Cnotes 2017 College Football Picks-Trends-News Etc. !

[CNOTES]

UGA's Fromm leads freshman QB invasion
September 24, 2017


Nothing is more treasured to a college football team than experience at quarterback.


Well, at least that used to be something people said.


More true freshman quarterbacks than ever are arriving at the intersection of Readiness and Opportunity, and we're only a season removed from one such player -- Jalen Hurts -- taking mighty Alabama to within a play of the national championship.


As this season takes shape after four full weeks, true freshman quarterbacks are influencing several major programs, which means their young minds and mettle, arms and legs, will hold sway over Power 5 conference races and, therefore, the College Football Playoff and the national title.

Which brings us to Georgia.


True freshman Jake Fromm -- handed the reins after one of last year's crop of true freshman quarterbacks, Jacob Eason, suffered a knee injury in the opener -- helped guide the Bulldogs to a 31-3 rout of No. 17 Mississippi State on Saturday.


Georgia (4-0) has emerged as the clear favorite in the SEC East and a legit threat to top-ranked Alabama in a potential SEC title game matchup. The Bulldogs have a great rushing attack, a veteran and fearsome defensive front seven ... and Fromm, rated the No. 3 pro-style quarterback recruit in the nation in the 2017 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings.


Fromm was 9 of 12 for 201 yards and two touchdowns in the team's complete effort against Mississippi State. One of the incomplete passes was a throw-away. The others were drops.


Fromm's first pass of the game was a 59-yard touchdown strike to receiver Terry Godwin off a flea-flicker.


"The kid is stepping up," said Georgia coach Kirby Smart. "He's starting to play. He's always had that in him. He's a good leader. He did a good job managing the game."


With the rise of quarterback summer camps and clinics and coaching "gurus," more recruits than ever come in with a reasonable readiness to make the jump to hyperspace.


Other true freshman quarterbacks thrust into big-time opportunities in the first month are Florida State's James Blackman (first career start in a loss at North Carolina State); Texas A&M's Kellen Mond (325 total yards in an overtime victory over Arkansas) and Texas' Sam Ehlinger (nearly pulled off the upset at USC two weeks ago.


And over at Alabama, true freshman backup Tua Tagovailoa is waiting -- and quite possibly ready, given his relief effort in Saturday's rout of Vanderbilt -- should Hurts be hurt.


Fromm leads the young pack for now, rated 10th nationally in passer efficiency with a rating of 172.0. Eason -- one of the "flavors of the month" last season as a true freshman -- has yet be to medically cleared to return to game action, but he's getting closer.


He won the job through spring and fall competition, but Fromm always intrigued because of his skill, vocal leadership and decisiveness. Eason might not get his job back.


"He's a born leader," Georgia senior running back Nick Chubb said of Fromm. "He plays hard. He makes the right call. He does everything we ask him to do. He's a great kid."

5 thoughts from Week 4


1. Gary Patterson is at it again. TCU has an occasional down season but always bounces back with a vengeance. The Horned Frogs followed losing records in 2004 and 2013 with one-loss seasons, and Patterson's crew -- 6-7 in 2016 -- stamped itself as legit big-prize contenders with a 44-31 victory at then-No. 6 Oklahoma State.


2. Florida is living right. The Gators are 2-1, but needed divine help in beating Tennessee on a Hail Mary two weeks ago and got another gift Saturday, when a holding call on Kentucky in the final seconds pushed the Wildcats beyond the edge of field goal range; a last-play 57-yard fell just short. The Gators beat Kentucky for the 31st consecutive time.


3. UCLA is too soft on defense. QB Josh Rosen always intrigues, but his I-have-to-do-it-all bad habits are only being magnified by a defense that gave up 44 points to Texas A&M, 48 to Memphis and 58 to Stanford. The Bruins are last nationally among power conference teams, allowing 524.8 yards per game.


4. Michigan's QB battle is one to watch. John O'Korn hasn't been able to wrest the starting job away from Wilton Speight in the past couple of seasons, but there's nothing like game time to change minds. O'Korn was effective Saturday after Speight left in the first quarter due to injury, sparking four touchdown drives in a 28-10 victory over Purdue.

5. Central Florida enters battle for big bowl. Perhaps everyone had the wrong Florida "directional" school as the best from the Group of Five conferences. South Florida is moving along at 4-0, ranked all season, but UCF is surging under second-year coach Scott Frost, whipping Maryland 38-10 on the road Saturday. Central Florida and South Florida meet at the end of the regular season in an East Division showdown in the American Athletic Conference.

5 top Heisman candidates

1. RB Saquon Barkley, Penn State. He moves quickly and effortlessly along every axis -- including vertically if he has to hurdle a defender -- and he just refused to be bottled up against Iowa, putting up 358 all-purpose yards in the Nittany Lions' 21-19 thriller.


2. QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma. The senior leads the nation in passing efficiency with a rating of 228.3, and his 13-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio is a nifty part of that.


3. RB Bryce Love, Stanford. He's the nation's leading rusher -- and averaging 10.78 yards per carry -- and he's doing it while playing for a Cardinal team that lacks a complementary passing game. His speed and quick cuts carved up UCLA for 263 rushing yards Saturday night.

4. RB Rashaad Penny, San Diego State. The Aztecs' 28-24 win on a rainy day at Air Force is probably more impressive than you think, and Penny led the way with 128 yards and three touchdowns.


5. QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville. The 2016 Mr. Heisman is still the most exciting quarterback in college football.


5 things you might have missed


1. UCLA defensive back Adarius Pickett was ejected for targeting in the first half for a hit on Stanford tight end Drew Schultz. Although no flag was thrown, officials tossed Pickett from the game after a replay review. While the game was still going on, Pickett tweeted from the locker room: "I get kicked out the game because I'm hitting to hard against a guy that is 6'6 are you kidding me. Tell me how I'm suppose to play please."


2. Eastern Washington often has one of the most prolific offenses in the Football Championship Subdivision, and the Eagles are at it again as Gage Gubrud passed for a school-record 549 yards Saturday in a 48-41 victory over Montana on Saturday.


3. Old Dominion true freshman quarterback Steven Williams Jr. became the second-youngest starter in the history of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The 17-year-old completed just 8 of 26 passes in a shutout loss to Virginia Tech.


4. As expected, the game between rivals St. John's and St. Thomas, played Saturday at the Minnesota Twins' Target Field, set a Division III attendance record of 37,355. The Tommies beat the Johnnies 20-17 in this battle of D-III heavyweights.


5. North Carolina State defensive end Bradley Chubb apologized for spitting on the Florida State midfield logo after the Wolfpack's upset of the then-No. 12 Seminoles. As far as postgame antics in hostile stadiums, we're ranking them like this: 1. Baker Mayfield planting the Oklahoma flag in the Ohio State turf. 2. Penn State QB Trace McSorley punting the ball after taking a knee at Iowa. 3. Chubb.


5 games to watch in Week 5


1. Clemson at Virginia Tech (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET) -- A rematch of last season's ACC Championship Game and a potential preview of the 2017 title tilt. The Hokies have pitched two shutouts this season and found a dynamic quarterback in redshirt freshman Josh Jackson.

2. USC at Washington State (Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET) -- Martin Stadium is going to be insanely rocking on a Friday night in the kind of home spotlight that rarely shines on Pullman. This will be a full-on blast of #Pac12AfterDark.

3. Georgia at Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET) -- Last season's meeting was one of the nuttiest of the season, with dueling touchdowns in the final 10 seconds, including the Vols' final-play 43-yard touchdown pass for a 34-31 shocker.

4. Miami at Duke (Friday, 7 p.m. ET). A worthy Friday night undercard to USC-Washington State, with the Hurricanes putting their 2-0 record on the line vs. surprising 4-0 Duke, led by sophomore quarterback Daniel Jones.


5. Ole Miss at Alabama (Saturday, 9 p.m. ET). This probably means nothing for this year, but the Rebels beat Alabama in 2014 and 2015, and lost by just five last season, 48-43. Worth keeping an eye on to see if Ole Miss quarterback Shea Patterson can threaten the Tide's D.

 

[CNOTES]

Georgia needs big follow-up to MSU rout
September 24, 2017


ATHENS, Ga. (AP) The Georgia Bulldogs wanted to make a statement, to demonstrate they're ready to be part of the national championship conversation.


They're only part of the way there.


Georgia climbed into The Associated Press Top 10 on Sunday after a 31-3 thrashing of then-No. 17 Mississippi State , a game that showed off a wealth of talent between the hedges.


Freshman quarterback Jake Fromm came through again on the big stage, throwing a pair of touchdown passes. Nick Chubb scored twice and led a deep running game that surpassed 200 yards on the ground. The defense swarmed all over a team that was averaging more than 47 points a game, keeping Mississippi State out of the end zone.


''We know for a fact that we've been on that level,'' said receiver Terry Godwin, who set the tone by hauling in a 59-yard touchdown pass on Georgia's first offensive play. ''It was just time for us to put it out here on the field. Let y'all see it, and let the world see it. I feel like we're doing that this season.''


Indeed, the Bulldogs (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) already have a couple of impressive victories, also winning 20-19 at Notre Dame in Fromm's first career start .


But, for all those Georgia fans who were barking and whooping it up on the way out of a gleeful Sanford Stadium late Saturday night, it's worth noting that the Bulldogs have been here before.


By moving up four spots to No. 7 in the latest AP poll, Georgia has now been ranked in the Top 10 at some point during each of the last six seasons. But the Bulldogs haven't been a serious championship contender since 2012, when a heartbreaking 32-28 loss to Alabama in the SEC title game cost them a chance to play for the BCS title.


Since then, Georgia's high hopes have been crushed by a series of big-game setbacks, from a 41-26 home loss to Missouri in 2013 to a 38-35 defeat at South Carolina in 2014 to a 38-10 drubbing by Alabama in 2015 . Even last year, Kirby Smart's first season as coach, Georgia climbed as high as No. 9 before slumping to an 8-5 finish.

Next up: a trip to Rocky Top for an SEC clash with struggling Tennessee.


''Every game's different,'' Smart said. ''I thought the kids played real hard. But we've got to do it again next week. We've got a good opponent. That's just the way the SEC is.''


Smart's assessment of the Volunteers (3-1, 0-1) might be a bit of a stretch - after all, they're coming off a dreary 17-13 victory over winless Massachusetts - but this is definitely the type of game that's tripped up the Bulldogs in recent seasons.


Georgia is eager to show this group won't fall into the same trap.


''This team that we have is a very humble team and we're very disciplined,'' linebacker Davin Bellamy said. ''We can't be too high on this win, because got to go to a tough environment next week and play some football.''


About the only downside from the Mississippi State rout was offensive lineman Solomon Kindley reinjuring a sprained ankle that had limited him in Georgia's first two games against Appalachian State and Notre Dame.


While X-rays were negative, it's not known how long he might be out.


Otherwise, the Bulldogs came out of the game in good shape.


Now, they've got to show they can handle the hype. The victory over Mississippi State definitely made a statement, but it requires a strong follow-up.


''It doesn't matter who we play,'' linebacker Lorenzo Carter insisted. ''We're going to keep playing our brand of football: fast, physical, fly around to the ball. Our offense is going to keep pounding people. It just translates from practice. We practice hard and we do everything the right way. We've just got to keep rolling.''

 

[CNOTES]

STAT WATCH: Kansas, Stanford backs post top 2 rushing totals
September 25, 2017

The top two rushing performances of the season came over the weekend, with Kansas' Khalil Herbert going for 291 yards on 36 carries against West Virginia and Stanford's Bryce Love running for 263 yards on 30 carries against UCLA.


Herbert had the best rushing day by a Jayhawk since Tony Sands ran for 396 yards against Missouri in 1991. Love's 263 yards were second-most in a game in Stanford history behind Christian McCaffrey's 284 against California last November.


Penn State's Saquon Barkley had 211 yards rushing and 94 yards receiving against Iowa . His 358 all-purpose yards were a national season high and broke the school record of 341 set by Curt Warner against Syracuse in 1981. Barkley also went over 3,000 career rushing yards.


Miami's Mark Walton had 204 yards on 11 carries against Toledo. He had 137 yards before leaving the game with an ankle injury in the second quarter. He returned late in the third quarter.


Washington's Myles Gaskin ran for 202 yards against Colorado.


There have been 15 200-yard performances this season.


Other top statistical feats:


---

NAVY GOES BY LAND


Navy's 569 yards rushing against Cincinnati were the most since Baylor rushed for 645 against North Carolina two seasons ago in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The Midshipmen came within 3 yards of the school record set in 2007 against North Texas.


Navy's 393 yards rushing per game ranks second to Georgia Tech's 393.7. The Midshipmen have finished no lower than sixth in rushing since 2001.


99 IS MIGHTY FINE


Oklahoma's Abdul Adams became the 11th player in NCAA history, and first since Louisiana Tech's Kenneth Dixon in 2014, to break a 99-yard touchdown run.


Adams busted loose in the first quarter against Baylor for the longest play from scrimmage in program history. The sophomore set a career high with 164 yards, and the 99-yarder was his first touchdown.


THEY GO ALL THE WAY


Texas A&M's Christian Kirk and Memphis' Tony Pollard became the sixth and seventh players this season to return kickoffs 100 yards.


Kirk's 100-yarder against Arkansas was the Aggies' first since Coryell Judie went 84 yards for a TD against Baylor in 2010. Kirk also has five punt returns for TDs in his career, and the six returns for scores are most by a player in program history.


Pollard's 100-yard return against FCS Southern Illinois came after he ran back a kick 99 yards against Louisiana-Monroe in the season opener. Pollard also had a 100-yard kick return against Navy last season.

INTERCEPTION 3X


New Mexico State's Shamad Lomax intercepted UTEP's Ryan Metz three times, all in the first half, to set a national season high for picks in a game. Lomas returned one 19 yards for a touchdown.


The sophomore was the first NMSU player with three interceptions in a game since 1995, and the Aggies finished with five against UTEP.


Lomax's two other career interceptions came in one game, last November against Texas State.


GETTING THE BOOT


South Florida's Emilio Nadelman tied the national season high with five field goals against Temple. He connected from 44, 28, 25, 37 and 44 yards. He also made four extra points to set a school record with 19 points by a kicker. He's 8 for 9 on field goals this season.

 

[CNOTES]

Florida benches QB Franks, names Del Rio starter vs Vandy
September 25, 2017

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) No. 21 Florida is turning to a familiar face to fix an all-too-familiar problem.


Luke Del Rio will get another chance as the team's starting quarterback when the Gators (2-1, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) host Vanderbilt (3-1, 0-1) on Saturday.


Coach Jim McElwain made the switch Monday, giving Del Rio the nod after he benched redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks for the second time in three games.


''It's not to say Feleipe won't start again,'' said McElwain, whose offense ranks 113th in the nation and next-to-last in the SEC. ''It's one of those deals where he continues to get better.''


Given the way McElwain has shuffled quarterbacks this season, there's no guarantee Del Rio will even finish the game against the Commodores. Following a 28-27 victory at Kentucky, McElwain alluded to former Florida coach and current program ambassador Steve Spurrier for his penchant for changing signal callers.


''There was a coach around here for a long time that used to throw quarterbacks in here and there at the drop of a hat,'' McElwain said. ''We may have learned something from him.''


Del Rio came off the bench against the Wildcats and completed 9 of 14 passes for 74 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to uncovered Freddie Swain with 43 seconds remaining. His TD pass gave Florida its only lead of the game and its 31st consecutive victory in the series.


McElwain said the offense clicked a little better with Del Rio under center.


''We needed a jump-start,'' McElwain said. ''It was like, sometimes, maybe not all cylinders were hitting. And I think he came in and gave us that boost.''


Franks was 7-of-12 passing for 85 yards and a touchdown in two-plus quarters against the Wildcats. After failing to complete a pass in two possessions to start the third quarter, McElwain turned to Del Rio with the Gators trailing 24-14.


Del Rio threw an interception to end his first series, but the Gators scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to extend the longest current winning streak against a single opponent in major college football.


''He was just telling us that we were going to win the game,'' receiver Brandon Powell said. ''He wasn't afraid of making a mistake. ... He came to the sideline and was still telling us that we were going to win the game. That showed. He was getting the ball to his playmakers and was making plays for them.''


McElwain also replaced Franks with Malik Zaire in the season opener against Michigan. McElwain said Franks has handled getting benched in stride.


''I think he's done a great job of sitting and looking,'' McElwain said. ''I think he played well at times through the previous game. It's never fun, and yet, when you learn from it, this guy is going to be a really good player, and he is now. There are some things he can continue to learn and work on, and he'll do that moving forward.''


Franks has completed 30 of 49 passes for 372 yards this season, with three touchdowns and an interception. Although he has thrown plenty of decent passes, most notably a 63-yarder on the final play to beat Tennessee, he has yet to command the huddle or make all the right checks and protections adjustments needed.


Del Rio, the son of Oakland Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, started six games last year before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury. Del Rio was 5-1 as the starter, playing through a badly sprained throwing shoulder and a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He also tore the labrum in his left shoulder against Georgia and tried to play the following week at Arkansas, a disastrous decision that aided a double-digit loss.


''It's been a tough road coming back being healthy, competing my butt off in camp,'' Del Rio said. ''Sometimes you just need to shake things up and get a spark.''


-----------------------------------


CFB notebook: Nine Florida players face felony charges
September 25, 2017


Wide receiver Antonio Callaway and running back Jordan Scarlett are among nine University of Florida players facing multiple third-degree felony charges on the heels of alleged credit card fraud, multiple outlets reported Monday.


Callaway and Scarlett join five other suspended players in facing two third-degree felonies: fraud/swindle in obtaining property under $20,000 and use or possession of another person's ID without consent.


Defensive linemen Keivonnis Davis and Richerd Desir-Jones, linebackers James Houston IV and Ventrell Miller, wide receiver Rick Wells and offensive lineman Kadeem Telfort are also facing the third-degree felony counts, according to Alachua County (Fla.) Circuit Court records, per the Orlando Sentinel.


Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Jordan Smith is facing three additional felony counts of use or possession of another person's ID without consent.


--Florida is making a change at quarterback -- inserting junior Luke Del Rio for redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks -- for this week's home game against Vanderbilt.


Del Rio replaced Franks during the third quarter of Saturday's 28-27 victory over Kentucky, connecting with Freddie Swain on a 5-yard touchdown pass with 43 seconds left for the winning points.


Franks was the hero a week earlier, when his 63-yard Hail Mary heave into the end zone beat Tennessee. He struggled against the Wildcats, completing 7 of 12 passes for 85 yards as the Gators fell behind by 10 points in the fourth quarter.


--Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said starting quarterback Wilton Speight would not be available this week if the Wolverines had a game, adding that the hit that knocked him out last week was "egregious."


Speight sustained a head injury in the first quarter of a 28-10 win at Purdue on Saturday. Senior John O'Korn came in and completed 18 of 26 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown.


Speight was taken to a local hospital for tests during the game but did return to Ross-Ade Stadium. Harbaugh didn't express strong feelings after the game about the hit that knocked out Speight, saying he didn't see it, but then he reviewed the game film.


--Washington junior wide receiver Chico McClatcher will miss the rest of the season because of a broken ankle, Huskies coach Chris Petersen said at his press conference.


McClatcher is the team's second-leading receiver with 10 catches for 128 yards.


He suffered the injury in a 37-10 victory at Colorado on Saturday, when a defender rolled into McClatcher's left leg as he was blocking on a run play.

 

[CNOTES]

Injury list grows at UNC ahead of G-Tech
September 25, 2017


CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) North Carolina's injury list keeps growing.


Senior receiver Austin Proehl, senior defensive tackle Tyler Powell and redshirt freshman receiver Rontavius Groves were hurt during Saturday's loss to Duke.


Proehl had his left arm was in a sling on the sideline. Powell crumpled to the turf grabbing his right knee before being helped to the sideline. And Groves' right leg gave out as he turned for a pass in his college debut, prompting trainers to immediately put his knee in a brace and cart him away.


None appear on the depth chart for this weekend's trip to Georgia Tech.


Nine of 19 players on UNC's pre-Duke injury report are lost for the season. Asked Monday whether UNC has more season-ending injuries, coach Larry Fedora said: ''I don't know yet.''


************************


Hogs' WR Jared Cornelius out for season
September 25, 2017


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) Arkansas wide receiver Jared Cornelius will undergo surgery following an injury to his left Achilles and is expected to miss the rest of the season.


Cornelius was hurt early in the second half of the overtime loss to Texas A&M on Saturday. Arkansas coach Bret Bielema says a redshirt year is possible for the senior - as well as potentially entering the NFL draft.


Cornelius entered the season as Arkansas' top leading returning wide receiver, finishing with 32 catches for 515 yards a season ago. The 5-foot-11, 212-pound senior missed much of the preseason with a hamstring injury and was fully healthy for the first time this year during the game against the Aggies.


The Razorbacks (1-2, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) host New Mexico State (2-2) on Saturday.


*************************


Rutgers loses cornerback Austin for season with knee injury
September 25, 2017


PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) Rutgers has lost top cornerback Blessuan Austin for the season with a knee injury.


Coach Chris Ash announced Monday that Austin tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the second half of Saturday's 27-16 loss in Nebraska.


Ash called the injury a blow for the Scarlet Knights (1-3, 0-1 Big Ten). The junior had started in each of his three seasons. He earned honorable mention in the conference's awards after last season.


Damon Hayes is expected to replace Austin in the lineup.


Ash says Hayes needs to improve and develop, but he's excited he'll have the opportunity to start.

 

[CNOTES]

Harbaugh: Hit on QB was 'egregious'
September 25, 2017


Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said starting quarterback Wilton Speight would not be available this week if the Wolverines had a game, adding that the hit that knocked him out last week was "egregious."


"If I had a stronger word to use, I would use it," Harbaugh said at his Monday press conference.


Speight sustained a head injury in the first quarter of a 28-10 win at Purdue on Saturday. Senior John O'Korn came in and completed 18 of 26 passes for 270 yards and a touchdown.


Speight was taken to a local hospital for tests during the game but did return to Ross-Ade Stadium. Harbaugh didn't express strong feelings after the game about the hit that knocked out Speight, saying he didn't see it, but then he reviewed the game.


"After having seen it now, I thought it was egregious," he said.


"With all the emphasis on protecting defenseless players, it appeared that the player knew what he was doing, targeted the head and neck area when the player was on the ground and accelerated into it. Surprised they had two officials standing back there that were both looking at it, plus a review in the press box, that that wasn't targeting, that that wasn't a personal foul."


No. 8 Michigan (4-0) is off this week before hosting Michigan State on Oct. 7. As for Speight's status for the rivalry game, Harbaugh said, "We'll assess it as we go."

 

[CNOTES]

IU gets 2nd chance to upset top 10 team
September 25, 2017


BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) Indiana gets a second chance to knock off a top-10 opponent.


Are the Hoosiers (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten) better prepared to do to No. 4 Penn State (4-0, 1-0) what they couldn't do against then-No. 2 Ohio State in the season opener?


Coach Tom Allen believes.


''Going into Ohio State and game one, there were a lot of things you think are a certain way, a certain impression you have, and now you know,'' Allen said. ''We had questions about some positions.''


One question was answered this past Saturday when freshman tailback Morgan Ellison rushed for 186 yards in a 52-17 victory over Georgia Southern. Ellison has a team-leading 257 rushing yards and averages 5.8 yards a carry.


''We thought Morgan was a good a player and he's proven he can be a very good running back at this level,'' Allen said. ''We are a much better team today because we have a better sense of who we are and what our strengths are. We know what to focus on. That gives you confidence.''


That confidence jumped with a win at Virginia, a team that is now 3-1 with a victory at Boise State, and then again by dominating Georgia Southern with a rushing attack that had been missing the first two games.


This Saturday's challenge at Penn State is much more formidable. Indiana is 0-9 at Beaver Stadium, and 1-19 against the Nittany Lions. The Hoosiers' only win came in 2013.


Allen said this is a tougher-minded Indiana team.


''I look at the way this team has prepared, focused and finished,'' he said. ''That wasn't always the case around here. That's a big step.''


The status is unknown for injured starters such as cornerbacks Rashard Fant and A'Shon Riggins and safety Marcelino Ball.


Notes: Ellison was named the Big Ten's freshman of the week. Returner J-Shun Harris won his second Big Ten special teams player of the week honors. Harris returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown against Georgia Southern. It was the second straight game he'd scored on a punt return. Only Rob Turner has done that in school history. Harris leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally by averaging 26.1 yards per punt return.

 

[CNOTES]

Washington WR McClatcher out with broken ankle
September 25, 2017


Washington junior wide receiver Chico McClatcher will miss the rest of the season because of a broken ankle, Huskies coach Chris Petersen said at his Monday press conference.


McClatcher is the team's second-leading receiver with 10 catches for 128 yards.


He suffered the injury in a 37-10 victory at Colorado on Saturday, when a defender rolled into McClatcher's left leg as he was blocking on a run play.


No. 6 Washington (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) plays at Oregon State on Saturday.


"I just feel really bad, like we all do, for Chico," Petersen said. "That's hard for guys who are playing well and work so hard ... but that's part of football.


"Nobody feels sorry for us, at all, outside of this building. Everybody else is throwing a party when they see Chico is not going to be out there. So the next guy better step up and that is going to come from multiple guys."


McClatcher, a 5-foot-7 slot receiver who never redshirted, has played in three games this season and would fit the criteria for receiving a medical redshirt for 2017, restoring his year of eligibility.


He caught 34 passes for 574 yards and five touchdowns last season.


***********************


Ozigbo's breakout game puts him back in RB mix for Huskers
September 25, 2017


LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Devine Ozigbo's re-emergence at running back has prompted Nebraska to re-think its ground game.


The Cornhuskers entered the season planning to have one back get most of the carries, and Tre Bryant had consecutive 100-yard games before injuring his knee and missing the last two games.


Ozigbo ran a career-high 24 times for 101 yards as the backup to Mikale Wilbon in the 27-17 win over Rutgers on Saturday. Coach Mike Riley said Monday if Bryant can't play Friday night at Illinois, Wilbon will be the starter again and share equal playing time with Ozigbo and freshman Jaylin Bradley.


Ozigbo came out of preseason practice No. 3 on the depth chart behind Bryant and Wilbon even though he was the most experienced back. The junior from Sachse, Texas, didn't appear in the first two games and carried just twice against Northern Illinois.


He broke out against Rutgers, gaining 86 of his 101 yards in the second half as the Huskers pounded away at a tiring defense. Afterward, Ozigbo campaigned for the by-committee approach.


''We definitely have the guys in the room who are all worthy of playing, so I feel like to keep them from playing would be a detriment to the team instead of helping it,'' he said.


The 6-foot, 230-pound Ozigbo carried on 14 of Nebraska's 17 plays after it took a 24-17 lead in the fourth quarter.


''He has got to be tough to tackle. I'm glad I don't have to,'' quarterback Tanner Lee said. ''He is just so consistent, just a bruising back and it's huge to have that on your team, especially in games where you can kind of milk the clock a little bit and just give the ball to him and pick up first downs and get the tough yards.''


Ozigbo, who ran for 412 yards and five touchdowns in 2016 and for 209 yards and a TD as a freshman, appeared to be a top contender to be the starter after the departure of Terrell Newby. It was difficult for Ozigbo to accept not winning the job, and he was confused when he didn't get on the field the first two games.


''I know I wear my emotion on my face,'' he said. ''It didn't really hurt my practice or my play, but you could just tell I wasn't in a good headspace. But, talking to my teammates, talking to my family back home, to my friends back home, it definitely got me right.''


Riley said he had told Ozigbo a couple weeks ago that he would get an opportunity and that he needed to be ready for it.


''I was really proud of him for how he approached it because, like I told the team yesterday, he played like he's been practicing,'' Riley said. ''We've seen those situations where a guy gets disappointed and he focuses on the disappointment. If it was my own kid, I would call it pouting. But he never did that. He practiced hard, prepared himself and he played a good football game the other day.''


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Lopsided loss to Georgia humbles No. 24 Mississippi State
September 25, 2017


STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) Mississippi State's last two games have produced dramatically different results.


Now the program gets its third opportunity in three weeks to knock off a nationally ranked team to prove whether it's among the Southeastern Conference's best.


The Bulldogs looked nearly unstoppable in a dominant 37-7 win over LSU less than two weeks ago , spawning chatter among fans and analysts that they might be the second-best team in the SEC. But the success was short lived - they couldn't do anything right in a sobering 31-3 loss to Georgia last weekend .


No. 24 Mississippi State (3-1, 1-1 SEC) is preparing for another difficult challenge when it travels to face No. 13 Auburn (3-1, 1-0) on Saturday. The Tigers are coming off an impressive 51-14 win over Missouri last weekend.


For Mississippi State, the LSU and Georgia games are proof that a wide variety of outcomes are possible.


''If we play really, really well, we've got a great chance to win,'' Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. ''If we play poorly, we've got a great chance to lose. That's kind of the message to the guys - it's not a panic.''


Mississippi State's offense sputtered against Georgia, especially in the passing game. Nick Fitzgerald completed just 14 of 29 passes for 83 yards and two interceptions.


The Bulldogs aren't a team that needs big passing numbers to win games, but the complete lack of a vertical passing game made the offense one-dimensional and ineffective.


In the LSU win, Fitzgerald completed 15 of 23 passes for 180 yards, including two touchdown passes that went for 45 and 20 yards. That was enough passing production to open up space for a running game that earned 285 yards.


Fitzgerald said the LSU game is a blueprint for future success.


''We didn't have to get huge chunks at a time, we were consistently moving the ball five or 10 yards,'' Fitzgerald said.


Mississippi State has a pretty good idea of its on-field formula for success. Now the Bulldogs are trying to deal with the mental whiplash from the past two weeks.


Mullen said it's important for his team to establish some equilibrium and understand that things are never as good or bad as they seem after a big win or loss.


''You're somewhere in the middle and you're honestly just trying to improve and get better from week to week,'' Mullen said. ''You're really as good as your last play or going to be as good as your next play.''


Fitzgerald said the team didn't have a great week of practice before the Georgia game and needs to get back to its demeanor before the LSU game, when the team was hungry and feeling disrespected after being picked to finish near the bottom of the league.


''Maybe we thought we were a little bit better than we were,'' Fitzgerald said. ''Maybe we got lackadaisical at times. I felt we weren't really mentally locked in at practice. That's going to change.''

 

[CNOTES]

No. 16 Okla. St. not panicking, getting ready for next game
September 25, 2017


STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) Following a disappointing loss that dealt a serious blow to its Big 12 Championship dreams, not to mention the possibility of landing in the College Football Playoff, No. 15 Oklahoma State is not going to panic or make sweeping changes.


Oklahoma State (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) plummeted from No. 6 in the rankings after falling 44-31 at home last Saturday to TCU, which moved up to No. 9. The Cowboys are trying to keep their emotions in check as they prepare for their next game, this Saturday at Texas Tech (3-0, 0-0).


''The outside world takes wins and losses different than we do,'' OSU coach Mike Gundy said Monday. ''We try to stay level-headed, even with the wins. People outside of the program celebrate the wins and go crazy, but we know, in our world, we have a body of work that we have to get accomplished every week. I hope that our guys understand that from the history of this program, and I think they do.''


Gundy said he will be looking to ensure his players are engaged and determined in practice throughout the week as they prepare for Texas Tech, which is coming off a 27-24 road win over Houston.


''(I look at) their intensity and focus in practice, which last week was excellent,'' Gundy said. ''So I don't know if I'm looking for the right tools. But last week, their focus in practice was awesome. That's the thing that we can hang our hat on. The only thing we can ever ask is preparation and focus, avoid distractions. Before the Pitt game (a 59-21 victory on the road Sept. 16), we had a ton of distractions. Before last week, we didn't have any distractions.''


Gundy also addressed some of the issues that contributed to the defeat, such as four turnovers (two in the fourth quarter), allowing TCU to convert 10 of 14 third downs through the first three quarters and losing the time of possession battle, 39:04 to 20:56.


He was also disappointed that the Cowboys gained just 101 yards rushing, especially when TCU's defense was deliberately keeping its safeties deep to protect against the pass. He did note that ''we were just a step away five or six times from a 5-yard run being a 15- or 20-yard run.''


Oklahoma State's third-down defense is ranked 112th in the nation out of 130 teams after four games.


''It was something different each play, and we have to continue to work at it,'' Gundy said. ''Those are key downs that you've got to get off the field, because time of possession here doesn't mean much in our (high-tempo) offense, but the first three-and-out we had on defense was in the fourth quarter. We let them extend on third-and-medium and third-and-longs, which are generally 33 percent or less - we let them extend multiple times. And we didn't run the ball as effectively this time, so when you tie all that up, we were crushed in the time of possession.''


Ultimately, Gundy said his team will make a few adjustments, but no wholesale, dramatic changes.


''You lose a game that you feel like you could have won if you'd played better, but certainly, we didn't give them the game,'' Gundy said. ''We made mistakes, but they played well enough to win. So you don't sell the farm and change what you're doing, like a lot of people would like. You make minor corrections that are actually feasible to manage within a two- or three-day period to get ready to play again. And we played some young players. We try to coach them up and try to get them ready to go play again. That's really what you do. You don't have any other options in that scenario.


''Some of it was self-inflicted. TCU was a big factor in some of it, and sometimes we couldn't get the dang ball to bounce where we wanted it to.''


******************************


Brohm hoping Boilermakers learn lesson after Michigan loss
September 25, 2017


INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Jeff Brohm expects the Purdue Boilermakers to be confident, play well and win.


The first-year coach also needs his players to understand it's not a good idea to speak that way in public. If they didn't understand that lesson before losing Saturday's Big Ten opener to No. 8 Michigan, he's making it perfectly clear now.


''We were a little too confident after a good SEC win on the road,'' Brohm said after the 28-10 loss. ''We have to earn our stripes. The Big Ten schedule is not going to get any easier.''


Brohm was alluding to last week's bold prediction by receiver Gregory Phillips, who told ESPN.com that people would be surprised when Purdue pulled the upset. Had Phillips stopped there, perhaps Brohm could have chalked it up to an overly exuberant guy in a re-energized program who is eager to prove to the rest of the world that the Boilermakers, finally, are back.


Instead, Phillips continued.


''I wish we played Ohio State too, because nobody can stop us right now except ourselves,'' he said. ''If we don't beat Purdue and turn the ball over, we win every game.''


The Buckeyes are not on Purdue's schedule this season and Phillips' comments came three days after Brohm told reporters he wasn't sure how the Boilermakers (2-2, 0-1) could score a point against Michigan's stingy defense.


In fact, the Boilermakers were shut out in a dismal second half when they produced just 10 yards in offense.


With a bye week up next, Brohm has some pressing matters to deal with. First, he must sort out the quarterback situation before facing Minnesota on Oct. 7.


Elijah Sindelar and David Blough have played a roughly equal amount of snaps through the first third of the season, but Blough left Saturday's game after re-injuring his throwing shoulder. It's unclear how much time - if any - he'll miss.


The Boilermakers also will be without two key defensive starters, safety Jacob Thieneman and linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley, for the first half of next week's game after both were ejected on targeting calls last weekend.


So from that standpoint, the timing of the bye couldn't be better.


But it's a good bet Brohm will use the extra time to reinforce his principles on speaking out.


''We need to keep our mouths shut and just play football,'' Brohm said. ''I want us to be confident and I want that. I think we need to tone it down a little bit.''

 

[CNOTES]

Florida State looking to get back on track after 0-2 start
September 25, 2017


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) The road doesn't get any easier for Florida State after its worst start in 28 years.


The 0-2 Seminoles' next four games are against teams with a combined record of 13-1. That stretch starts on Saturday on the road against Wake Forest (4-0). Coach Jimbo Fisher is hoping that history can repeat itself: The last time the Seminoles got off to an 0-2 start, they didn't lose again and finished 10-2 in 1989.


Fisher, whose team is unranked for the first time since 2011, said during his Monday news conference that he still likes the makeup of his team. His players, though, were more direct in assessing the upcoming task at hand.


''We need to make a statement in order to show everyone that we're not just some scrub team,'' guard Cole Minshew said.


The Seminoles' recent struggles have garnered more attention after last Saturday's 27-21 loss to North Carolina State. Since winning 33 of 34 games from 2013 to 2015, Florida State is 14-8 in its last 22 - with two of those wins against Football Championship Subdivision schools - and 7-6 in Atlantic Coast Conference games.


''I don't think it's anything that Jimbo has done differently,'' Minshew said. ''It's us as players, maybe we're not executing as those other guys were or we don't take to coaching as well or something. I don't know.''


If the Seminoles are going to bounce back, they need to quickly make adjustments on both sides of the ball. The offense has scored only two touchdowns and has struggled in the red zone.


Fisher was happy with freshman quarterback James Blackman's first start (22 of 39 for 279 yards and a TD).


''He did some things I was really, really happy with,'' Fisher said. ''He did a lot of little detail things, was accurate, and gave us a chance to be successful in the game.''


The passing game could face a new challenge with wide receiver Auden Tate questionable this week. Tate injured his shoulder in the second half of last Saturday's game. The running game has also not been able to get in sync as the Seminoles have played mostly from behind.


Defensively, the Seminoles haven't been able to generate much of a pass rush, with only three sacks in two games. They also couldn't get off the field against N.C. State as the Wolfpack was 5 of 12 on third-down conversions.


''I think we've got to get started faster on defense a little bit better,'' Fisher said. ''Hopefully, we can shut guys down and not get behind in that area (third downs).''


FSU has been challenged the past two times against the Demon Deacons. Two years ago, it needed a late interception to hold on for a 24-16 victory. Last season, the Seminoles won 17-6 in a game in which both defenses played well.


FSU's next three games after Wake are against No. 14 Miami (2-0) on Oct. 7, at Duke (4-0) on Oct. 14 and hosting No. 17 Louisville (3-1) on Oct. 21.


''It's seemed like the last couple years we've started off slow, and we just hit our groove by midseason and played lights out,'' Minshew said. ''I think everyone needs to figure out that one thing that separates us from other teams toward the end of the season.''


**************************


No. 10 Wisconsin rested after bye, focused on Northwestern
September 25, 2017


MADISON, Wis. (AP) No. 10 Wisconsin is back from a bye week, rested after a nonconference schedule that provided few tests, especially on defense.


That should change with the Big Ten opener this weekend against Northwestern.


''We got a lot out of the bye, what we wanted to get out of the bye week. The kids are excited to get going this week,'' coach Paul Chryst said on Monday.


Wisconsin (3-0) outscored its opponents 130-30 through its first three games. The average margin of victory of 33.3 points is the best by a Power Five team so far this season, ahead of Washington (32.8), Penn State (32.3) and Alabama (31.3).


Wisconsin also ranks in a tie for fourth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 10.0 points per game and has yet to allow a point in the second half of a game this season.


''We do a good job of cleaning things up at halftime and everyone settling down, and we move forward from there,'' linebacker T.J. Edwards said.


The Badgers have also limited big plays, having allowed just seven plays of 20-plus yards, which is tied for the fifth-fewest in the FBS.


Safety D'Cota Dixon said those statistics won't matter much heading into Big Ten play.


''We haven't played our best game yet and we know it,'' he said. ''We'll see if we can execute going into the Big Ten. It will be a good test for us.''


That begins with Northwestern, which has proven to be a formidable foe for the Badgers. The Wildcats have won six of the last 11 games and two of the last three between the teams.


''They're tough and they're physical. They try to match our intensity and physicality. They'll come out and hit you. They're not afraid,'' senior tight end Troy Fumagalli said. ''They always play us tough.''


Wisconsin prevailed 21-7 in Evanston last year, but Northwestern escaped with a 13-7 victory in their last appearance at Camp Randall Stadium two years ago.


Edwards said the familiarity of conference opponents, though, does make preparation easier compared to non-conference play.


''It's nice to be able to go back and look at the past couple of years' film, especially if a team uses the same type of scheme,'' said Edwards, who has a team-high two interceptions.


''But you have to bring more physicality to practice because it's Big Ten football. Teams are going to be more physical, and we have to match it.''


NOTES: DE Chikwe Obasih (left leg), a key member of the defensive line rotation, will miss a third straight game. Starting OG Jon Dietzen (right leg) is also listed as questionable on the injury report.

 

[CNOTES]

Clemson prepares for next test, V-Tech
September 25, 2017


CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) The tests just keep coming for No. 2 Clemson. The Tigers will face its third top-15 opponent in four weeks when it heads to 12th-ranked Virginia Tech this weekend.


The Tigers (2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) are off to their third straight 4-0 start and are brimming with confidence after defeating Boston College 34-7. Next up are the Hokies (4-0), who open their league season attempting to end a four game losing streak against the Tigers.


''I definitely think our best football is in front of us,'' Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. ''Especially if we'll keep bringing the right mindset and just learning from mistakes.''


They made plenty of them the first three quarters against Boston College as Kelly Bryant threw two interceptions and the Eagles kept the Tigers pinned deep in their territory in a game that was tied at seven entering the final period. But Clemson took control in the fourth quarter with four rushing touchdowns .


Swinney said there were several things to improve on offense, a task that he expects his players to quickly lock into given the stakes of Saturday night's game.


''It presents a challenge,'' said Adam Choice, a junior tailback who's scored touchdowns in the past two games. ''It seems in my mind, it tests us mentally to see if we can stick together. We pride ourselves in staying calm and cool and not getting frustrated. If we can figure that out and stick to our game plan, I know we'll have a chance.''


Clemson's excelled in its early prime-time showdowns, holding then No. 13 Auburn to two field goals in a 14-6 victory on Sept. 9. Clemson followed that up the next week with its 47-21 dismantling of then No. 14 Louisville and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.


Clemson safety Tanner Muse said the team is accustomed to the spotlight after playing the national title game the past two seasons.


''Being in these big games, it's what we come here for,'' he said. ''You enjoy them. You don't take anything for granted and come with the same mentality as any week's game.''


Clemson has had much experience playing and excelling in big moments. It started in earnest under Swinney in 2011 when the Tigers topped defending national champ Auburn, defending ACC Atlantic Division champion Florida State and league champ Virginia Tech in three straight weeks.


The Tigers have gone 20-9 against ranked opponents the past seven seasons - and an eye-popping 12-1 in their last 13. The lone loss was the 45-40 defeat to Alabama in the national title game two seasons ago.


''We knew when the schedule came out this was going to be a challenging start,'' Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said. ''I think we're in a good position.''


Clemson has somewhat switched its offensive identity behind first-year starter in quarterback Kelly Bryant. Instead of dazzling opponents through the air, the Tigers are grinding them down on the ground. They've gained 297 yards or more in three of their four games so far and have scored 17 of 20 touchdowns on the ground.


No matter what Clemson has done on offense, it's rock-solid defense - third nationally in overall and scoring defense - has kept opponents in check. Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente knows the Hokies will have their hands full attempting to keep Clemson out of its backfield.


''It's not a read and react situation,'' Fuente said. ''It's a pin your ears back and try to create havoc.''


Bryant believes Clemson's winning experience against ranked opponents, both this season and over the past few years, serves them well in preparation and attitude.


''We know what we have to do and we're ready to do it,'' he said.

 

[CNOTES]

Opening Line Report - Week 5
September 25, 2017


A pair of unbeaten Pac-12 teams meet Friday night at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington as USC visits Washington State (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). The Trojans opened -5.5 on Sunday at the Wynn Las Vegas, a number that drew immediate action on the home underdog. By Monday, the Wynn was dealing USC -4, and other shops, including the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook and CG Technology, hung -3.5 as their original numbers.


Westgate oddsmaker Ed Salmons understands the early move on the Cougars, a team he was high on coming into the season.


“This game seems to be set up for Washington State,” Salmons said. “For USC, it’s back-to-back road games (the Trojans won at Cal on Saturday, 30-20), and it’s a short week, and USC is very banged up on the defensive side of the ball. It’s a game Washington State has to win, and I’d be shocked if they didn’t win.


“It’s really a good spot (for Washington State), and they’re a solid team and USC was really fortunate last week and they were really fortunate against Texas (in a 27-24 win two weeks ago).”


Jason Simbal, vice president of risk at CG Technology, agrees USC hasn’t been all that impressive, but victories over Western Michigan, Stanford, Texas and Cal make for a solid early-season resume.


“Every team that they’ve faced is probably going to a bowl game,” Simbal said.


He added that while the wiseguys are on Washington State early, the public will come late with money on the chalk.


”I think we’ll still see the majority of the action on USC in this game, because considering the proximities, they’re kind of the hometown college team here,” Simbal said. ‘We’ll probably need the underdog in this one.”


Here’s a quick look at three key Saturday games:


Georgia (-7.5) at Tennessee - (CBS, 3:30 p.m. ET)


The Wynn opened Georgia -6.5, a price gamblers found to their liking, as the book adjusted to -8 in one flash in a matter of minutes. On Monday, 24 hours after the Wynn posted Vegas’ first college football lines, there was an even mix of 7.5s and 8s being dealt around town.


The road team laying more touchdown in this SEC rivalry game feels like a tall order, as five straight games in this series have been decided by one score.


Salmons’ personal ratings make Georgia, which is coming off a 31-3 whitewashing of Mississippi State, a touchdown favorite in this spot.


“Tennessee struggled to beat a crappy UMass team, but you don’t know if they were looking ahead or whatever,” he said. “I’m not quite understanding Tennessee anymore. Go back to that Georgia Tech game (a 42-41 win in overtime by the Vols in Week 1). Georgia Tech really deserved to win that game. They were winning the whole way and Tennessee wound up coming back at the end. Tennessee was fortunate against Florida to come back (two weeks ago). They were down a bunch of points and came back before they gave up the Hail Mary at the end.”


Both Salmons and Simbal believe the public will back Georgia on the road this week.


“I imagine Tennessee is going to be one of the bigger decisions for us based on the way Georgia has looked,” Simbal said.


“I think 7’s a solid number,” Salmons said, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if the public bet it up.”

Mississippi State at Auburn (-9.5) - (ESPN, 6:00 p.m. ET)


For the third straight week, Mississippi State is priced as a substantial underdog against a conference opponent. And their Jekyll-and-Hyde act over the past two weeks doesn’t give bettors much help in deciding whether to take those points or lay them. The Bulldogs followed their 37-7 win at LSU two weeks ago with the aforementioned dud in Athens.


Early sharp money, though, did back Miss State at the Wynn’s opening line of +10.5, as the spread sits at 9.5 across town Monday night.


Miss State was the rare underdog backed by casual bettors on Saturday, according to Simbal, which helped Vegas books to their hugely profitable weekend that we’re sure you’ve heard about by now.


“This weekend was such a good one that even the favorites that covered were the favorites we needed, and the biggest example of that was Georgia because everybody was in love with Mississippi State coming off the big LSU game,” Simbal said.


As for Auburn, Miss State provides the Tigers’ biggest test since their 14-6 loss to Clemson in Week 2.


“It will be interesting to see how Auburn does against the first real team they’ve played since the Clemson loss, when they weren’t able to do anything on offense,” said Simbal. “The one thing you can gather is their defense is legit because Clemson’s been able to go up and down the field against pretty much everybody except them.”


Still, Simbal said, “I’m not sold on Auburn, but you know what you get with Mississippi State, which is a steady team, and as long as they don’t have any turnovers, they’re at least going to hang around. I would lean toward the underdog in this one, but thankfully, I don’t have to bet to make money.”

Clemson (-7) at Virginia Tech - (ABC, 8:00 p.m. ET)


Clemson was bet from -6.5 to as high as -8 at the Wynn, but the line settled back to -7.5 at that joint and to -7 at most others.


CG opened -7.5, the high end of the market, but didn’t draw any wiseguy money with that number.


“It hasn’t come yet,” Simbal said when we spoke Monday evening, about five hours after his book opened wagering. “You figure with a lot of 7s out there and a few 7.5s, if the sharper players wanted to take 7.5, they’d do it. So it tells us one of two things: Either Virginia Tech is not the side, but more so, they think this number is going to go only one way, so why take it at 7.5 when they can take it later at 8.”


Salmons, meanwhile, agreed with the notion that a road game at Virginia Tech may be Clemson’s stiffest test of the season so far and said that if he was on our side of the counter, he’d be leaning toward the dog.


“At 7, I’d bet Virginia Tech. I’d definitely take 7,” Salmons said. “I was thinking this game would be anywhere between 3.5 and 6.5. …


“Virginia Tech has a young quarterback, but so does Clemson. Everything went right for Clemson against Louisville. I give Virginia Tech a good chance in this game. I think they’ll keep it close and have a shot to win.”


Who the sharps are on early


According to Simbal, early sharp money at CG came in on:


Navy -5 vs. Tulsa, moving the line to -6…


East Carolina +24 vs. South Florida, with a move to 23.5…


Akron -3 vs. Bowling Green, prompting an adjustment to -3 (-120)…


Kentucky -13.5 and -14 vs. East Michigan, the line moving north to -14.5...

 

[CNOTES]

Gaskin re-emerges as weapon for No. 6 Washington
September 25, 2017


Myles Gaskin was often an afterthought while the Washington running attack was practically invisible through the first three games of the season.


But toss in a career-best rushing performance in Game 4, and Gaskin and the Huskies' ground game looks significantly better entering Saturday's game at Oregon State (1-3, 0-1 Pac-12).


Gaskin rushed for a career-best 202 yards in last Saturday's 37-10 victory over Colorado. The junior entered with just 153 yards in three games.


"Myles always gets better the more you give him the ball," Washington coach Chris Petersen said. "He'll get into a rhythm if you can give him a little bit of space. I think we took a step forward in the run game."


Call it multiple steps now that the reliable Gaskin was able to get into the flow.


Gaskin topped 1,300 rushing yards in each of his first two college seasons. But the No. 6 Huskies (4-0, 1-0) only gave him 24 carries over the first three games.


He received 27 attempts in less than ideal conditions against the Buffaloes and suddenly looked like the highly productive back of the past two seasons.


"The guys up front we're doing their job, they were making it easy for me," Gaskin said of an offensive line that enjoyed its best overall game of the season. "The rain and everything kind of factored in so we were sticking to the run and it worked out how it did."


Going from the sparse workload to a bell-cow level certainly was fine with Gaskin, but it also spurred questions for why the drop in usage.


Petersen insists there was no plan in place to keep Gaskin leashed up until the start of Pac-12 play.


"No, I don't think we were that specific. I mean, we are trying to come out, and we always want to run the ball," Petersen said.


"We are disappointed from Game 1 if it doesn't look like we want it to. It is not like some, 'OK, get him ready for the league.' We come out trying to do the best we can from the very start. But we do know it takes a minute. It's not ready made."


Washington did receive a dose of bad news in the win over Colorado -- junior receiver Chico McClatcher broke his left ankle and is expected to miss the rest of the season.


--QB Jake Browning has passed for 958 yards and nine touchdowns against two interceptions but experienced his second straight subpar performance against Colorado, including last season's Pac-12 title game. The junior completed just 11 of 21 attempts for 160 yards and one touchdown but did avoid key mistakes. Browning's completion percentage dipped to 69.7 percent, which ranks 14th nationally, but he could be in line for a nice rebound against an Oregon State team that has already allowed 12 passing touchdowns.


--CB Jordan Miller is coming off a solid effort against Colorado in which he recorded his first two interceptions of the season. The junior will be counted on even more moving forward with redshirt freshman Byron Murphy out with a broken foot. "He's an athletic guy. He's another guy that's kind of been lurking in the shadows so to speak," coach Chris Petersen said. "I think we saw that he could do some really good things out there at a really tough position on the island."


--DT Vita Vea displayed his rare form of athleticism by blocking a punt against Colorado in addition to his typical style of tying up blockers in the trenches. "Thought Vita Vea was playing at a really, really high level," coach Chris Petersen said. "Not only on special teams but on defense." The 6-foot-5, 340-pound junior has 13 tackles and one sack this season with room to elevate his performance.


*****************************


Utah QB Huntley injured, senior backup Williams stayed ready
September 25, 2017


SALT LAKE CITY (AP) It's not clear when Utah will get starting quarterback Tyler Huntley back, but the Utes have a more than capable backup.


Huntley left the field in the second quarter of last Friday's 30-24 win over Arizona and later returned with his right arm in a sling. Coach Kyle Whittingham said no season-ending injuries were suffered in the game but declined to provide more details. Utah typically does not disclose injuries unless they end a player's season.


The Utes are on a bye week. They host Stanford on Oct. 7.


''We're going to be optimistic and hope everybody's ready in two weeks,'' Whittingham said. ''Maybe that's wishful thinking, but we'll have to see what happens.''


Senior captain Troy Williams replaced Huntley and threw for 131 yards and rushed for a touchdown. Williams started all 13 games in 2016 but lost the job to Huntley during preseason camp. Whittingham doesn't anticipate any significant changes in the new spread offense run by first-year coordinator Troy Taylor if Williams has to play more.


''We tweak a little bit, there's not a wholesale change,'' Whittingham said. ''(Williams is) a very capable runner. He's good in the pocket. Troy Taylor will tailor the game plan to fit his specific skill set. There's not a great deal of difference of things that we need to change or do. Troy is fully capable of running this offense just as is.''


Both Whittingham and Williams said there wasn't any need for the team to rally around the quarterback when he entered the game. Williams has continued his routine of being one of the last players on the practice field long after the session has ended. That's what he did as a starter, and he wanted to do the same despite losing the job.


''That just made me realize that I had to work even harder,'' Williams said. ''Whatever I did, I had to multiply it by three, by four. Whatever it was I was doing, I put extra on it and made sure when my number is called, I had to be ready.


''I didn't want to be that guy that, I didn't get the spot, so now I'm not doing extra things to make myself better. I didn't want to be that guy that guys look over and say he's pouting.''


The decision to go with the sophomore Huntley over Williams was a surprise at the time. Williams won nine games as a starter last season. He was voted a captain again this year before he lost the starting job.


Huntley quickly took control, leading the team to a perfect start. He has accounted for 66 percent of the Utes' total offense. His 293.5 yards of total offense per game ranks No. 27 in the nation, and his 73.3 completion percentage ranks No. 7. He's the first Utah quarterback to record back-to-back 300-yard passing games since Brian Johnson in 2008.


There was some worry that Huntley would be vulnerable to injury since he's a bit slight (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) and is the team's second leading rusher. He was injured on a passing play.


Williams said his family and his faith helped keep him in the right frame of mind. He knew all eyes were on him as a team captain and wanted to continue to set an example for others.


''You've got to understand it's a business, even in college,'' running back Zack Moss said. ''He's a great role model of how to continue to work hard even when things aren't going your way. Sometimes you've got to keep working.


''It would have been easy for him to just say, `I lost the job,' and take a seat back and let things happen. But he kept fighting.''


NOTES: Running back Armand Shyne will redshirt, Whittingham said. The junior was in the mix to start before suffering a lower arm injury during camp. Whittingham said there won't be enough time left in the season by the time Shyne is healthy to warrant using a year of eligibility. ... Starting defensive end Kylie Fitts left the Arizona game with an injury and returned to the sideline on crutches. He is tied for the team lead with two sacks. Whittingham did not detail Fitts' injury either.


**************************


Winless 'Noles look to bounce back at 4-0 Wake Forest
September 25, 2017


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Here's a sentence Florida State fans didn't think they'd hear: 4-0 Wake Forest will host an 0-2 Seminoles team that's still looking for its first win of the season.


Unusual, to say the least.


Florida State, which started with a preseason No. 3 ranking in the Associated Press poll, has come crashing down in the matter of two games.


A season-opening 24-7 loss to No. 1 Alabama in Atlanta -- and then last Saturday's stunning 27-21 defeat to visiting North Carolina State -- quickly changed the mind of poll voters. Florida State dropped from No. 12 last week to unranked, ending a streak of Top 25 appearances that had stretched for 89 weeks and was second in the nation behind the Crimson Tide.


The Seminoles (0-2, 0-1 ACC) did lose two weeks of games due to Hurricane Irma. But when head coach Jimbo Fisher open his press conference Monday to discuss the rough start, he wasn't about to use that as an excuse.


"After looking at the film at the N.C. State game, again, credit to N.C. State. They have a very good football team, did a great job," Fisher said.


"There's some areas that we'll get our guys in and coach them up better ... and that's on us as coaches. And that's me as a head coach to make sure that gets done."


The Seminoles are averaging 14 points, 75 yards rushing and 316 yards of total offense through two games.


Those numbers are very un-Florida State-like, and the Seminoles don't have a lot of time in between games to fix the issues.


Due to Hurricane Irma -- and the Seminoles having to move their Sept. 16 game against Miami to their open date Oct. 7 -- last Saturday against N.C. State marked the first of nine straight games for Florida State. And it may even be 10.


On Monday, ESPN.com reported that the Seminoles are in talks with Week 2 opponent Louisiana-Monroe to reschedule their Sept. 9 game that was canceled due to the storm. The only possible date that could happen would be following the Seminoles' final regular-season game of the year Nov. 25 against Florida. The game would be made up for bowl eligibility purposes, Seminoles associate athletic director Rob Wilson said.


Florida State receiver George Campbell said it doesn't matter how many games the Seminoles have to play in a row, the needed corrections are not only doable on the fly, but easier than most might think.


"It's about execution. Nothing crazy," said Campbell, who had a solid game in the loss to the Wolfpack with three catches for 85 yards.


"We beat ourselves. It's about execution on special teams and making sure we step up and make the plays. We have to make sure we block the right person and make the right reads. There's nothing special to it. Just making sure that we execute everything."


That execution may have to come this weekend without two of Florida State's best players.


Linebacker Matthew Thomas, last year's leading tackler and also the leading tackler in Week 1 against Alabama, left the game before halftime against N.C. State with a lower back injury and did not return. Later in the game, leading receiver Auden Tate injured his left shoulder on the Seminoles' first drive of the second half and did not return.


Fisher said Monday that neither player suffered a season-ending injury; their status was officially "day to day."


The Seminoles will also be without starting linebacker Jacob Pugh for the first half because of a targeting penalty in the second half against N.C. State.


There is one bright spot, though, about the 0-2 start. The last time this happened was 1989. That year, the Seminoles won 10 in a row and finished 10-2, defeating Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl and finishing No. 3 in the final AP poll.

 

[CNOTES]

Maryland QB Hill suffers ACL injury
September 26, 2017


Maryland freshman quarterback Kasim Hill sustained an ACL tear in his right knee and will be sidelined for the rest of the season, the team announced.


Hill sustained his injury during the first quarter of a 38-10 loss to Central Florida on Saturday. He is the second Terrapins' quarterback to be felled by the injury, as Tyrelle Pigrome tore his ACL against Texas in the first game of the season.


"It happened it's the hand we've been dealt. ... They'll bounce back, they'll be fine," Maryland coach D.J. Durkin said. "They've got great careers ahead of them here and probably beyond."


Hill completed 18 of 21 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns to go along with one rushing score in three games this season.


Max Bortenschlager replaced Hill and threw for 132 yards while tossing one touchdown and two interceptions.


*****************


Maryland turns to 3rd starting QB
September 26, 2017


COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) The Maryland football team is turning to its third starting quarterback of the season.


Sophomore Max Bortenschlager will make his second career start in place of freshman Kasim Hill when the Terrapins (2-1) visit Minnesota Saturday in the Big Ten opener for both teams Coach DJ Durkin said Tuesday that Hill will miss the rest of the season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament suffered in Saturday's 38-10 loss to Central Florida.


''It was just a tough play,'' Durkin said of Hill's injury. ''He was competing and got spun around and got hit and went down in the game. He'll bounce back. He has a great future in football, both here and beyond.''


Hill had stepped in for Sophomore Tyrrell Pigrome, who suffered a torn right ACL during the Terrapins' season-opening victory at Texas.


Now it's Bortenschlager's turn.


Bortenschlager was 15 of 26 for 132 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while taking five sacks against Central Florida.


''I thought it was a gutsy performance,'' Durkin said. ''He did really well. It wasn't perfect, but who would expect it to be? He's tough and he competes. . Now having a full week to prepare, we can tailor the game plan to him as opposed to someone else. It will certainly help him.''


Maryland is down to two scholarship quarterbacks: Bortenschlager and junior Caleb Henderson, a North Carolina transfer who was expected to contend for the starting job but was plagued by a right foot injury during preseason camp and has yet to play this season. Walk-on Ryan Brand, a junior college transfer, is the Terps' No. 3 quarterback.


In his only previous start, Bortenschlager was 14 for 29 for 191 yards, a touchdown and an interception against Nebraska last season. While Bortenschlager isn't as mobile as either Pigrome or Hill, teammates anticipate the Terps will be able to play to his strengths as they venture into their conference schedule.


''He's a really good pocket passer, especially when he's given time to go through his reads and get the ball out like he's supposed to,'' tailback Lorenzo Harrison III said. ''I feel like he has a good arm and throws a really pretty ball.''


A full week with Bortenschlager taking first team reps should help not just him but the entire offense. Durkin acknowledged the Terps were deflated after Hill's injury, and they finished the game with just 197 total yards.


''It kind of took the wind out of our sails,'' Durkin said. ''I think we didn't respond well to adversity. We're certainly we're going to learn from it and it's something we talked about as a team. We'll use it as a teachable moment. There's been times earlier this year when we had similar adversity and handled it really well.''


Maryland is no stranger to quarterback injuries. This marks the third consecutive season and fourth time in six years the Terps will use at least three starting quarterbacks. Since 2004, only two Maryland quarterbacks have started every game in a season --- Sam Hollenbach in 2006 and C.J. Brown in 2014.


As a result, the Terps are already seasoned at adapting to quarterback tumult.


''The scheme doesn't change, our attitude toward the game doesn't change and this team certainly isn't going to lie down,'' center Brendan Moore said. ''We just have to face this adversity and get closer as a team.''

 

[CNOTES]

Barkley-Jewell matchup results in boost
September 26, 2017


A look at NFL prospects who helped and may have hurt themselves in the week that was in college football:


Who helped themselves?


Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State, JR. (5-11, 233, 4.49, #26)


Already considered a top-10 pick, Barkley doesn't have much room to ascend, but he is making a strong case to be considered the best talent, regardless of position, for the 2018 NFL Draft.


On Saturday night in Iowa, he touched the ball 40 times for a career-best 305 yards of total offense. On the ground, Barkley averaged 7.5 yards per carry (28/211/1) against a stingy front-seven, using his unique blend of power, speed and elusive traits. His dozen catches now has him at 23 receptions on the season, which not only leads Penn State, but also the Big Ten.


Although he does need work as a blocker, Barkley has very few holes in his game and projects as a player who can have an immediate impact at the next level. A running back has been drafted fourth overall in each of the last two years with Ezekiel Elliott to Dallas in 2016 and Leonard Fournette to Jacksonville this past April, but Barkley might not make it to the fourth pick in the 2018 draft class.

Josey Jewell, LB, Iowa, rSR. (6-1, 236, 4.78, #43)


Paired with Barkley for most of the night, it must have been a subpar performance by Jewell if the Penn State running back posted 300-plus of total offense, right?


Quite the contrary from a scouting perspective because it might have been 400 yards of total offense if not for the play of Jewell, who finished with 16 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, two pass break-ups, one interception and one fumble recovery. He has a high football IQ with the read/react quickness to leverage run lanes and eliminate options for the ballcarrier.


Jewell isn't a top-tier athlete, something that was clear when asked to cover Barkley in space, but his nonstop hustle in pursuit helps compensate for his ordinary speed. His locked-in, hungry demeanor and natural instincts are what separates him as a linebacker and are the main reasons Jewell is viewed as a possible day two draft pick.


Harrison Phillips, NT, Stanford, rJR. (6-4, 290, 4.96, #66)


Who is the best interior defensive lineman in the Pac-12? Over the summer, my answer likely would have been Washington's Vita Vea with Washington State's Hercules Mata'afa, Utah's Lowell Lotulelei and Washington's Greg Gaines also coming to mind.


Phillips has separated himself as not only the top defensive tackle in the Pac-12 on the young season, but one of the more underrated players in the country.


Through four games, Phillips leads the Cardinal with 32 tackles and he was a difference-maker against UCLA, posting 1.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 1 forced fumble and a blocked field goal. He is stout at the point of attack with the upper body power to bench press blockers from his body, separating to slither into the backfield and disrupt the offensive game plan.


At the very least, he consistently clogs inside run lanes and forces the offense to run off tackle. With Solomon Thomas now in the NFL, Stanford needed Phillips to step up in 2017 and that's exactly what he has done.

Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State, SR. (6-3, 275, 4.84, #9)


Considered a borderline first rounder entering the season, Chubb has played like a prospect looking to erase the "borderline" designation from his scouting report.


Against Florida State on Saturday, he dominated with outstanding production (seven tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one forced fumble), but the box score doesn't fully illustrate his impressive day. Chubb, who leads the ACC with 7.5 tackles for loss on the season, looks like a NFL defensive end with the length and long strides to run the arc.


Although he isn't a twitchy athlete, he is technically sound with his rush moves and shows a variety of options in his pass rush sequence to keep blockers off-balance. Chubb has also been dominant against the run this season, showing the reaction skills to crash down inside or gain outside leverage, stringing the ballcarrier to the perimeter.


With his physical skills, smarts and technique, Chubb will draw several Derek Barnett comparisons -- and like Barnett in last year's class, Chubb has a realist opportunity to be a top-15 pick next April.


Who hurt themselves?

Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State, SR. (6-4, 230, 4.83, #2)


No quarterback had been hotter through the first three weeks of the season than Rudolph, but Oklahoma State also hadn't played a legitimate defense that truly challenged their dynamic offense.


That was the main plot line entering Saturday's Oklahoma State-TCU match up and the Horned Frogs brought the Cowboys back down to earth. Rudolph posted 398 passing yards and two passing scores, including a gorgeous 86-yard deep strike to No. 1 target James Washington, but he finished with only 53.7-percent completions (22-for-41) and three turnovers.


He struggled when his initial read was taken away, taking too long to work through his progressions and not throwing his receivers open. Rudolph also struggled when TCU put pressure on the pocket, not feeling rushers or quickening his process to get the ball out. Overall, Rudolph showed on Saturday why NFL scouts are lukewarm on his next level projection - there is plenty to like, but also several reasons to have strong concerns for his NFL transition, which is why he isn't viewed as a first round pick.

Other notes:


- In Louisville's dismantling of Kent State on Saturday, junior QB Lamar Jackson (6-2, 212, 4.42, #8) scored a pair of touchdowns to give him 88 total scores in his career, breaking the previous school record held by Chris Redman. For Jackson, it was a needed response after the previous week's loss to Clemson and marks another record that now belongs to the reigning Heisman Trophy winner - and it won't be the last.


- Injuries took their toll in week four of the college football season. North Carolina senior WR Austin Proehl (5-11, 175, 4.56, #7), the son of former NFL receiver Ricky Proehl, suffered a broken left clavicle in the first quarter against Duke. The injury will likely end his season and probably his UNC career. LSU versatile senior CB/FS Ed Paris (6-0, 203, 4.52, #21) will miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury, which required surgery. Paris, who also missed time with another injury, is expected to petition for a medical redshirt waiver.


- Arguably the best prospect for the 2018 NFL Draft, Florida State redshirt sophomore DS Derwin James (6-2, 211, 4.52, #3) has been very up-and-down in his return from injury this season, which was fully illustrated against N.C. State. On one hand, when he unlocks his hips and runs, his closing speed is special, covering a ton of ground. James has the body control and awareness to get a jump on plays vs. both the pass and the run, creating chaos for the offense. However, he has also struggled in some areas, specifically in space when asked to make stops. In the second quarter, the Wolfpack had a 71-yard touchdown play that wouldn't have happened if James was able to make the open field tackle. But he waited on the ballcarrier, turned his hips to make the conservative tackle and couldn't compensate when Jakobi Meyers cut the opposite way, taking it the distance. While clearly a negative play, it also brings up the question - does James fully trust his surgically repaired knee? Based on talent, he is one of the top five prospects in the country, but that question could linger into the pre-draft process.

 

[CNOTES]

Texas at Iowa State
September 26, 2017


The Big XII is in the spotlight Thursday night, following a top 10 program from the conference falling from the ranks of the undefeated last weekend. Both Texas and Iowa State have more modest goals in the rebuilding process after bowl absences the past two seasons. The victor this week will be in a much stronger position to reach the postseason through the remaining conference slate.


Matchup: Texas Longhorns at Iowa State Cyclones
Venue: At Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas
Time/TV: Thursday, Sep. 28, 7:00 PM ET ESPN
Line: Texas -6½, Over/Under 63½
Last Meeting: 2016, at Texas (-14) 27, Iowa State 6

The contrast in national presence for Big XII rivals Texas and Iowa State couldn’t be more severe with Texas listed as second nationally in total revenue, just short of 200 million dollars while Iowa State pulled in (and spent) 78 million in the 2015-16 financial calendar. The results the past two seasons haven’t been too far apart however with back-to-back losing Big XII seasons and bowl game absences for both programs.


There is optimism on both campuses this season with regards to the 2017 football seasons with expectations of improvement and bowl bids very possible. Late in the 2015 season Iowa State won 24-0 in the last meeting hosting Texas but it wasn’t enough to save Paul Rhoads who was released after seven seasons in Ames, getting the team to three bowl games but ultimately unable to sustain a run of respectable play.


Ahead of last season Iowa State hired Matt Campbell after four successful seasons at Toledo, ironically a team that beat Iowa State in the 2015 regular season. Campbell is one of the younger coaches at the FBS level and he brought a lot of his staff from Toledo with him. Last season’s transition featured some struggles, starting with a loss to FCS Northern Iowa and an embarrassing 42-3 defeat vs. rival Iowa. Ultimately the Cyclones finished 3-9 to match the team’s 2015 record but there were respectable late season showings with two Big XII wins and several other narrow defeats vs. quality teams including close calls at home vs. ranked Baylor and Oklahoma teams.

This year’s team avenged the loss from last season to Northern Iowa in the opener, a quality FCS program and then took rival Iowa to overtime. Iowa State also handled Akron in its first road test to sit at 2-1 heading into a difficult Big XII schedule. Iowa State plays five road games in conference play and outside of a mid-October home game with Kansas, this is one of the more favorable home dates with TCU and Oklahoma State also visiting Ames as bowl hopes for the Cyclones might hinge on getting this Thursday night upset.


Iowa State used two quarterbacks substantially last season but this season but junior Jacob Park has held the position with strong numbers, throwing for over 900 yards in three games with eight touchdowns as the offense is starting to resemble the productive attacks Campbell led in the MAC. David Montgomery has been a bright spot in the backfield with 321 yards rushing on 5.7 yards per carry as the offense has featured decent balance, though certainly with a lean to towards preferring to throw.


The issues for Iowa State remain on defense with Campbell’s 2016 team showing no improvement over the marginal 2015 numbers and this year’s team is only marginally ahead of last season’s pace with the toughest games still to come. Iowa State has allowed 402 yards per game with particular vulnerability in the air, currently 112th nationally allowing nearly 300 passing yards per game.


Tom Herman was a high profile hire for Texas in the offseason with Texas failing to make a bowl game the past two seasons under Charlie Strong. Herman went 22-4 in two seasons at Houston after coaching under Urban Meyer at Ohio State for three years. Herman was actually the Iowa State offensive coordinator for the first three seasons under Paul Rhoads here at Iowa State from 2009-2011. In three games at Texas he is already halfway to the loss count he had in two seasons in Houston.


Texas expected instant results from Herman with a wealth of returning talent on the roster but the 1-2 start has featured encouraging performances since a surprising opening week loss to Maryland. Texas dominated San Jose State in a shutout win and then in the last game took a highly regarded USC team to double-overtime, even playing without quarterback Shane Buechele.


While that defeat earned some respect for Herman’s transition and bolstered his big game reputation, the reality is that Texas has little margin for error remaining on the season. After this game Texas will in succession face three of the top contenders in the conference with games against Kansas State, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State to start October as a 2-5 record wouldn’t be unrealistic heading into the final five games of the season.


Buechele’s status isn’t clear for Thursday night. He returned to practice this week but is still limited. Freshman backup quarterback Sam Ehlinger has had mixed results with three touchdown passes but also two interceptions and a low completion rate. The running game has been marginal for the Longhorns in trying to replace 2,000-yard rusher D’Onta Foreman as Texas has gained 4.6 yards per rush with the best results coming from junior Chris Warren III. Sophomore wide receiver Collin Johnson has been the big play threat in the offense with 366 yards on only 16 catches. The kicking game has been an issue for Texas with only one made field goal in four attempts.


The numbers for the Texas defense are slightly better than for Iowa State, particularly against the pass and that is even with facing preseason Heisman Trophy favorite Sam Darnold who Texas intercepted twice in the last game, including getting a return touchdown. Texas has scored three interception return touchdowns plus a blocked field goal return touchdown this season and one big play could prove to be the difference in this type of game.

Last Season: A week after Texas had lost a tough 45-40 game with Oklahoma they looked like an upset risk hosting Iowa State riding a three-game losing streak. A tight first half broke open in the third quarter as Texas took turned a 3-6 deficit into a 24-6 edge, eventually winning 27-6 as a two-touchdown home favorite. The yardage results were even more lopsided with a 505-280 edge in one of the best performances of the season for the Texas defense. Two years ago Iowa State won 24-0 hosting Texas as a slight home underdog, the final win for Rhoads with the program.

Historical Trends:

-- Texas is 11-2 S/U but 6-7 ATS in this series since 1998, with Iowa State covering in three in a row until last season.


-- Texas is on a 16-11 ATS run as a road favorite since 2008 though 1-4 ATS in that role the past two seasons.


-- Iowa State is 7-1 ATS in the last eight instances as a home underdog though producing only two S/U upsets in that run.


-- Iowa State is 11-4 ATS overall at home the past two+ seasons, though 6-9 S/U.


-- In four seasons at Toledo, Campbell held a 19-5 S/U record at home, going 12-10-2 ATS.


-- Herman went 6-4 S/U and ATS in road games in his two seasons at Houston.

 

[CNOTES]

Washington State's defense prepares
September 26, 2017


The Air Raid offense gets most of the attention at No. 16 Washington State but the Cougars' defense is also pretty good.


They'll find out how good when Sam Darnold and No. 5 Southern California come to Pullman on Friday night.


Darnold is easily the best quarterback the Cougars (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) have faced this year. The Heisman Trophy candidate is averaging 306 passing yards per game and has led the Trojans to 13 consecutive victories.


Yet Washington State linebacker Isaac Dotson said the Cougars will do nothing special to prepare for him.


''Nothing changes for us,'' Dotson said. ''We just play our defense. He's a solid quarterback. A good player. He's our next opponent. He's one guy on that team. We are not preparing for one guy.''


The Trojans (4-0, 2-0) are playing Washington State for the first time since 2014, when they beat the Cougars 44-17 in Pullman. The game is sold out and excitement is high in the Palouse.


''It's an exciting chance for us,'' Dotson said.


Despite the recent loss of star linebacker Peyton Pelluer to a broken foot, Washington State ranks first in the Pac-12 in pass defense, allowing 142 yards per game. They also have 15 sacks on the year. Defensive lineman Hercules Mata'afa had 2 + sacks within the first six plays in last Saturday's crushing of Nevada. He has 18 quarterback pressures so far this year.


''Offensive linemen can't really block his movement,'' Dotson said.


He pointed to the team's speed off the ball for much of the pass rush success.


But Southern California brings a much bigger offensive line than the Cougars have faced in beating the likes of Montana State and Nevada. The Trojans linemen average 301 pounds while Washington State's defensive linemen average 264 pounds.


The Cougars have been tough on opposing quarterbacks. They knocked Oregon State's Jake Luton out of the game with an injury, and prompted Boise State and Nevada to change quarterbacks during those games. They are allowing only 18.5 points per game.


The Cougars are also meeting their goal of generating better than two turnovers per game.


''Each snap for us is an opportunity to get the ball out,'' Dotson said. ''Takeaways equal victories.''


Count Washington State coach Mike Leach as an admirer of Darnold, a 20-year-old sophomore who is projected as a high NFL draft pick.


''I think he's mature, really just kind of mentally together for a guy that's his age,'' Leach said. ''He's big and the ball comes off his hand good.''


But asked if Darnold was ready to play in the NFL now, Leach went into a lengthy statement about how college players shouldn't leave school early for the pros because hardly any are ready for the transition, including Darnold.


''I get a kick out of everybody thinks one 18-year-old after the next is ready to go to the NFL,'' Leach said. ''I think that's laughable.''


''And I mean it would be terribly brutal. It would literally destroy some lives, too,'' Leach said.


LOOKING BACK: Southern California's 2014 win in Pullman was also the first meaningful playing time for Washington State quarterback Luke Falk, who came in after Connor Halliday broke his leg. Falk completed 38 of 57 passes for 346 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. ''That was his starting point really,'' Leach said.

 

[CNOTES]

Another week, another player lost for SC
September 26, 2017


COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Another week, another pivotal player in South Carolina's lineup has been sidelined due to injury.


Soon after last Saturday's 17-16 win over Louisiana Tech, Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp said starting linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams chose to have surgery on his injured shoulder and will miss the rest of the year. It was just a week earlier, Muschamp had to make a similarly sobering announcement about dynamic South Carolina playmaker Deebo Samuel who had to have surgery a fractured bone in his left leg in a loss to Kentucky.


''It's frustrating,'' Gamecocks quarterback Jake Bentley said. ''And it's frustrating because of the work they put in to get better and help us.''


That was certainly apparent in in their play this season.


Samuel had scored six of South Carolina's 11 touchdowns in its first three games before he got hurt in the third quarter against Kentucky. Samuel is still tied for the SEC lead with six touchdowns, even though his next one won't come for a while. He had surgery on Sept. 18 and could miss the rest of the season, although he and his mother have said on social media they expected to return before season's end.


Allen-Williams, a 6-foot, 230-pound junior, also was hurt against Kentucky and did not respond well after last Tuesday's practice, Muschamp said. Allen-Williams held out until game-time before deciding best course of action was surgery. Allen-Williams had two sacks and recovered a fumble in South Carolina's opening win over North Carolina State. Allen-Williams had an interception a week later to help the Gamecocks win at Missouri.


Allen-Williams has said he will use a redshirt season and return to the Gamecocks next fall.


The Gamecocks (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) will continue to look fill holes created by injuries when they head to Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0) on Saturday night.


South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst said the hurdles players face dealing with injuries to teammate are mostly mental. Once the game starts, Hurst said, players react and perform as they always have.


''This can wear you down mentally,'' tight end Hayden Hurst said. ''But we've got to go on. There's no other choice.''


South Carolina rotated several players into Samuel's offensive roles, some with more success than others. Freshman OrTre Smith had a touchdown catch against Kentucky after Samuel's injury and added one against Louisiana Tech last week in the Gamecocks 17-16 win.


Sophomore Daniel Fennell came in for Allen-Williams last week and notched his first career sack among three tackles.


''It's going to take a collective effort'' filling in for both leaders, Muschamp said.


Samuel and Allen-Williams both showed last week they don't plan to shrink away from the Gamecocks while they recover. Samuel was on a golf cart leading the Gamecock Walk into the stadium before the Louisiana Tech game. Allen-Williams, Muschamp said, gathered defenders around him on the sidelines to urge them on. He talked with Fennell and others about how to play certain schemes.


''He was involved,'' Muschamp said.


That's no surprise to senior linebacker Skai Moore, who's played alongside and talked with Allen-Williams almost daily the past few seasons. Allen-Williams is in a good frame of mind about his surgery Wednesday, Moore said. ''He knows how to go through it and he'll come out of it fine,'' Moore said.


Allen-Williams is a loud, talkative player who has rallied the Gamecocks together in tough situations, according to fellow linebacker T.J. Brunson. Who takes over that role? ''Me,'' said Brunson, a 6-1, 230-pounder from Columbia.


Muschamp said his team had a strong start to practice this week and will be ready to complete.


''It's next man up,'' he said. ''It's someone's opportunity.''

 

[CNOTES]

VT eager for another crack at Clemson
September 26, 2017


Virginia Tech players say they are taking a sensible approach to their highly anticipated Atlantic Coast Conference opener on Saturday night. They say they are casting aside any thoughts of revenge.


The No. 12 Hokies (4-0) play host to second-ranked and defending national champion Clemson on Saturday night.


The Tigers (4-0, 2-0 ACC) have hardly slowed down this season as they seek to repeat . They will arrive in Blacksburg, Virginia, having won their last 11 road games and nine of their last 10 matchups against teams ranked in the top 15.


This year, they've already beaten No. 13 Auburn 14-6 at home and No. 17 Louisville 47-21 on the road.


The Hokies (4-0), unbeaten after nonconference play for the first time since 2011, toppled No. 23 West Virginia 31-24 to open the season but haven't been tested since, outscoring their last three opponents 129-17.


Although the Hokies are stepping up in compeition, they insist they aren't putting any added meaning on the outcome. Even being reminded of their close 42-35 loss to the Tigers in last year's ACC Championship doesn't knock them off that narrative.


''We're thinking of it as just another game,'' redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Jackson said Tuesday. ''It has everything behind it and all that, but it's just one conference game and that's all it really stands for.''


The Hokies acknowledge that the loss last December hurt more than most - they drove to the Tigers' 23 late in the game, but quarterback Jerod Evans was intercepted on a fourth-down play - but they also say there's no sense looking back.


Coach Justin Fuente said he didn't even bring last year's game up when talking with the team.


''It's two different teams on both sides of the ball for us and for them, so a lot of talent they have on the offensive side still with guys that came back and new guys that stepped in on their role,'' Hokies linebacker Tremaine Edmunds said. ''We just have to go do our job of preparing and go play a sound fundamental game.''


Fuente made it sound like the Hokies almost need to play a perfect game.


''You make a mistake, they're going to make you pay,'' he said. ''... Really, you don't even have to make a mistake. You can take one step in the wrong direction or hesitate for half a step when you're playing the type of talent that we're going to go up to. It's like defusing a bomb - one small snip of the wire that's incorrect and boom, blow your hands off, and that's just how talented and how good they are.''


The Tigers' have a distinct advantage when it comes to big-game experience, having played for the national championship in each of the last two seasons. Clemson running back Adam Choice isn't sure that matters.


''I won't say it's necessarily easier, because every team presents challenges,'' he said. ''That's why we prepare each week like it's a top 15 matchup. Any team can beat you on any given day. And that's how teams do get beat, they take a team lightly. We try not to take any opponent lightly or think, `Oh, this is going to be easy.'


''We always have to prepare as hard as if we're playing Alabama or Virginia Tech or Louisville.''


The Tigers have won the last four meetings, and the Hokies are eager for another shot at them.


''A lot of people don't get these chances, and I will say we worked to get here, not just (that) it was handed to us,'' Hokies leading wide receiver Cam Phillips said. ''Some people didn't think we would go 4-0, whatever that may be, but we're here now, and we get a big game into our house this weekend.''

 

[CNOTES]

Babers says his team is improving
September 26, 2017


Same record, very different team. A third of the way through his second season at Syracuse, that's what coach Dino Babers sees.


Last season the Orange started 2-2 and finished 4-8 in a campaign fraught with injuries. Fast forward one year and they again sit at 2-2 after losing 35-26 at No. 25 LSU on Saturday night.


The Orange squandered a chance to pull off a signature victory on the road in Death Valley, where the Tigers (3-1) have now won 49 straight against non-Southeastern Conference foes. Even though the Tigers had an interception on the first play from scrimmage and quickly scored to put the Orange in an early hole, the game was there for the taking in the fourth quarter against a perennial SEC power that's struggling.


''I think that we're playing well,'' Babers said Monday. ''I know that we're getting better, but I can't prove it in the box score. I can't prove it with the win-and-loss record, but we're a better football team.


''This team would really get after the 2016 Syracuse team. But the schedule may be so difficult ... you may not be able to see that in the W's and L's.''


Syracuse opens Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday at North Carolina State (3-1, 1-0 ACC), which barely missed being ranked this week after Saturday's 27-21 upset win at No. 12 Florida State. The Wolfpack fell six votes shy of replacing LSU at No. 25 and sent the Seminoles plummeting out of the poll for the first time since 2011.


Syracuse is at the point where Babers figures the system he's installed will begin to purr on both sides of the ball, and there were signs against the Tigers that the Orange are getting closer to that goal.


''With five minutes left, we were within three points of winning that game,'' Babers said. ''It's a tribute from where we came from. Leadership has really taken over. You can see it, even the conversations that you're having with the young men at halftime and before the game. I'm excited where we're at.''


The defense, which allowed 501 yards a game last year, is giving up 331.5 so far this year and ranks seventh nationally in third-down defense, holding opponents to a 25 percent conversion rate. Against LSU, the Orange - led by linebacker Parris Bennett's 12 tackles - had six stops behind the line of scrimmage, including two sacks, and intercepted a pass for the third week in a row.


''I'm really impressed by what they've done the first four games,'' Babers said of his defenders. ''Hopefully, if they keep playing at the level they're playing at we're going to be in some games.''


Quarterback Eric Dungey continued his solid play after that opening gaffe, accounting for 289 total yards and two TDs. He could have had another score, but a wide-open Sean Riley dropped a perfectly thrown ball on a third-and-17 play that hit him in stride at the LSU goal line early in the second quarter and the Orange had to punt.


''We didn't score enough points,'' Babers said. ''If you're going to come out and beat a team like this on the road, you better score in the 40s. We had plays out there to get us to those numbers.''


Syracuse's special teams also played an integral role. Sterling Hofrichter, ranked ninth nationally in punting (46.3 yards per kick), matched his career high by placing five of his seven punts inside the 20-yard line. Four were downed inside the 10, including two at the 1.


The Orange's schedule for the rest of the regular season includes second-ranked Clemson at home, and No. 14 Miami, Florida State and No. 17 Louisville.


''We'll see. It's still a young season,'' Babers said. ''We've got eight games left with an opportunity to play nine.''