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

[CNOTES]

No. 1 Alabama still looking to fix its Ole Miss problem
September 29, 2017


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) Alabama snapped a two-game losing streak to Mississippi last season with a big comeback victory.


Yet listening to the Crimson Tide players and coach Nick Saban talk this week about Saturday night's game against the Rebels, it sounded a little like they still do not believe they totally fixed this Ole Miss problem.


''I think the ultimate disrespect sometimes is when someone quietly thinks they've got your number,'' Saban said.


A week after No. 1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) crushed what it perceived as an uppity undefeated Vanderbilt team, Ole Miss comes to town having scored 109 points against the Crimson Tide over the past three years - by far the most of any opponent. The Rebels' 2015 victory at Alabama is the Tide's last loss at home and only setback in Bryant-Denny Stadium in its last 29 games.


''Anytime you lose a game around here, it sticks for a while,'' running back Damien Harris said.


When the Rebels upset the third-ranked Tide 23-17 in Oxford, Mississippi, in front of pop star Katy Perry, it was big news. The next season Ole Miss made it two straight, beating No. 2 Alabama 43-37 in Tuscaloosa. That loss, coming off of two straight seasons without a national championship for the Tide had at least a few folks wondering whether the dynasty was dead. That was hyperbole, and the truth was most reasonable people were not throwing dirt on the Tide after that loss, but no doubt the air of invincibility around Alabama had thinned. The Tide promptly took that perceived slight and used it to fuel another national championship run.


Last season, the Tide restored some order in the rivalry with a victory, but it was far from easy. Ole Miss jumped out to a 24-3 before Alabama came roaring back, and then finally hung on for a 48-43 victory. Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly passed for 421 yards and three touchdowns.


This season Ole Miss (2-1) comes in off an off week, having lost its last game at California. The Rebels are bowl-banned and being led by an interim coach. Matt Luke replaced Hugh Freeze, who was fired in July for inappropriate conduct. The buzz around Ole Miss football is gone as the school awaits its punishment for NCAA violations committed under Freeze.


The Rebels come into this match up against Alabama as a four-touchdown underdog.


Alabama is coming off one of the most dominant performances of the Saban era, a 59-0 victory against Vanderbilt in which the Tide had as many first downs (38) as the Commodores had offensive plays (38).


Saban talked earlier this week about how he stressed to his players the importance of not just winning a game, but defeating the opponent.


''We want to make you say I quit,'' linebacker Anfernee Jennings said.


---


Things to know about 65th meeting overall between the Rebels and Tide.


PASSING PATTERSON: This Ole Miss team does something in common with the last one the won in Tuscaloosa: a talented quarterback. Shea Patterson has already had two 400-yard passing games. ''Well, first of all, the guy has great arm talent,'' Saban said. ''He's very instinctive. He's a very good athlete. He can scramble and extend plays, and they've made a lot of big plays on that part of it.''

RUNNING MEN: Alabama for 496 yards against Vanderbilt and held the ball for 42:55 minutes. The Tide would probably like to repeat that against the Rebels, leaving Patterson and a talented group of receivers on the sideline. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is the Alabama's leading rusher with 360 yards, and three talented tailbacks (Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Najee Harris) have combined for 486 yards.


''We have to limit their direct runs, and we have to try to make them bounce the ball to where they can't attack us straight downhill,'' Luke said. The Rebels rank 11th in the SEC in rushing defense at 4.56 yards per carry.

INJURIES: Alabama got back linebackers Jennings and Rashaan Evans last week, helping boost the Tide's pass rush. Luke said center Sean Rawlings (ankle) is a game-time decision, but receiver A.J. Brown (knee) is likely good to go. Brown leads the SEC with 389 yards receiving.

 

[CNOTES]

No. 21 Florida, Vanderbilt prepare for another tight game
September 29, 2017

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) Vanderbilt and Florida have played tight games the last two years.


Considering Florida's most recent performances, no one would be surprised to see another one Saturday. Given Vanderbilt's outing a week ago, the Commodores certainly would welcome it.


The 21st-ranked Gators (2-1, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) host the Vandy (3-1, 0-1) in the first of three consecutive home games that could strengthen Florida's position atop the Eastern Division. Florida has won 25 of the last 26 in the series, including three in a row, but the last two have been far from gimmes. Coach Jim McElwain's team needed a late interception to seal a 13-6 win last year and a 43-yard field goal in the closing minutes in 2016 for a 9-7 victory.


''They always play us tough,'' Florida safety Nick Washington said. ''That's been an emphasis for us this year and with Coach this week: `Come out with our hair on fire and make plays.'''


The Gators waited until late in their last two games to do so. They needed a 63-yard touchdown pass on the final play to beat Tennessee two weeks ago at Florida Field and overcame a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter at Kentucky last week.


''We definitely have been finishing,'' Washington said. ''There's just something about getting it started early and not waiting until later in the game to get momentum.''


Vanderbilt could use some momentum after last week's 59-0 home loss to top-ranked Alabama. The Commodores gave up 38 first downs and 677 yards, including 496 on the ground.


Coach Derek Mason responded by calling his offensive line soft and putting his guys in full pads Monday, hoping one lopsided loss doesn't lead to another.


''When you get punched in the mouth, sometimes it's not what's wanted; it's what's necessary,'' Mason said. ''We got punched in the mouth, and that was necessary. Quick wake-up call. `Let's turn it around. It's been flushed, but it's hardened me a little bit.'''


---


Here are some other things to know about Vanderbilt and Florida:


QB CHANGE: Florida will have a new (well, old) starting quarterback against Vanderbilt. McElwain demoted redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks and will go with Luke Del Rio , who went 5-1 as the starter last season before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury. Del Rio came off the bench at Kentucky and completed 9 of 14 passes for 74 yards, including a 5-yard game-winner to uncovered Freddie Swain with 43 seconds remaining.


GROUNDED OFFENSE: The Commodores rank last in the SEC in offense, averaging 279 yards a game, and are tied for 123rd nationally. Ralph Webb, the school's all-time leading rusher, has been a big focus of defenses and found little running room. Webb, a Gainesville native, is averaging 2.6 yards a carry and 42.2 yards a game. ''There are no magic pills. There are no magic plays. There are no magic drills that we're going to do in practice,'' Mason said. ''It's not good enough to play in the SEC right now.''


SACK TIME: The Commodores have figured out how to get to opposing quarterbacks after managing only 15 sacks last season. Vanderbilt already has 11 sacks this year, with Charles Wright leading the way with six.

FLORIDA DRAMA: The Gators will be without nine players suspended indefinitely for allegedly racking up nearly $20,000 in unauthorized credit card charges and using the money to buy electronics. It's an ongoing distraction the team may have to deal with all season. ''The big piece is how you deal with it really reveals who you are,'' McElwain said. ''How you let it get to you really reveals who you are.''


FAMILY TIES: Mason's daughter, Makenzie, is a freshman on Florida's lacrosse team. She will be attending a fall tournament in Maryland instead of the football game Saturday. That might be a good thing for dad considering her allegiances. ''She's a Gator,'' Mason said. ''She loves dad, dearly, but when we signed to go to the University of Florida, that's who she's committed to, that's the way her dad raised her. I'm good with that. She just knows when she comes back to the house she better not have on any Gator gear.''

 

[CNOTES]

No. 7 Georgia, Tennessee gearing up for another SEC showdown
September 29, 2017


KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Georgia and Tennessee are gearing up for the possibility their Saturday matchup could come down to the final minute.


It wouldn't be any different than usual.


None of the last five Tennessee-Georgia games has been decided by more than seven points. That includes Tennessee's 34-31 victory in Athens last year that featured a 43-yard game-winning Hail Mary pass as time expired.


''If you look at kind of the past history of this game, they usually come down to the final possession,'' Tennessee coach Butch Jones said.


Georgia (4-0, 1-0 SEC) has insisted that it isn't using the heartbreaking finish of last year's game as extra incentive this week.


The seventh-ranked Bulldogs have lost two straight to Tennessee (3-1, 0-1) after beating the Volunteers five consecutive times from 2010-14. Georgia enters this year's matchup as one of the nation's hottest teams, while Tennessee lost to Florida and eked out a 17-13 victory over winless Massachusetts in its last two games.


''They have a new team, we have a new team,'' Georgia defensive back Aaron Davis said. ''Last year's not a motivation for us.''


Last year's game was the latest in a series of down-to-the-wire matchups.


Georgia won 51-44 in 2012 by forcing three turnovers in the last six minutes and won 34-31 in overtime in 2013 after Tennessee's Alton ''Pig'' Howard fumbled in overtime as he was about to cross the goal line, turning a potential touchdown into a touchback. Georgia needed to recover a late onside kick to secure a 35-32 triumph in 2014 .


Tennessee rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat the Bulldogs 38-31 in 2015 , as Georgia's Reggie Davis dropped a potential game-tying touchdown pass with less than four minutes left.


''They've kind of been neck-and-neck games where either team could come out with a win,'' Tennessee offensive tackle Brett Kendrick said. ''I expect another close game coming up.''


---


Here are some things to know about Saturday's Georgia-Tennessee game.


FROMM ON THE ROAD: This will mark the second career road start for Georgia freshman quarterback Jake Fromm. Although Fromm won at Notre Dame in his first career start , a large Georgia contingent made the trip to South Bend and turned that into more of a neutral-site atmosphere. Fromm figures to get a different reception Saturday. ''There's no way to simulate the atmosphere that you get in Neyland Stadium, when you talk about being a road opponent,'' Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. ''It won't even compare to what we got at Notre Dame because we had so many (of our own) fans at Notre Dame.''


EASON APPEARANCE?: Jacob Eason opened the year as Georgia's starting quarterback but hasn't played since spraining his left knee in the season opener. Smart said this week that Eason is "much closer to being able to play," a comment that at least creates the possibility the sophomore could make an appearance against Tennessee.


SEEKING TO RUN: Tennessee has the SEC's leading rusher in John Kelly, but the Vols gained just 3.5 yards per carry against UMass last week. Jones has emphasized the importance of upgrading that ground attack this week. Tennessee could benefit from the potential return of center Jashon Robertson, who missed the UMass game with an unspecified injury.


RED-ZONE DISCREPANCY: Georgia ranks first and Tennessee ranks 13th out of 14 SEC teams in red-zone efficiency. Georgia has scored 10 touchdowns and three field goals on its 13 trips inside an opponent's 20-yard line. In its only previous SEC game this year, Tennessee totaled just three points out of three red-zone possessions at Florida.


VOLS' TOP-10 DROUGHT: Tennessee is attempting to beat a top-10 team for the first time since a 51-33 victory over No. 10 Georgia in 2006.

 

[CNOTES]

No. 25 LSU looking vulnerable as upset-minded Troy arrives
September 29, 2017


BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) This could be a telling weekend for 25th-ranked LSU.


The Tigers are favored to beat Troy (3-1) by three touchdowns, yet LSU (3-1) has looked vulnerable recently, beaten badly two weeks ago and narrowly avoiding an upset last week.


Tigers coach Ed Orgeron suggested that youth and inexperience have a lot to do with that.


''When you play 20 freshmen, it's going to be like that,'' Orgeron said, adding that on offense, veterans, too, have had an adjustment to make with the arrival of new coordinator Matt Canada.


Orgeron went on to note that five members of LSU's 2016 defense - Jamal Adams, Kendell Beckwith, Tre'Davious White, Duke Riley and Davon Godchaux - are now NFL regulars.


''We've got to replace them,'' Orgeron said. ''We've got to get some experience on defense, and I think we will.''


The Tigers are running short on time to figure it out. They're already 0-1 in the Southeastern Conference by virtue of a 37-7 loss at Mississippi State on Sept. 16. Soon LSU will run a gauntlet of seven straight SEC foes, starting at Florida on Oct. 7.


But first comes Troy, which Tigers H-back J.D. Moore called, ''a dangerous team.''


''We can't take our eyes off of them and look down the road,'' he said.


That might sound like lip service. Then again, the Tigers were favored by a similar margin last week against Syracuse, only to find themselves clinging to a late two-point lead before finally sealing with victory with a touchdown with 1:52 left.


Troy is among favorites to win the Sun Belt Conference this season. Last season, the Trojans not only won 10 games, but played competitively against eventual national champion Clemson, losing 30-24 in the other Death Valley. So don't expect the Trojans to be at a psychological disadvantage when they trot into Tiger Stadium.


''It's nothing to be intimidated about,'' said linebacker Sam Lebbie. ''We're ready.''


---

Here are some central factors in the Troy-LSU matchup:


LINE ITEMS: LSU's offensive line has been under heavy scrutiny in recent weeks. Quarterback Danny Etling was sacked twice and pounded repeatedly as he threw against Syracuse. An undisclosed ailment has caused starting right tackle Toby Weathersby to miss practice time this week, leaving his status uncertain. Meanwhile, Adrian Magee, who replaced Ed Ingram at right guard against Syracuse, appears set to start this week. ''There is stuff we need to correct. It is nothing about who's playing where,'' center Will Clapp said. ''We need to make sure everybody is on the same page.''


POINTS OF INTEREST: Troy's high-octane offense has gained nearly 450 yards per game, but haven't always cashed in on scoring chances, averaging a 24 points per game. ''One of these games, we're going to have 50 points,'' Troy QB Brandon Silvers said. ''Hopefully, it's this week.''


GOING DEEP: LSU has averaged 200.5 yards rushing and also has demonstrated it can throw deep. LSU has completed seven passes longer than 40 yards this season, including an 87-yarder to Drake Davis, a 52-yarder to D.J. Chark and a 46-yarder to Stephen Sullivan. ''We have to stop their running game and we have to at least limit their big plays,'' Troy coach Neal Brown said. ''The speed of the game is going to be so much different than what we've experienced through our first four games.''

LITMUS TEST: Statistically, Troy is fielding one of the stingier defenses in college football. The unit is allowing 14.5 points per game and has held three straight foes under 100 yards rushing. But those last three opponents were Alabama State, New Mexico State and Akron, which are not power conference programs. Lebbie said Troy's defense will need to address mistakes it got away with in recent games if the Trojans want to stay with LSU. Otherwise, ''it won't even be that close,'' he said.


GROWING UP: Silvers, a Mobile, Alabama, said he was at Tiger Stadium when Troy last played there in November 2008. The Trojans led 31-3 in that game before LSU pulled off a school-record comeback in a 40-31 victory. Meanwhile, Troy offensive lineman Kirk Kelley is a Louisiana native who followed LSU football in his youth, but entered this week's game having never stepped foot inside Tiger Stadium.

 

[CNOTES]

No. 18 USF looks for 10th straight win at East Carolina
September 29, 2017


No. 18 South Florida's schemes have changed from one coach to the next. The results have been the same.


The Bulls (4-0, 1-0 American Athletic Conference) ride a school-record nine-game winning streak that spans two seasons - and two coaches - into Saturday's visit to struggling East Carolina (1-3, 1-0).


And while USF outscored teams last season under former coach Willie Taggart, the Charlie Strong-led Bulls are getting it done on defense. USF leads the nation with 12 interceptions - they had eight total in 2016 - and is third nationally against the run.


''It's more about them wanting to send a message because of the way they played last season. It was more like the offense carried them and they didn't do their part,'' Strong said. ''But just to watch the way they're playing right now, they're playing with a chip on their shoulder. ... On defense, you have to have an edge. We have that edge.''


It's helped USF earn its highest national ranking since 2011 - when the Bulls' conference was known as the Big East - though Strong says there's no need to talk about the polls with his players.


''The only thing I talk to them about is, I say, `Guys, it's really hard to get to the top, but it's very easy to fall,'' Strong said.


Losing to East Carolina would certainly lead to a precipitous drop.


The Pirates have struggled in two seasons under Scottie Montgomery, losing seven in a row dating back to last October before their visit to Connecticut on Sunday. They blew most of a 20-point lead before holding on to beat the Huskies 41-38.


''This is one of the best teams in the country,'' Montgomery said. ''We are looking forward to it coming off of a victory. You always have a lot more energy and you feel like you've had a little bit of success.''


---


Some things to know about the USF-ECU game:


USF'S STREAKS: The Bulls have the third-longest winning streak in the FBS, trailing only Oklahoma (14) and USC (13). They also have scored at least 30 points in 21 straight games dating to 2015, two shy of the longest such stretch since 1936. That distinction belongs to Oregon, which did it in 2011 and '12.

SHORT WEEK: The conference's reconstituted schedule left the Pirates with one fewer day to prepare for their third game against a team currently in the Top 25. East Carolina wasn't supposed to play last week, but the league pushed up the Nov. 4 visit to UConn as it shuffled some teams' schedules due to Hurricane Irma. The game was played on Sunday because the Huskies' field was unavailable on Saturday. Montgomery says the shortened prep time shouldn't affect his team because ''sometimes when you have an extra day of work, the whole thing the coach is worrying about is the focus of the team with the two extra days.''

SIRK DOING WORK: East Carolina QB Thomas Sirk leads the league with an average of nearly 276 yards passing, and the Pirates hung nearly 600 total yards on UConn - with 223 of those yards coming on Sirk passes to WR Davon Grayson. The Bulls expect their trademark tough defense to be tested by the Pirates. ''You can't get caught up in stats - we've only played four games,'' LB Auggie Sanchez said. ''Our competition is going to get a lot harder, starting with ECU.''


OVERSHADOWED OFFENSE? USF's defense is getting the attention but the offense is clicking, too. The Bulls gained 680 total yards in beating Illinois earlier this season, and had two 100-yard rushers last week against Temple . QB Quinton Flowers, the reigning league offensive player of the year, set three major single-season school records in 2016.

WELCOME BACK: USF WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling started his college career at North Carolina State before transferring. Valdes-Scantling leads the team with 16 receptions for 228 yards and two touchdowns.

 

[CNOTES]

Spartans host Hawkeyes in rematch of 2015 Big Ten title game
September 29, 2017


EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) The last time Michigan State and Iowa played each other, the stakes could scarcely have been higher. It was two seasons ago in the Big Ten title game, with a spot in college football's playoff at stake.


The Spartans prevailed on a touchdown in the final minute, winning their third league championship in six seasons advancing to play Alabama in the national semifinals.


''How big was it? It put us in the playoffs, put us into one of the top four teams in the nation,'' Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said. ''That was a great defensive football game, great drive at the end of the game.''


That win was a crowning moment for Dantonio's program, but now it's also a reminder of the heights the Spartans have fallen from. Michigan State went 3-9 last year, and the Spartans enter Saturday's game against Iowa still trying to re-establish themselves as a credible threat to win Big Ten titles. The Hawkeyes also have work to do if they're going to return to the spotlight they occupied in 2015, when they were undefeated before the loss to Michigan State.


''It was a tough loss. There was a lot at stake there that day, needless to say, for both teams,'' Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. ''We were both at the last stop in terms of conference play. So that was tough, you know, but the other night was tough too.''


The Hawkeyes (3-1, 0-1) lost 21-19 last weekend to Penn State, on a touchdown as time expired. Michigan State (2-1) is also coming off a defeat. The Spartans trailed almost the whole way in a 38-18 loss to Notre Dame.


Here are a few things to watch when the Spartans host the Hawkeyes this weekend:


INEFFICIENT


Although the final score was close, Iowa was outgained 579-273 last weekend - not a recipe for success.


''You'd rather sustain drives any day. Football is a lot more fun when you're clipping along five, six yards a pop,'' Ferentz said. ''Statistics are really important. You would love to win time of possession, yards per play, all those kind of things. But it's all about finding a way to win. That's the ultimate goal.''


MISTAKES


Michigan State turned the ball over three times last week, negating its yardage advantage against Notre Dame. The Spartans have lost six fumbles on the season, including three by LJ Scott.


It was Scott who scored the winning touchdown for Michigan State in the 16-13 victory over Iowa for the league title two years ago.


''Obviously that was one of the best moments I've had since I've been at Michigan State,'' Scott said.


JEWELL OF THE DEFENSE


Iowa LB Josey Jewell had 16 tackles, three of them for losses, in last week's game. He also had two pass breakups, a fumble recovery and an interception.


QB MATCHUP


Iowa's Nate Stanley has thrown 12 touchdown passes - the most in the Big Ten - with one interception on the season.


Michigan State's Brian Lewerke has completed 63 percent of his passes. He's thrown only two interceptions, but one of them was run back for a TD last weekend. Lewerke has also emerged as a running threat for the Spartans.


TIGHT SERIES


Iowa is 23-21-2 against Michigan State in a series that dates back to 1953. The Spartans have won the past two meetings, both of which came in seasons when Michigan State won the Big Ten.

 

[CNOTES]

Mississippi State-Auburn jockey for respect, SEC West shot
September 29, 2017

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) Mississippi State looked like it could emerge as No. 1 Alabama's biggest challenger in the SEC West. But that was two weeks ago. Since then the Bulldogs have flopped - badly.


No. 13 Auburn also has designs on Southeastern Conference contention, and finally looked the part last week. The two potential division contenders meet Saturday with one of them strengthening its candidacy and the other left trying to salvage those hopes.


''This is a huge game,'' Tigers tailback Kerryon Johnson said.


Both teams still have plenty to prove. The 24th-ranked Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1) dominated No. 25 LSU only to get clobbered by No. 7 Georgia . Auburn (3-1, 1-0) is fresh from a 51-14 road win over Missouri after two weeks of offensive issues, either from lack of production against Clemson or turnover problems against Mercer.


Mississippi State especially has been on a roller coaster ride especially in terms of national perception. This game seems likely to provide more clarity - one way or the other.


''You're a young football team with people patting them on the back - the family members, the uncles, the cousins, the friends and the people around campus telling them how great they are,'' Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen said. ''Now this week, everyone's telling them how bad they are.''


The question now is what will they be saying next week?


---


Here are some things to watch in the Mississippi State-Auburn game:


TAILBACK TANDEM: For the first time this season, Auburn will likely have both tailbacks Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson available for the same game. Pettway has missed one game with an injury and another with a suspension while Johnson was out the other two games with a right hamstring injury. It could be a huge boost for a running game that hasn't been as consistently formidable as in recent seasons. Johnson did run for five touchdowns against Missouri despite gaining just 48 yards.


In last year's meeting, Pettway ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-14 Auburn win.


MURDERER'S ROW: This is Mississippi State's third consecutive game against a Top 15 team and second straight on the road. The results have been mixed, to say the least: a 37-7 win over LSU and a 31-3 loss to Georgia.


TOP DEFENSES: Both offenses face strong challenges from Top 10 defenses. The Tigers rank fourth nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense. The Bulldogs aren't terribly far behind with a 10th-ranked defense that's also fifth against the pass and 16th in points allowed per game.


DEFENDING FITZGERALD: Auburn will have to defend both the running and passing of Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who ranks fourth in the SEC in total offense. Fitzgerald was held to just 83 passing yards with two interceptions against Georgia and it was also his first game this season without a rushing touchdown. He has accounted for seven TDs passing and five running.


''He is a true dual-threat guy,'' Malzahn said. ''He's like a running back in the backfield, which presents a lot of problems with the plus-one run game for defenses. He's got where he throws the ball extremely accurate when he has time. That's going to be a big challenge for our defense.''


HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE: The Tigers have won 28 of the 35 meetings with Mississippi State in Auburn. But Mississippi State won 17-9 in its last visit two years ago.

 

[CNOTES]

Angry Arkansas hopes to snap skid against New Mexico State
September 29, 2017


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) Bret Bielema saw how upset Arkansas' players were the day following last week's overtime loss to Texas A&M , a defeat that sent the Razorbacks coach to two games under .500 in his fifth year at the school.


Four losses in the last five games turned frustration into anger.


It's that feeling Bielema hopes Arkansas (1-2) brings into Saturday's game with New Mexico State, a non-conference contest that feels like a must-win for the Southeastern Conference school residing at the bottom of the league's West division.


''I know it's very frustrating, but I did encourage them to hold the rope and keep playing,'' Bielema said. ''I think you're going to get an angry group preparing all week.''


Regardless of Arkansas' mindset, the game isn't likely to be the usual out-of-conference pushover - not against an Aggies (2-2) team averaging 31.5 points per game and coming off a 41-14 win over rival UTEP .


Any win would be a welcome feeling for the Razorbacks. And especially for Bielema, who fell to 26-28 overall with Arkansas after last week's loss, 10-23 in the SEC.

Some other things to watch as Arkansas attempts to bounce back following back-to-back losses:


MISSING CORNELIUS

The Razorbacks enter the game without wide receiver Jared Cornelius, who is likely out for the remainder of the season after surgery this week for a left Achilles injury. The senior entered the season as Arkansas' top returning wide receiver, finishing with 32 catches for 515 yards a year ago, and Bielema is likely to look to junior Jonathan Nance to excel in an expanded role.

RUSHING AGGIES


Arkansas allowed six sacks in last week's loss to Texas A&M, and it enters this week 125th in the country while allowing an average of 3.67 sacks per game. New Mexico State, meanwhile, has 12 sacks through four games - led by 3 + by linebacker Dalton Herrington and three from safety Malik Demby. Despite the statistics, Aggies coach Doug Martin had high praise for the Razorbacks. ''Obviously, an SEC opponent is tough, the size and speed that you have to deal with at that level - especially with Arkansas,'' Martin said. ''Their offensive line is an NFL offensive line.''

STEAMBOAT KELLEY


Cole Kelley earned quite a following among Arkansas fans last week, and not only because the quarterback looked the part of an SEC quarterback at 6-foot-7, 268 pounds. As the backup to senior Austin Allen, the freshman was featured in what the Razorbacks called the ''Steamboat'' package four times against Texas A&M - receiving the ball in the shotgun each time and rushing for first downs on each of his four carries.

ROSE'S RUNNING


New Mexico State running back Larry Rose III moved into second on the school's career rushing list with his 144-yard performance in a win over UTEP last week. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior now has 3,990 yards rushing for his career, behind only Denvis Manns' 4,692 yards between 1995-98.

CHASE'S CARRIES


Arkansas running back Chase Hayden led the Razorbacks with 120 yards rushing in the season opener before only receiving two carries for one yard in the loss to No. 9 TCU that followed. Last week, the freshman returned to a featured role and led Arkansas with 13 carries for 77 yards rushing - including several carries following direct snaps. Both Bielema and offensive coordinator Dan Enos said they expect Hayden to see expanded playing time this week.


--

 

[CNOTES]

Army back to square 1 - out to break two-game skid
September 29, 2017


WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) A year ago Army was reeling from the death of defensive back Brandon Jackson when it had to go on the road early in the season, and the Black Knights responded with a dominating performance.


Leaning on the memory of No. 28, who died in a one-car accident the morning after a game, Army slammed Texas-El Paso 66-14 for its third straight win in what became a turnaround 8-5 year for the academy.


Derailed by consecutive road losses to Ohio State and Tulane that have dropped its record to 2-2, Army hopes for a repeat performance of last year when struggling UTEP (0-4) visits on Saturday.


''We played them last year and were in a very emotional state,'' Army coach Jeff Monken said. ''We benefited from that emotional high we were on - wanting to compete and wanting to honor Brandon.


''Hopefully, we can master our intensity from last year and hope that we will execute better than we have in the last couple of weeks and find a way to win.''


UTEP coach Sean Kugler is in a much worse place. His injury-riddled Miners have lost 56-7 at Oklahoma, 31-14 to Rice at home, and 63-16 at home against Arizona, and last week they were trounced 41-14 on the road by rival New Mexico State.


That snapped an eight-game losing streak in the series for the Aggies and left the Miners with this daunting stat: 47.7 points allowed per game.


''We're not in a good place right now,'' Kugler said.


Other things to know when Army hosts UTEP on Saturday:


NO LATE HEROICS


In Army's second win of the season, the Black Knights rallied from behind with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat Buffalo 21-17 as the defense pitched a shutout in the second half.


Last week, the Green Wave put together a decisive 19-play, 75-yard drive in a 21-17 victory, converting three fourth downs and two third downs and scoring the winning touchdown in the final seconds.


''We've got to learn from those mistakes and push that game back, playing at home especially,'' Army defensive back James Gibson said. ''Playing here (at Michie Stadium) is special.''


NO PASSING FANCY


Army was 0 for 5 passing against Tulane with two interceptions. That's the second time this season the Black Knights have failed to complete a pass. Its triple option is potent enough, averaging 366.3 yards to rank third nationally.


TURNOVERS GALORE


UTEP quarterbacks threw five interceptions against New Mexico State, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The Miners also converted only 2 of 15 third downs and had just 227 yards of total offense in offensive coordinator Brian Natkin's first game since taking over for the fired Brent Pease.


''When you have five turnovers, you're not going to beat anybody,'' Kugler said. ''I've got to figure it out.''

QUARTERBACK BY COMMITTEE

QBs Ryan Metz, Mark Torrez and Kavika Johnson have played in all four games, while Zack Greenlee has also seen action, including a start.


Not exactly a recipe for success. UTEP ranks last nationally in total offense (210.3 yards per game) and next to last in third-down conversions (12 of 53, 22.6 percent).


Last week, Metz threw three interceptions and was replaced in the second half by Torrez, a freshman who was intercepted twice, the first coming on his second throw.


''At halftime we tried to create a spark for our team,'' Kugler said. ''It didn't work.''


UTEP's quarterbacks finished a combined 10 for 34 for 92 yards - Torrez was 4 of 16 for 38 yards. Metz gets the start again this week.

FULLBACKS GALORE


Army FB Darnell Woolfolk, who scored three times last year against UTEP, did not play against Tulane and won't play Saturday. The Black Knights didn't miss a beat with Andy Davidson running for a career-high 130 yards and sophomore FB Connor Slomka adding his first career TD last week against the Green Wave. Davidson rushed for 106 yards and a TD last year against UTEP.

 

[CNOTES]

Coach Doeren: 'Not a trap game' when NC State hosts Syracuse
September 29, 2017


RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) North Carolina State beat one highly ranked Atlantic Division opponent last week and faces another one next week.


Sandwiched in between is a matchup with Syracuse on Saturday - but coach Dave Doeren refuses to call the visit from the Orange a trap game.


''I don't look at it'' that way, Doeren said. ''Any time you play a team that can score and that has a quarterback that thinks he's that good, or is that good, it's not a trap game at all. And our guys know that.''


Maybe, but it seems like an obvious psychological hurdle for the Wolfpack (3-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who moved to the brink of their first Top 25 ranking since the 2010 season with their 27-21 victory over then-No. 12 Florida State.


A visit from reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson and No. 17 Louisville awaits next Thursday night.


So, it might be easy to overlook Syracuse (2-2), which has a home loss to Middle Tennessee State on its resume.


Doeren isn't buying it.


''Just because we beat Florida State doesn't mean that Syracuse is going to be an easy game,'' he said.


The Orange figures to have enough offensive weapons to test an N.C. State defense that ranks second in the ACC against the run and is the strength of the team. Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey (321.3 ypg) trails only Jackson (431) among the ACC's leaders in total offense, and the Orange throw for 300 yards per game.


''I think that we're playing well. The hard thing about our country and football is it always comes down to Ws and Ls,'' second-year coach Dino Babers said. ''I know that we're getting better, but I can't prove it in the box score.''


---


Some things to know about the Syracuse-N.C. State game:


POLL IMPLICATIONS: The Wolfpack were the first team out of the Top 25 this week, winding up five points behind No. 25 LSU - which beat Syracuse last week. N.C. State hasn't appeared in the rankings since the final poll of the 2010 season - when Russell Wilson was still taking snaps.


TALE OF THE TAPE: The stats appear similar for N.C. State and Syracuse. Both teams average roughly 35 points, allow about 23 and gain about 460 total yards per game. The biggest difference is turnovers - the Wolfpack have just two of them while Syracuse has given it away eight times.


THE SERIES: The Wolfpack have won nine of the 10 meetings between the schools. Syracuse's lone victory came in Raleigh in 2013, a 24-10 win that came as part of a season-ending eight-game losing streak for N.C. State in Doeren's first season.


CHUBB IN CONTROL: N.C. State DE Bradley Chubb had three tackles for a loss against Florida State, two sacks - including one that forced a field goal late in the first half - and a forced fumble. He has 19+ sacks for his career, six behind school-record-holder Mario Edwards.


QUICK HITS: N.C. State QB Ryan Finley has thrown 224 straight passes without an interception - the longest active string in the nation. ... The Wolfpack have not allowed a touchdown in the fourth quarter. ... Syracuse WR Steve Ishmael leads the nation with 11.3 receptions per game.

 

[CNOTES]

Schiano returns to Rutgers along with No. 11 Ohio State
September 29, 2017


PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) No. 11 Ohio State isn't the only one returning to face Rutgers.


Saturday's game at High Point Solutions Stadium marks the first time that former Scarlet Knights head coach and second-year Buckeyes defensive coordinator Greg Schiano will be coaching in a game at Rutgers since leaving in 2011 for a two-year run with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.


Schiano transformed Rutgers from one of the worst programs in college football to a one that the Big Ten added in the 2014 expansion. He was out of football for two seasons before joining Urban Meyer's staff after Chris Ash resigned to take the Rutgers head coaching job last year.


Schiano helped Ash during his transition period. The two haven't talk much this season but will see each other Saturday when the Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) face a rebuilding Rutgers (1-3, 0-1).


''It's remarkable what they were able to do, and you know, that's - honestly that's one of the reasons that I made the decision to come here is because it's been done before,'' Ash said, referring to Schiano, who led Rutgers to winning seasons and bowl berths in six of his final seven seasons. ''It takes a lot of time, effort and a lot of people to get it done but hoping to be able to rebuild it and get it back to where it was during his time here.''


Rutgers has a long way to go under Ash. It went 2-10 last season and it has a 15-game losing streak in conference games dating to 2015.


Ohio State has won all three of its meeting with the Scarlet Knights, including 58-0 last season.


Still, Rutgers is improving. It had a chance to win in each of its three losses, including a 30-14 setback to now No. 6 Washington.


The biggest improvement for Rutgers has been its defense.


''Coach Ash is a defensive-oriented guy,'' Ohio State offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said. ''They're solid up front. They're big up front. They're good on the edges. Rutgers did a really nice job (against Washington).''


Here's some things to watch in the game:


SOFT PASS PROTECTION: Ohio State's pass protection is a work in progress, with young defensive backs still making plenty of mistakes. Cornerback Kendall Sheffield was flagged for pass interference twice last week, and also was caught for holding. Cornerback Denzel Ward also committed pass interference on a fourth-down play that wiped out an interception and extended UNLV's first scoring drive. Cornerback Damon Arnette and safety Damon Webb were penalized for pass interference in the 35-16 loss to Oklahoma. ''If you play press coverage, that's going to happen once in a while. We'll keep tweaking it,'' defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said.


LEWIS AGAIN: True freshman quarterback Johnathan Lewis is again the unknown in Rutgers offense. He ran for four touchdowns and threw for another in the 65-0 win over Morgan State. Against Nebraska, he took only one snap because coordinator Jerry Kill was concerned about how he would react to the Huskers' blitzing defense, It was a mistake and the 240-pounder who is a lot more mobile than starter Kyle Bolin probably will see more action this week.


BARRETT ROLLING: Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett was in the zone last week, throwing five first-half touchdowns against UNLV. He didn't play in the second half of a game in which seven different Buckeye receivers caught TDs. Barrett needs 14 yards of total offense to reach 10,000 in his career. He is also 200 yards shy of catching Art Schlichter as Ohio State's all-time passing yardage leader.


HEALTHY AGAIN: Ohio State linebacker Chris Worley, who injured a foot in the Sept. 16 game against Army, will probably play. He was the starting middle linebacker before he got hurt. Running back Mike Weber, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a redshirt freshman, has been cleared to play. He has been out with a hamstring injury since preseason camp. True freshman J.K. Dobbins has been the workhorse, rushing for a team-high 520 yards and three touchdowns. Rutgers star KR-WR Janarion Grant missed the Nebraska game with headaches. He has worked more in practiced this week, but he probably will be a game-time decision.

 

[CNOTES]

Winless FSU visits unbeaten Wake Forest
September 29, 2017


WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) Florida State's visit to Wake Forest on Saturday will match an undefeated team against one trying for its first victory.


But the teams aren't in the roles you might expect.


This time it's the perennial-powerhouse Seminoles (0-2, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) who are winless and the Demon Deacons (4-0, 1-0) who are trying to keep things rolling entering the heart of conference play.


Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson isn't buying that the Seminoles are struggling, explaining that their losses as coming to No. 1 Alabama and to a stout North Carolina State team while breaking in a freshman quarterback. They've also had one game postponed and another canceled due to Hurricane Irma.


''To paraphrase ... Mark Twain, reports of their demise have been greatly exaggerated,'' Clawson said.


The oddsmakers agree, installing Florida State as a 7-point favorite. Linebacker Cole Minshew says his team is looking to ''make a statement'' against a Wake Forest team that's 4-0 for the second straight year and trying to reach a second straight bowl game after consecutive 3-9 seasons in 2014 and '15.


The Seminoles are off to their worst start in 28 years, and the combined record of their next four opponents is 13-1. But the last time they started 0-2, in 1989, they reeled off 10 straight victories to end the season.


''We're trying to win. We're trying to win by a lot if we can, because we need to make that statement in order to show everyone we're not some scrub team,'' Minshew said.


They have a few issues that need to be corrected quickly. The offense has produced only two touchdowns, though freshman quarterback James Blackman earned praise from coach Jimbo Fisher after going 22 of 39 for 279 yards and a touchdown in his first career start against N.C. State.


''Ignore the clutter, ignore things outside, and do the things that are in your control about how you prepare again and come back and play it one game at a time,'' Fisher said. ''There's no magic formula, no magic dust you can put out there. You just have to finish and play a little more consistent and do a little better job and we have to practice you better, coach you better, put you in better situations, and it's been that simple.''


---


Some things to know about the Florida State-Wake Forest game:


FOUR GAMES TO TWO: Because Wake Forest has played four games to Florida State's two, the Seminoles have twice as much game film available on the Demon Deacons. Yet Wake Forest DE Duke Ejiofor says that gives his team an advantage because ''we've played more snaps and have more experience.''


CONVERT IN RED ZONE: Blackman did an effective job moving Florida State between the 20s, but the Seminoles struggled to score touchdowns in the red zone last week, converting just 1 of 6 opportunities. Blackman might need to rely more on tight end Ryan Izzo since Auden Tate is questionable due to a shoulder injury. Through two games, FSU has only two offensive touchdowns, both by Tate. If the junior is unable to go, sophomores Keith Gavin and George Campbell are likely to take his place.


THE SERIES: Florida State leads the series 28-6-1 and has won the last five meetings. In the six times Wake Forest has won, the Seminoles have never finished better than 9-4 (2011, 2008).


PRESSURE THE QUARTERBACK: Florida State has done a poor job generating any sort of pass rush in its first two games, which has led to opponents also converting a high rate of third downs. With the Seminoles facing another experienced quarterback this week, getting a couple sacks could provide a boost in confidence to a defense that struggled last week against N.C. State both against the run and pass.

 

[CNOTES]

UNC brings long injury list to G-Tech
September 29, 2017


ATLANTA (AP) The size of North Carolina's daunting injury list looks familiar to Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson.


He says it's the same kind of bad luck the Yellow Jackets endured when they finished 3-9 in 2015.


The Tar Heels (1-3, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) are hoping to avoid a path to a similarly poor finish when they visit Georgia Tech (2-1, 1-0) on Saturday.


''Right now they're experiencing a little of what we did in 2015, it sounds like,'' Johnson said. ''Every time you turn around another guy is getting hurt.''


North Carolina's already lengthy injury list grew in last week's 27-17 loss to Duke . The Tar Heels said Thursday receivers Austin Proehl and Rontavius Groves, tight end Carl Tucker and defensive tackle Tyler Powell have been added to the list of players lost for the season with injuries. The team has lost 13 players for the season.


Tar Heels coach Larry Fedora said he's never experienced anything like this year's rash of injuries . There were 19 players on the injury report before the Duke game. Among nine players lost for the season were three starters: linebacker Andre Smith, receiver Thomas Jackson and offensive lineman William Sweet.


''There are things that are out of our hands that happen, and we have to prepare our team to play no matter what the situation is,'' Fedora said. ''And so our guys understand that things happen, and somebody else has got to step up and somebody's got to be ready to go and it's another opportunity for another player to make plays.''


North Carolina has won three straight against Georgia Tech, including last year's 48-20 victory.


The Yellow Jackets' defense, which struggled in a 42-41 loss to Tennessee to open the season, played well in last week's 35-17 win over Pittsburgh. The defense allowed no points following four lost fumbles.


---


Here are some things to watch when Georgia Tech looks for its fourth 2-0 ACC start in the last seven seasons:


MARSHALL'S FUNDAMENTALS: Georgia Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall had two memorable scoring runs against Pittsburgh, one on a tightrope path down the sideline and another on a spectacular spin move. Even so, Johnson said the junior ''didn't play particularly well'' and must improve his fundamentals. ''He's a really good athlete,'' Johnson said. ''I think he gets it. He wants to be good. He's a really fierce competitor.''


SURRATT'S POISE: UNC redshirt freshman Chazz Surratt has gotten off to a solid start as the starting quarterback, showing chain-moving mobility and the arm to connect deep downfield in last weekend's loss to Duke. But Surratt also made his first major mistake, flinging the ball while being taken down under pressure for an interception - one that was returned for a touchdown. ''Hopefully he learns from that and I'm expecting that he will,'' Fedora said. ''And he'll be a better quarterback because of it.''

THREE AND OUT: An encouraging statistic for Georgia Tech's defense : The unit has forced 19 three-and-outs in 37 defensive series, for a 51.4 percent rate. According to Georgia Tech, Michigan is the only team that has a higher percentage of three-and-outs, 56.6 percent (30 in 53 possessions).


DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT?: The Tar Heels have been better defensively since giving up 469 yards in a season-opening loss to California followed by surrendering 705 total yards against Louisville and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. They surrendered 316 yards against Old Dominion and 388 against Duke, but now will face the challenge of slowing the Yellow Jackets' option attack. UNC has won three straight meetings, but has surrendered an average of 335 yards rushing in those games.


BENSON BREAKING OUT: Sophomore KirVonte Benson is emerging as the Yellow Jackets' most productive running back. He had 29 carries for 196 yards and two touchdowns - and two lost fumbles - against Pittsburgh. He opened the season with 124 yards rushing against Tennessee. Benson's 196 yards were the most for a B-back in Johnson's 10 seasons, topping Anthony Allen's 195 yards against Virginia on Oct. 9, 2010.

 

[CNOTES]

Aztecs reaching rare heights, host Huskies
September 29, 2017


SAN DIEGO (AP) Behind star running back Rashaad Penny, the undefeated San Diego State Aztecs are reaching heights they haven't attained in decades.


Their No. 19 ranking matches their highest spot since 1978.


When the Aztecs (4-0) host Northern Illinois (2-1) on Saturday night, it'll be their first home game as a nationally ranked team since Nov. 11, 1995, at what was then Jack Murphy Stadium.


That didn't turn out so well. The No. 25 Aztecs lost 34-31 to Wyoming and promptly fell out of the rankings.


These Aztecs understand what they face even as their fans hope for not only a third straight Mountain West Conference title, but the Group of Five's berth in a major bowl.


''I think it's definitely motivation,'' junior safety Parker Baldwin said. ''We were talking about it the other day. The Top 25 , it's recognition but at the same time, it is a target. It's like a warrant for your arrest. Everyone is coming for you. Northern Illinois is definitely going to want to knock us off, especially after they knocked off Nebraska two weeks ago, and they're coming off a bye week, too, so they're going to have a lot of motivation coming in here. They're a really good, athletic, physical team and we can't overlook anyone on our schedule because you know any given Saturday, anything can happen.''


Northern Illinois is coming off a 21-17 upset at Nebraska. A year ago, SDSU beat the Huskies 42-28 in DeKalb.


Here are some things to look for when the Aztecs step out of MWC play to host the Huskies:


NO DELAYS, PLEASE: There was an 88-minute lightning delay during SDSU's victory at Air Force last week, which came with the Aztecs trailing 9-0. The previous Saturday at home, there was a 25-minute delay against then-No. 19 Stanford when most of the stadium lights went out while the Aztecs were driving for the eventual go-ahead score.


''That's a bad luck deal if you ask me. Now, it turned out OK,'' SDSU coach Rocky Long said. ''You hate to see a drive stopped with that kind of momentum. Then last week, we benefited from a lightning strike. I think it really helped us. So does that mean that the next one is going to go against us again? I don't know what's going to happen this week. Hopefully we won't have any more of those this year.''


NO HEISMAN HYPE: So far, there's no Heisman campaign for Penny, the nation's second-leading rusher. Last year, the Aztecs pushed for D.J. Pumphrey, who was on his way to breaking the NCAA career rushing record.


''Well, last year we thought we had a legitimate candidate because of past performance,'' Long said. ''This year we didn't have a legitimate candidate because he was the backup running back last year so why would you have a pre-arranged campaign for him? And it seems to work better since we didn't do it. We thought he was going to be that good, obviously, but if you don't have a record to show that he was that good in the past, there's no reason to pre-hype him and it seems to be working better that we didn't pre-hype him.''


PENNY: The senior won the Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Week Award for a record fourth straight week. Although he had a season-low 128 yards in the 28-24 victory against Air Force, he tied a career high with three touchdowns, including the game-winning 53-yard run with 5:39 left.


Penny averages 179 yards, second to Stanford's Bryce Love, who averages 196.8.


THE HUSKIES: Northern Illinois CB Shawun Lurry had an 87-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter of the upset at Nebraska, tying the school record with his second career pick-six. Jawuan Johnson followed with a 25-yard pick-six for a 14-0 lead.


''We know them pretty well because we played them last year,'' Long said. ''They're big and strong up front and they're very, very talented and skilled at the positions they need to be talented and skilled at and there's a reason they're one of the non-Power Five schools with the best record and not long ago they played in the Orange Bowl. It's a very good program that's run by a very good coaching staff and they've got talented players. That's why they're good.''


THE STADIUM: This will be the first game since San Diego County Credit Union took over naming rights at what had been known as Qualcomm Stadium. The Huskies haven't played SDSU in San Diego since 1971, but played in the Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in 2006, 2013 and 2015.

 

[CNOTES]

Indiana needs near perfection to stop PSU
September 29, 2017


STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) Although No. 4 Penn State needed a touchdown pass in the final seconds last week to keep its dream of a playoff berth alive, the down-to-the-wire game hasn't shaken the Nittany Lions' confidence.


''We consider ourselves the best offense in the country,'' offensive lineman Ryan Bates said. ''We know how special we can be with the offensive threats we have.''


The top two among them, running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Trace McSorley, have been focal points for opposing coaches for a while now. It's no different for Indiana coach Tom Allen whose Hoosiers (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten) will try to slow the Nittany Lions (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at Beaver Stadium on Saturday.


Allen has seen plenty of Barkley and McSorley in the past week and knows his banged-up defense will have to have a near perfect game plan to take away Penn State's best options.


Barkley racked up 358 yards on 43 touches against Iowa and leads the country with 253 all-purpose yards per game.


''(Barkley's) making runs that are impressive, and he can catch the ball out of the backfield,'' Allen said. ''and the quarterback is just, man, McSorley is just special. He's just got that moxie that you want in a quarterback and that core confidence and that belief.''


It showed up when McSorley led a final two-minute drive ending with a dart over the middle to Juwan Johnson for the game-winning touchdown.


Even though he had his offense replicate the two-minute drive in practice, Penn State coach James Franklin would rather not have to watch another come-from-behind series in the waning moments.


He's glad his team has the experience to bank on, however.


''We've just got to be a little bit better,'' Franklin said. ''We've got to be a little bit sharper. We've got to sustain blocks a little bit longer. That was probably the difference on Saturday.''


Penn State's offensive line still may have some issues as starting right tackle Chasz Wright's status is questionable. He missed the Iowa game with an unspecified injury.


HURT HOOSIERS


Indiana has a much longer injury report and a bunch could miss another game after sitting out last week's 52-17 win over Georgia Southern.


According to Allen, the Hoosiers could likely be without starting cornerbacks A'Shon Riggins and Rashard Fant who are both dealing with unspecified injuries. Defensive linemen Nate Hoff and Juan Harris, wideout Donavan Hale, running back Mike Majette, offensive lineman Simon Stepaniak and defensive back Marcelino Ball are all also questionable according to Allen.


Linebacker Kiante Walton had surgery on an unspecified injury earlier this week and will be out indefinitely.

THE OTHER BACK


While plenty of excitement swirls around Barkley, the Hoosiers are pretty hyped for their own talented back.


Freshman Morgan Ellison turned heads in camp and finally got the chance to do so in game when he ran for 186 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start.


''(He's) playing the way - after fall camp - the way he convinced me he could play,'' Allen said.

NEW DUDS


Penn State's uniforms have seen minor tweaks and changes over the years but the Nittany Lions plaintive blue and white scheme, finished off with black cleats, has largely remained unaltered.


This weekend, they've been given an overhaul.


The Nittany Lions will wear uniforms that use elements from past editions including helmet numbers, sleeve and pants stripes and grey facemasks. Players are looking forward to one change in particular, an accessory worn only once, by the 1979 team in the Sugar Bowl.


''We're pretty excited about the white cleats, definitely,'' tight end Mike Gesicki said. ''Just because obviously, you know, here at Penn State, we're wearing black cleats every single day, every single game.''

 

[CNOTES]

Minnesota's Rhoda gets another shot at Maryland
September 29, 2017


MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Conor Rhoda was pretty convinced his college career was going to end without ever having the chance to start a game at Minnesota.


That all changed last season when starting quarterback Mitch Leidner was sidelined by a concussion, thrusting Rhoda into the huddle for a key game at Maryland. One year later, Rhoda has earned the full-time starting job for the undefeated Golden Gophers (3-0) as they prepare to open Big Ten play against the Terrapins.


Rhoda was preparing to enter the real world this winter when new coach P.J. Fleck called him and asked to play one more season as a graduate student. And even though he only went 7 for 15 for 82 yards in the 31-10 victory, that Maryland game may have been one of the biggest reasons he decided to give it one more shot.


''Just those memories and those emotions and talking to my family and close friends of mine, those who had been through the journey of those four years with me, and just seeing their happiness and their excitement,'' Rhoda said this week when thinking back on his first start. ''Then just going through the week and getting to prepare again, knowing I was going to play, it was kind of like a comfort feeling.''


The Terrapins (2-1) have no such comfort. Third-stringer Max Bortenschlager will start against the Gophers after the top two quarterbacks - Tyrrell Pigrome and Kasim Hill - were lost with torn ACLs in their right knees. Bortenschlager entered early last week after Hill went down, and was sacked five times and threw two interceptions in a 38-10 loss to Central Florida.


Optimism can be derived from Bortenschlager getting a full week to prepare as the starter.


''Max has confidence in himself and we have confidence in him,'' Maryland coach D.J. Durkin said. ''Now we can tailor the game plan to him as opposed to someone else. That will certainly help him.''


---


Here are some things to know about the Big Ten opener for both schools.


DEPTH CHART: Behind Bortenschlager is junior Caleb Henderson, his who sat out last season after transferring from North Carolina. Ryan Brand is the new third-stringer, a walk-on with no collegiate playing experience.


WHAT A CATCH: Maryland WR D.J. Moore has 22 catches for 313 yards and four touchdowns this season. He leads the Big Ten in TD receptions, yards receiving per game (104.3) and receptions per game (7.3).

MAKING AN ENTRANCE: Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck caught some attention during the bye week when he took a helicopter to a couple of marquee high school football games in Minnesota. He said it was the most efficient way to travel around the metro area on a Friday night. What if he crashed? ''Well, I wouldn't be here right now,'' he said. ''You would have your new football coach, your seventh in 11 years.''

PULLING REDSHIRTS: The Gophers have struggled with injuries on both sides of the ball this season, especially on the offensive line and in the secondary. Fleck said he was going to have to tap into his first freshman class a little more than he would like to do this season. Typically, coaches prefer to sit freshmen to give them one more full year of eligibility in the program. Fleck might not have that luxury. ''Playing them early, not necessarily what a coach wants to do but if it's necessary, we'll do it,'' he said. ''And then I look at the positive of everything, right, so to me, if they're going to gain the experience for the future.''

HAPPY TOGETHER: Fleck hosted former Gophers All-American safety Tyrone Carter this week for a little damage control after Carter disagreed with a few things he saw from Fleck. The two were able to find some common ground, with Carter tweeting his support for Fleck. ''I think he got a little bit of insight into a decision-making head football coach of what goes into that and why it goes into that,'' Fleck said. ''And I got an understanding from his perspective, so I get it, but that's how you solve issues, and I think our society shows that a little bit now with going out there and doing things before people meet.''

 

[CNOTES]

Notre Dame, Kelly prepare for familiar face
September 29, 2017


SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) There's now a tunnel for visiting teams to enter and exit thoroughly modern Notre Dame Stadium.


Good thing. Otherwise Miami (Ohio) coach Chuck Martin might just follow Brian Kelly, his former boss at Grand Valley State and Notre Dame, back into the Irish locker room by mistake.


''I'm almost 50 and I've never not rooted for Notre Dame in my life,'' said Martin, whose RedHawks (2-2) visit No. 22 Notre Dame (3-1) this weekend. ''But Saturday at 5 o'clock I'll be rooting against Notre Dame. That will be a bit awkward for me.''


Kelly handed Martin the keys at Grand Valley State after the 2003 season to begin the two-stop (Central Michigan and Cincinnati) journey that eventually brought him to South Bend in 2010. There he was reunited with Martin, who went 74-7 with two NCAA Division II titles at Grand Valley. Martin spent four years on both sides of the ball with the Irish before leaving to rebuild the RedHawks, whose ''Cradle of Coaches'' tradition includes the late Ara Parseghian, who coached at both schools.


''Chuck and I are not going to be playing the game,'' Kelly said. ''I know how he is going to prepare his football team. He knows how I'll prepare my football team.''


The RedHawks, who started Martin's third season 0-6 before winning their final six to become bowl eligible in 2016, might very well be 4-0 if not for heartbreaking defeats at Marshall (31-26) and against Cincinnati (21-17). Notre Dame's lone setback was a 20-19 home loss in Week Two to now No. 7 Georgia.


Junior quarterback Gus Ragland, who started Miami's final six regular-season games and threw for over 1,500 yards, 17 touchdowns with just one interception, has thrown for 881 yards and eight TDs already with just two interceptions.


''He's a smart kid, can run the ball, is athletic and I think he makes a lot of good decisions,'' Notre Dame linebacker Greer Martini said of Ragland.


Martini could easily have said the same about his quarterback, Brandon Wimbush, who already has rushed for 366 yards and seven TDs and thrown for 663 yards and 3 scores.


Some other things to know as the RedHawks visit the Irish:


ON TARGET


Miami senior strong safety Tony Reid will miss the first half of the game after being ejected in the third quarter at Central Michigan for targeting with his helmet. Earlier this week, Kelly acknowledged that both the ACC and Big Ten felt that Michigan State got away with a helmet target of Wimbush.

BULLY FOR HIM


Offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, who shouldered blame for that loss to Georgia, believes in self-motivation.


''There's things you look for just to get yourself a little juice,'' said McGlinchey, who has ''The Man in the Arena'' passage from a speech given by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1910 by his locker. ''That kind of put it all into perspective for me.''

TIME IS ON THEIR SIDE


The RedHawks are 25th nationally in time of possession, holding onto the ball for an average of 32:43 per game. Notre Dame, meanwhile, has maintained possession for only 27:15 (103rd).

DANCES WITH IRISH


Kelly danced with his team after their 38-18 victory at Michigan State secured the Megaphone Trophy for Notre Dame. Is ''Dancing With The Stars'' in Kelly's future?


''No, but my wife has informed me that I cannot decline any dances with her in the future,'' he joked.


REMEMBERING ARA

Both teams are honoring Parseghian, who died on Aug. 2 at the age of 94, with the word ''Ara'' on helmet stickers. Parseghian's widow, Kate, will present the colors prior to the national anthem.


Parseghian took over at Notre Dame in 1964, won national titles in 1966 and 1973 and then abruptly retired after the 1974 season with a record of 95-17-4. His .836 winning percentage puts him third on Notre Dame's coaching list. He twice sent congratulatory, handwritten notes to Martin.


''(The letters) mean a lot to me,'' said Martin, the product of an Irish Catholic family in suburban Chicago. ''In '73, I'm 5 years old and the first thing in the world I know about is Ara Parseghian and Notre Dame beating Alabama (in the Sugar Bowl) to win a national championship.''

 

[CNOTES]

Colorado faces challenge of stopping Rosen
September 29, 2017


LOS ANGELES (AP) Colorado head coach Mike MacIntyre might have found a way to stop UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen, who leads the FBS in yards passing and touchdown passes.


''Twist his ankle in warmups,'' MacIntyre joked.


The Buffaloes will have to contain Rosen and the Bruins' prolific offense at the Rose Bowl on Saturday, something they didn't have to worry about in last season's 20-10 win. Rosen didn't play because of a season-ending shoulder injury, and UCLA finished with 210 yards of offense in a dour Thursday night game.


With Rosen back, UCLA (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12) is averaging 45 points per game this season. He is throwing for 440.8 yards per game, with at least three touchdown passes in every game to give Rosen a total of 16.


''He's just throwing it so well, and he's on target,'' MacIntyre said. ''The receivers are catching it, the offensive line is protecting really well. We're going to have to play excellent football. If he sits back there all day, he'll pick you apart, so you got to try to make him uncomfortable.''


Pressuring Rosen will be all the more critical after Colorado (3-1, 0-1) failed to record a sack in its 37-10 loss to Washington last week. The Huskies didn't have to throw the ball very often, but Jake Browning had a 43-yard touchdown pass against a secondary still trying to replace two starting cornerbacks who are now with NFL teams.


Rosen threw for 480 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions against Stanford last week, but offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch would like better balance between the run and pass. Rosen threw the ball 60 times and UCLA called pass plays on its final 17 offensive snaps while trying to stage another dramatic comeback before losing 58-34.


MacIntyre wouldn't have any issues if UCLA dialed back Rosen's work load. If that doesn't work, MacIntyre joked there is always a chance the NFL could hold an early supplemental draft.


''Maybe he could leave Saturday and go play for somebody Sunday,'' MacIntyre said.


Here are some things to watch when the Buffaloes and Bruins meet for the seventh time as conference opponents:


BALL INSECURITY: UCLA has turned the ball over five times in losses at Memphis and Stanford, and that carelessness has Bruins head coach Jim Mora worried.


''Defensively, I think you have to recognize the fact that they are really taking the ball away at a high rate, and that's something that we have struggled with the last few games is just taking care of the ball,'' Mora said.


Colorado has eight takeaways, including five interceptions. But the Buffaloes have given it back eight times, with quarterback Steven Montez throwing six interceptions.


Since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011, the team with the better turnover margin is 4-1 in the series.

DRILL INSTRUCTOR: UCLA added tackling drills to practice this week in hopes of addressing its putrid run defense. The Bruins are allowing 307.5 yards rushing per game, the worst total in the FBS, while their average of 6.58 yards per carry allowed is second-worst in the country.

BIRTHDAY BOY: Colorado cornerback Isaiah Oliver will turn 21 on Saturday, and he would like to celebrate with another touchdown against UCLA after returning a punt 68 yards for a score last season. Oliver is tied for the Pac-12 lead with nine passes defended this year, including two interceptions.

SOSO SO GOOD: UCLA running back Soso Jamabo rushed for 100 yards on 12 carries against Stanford, becoming the first Bruin to reach the century mark since Paul Perkins did so against Washington State on Nov. 14, 2015.

FRIENDS AND FOES: UCLA wide receiver Jordan Lasley has known Colorado's top receiver, Shay Fields, since the fourth grade, but is more excited to face linebacker Rick Gamboa and settle a score from his final game in high school.


''He ended my senior year back at Serra so I'm definitely stoked to play against him again,'' Lasley said.

 

[CNOTES]

Cal and Oregon meet after losses in their Pac-12 openers
September 29, 2017


EUGENE, Ore. (AP) The introduction to Pac-12 play wasn't so great for Oregon's Willie Taggart and Cal's Justin Wilcox.


Each new coach lost his first game of the season in his league opener, setting up Saturday night's meeting at Autzen Stadium.


The Golden Bears (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) fell 30-20 at home last weekend to USC when the Trojans forced four turnovers and outscored the Golden Bears 17-7 in a frenzied fourth quarter.


For Wilcox, who replaced Sonny Dykes at Cal, it was a teaching moment.


''They played really hard and left it out on the field, and it wasn't good enough because we didn't maximize the opportunity that we had,'' he said. ''There is no category for a moral victory. No matter the outcome you're always going to take the lessons from each game. You grow from every experience you have. That's important.''


Wilcox is from Eugene and played at Oregon, where he completed a degree in anthropology. He's not too sentimental about the homecoming - he's been back numerous times with opposing teams. But some of that familiarity is helpful in preparing his team.


''When the offense has the ball it's going to be really loud,'' he said. ''You have to work silent counts and prepare them as best we can. Quite a few guys have been there so they know.''


Oregon (3-1, 0-1) fell 37-35 at Arizona State last Saturday in a game decided on Brandon Ruiz's 41-yard field goal with 2:33 left. The Sun Devils' defense stopped two Oregon drives in the final minutes.


The Ducks, who dropped out of the Top 25 with the loss, have responded well in the aftermath, said Taggart, who took over for Mark Helfrich.


''Everyone takes credit when we win and I think when we lose we should all take credit for that loss,'' Taggart said. ''Our guys showed that the other night, coaches and players. It shows it means a lot to them and that losing sucks. When the guys feel that way you get excited because you know they're going to go out and see to it that it doesn't happen again.''


CONNECTIONS: The Wilcox family was close to Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert's family early on - a relationship forged when Wilcox's dad played for Oregon with Herbert's grandfather.


While Wilcox played down the connection because he moved away from Oregon some 17 years ago, he has tremendous respect for the Herberts and has been following the young quarterback's career.


''They're great people. I've known them for a long, long time. A ton of respect for his family. They're great folks and he's a really, really talented guy,'' the coach said.


PILING UP PENALTIES: The Ducks have 42 penalties through their first four games, making them the second-most penalized team nationally. Oregon had 14 penalties for 99 yards in last week's loss to Arizona State.


''I said it to our team after the game: We're not good enough to beat ourselves and try to win Pac-12 games,'' Taggart said. ''We have to play clean ballgames and not have that many penalties or dropped balls and expect to win those games.''


STANDING BEHIND BOWERS: Cal QB Ross Bowers completed 22 of 40 passes for 303 yards and a touchdown against the Trojans, but had four interceptions and two lost fumbles. Wilcox said he'll learn from it.


''He's not the first quarterback to have a game like that. Ross did some good things. It was just at the end it got away from him a little bit. Obviously the quarterback's always going to get the attention but not every turnover was on Ross,'' the coach said.


UNCLE MO: Taggart was caught on camera during the Arizona State loss giving an animated lecture to Tony Brooks-James, who celebrated a touchdown by spiking the ball and earned one of the Ducks' many penalties.


''That day I was ticked off that he got that penalty after making a great play,'' Taggart said. ''That was a teaching lesson again for us. Had to explain to him, `Hey, you made a great play there. Our football team's coming back, we've got the momentum. We can't let Uncle Mo get back on their side through something selfish we can control.'''


Taggart said the cameras didn't see when Taggart went back and told Brooks-James he loved him.


HISTORY: California leads the all-time series against Oregon 40-37-2. The Golden Bears won 52-49 in double-overtime last year in Berkeley to end Oregon's seven-game winning streak in the series. The Ducks are 13-6 against Cal at Autzen Stadium.

 

[CNOTES]

Clemson at Virginia Tech
September 29, 2017


During the summer before I had seen Kelly Bryant play, I said Clemson will be in great shape if it can get through September with a 4-1 record. There was a challenging Week 2 date against Auburn at home, followed by a trip to Louisville that would be Bryant’s first career road start. And then there was another dangerous road assignment at Virginia Tech.


Well, here we are going into the last Saturday in September, and Dabo Swinney’s team owns a 4-0 straight-up record and a 3-1 against-the-spread mark heading into Blacksburg. Not only that, but its biggest challenger in the ACC Atlantic, Florida State, has lost its starting QB to a season-ending injury and is winless.


As of late Friday afternoon, most betting shops had Clemson installed as a seven-point favorite with a total of 50.5. The Hokies were available to win outright for a +250 payout (risk $100 to win $250).


Clemson opened the season with a 56-3 win over Kent State as a 38-point home favorite. Next, Swinney’s squad captured a 14-6 victory over Auburn as a six-point home ‘chalk.’ Brent Venables’ defense was dynamite, suffocating Auburn while giving up only 117 yards of total offense. Bryant ran for 59 yards and two TDs to provide all the offense that was needed.


Clemson went to Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in Week 3 to take on Louisville and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. The Tigers raced out to a 33-7 in the first three quarters and coasted to a 47-21 victory as three-point road favorites.


Bryant completed 22-of-32 passes for 316 yards and one TD without an interception. He also ran for a pair of scores. Travis Etienne, a true freshman RB, produced 98 rushing yards and one TD on just six carries. Tavien Feaster added 92 rushing yards on 10 attempts, while Ray-Ray McCloud had seven receptions for 115 yards and one TD.


Clemson showed up flat for the first time all season in last week’s home game vs. Boston College, which came into Death Valley as a 33.5-point road underdog. With 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Clemson and BC were tied at 7-7. However, a six-yard TD run by Adam Choice put the Tigers in the lead for good.


Etienne broke a 50-yard TD run with 5:41 left to give Clemson some breathing room with a 21-7 advantage. Then with 2:50 remaining, Bryant put the game on ice with a four-yard TD run. Etienne added a 10-yard TD scamper with 52 ticks left to close out a 34-7 non-covering triumph. The 41 combined points stayed ‘under’ the 53-point total.


Bryant threw for only 140 passing yards and was intercepted twice, his first picks since throwing one in the opener vs. Kent State The junior signal caller made amends by rushing 22 times for 106 yards and two TDs. Etienne added 113 rushing yards and two scores on merely nine attempts. Feaster contributed 73 rushing yards on 20 totes, while Hunter Renfroe had six receptions for 53 yards.


Junior DE Austin Bryant had four tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and three QB hurries vs. BC. He has a team-high five sacks on the season.


In the first four starts of his career, Bryant has completed 74-of-109 passes (67.9%) for 873 yards with a 2/3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He has rushed for 268 yards and seven TDs. Etienne has a team-high 292 rushing yards and four TDs, with an astounding 12.7 yards-per-carry average. Feaster has run for 249 yards and one TD, while Choice has 110 rushing yards and three TDs.


Bryant’s favorite targets are McCloud and Renfroe. McCloud has snagged 18 catches for 218 yards and one TD, while Renfroe has 21 receptions for 202 yards.


Clemson is ranked No. 3 in the nation in total defense, limiting foes to 227.0 yards per game. The Tigers are third in scoring defense, holding opponents to 9.2 points per game. They are 12th in the country versus the run and ninth against the pass.


As for the Clemson offense, it is 11th in the nation in total yards (513.5 YPG), 13th in rushing (275.2 YPG) and 30th in scoring with a 37.8 PPG average.


Virginia Tech (4-0 SU, 3-1 ATS) has covered the spread in seven of its last eight games dating back to last season. Justin Fuente’s second team opened the year with a 31-24 win over West Virginia in Landover, Maryland. The Hokies took the cash as five-point favorites, stopping the Mountaineers down in the red zone in the game’s final minute.


Redshirt freshman Josh Jackson enjoyed a stellar collegiate debut, rushing for 111 yards and one TD on 11 attempts. Jackson completed 15-of-26 throws for 235 yards and one TD without an interception. Senior WR Cam Phillips had seven receptions for 138 yards and one TD, while RB Travon McMillian scored on a three-yard TD run with 6:30 remaining to provide the winning points.


After garnering the win that will age well against a quality WVU team that’s won three in a row since then, Virginia Tech has taken it to three cupcake opponents. The Hokies have won 27-0 vs. Delaware, 64-17 at East Carolina and 38-0 vs. Old Dominion.


For the season, Jackson has connected on 65.2 percent of his passes for 1,127 yards with a stellar 11/1 TD-INT ratio. He has also run for 144 yards and one TD, averaging 4.5 YPC. McMillian has a team-high 162 rushing yards, one TD and a 5.1 YPC average. Six Virginia Tech players have rushed for at least 97 yards.


Jackson’s favorite target is Phillips, who leads the nation in receiving yards with 523 on 34 receptions. Sean Savoy has 14 catches for 163 yards and one TD.


Totals have been an overall wash (2-2) for the Tigers, who saw the ‘over’ hit in their lone previous road contest. Clemson’s games have averaged combined scores of 47.0 PPG. The Hokies have seen the ‘under’ go 2-1-1 overall, 2-0-1 in their three home outings.


Clemson has won four in a row in this rivalry, with Virginia Tech’s last victory coming in a 41-23 win as a 5.5-point road underdog in 2007. The Tigers held off the Hokies by a 42-35 count as 10-point ‘chalk’ at last year’s ACC Championship Game. Virginia Tech was driving inside Clemson territory when it ran out of downs late in the fourth quarter. The 77 combined points soared ‘over’ the 58.5-point tally.


Clemson beat Virginia Tech 38-17 in 2012 and knocked off the Hokies twice in 2011, covering the number and winning by double-digit margins in all three instances.


Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern from Lane Stadium, with ABC providing the telecast.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**


-- The ‘under’ is 6-2 in the last eight head-to-head meetings between Clemson and Virginia Tech.


-- Clemson is 5-9 ATS in its last 14 games as a road favorite. This is Virginia Tech’s first game as a home underdog on Fuente’s watch.


-- Oklahoma State took its first loss of the season at home last week when it dropped a 44-31 decision to TCU. Mike Gundy’s team will be without starting OG Larry Williams (leg) for the rest of the season. The Cowboys, who are 10-point favorites at undefeated Texas Tech, might be without OT Zachary Crabtree, last year’s second-team All-Big-12 choice who is ‘questionable’ with a toe injury. Texas Tech’s leading tackler in 2016, LB Jordyn Brooks, is a question mark due to a knee injury. The Red Raiders are 5-4 ATS in their nine games as home underdogs during Kliff Kingsbury’s five-year tenure. The total is 84.5 points, the highest on the board in Week 5.


-- Stanford starting QB Keller Chryst (4/0 TD-INT) has been downgraded to ‘doubtful’ vs. Arizona State due to a concussion. K.J. Costello is expected to get the starting nod against the Sun Devils, who are off a 37-35 win over Oregon as 14.5-point home underdogs.


-- Boston College QB Anthony Brown has been upgraded to ‘probable’ vs. Central Michigan.


-- Twelve teams remain unbeaten for our purposes. The best ATS squad are Duke (4-0), Utah (4-0), SMU (4-0), Buffalo (4-0), New Mexico State (4-0), Texas Tech (3-0), Fresno State (3-0), No. Illinois (3-0), Southern Miss (3-0), Marshall (3-0), Ga. Tech (3-0) and UCF (2-0).


-- Seventeen teams haven’t earned a spread cover yet: UTEP (0-4), FSU (0-2), Charlotte (0-4), Bowling Green (0-4), Louisiana (0-4), Missouri (0-4), Oregon State (0-4), UConn (0-3), BYU (0-4), Arkansas (0-3), Florida (0-3), Western Ky. (0-4), Temple (0-4), Ole Miss (0-4), Troy (0-4), Pitt (0-3-1) and Georgia Southern (0-2-1).