt to portray Saturday night's game as just another evening at the Rose Bowl. Coach Jim Mora ascribes no special importance to the streak that annoys his fans more than perhaps anything else about his largely successful program.


Running back Nate Starks is perhaps a bit more honest about the pressure bearing down on the Bruins (2-1).


''Every time this week comes up, everybody is on edge,'' Starks said. ''Coaches on edge. Players on edge. Everybody wants to get this done. ... We haven't beat them. I haven't beat them since I've been here. I know Coach Mora hasn't. We want to show that we can play with guys like that. We're always the underdog in this game. We want to show we can play and beat these guys.''


The Bruins really could use a breakthrough victory to establish themselves as a serious contender for the Pac-12 title in their conference opener. No opponent would be better to beat than the powerhouse Cardinal (2-0, 1-0 Pac-12), who have their longest winning streak in a rivalry series that has happened every year since the 1920s, except during World War II.


''We'll always want to be kings of Cali, especially since we have a lot of guys from different parts of California,'' Stanford star Christian McCaffrey said.


McCaffrey was spectacular against the Bruins last season, racking up a school-record 243 yards rushing and 369 all-purpose yards in Stanford's 56-35 victory. The Bruins' defensive line is bigger and tougher this season with Eddie Vanderdoes and Eli Ankou up front, but only part of McCaffrey's game involves going between the tackles.


UCLA has focused its game-planning on the versatile back, even while recognizing the relative futility of the endeavor.


''He can't be all of our focus, but he has to be our main focus,'' Mora said. ''In my opinion, it's not even arguable that he's the top player in college football. I think that he was last year, and I think this year he has been as well.''


Here are more things to know about the schools' 88th meeting:


SLOWING ROSEN: Stanford's defense has its own daunting chore in stopping UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, who could use a breakout performance against an elite opponent to cement his rise to the top ranks of his position. Rosen feels he has been inconsistent this year, throwing four interceptions along with his four touchdown passes, but he has completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 917 yards in three games. Stanford coach David Shaw relishes the defense's challenge. ''You can't trust the quarterback's eyes,'' Shaw said. ''He can look one way, and then shift and throw the other way. You have to be conscious of your zone and who is in your zone. He can throw late and deep. You can never relax when you're playing defense against a quarterback like him.''


PASSING TIME: Stanford has thrown just 33 total passes in its two games this season, less than Rosen threw in each of the Bruins' first three games. The Cardinal are being cautious with new quarterback Ryan Burns, who threw for two TDs in those brief opportunities. UCLA will attempt to get pressure on the new starter - when it can keep the ball out of McCaffrey's hands.

CHANGING THE GAME: UCLA moved to a pro-style offense under new coordinator Kennedy Polamalu during the past offseason, emphasizing the running game and overall tough-nosed football. The change was inspired in part by Stanford's traditional approach to the game, with the Bruins hoping to match it. UCLA has produced more than 350 yards of offense in each of its first three games this season, yet labored to finish off victories over UNLV and BYU. UCLA still racked up 506 yards of offense against Stanford last season in its loss.

WELCOME HOME: Stanford is making its seventh trip to the Rose Bowl in six years, thanks to its string of Pac-12 titles. The Cardinal played in the venerated arena's New Year's Day bowl game in three of the past four seasons, winning twice - including last January's demolition of Iowa.


RANKING POINTS: UCLA has won an impressive seven of its last eight games against ranked opponents. That loss, of course, was against Stanford last season.

 

[CNOTES]

Louisville 'business as usual' vs Marshall
September 23, 2016


HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) No. 3 Louisville rocketed into the top 10 after pounding No. 13 Florida State and has a much-anticipated clash at No. 5 Clemson next week. Lamar Jackson is piling up more offense by himself than most FBS teams.


The Cardinals (3-0) are the talk of college football and they don't want it to continue for the wrong reason if they can't keep the domination going Saturday night at Marshall (1-1).


''Everything is just business as usual,'' said Louisville coach Bobby Petrino. ''We don't have that many games left, particularly our senior class. So we've got to go out and take advantage of every time we get to go out on the field and play.''


Thanks to a point-a-minute offense led by Heisman Trophy candidate Jackson, Louisville has matched its highest ranking in school history. Now they'll head east on Interstate 64 to play an underdog Marshall team that stumbled badly a week ago.


Jackson has 608 passing yards, 464 rushing and has thrown or run for 18 touchdowns. His performances have been eye-opening but he's not an overnight star. He had a breakout game in the Music City Bowl in December against Texas A&M when he both threw and ran for more than 200 yards. Johnny Manziel and Vince Young were the only other quarterbacks to do that in a bowl game.


''I've just really enjoyed how much he's improved, how hard he pushes himself, and how much he's grown as a leader for our football team,'' Petrino said.


Jackson said after last week's 63-20 win over Florida State that he tries to stay humble and not give in to the attention. He has yet to give his individual performances a perfect grade.


''We've got to score every drive,'' Jackson said. ''That's my goal. We haven't done it yet.''


Jackson's 459 yards of total offense per game are more than 87 other FBS teams. He'll get plenty of opportunities to thrive against a Marshall secondary whose most experienced player has just five career starts.


''I'm not sure I've seen a quarterback like Jackson that takes over a game like he does,'' said Marshall coach Doc Holliday. ''That's going to be a great challenge for us. Florida State's got guys that can run, and he's runs away from them.''


Marshall gave up 65 points and 524 yards last week to an Akron team that was a double-digit underdog.


---


Some other things to know about the matchup between schools 190 miles apart:


WEST VIRGINIA TIES: Louisville co-offensive coordinator Lonnie Galloway had two stints as wide receivers coach at West Virginia. During Galloway's first stint from 2008-10, current Marshall coach Doc Holliday was West Virginia's recruiting coordinator and associate head coach before leaving for Huntington in December 2009. Galloway was hired at Louisville just before the start of spring practice this year.

NOT JUST JACKSON: Louisville's Brandon Radcliff is getting yards in chunks after a slow start in the season opener. Radcliff ran for 118 yards against Florida State and 156 yards against Syracuse, averaging more than 11 yards per carry over that stretch.

YELLOW HANKIE ALERT: Marshall was penalized 17 times for 180 yards against Akron and has 250 penalty yards through two games.


TALE OF TURNOVERS: Marshall scored two touchdowns on fumble returns in its opener against FCS Morgan State. Last week against Marshall , Akron returned a blocked punt, a fumble and an interception for scores.

SOLID IN SACKS: Louisville has 13 sacks spread out among eight players. James Hearns leads the way with 3.5. Devonte Fields, Jonathan Greenard and Josh Harvey-Clemons have two apiece.

 

[CNOTES]

No. 14 Vols try to end 11-year skid against No. 19 Gators
September 23, 2016


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee doesn't believe Florida holds any sort of mental edge whenever these two teams stage their annual matchup.


Recent history suggests otherwise.


No. 19 Florida (3-0, 1-0 SEC) has beaten No. 14 Tennessee (3-0, 0-0) each of the last 11 years. Three times in the last four years, Tennessee was favored in the days leading up to the game but still found a way to lose. Tennessee is favored again in Saturday's meeting at Neyland Stadium, though the spread has dropped from 10 points to 6 +.


''We've got a bunch of confident guys on our team,'' Tennessee defensive tackle Kendal Vickers said. ''I don't think there's any mental edge anywhere.''


Each of the last two seasons, Florida has come from behind in the fourth quarter to beat Tennessee by a single point. The Gators won 10-9 in 2014 and 28-27 last year .


To end the streak, Tennessee must find a way to move the ball against a Florida team that leads the nation in total defense and scoring defense.


Gators cornerback Quincy Wilson boldly predicted a Florida victory by saying that ''nobody has ever seen a duck pull a truck. Florida Gators are going to win, simple as that.''


''It's just something that we have instilled in us here at Florida that we just don't lose to Tennessee,'' Florida running back Jordan Scarlett said.


Tennessee has reason to believe it could end the streak this year.


Florida must turn to backup quarterback Austin Appleby for Saturday's game after usual starter Luke Del Rio injured his left kn ee last week in a 32-0 victory over North Texas. Tennessee has its own injury issues with cornerback Cam Sutton and linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr. sidelined by ankle injuries.


Tennessee has won nine straight games over the last two years. Tennessee coach Butch Jones believes his team gained strength in coming from behind to beat Appalachian State and Virginia Tech and by withstanding injuries to defeat Ohio .


''Our team is very confident,'' Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. ''You don't win nine games in a row by not having confidence. We've suffered some adversity. A lot of the adversity, some of it we created for ourselves. But I think that's healthy because our football team could have quit under some adverse situations, and they've never blinked.''


---


Some things to watch when Tennessee hosts Florida.


WELCOME BACK: Florida should have its leading receiver back for this game, as Antonio Callaway has returned to practice after missing the North Texas game with a deep thigh bruise. Tennessee offensive tackle Chance Hall likely will make his first appearance of the season Saturday after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last month.


FLORIDA PASS RUSH: Florida has 16 sacks to lead all Football Bowl Subdivision teams. Five different Gators have recorded at least two sacks each. Tennessee gave up three sacks against Ohio last week and has struggled to come up with the right combination of five linemen to have on the field.


CONTAINING DOBBS: Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs only threw for 87 yards against Florida last season, but he also rushed for 136 yards and had a 58-yard touchdown catch. ''We know how much of a threat he is and how much he can hurt you if you allow him to,'' Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis said. ''Last year he put a hurting on us pretty bad.''


ANOTHER BACKUP QB: Appleby, a graduate transfer from Purdue, will try to continue a recent tradition in this rivalry. Two of the last three years, a backup quarterback has helped Florida beat Tennessee. Tyler Murphy replaced an injured Jeff Driskel and led Florida to a 31-17 triumph in 2013 . Treon Harris took over for an ineffective Driskel and rallied the Gators in 2014.


FAMILY CONNECTIONS: Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop is the brother of John Shoop, who worked with Appleby as Purdue's offensive coordinator in 2013-15. Shoop acknowledged he had spoken to his brother this week and heard the former Purdue assistant's impressions of the 6-foot-4 Appleby. ''My brother gave him a tremendous compliment, he compared (Appleby) to Ben Roethlisberger in the pocket,'' Shoop said. ''He said (Appleby's) a big, strong kid. We're very well aware of that. You get him in the pocket, he's got people hanging on his body and can throw the ball.''