Named Rivalry and Trophy Games - Week 4

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Trophy Games:

Southwest Classic Trophy:  Arkansas – Texas A&M

Victory Bell Trophy:  Miami (Ohio) - Cincinnati

Chennault Cup:  Texas A&M Commerce – Texas A&M Kingsville

Old Red Lantern:  Denison - Wooster

Ol’ Bronze Hawk:  Stonehill – Saint Anselm

                       

Named Rivalry Games (some with Trophies):

Third Saturday in September:  Florida - Tennessee

Iron Skillet Battle/Iron Skillet Trophy:  TCU - SMU

Sgt. York Series:  Tennessee Tech – Tennessee Martin

Beltway Brawl:  Howard – Morgan State

Tommie-Johnnie Game/The Holy Grail:  St. John’s – St. Thomas

Black Hills Brawl/Homestake Trophy:  Black Hiils State – South Dakota Tech

Pregame Warm Up

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I was intending to get this out before the noon games, but I just got into College Gameday too much.  So, without further delay:

  • Houston's win on Thursday night in Cincinnati was bigger than people think.  Depending on the Cardinals outcome against the Seminoles, the matchup between Houston and Louisville could have a big impact on the playoff
  • Baylor won their game against the Owls, but Rice's band had the last word as their halftime formation was "IX" for Title IX
  • Tough to admit as a fan of the Ancient Eight, but I only watched two Harvard possessions last night.  That was more than enough to know what the outcome would be - and it was no surprise
  • According to College Gameday, it looks like the playoff hopes are over for Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Michigan State
  • Nice to see Louisville pay tribute to Muhammed Ali - I really like the butterfly motif on the helmet.  Actually, I really like those red helmets
  • Speaking of tributes, Arizona will be recognizing the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in their game against Hawaii.  There will be a halftime tribute to "recognize, remember, and honor the memory of the USS Arizona"
  • J.T. Barrett might out shine Lamar Jackson today with his prime time performance in Norman
  • I think that the Iowa - North Dakota State is going to be a great game
  • Also, I am looking forward to seeing the renewal of the North Dakota-South Dakota rivalry.
  • Lastly, a great piece by College Gameday about walk-ons receiving scholarships.  If you haven't seen it, go visit ESPN.com and watch it!

Named Rivalry and Trophy Games - Week 3

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Trophy Games:

Megaphone Trophy:  Michigan State – Notre Dame

Granite Bowl Trophy:  Dartmouth – New Hampshire

Sitting Bull Trophy (retired):  North Dakota – South Dakota

Nyikos Cup:  Colorado Mines – Colorado Mesa

Old Settler’s Musket:  Adams State – Fort Lewis

The Trainer’s Kit:  Minnesota State-Mankato – Saint Cloud State

Admiral’s Cup:  Maine Maritime – Mass. Maritime

They Cuyahoga Gold Bowl Trophy:  John Carroll – Baldwin-Wallace                    

Named Rivalry Games (some with Trophies):

Battle of the Palouse:  Idaho – Washington State

Battle of the Trident:  Navy - Tulane

Battle of the Real HU:  Hampton - Howard

Battle of the Nells:  Cornell - Bucknell

Mid-America Classic and Trophy:  Eastern Illinois – Illinois State

Seafaring Scuffle:  Merchant Marine – SUNY-Maritime

Bendo Bowl:  Ohio Northern - Heidelberg

Saturday Evenning Thoughts

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The night games are in progress or will be starting in the next 2 hours, but here are some observations from the weekend action so far...........

  • Louisville QB Lamar Jackson looks like the real deal after setting an ACC record with 610 Total yards (and 5 TDs) in the game against Syracuse on Friday
  • Another Friday night game that got my attention was the Maryland win on the road over Florida International.  Looks like they might get more than 3 wins (my preseason prediction for them) this season
  • The Penn State-Pitt game was worth the 16 year wait.  If only Pitt had worn throwback jerseys and helmets to recognize their 1976 championship year...
  • Speaking of uniforms, I'm not sure what to think of those helmets worn by Air Force.  They are flyboys, not seamen
  • All three service academies are 2-0
  • Boston College's defense is very strong.  They are going to cause problems for ACC foes
  • The starting QB for Kentucky, Drew Barker, completed more passes to the Gators than he did to his own teammates - that is a rough day.
  • Big struggles today for both Clemson and Georgia
  • Shocking win for Central Michigan over Oklahoma State on a blown call at the end of the game.  Kudos to OSU Head Coach Mike Gundy for being gracious in defeat
  • Great day for the Missouri Valley Conference - nice wins by North Dakota State, Western Illinois, and Illinois State.  If only Northern Iowa had beaten Montana...

My Favorite 20 Games: Week 2

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Penn State at Pittsburgh - A classic rivalry renewed

NC State at East Carolina - The Pirates don't back down from any ACC schools

Wake Forest at Duke - Tobacco Road rivalry game worth recording

Arkansas at TCU and SMU at Baylor - Old Southwest Conference foes

BYU at Utah - These schools just don't like each other, hence the "Holy War"

Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech - Record setting crowd expected, and 545,000 cans of beer were ordered just for the game

Iowa State at Iowa - The trophy is not worthy of this fine rivalry

New Mexico at New Mexico State - Two names have been given for this great matchup

Eastern Washington at North Dakota State - The last two FCS Champions - yes someone has won besides the Bison

Northern Arizona at Western Illinois - Love the nickname matchup, Lumberjacks vs. Leathernecks

Montana at Northern Iowa - A win by the Griz will go a long way in being considered for a playoff slot if they don't win the Big Sky

Franklin at Butler - Nice to see a rivalry maintained even though there is a two division difference, FCS vs. Div. III

Furman at The Citadel - Oldest Southern Conference rivalry that still exists

McNeese State at Louisiana-Lafayette - A brief renewal of old acquaintances for the "Cajun Crown"

Franklin & Marshall at Muhlenberg - 100th meeting between these old foes

Oberlin at Kenyon - Competitive off the field in terms of academics and recruiting as on the field

Knox at Beloit - Almost the 100th game of this series, as it will occur next year

Merchant Marine at Coast Guard - Division III version of Army vs. Navy

Coe at Cornell College - 5th longest Div. III rivalry at 125 games played

Macalester at Hamline - 3.6 miles separate the schools, there is a trophy, and it is the 116th game between the two teams

 

Named Rivalry and Trophy Games - Week 2

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Trophy Games:

Victory Barrel:  NC State – East Carolina

Cy-Hawk Trophy:  Iowa – Iowa State

Cajun Crown:  Louisiana-Lafayette – McNeese State

Sgt. York Trophy Series:  Austin Peay – Tennessee Tech

Chowder Bowl:  Mass. Maritime – Suny-Maritime

Axe Bowl:  Northwood – Saginaw Valley State

Old Paint Bucket:  Macalester – Hamline

Secretaries’ Cup:  Coast Guard – Merchant Marine

Wesley Cup:  Birmingham Southern - Huntingdon           

Named Rivalry Games (some with Trophies):

Battle at Bristol:  Tennessee – Virginia Tech

Gridiron Civil War:  Pitt – Penn State

Holy War:  BYU – Utah

Rio Grande Rivalry/Battle of I-25:  New Mexico – New Mexico State

Southern Heritage Classic:  Tennessee State – Jackson State

Colorado Classic and Trophy:  Adams State – Western State

Oldest College Rivalry West of the Mississippi:  Coe – Cornell College

Dog Day Matchup:  Ferris State – Michigan Tech

Two Rivers Classic and Trophy:  UNC Pembroke – Fayetteville State

Weekend Wrap

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I am thinking that college football fans will agree that this weekend turned out as advertised. What a great few days of games!  There are those ready to pronounce their playoff projections (me included - but it might be a couple of weeks before that section gets created), but it is only one week in a very long season, which might make these first games completely irrelevant.  After all, a loss now is much better than in the 4th week of November...

With that said, here are some Tuesday evening thoughts:

  • Some QBs had great games, but to me, the best performance came from Nick Chubb.  The Georgia RB rushed for over 200 yards in his comeback from a knee injury against a ranked UNC team
  • Very inspirational to see James Conner return from cancer for the Pitt Panthers
  • The tear jerker moment of the week occured when Nebraska lined up in punt formation minus their punter in memory of their fallen punter, Sam Foltz, who died in a July car crah
  • Kudos to Fresno State for declining the delay of game penalty against the Huskers on that play
  • Is there anything more important to running a successful program than great coaching and great depth?  Case in point - Alabama and USC.  One has it, and one doesn't.  Others like Alabama that come to mind:  Clemson, Ohio State, and Florida State
  • Will Stanford be added to the above mentioned group?
  • LSU needs a QB - again
  • Houston is well-coached, and quite talented - but I see them stubbing their toe later in the year just like against UConn last year
  • Best wins for me:  Army, Wyoming, Eastern Michigan, and Colorado
  • Worst Losses:  USC, Vanderbilt, Maine, and North Dakota
  • Almost forgot to give these FCS teams a big slap on the back:  Richmond, Eastern Washington, Northern Iowa, and Albany.  Nice job beating your FBS opponents!

Opening Weekend Thoughts

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We are now just hours away from opening weekend - an opening weekend that might just be the best ever.  To me, it feels almost like a lineup of New Year's Day Bowl Games!  After all, there are four neutral field games.

  • Everyone is watching the Tropical Storm/Hurricane that is rolling up the East Coast (our thoughts and prayers are with all of you who will feel its impact), and by the looks of it, the rain and wind will be affecting many games in the Mid-Atlantic region.  May everyone who ventures out be safe - after all, football is just a game...
  • A lot of eyes will be on Texas as well because that state has some big games:  Alabama-USC, Notre Dame-Texas, Oklahoma-Houston, and Texas A&M-UCLA
  • A big question will be, can the ACC sweep the SEC on this opening weekend?  I see one win (most likely Clemson over Auburn), but I'm not sure about the others.  FSU is playing with a backup QB (sorry Eric!), and Nick Chubbs should be returning to Georgia's backfield
  • Another upset is being talked about - Texas over Notre Dame.  My neighbors will be happy to know that I don't see it.  They have had some distraction as of late, but Brian Kelly will have his club ready on Sunday!
  • Best Uniform Matchups:  USC and Alabama, Texas and Notre Dame, North Carolina and Georgia (both are wearing their home jerseys), and last but not least - Texas A&M and UCLA (especially if the Aggies wear their white helmets)

 

Friday Night Lights

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It's opening night for high school football, but you will have to visit another site tonight to read about the games.  It's all about college football here at cfbeveryday!  So that I can get to Stanford and Kansas State - here are thoughts rolling through my head:

  • Nice to see the triple option from Army, as they have played a solid game (except for special teams) against a tough Temple team (did I just say that?)
  • The hurry up offense has moved north from Lubbock as Colorado is running it flawlessly against their state rivals
  • Never thought I would see Eastern Michigan leading ANYONE by 54 points!
  • Baylor is rolling it up against their opponent, but the question that I will wonder about all year - have they done enough regarding all of the sexual allegations against their program?
  • It is nice seeing Syracuse playing Colgate, but this is their only game scheduled against one another.  Come on guys, sign some contracts!
  • Speaking of contracts, kudos to The Citadel and Charleston Southern for renewing their city rivalry.  The Bucs agreed to play all the games on the Bulldogs campus because Johnson Hagood Stadium is significantly larger than their own Whitfield Stadium - which has a capacity of only four thousand (not a typo)
  • Nice performance by Louisville QB Lamar Jackson as he accounted for 8 TDs - in the first half
  • Not a great performance by Tennessee, but I'm sure that if you asked them - it is better to comeback and win late than cough up a lead late and lose.  
  • Lastly, did you know that there were 45 games played last night in Divisions II and III?

Opening Night Halftime Comments

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Now that UMaine and UConn have headed to their locker rooms for halftime, I can take a couple of moments to give my thoughts about this opening night.  Since I have waited almost six months for this night, my Quick Thoughts might be more like one thought, after another, after another...

  • First off, a very nice 7 play, 95 yard TD drive for the Black Bears, allowing them to be tied with the Huskies at halftime.  And they are predicted to finish 9th in the CAA?
  • It is very nice hearing Brent Musburger as an announcer on the SEC Network tonight
  • Louisville is looking like a team on a mission, as they are destroying Charlotte in the first half
  • Meanwhile, Vanderbilt looks like they are going to struggle offensively again this season
  • There is talk of an ACC sweep of the SEC this weekend, but there are folks out there picking William & Mary over NC State tonight, as well as Richmond over Virginia on Saturday
  • Nice to see a lot of games being played on this first Thursday of the season

 

Named Rivalry and Trophy Games - Week 1

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Trophy Games:

Pynchon SAW Game and Trophy: Western New England - Springfield

Book of Knowledge:  Carleton - Macalester

Lincoln Trophy:  Knox - Eureka

Old Water Bucket:  Maranatha Baptist - Martin Luther

The Stagg Hat:  Susquehanna - Lycoming  

Named Rivalry Games (some with Trophies):

Rocky Mountain Showdown for the Centennial Cup:  Colorado - Colorado State 

Battle of I-10:  New Mexico State - UTEP

Battle of the First (Historical Black College and University):  Cheyney - Lincoln

Gate City Soup Bowl:  Greensboro - Guilford

 Labor Day Classic for the Durley-Nicks Trophy:  Prairie View A&M - Texas Southern

Route 1 Rivalry for the First State Cup:   Delaware - Delaware State

Safeway Bowl:  North Texas - SMU  

 

 

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What is a fan to do?

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Here is a complete list of games I can watch on Saturday.  Where's the remote?  It's a good thing that games are replayed and I can DVR - though it is not the same......

Georgia Tech vs. Boston College          ESPN2     7:30 am

Oklahoma vs. Houston                          ABC        12:00 pm

Eastern Kentucky at Purdue                 ESPNW   12:00 pm

Western Michigan at Northwestern      ESPNU    12:00 pm

Boise State at Louisiana-Lafayette       NESNP    12:00 pm

South Alabama at Mississipi State        SECN      12:00 pm

Fordham at Navy                                   CBSSN    12:00 pm

Missouri at West Virginia                       FS1          12:00 pm

Hawaii at Michigan                                 ESPN      12:00 pm

Bowling Green at Ohio State                BTN         12:00 pm

Rutgers at Washington                         PAC-12N   2:00 pm

LSU vs. Wisconsin                                  ABC          3:30 pm

Miami (Ohio) at Iowa                           ESPNU      3:30 pm

Texas State at Ohio                             CBSSN       3:30 pm

UCLA at Texas A&M                            CBS            3:30 pm

Gardner-Webb at Elon                        ASN           3:30 pm

Kent State at Penn State                     BTN           3:30 pm

Murray State at Illinois                         BTN          3:30 pm

LA Tech at Arkansas                           SECN         4:00 pm

UC Davis at Oregon                            PAC12N      5:00 pm

Georgia vs. North Carolina                 ESPN          5:30 pm

San Jose State at Tulsa                      CBSSN        7:00 pm

SMU at North Texas                            NESNP       7:00 pm

Southern Miss at Kentucky                 ESPNU       7:30 pm

UMass at Florida                                  SECN         7:30 pm

SE Louisiana at OK State                    FCSC         7:30 pm

USC vs. Alabama                                 ABC           8:00 pm

New Mexico State vs. UTEP                BEIN          8:00 pm

Eastern Wash. vs. Wash. State           PAC-12N     8:00 pm

Fresno State vs. Nebraska                  BTN           8:00 pm

Clemson at Auburn                            ESPN          9:00 pm

Northern Ill at Wyoming                    CBSSN       10:30 pm

Arizona vs. BYU                                 FS1             10:30 pm

Northern Arizona at Arizona St.        PAC-12N    11:00 pm

Stephen F. Austin vs. Texas Tech        FCSA        12:00 am   

South Dakota St. at TCU                     FCSC        12:00 am