Our opponents went 3-3 this week. Temple, Houston, and Memphis remained undefeated, and the overall record of our opponents is 40-35. Of course, six teams are 30-5 and the other six are 10-30, so we’re playing a very “split” schedule. Those we’ve played are 21-17 and those remaining are 19-18, pretty even. To the games:
Duke (5-1) had a bye
Georgia Tech (2-5) lost their fifth straight, this time to Pitt, 31-28. Tech gained a “potload” of yards (376 rushing and 106 passing) but also gave up a total of 391. Two turnovers cost them while Pitt played turnover-free ball. A late 56 yard field goal won the game for Pitt. With several tough games to go, the “Jackets”, after their big start, might not be “bowl eligible” this year.
Maine (2-4) lost to “mighty” Yale, 21-10 after leading 10-9 after three quarters. It was their first meeting in almost 80 years. Fortunately, even I’m not old enough to remember the last encounter.
Temple (6-0) beat UCF (0-7), 30-16, after trailing 16-14 going into the 4th quarter. The Owls were hurt by four turnovers, one of which was an interception returned 80 yards for a TD. The Temple defense held UCF to only 139 net yards on offense while its own offense gained 361 yards. The two teams appear to be going in violently different directions.
Houston (6-0) had their way with Tulane 42-7 to remain unbeaten.
Navy (4-1) had a bye.
Memphis (6-0) won a big game against nationally ranked Ole Miss, 37-24. I watched most of the game and it was a real “passing show” with the two teams throwing 101, 73 complete, for 824 yards. Our game against the “Tigers” could get ugly. They looked very good against a tough team.
UCONN (3-4) lost to South Florida 28-20 in another wild offensive show. UCONN had 528 yards of offense to 461 for USF. UCONN won everyplace but the scoreboard: first downs, turnovers, and time of possession.
Army (2-5) needed a late rally to avoid the embarrassment of losing to a second FCS team this year. They beat Bucknell 21-14 when a reserve QB came in to run for two TD’s and throw for one. Despite losing the turnover battle, 3-1, Army’s ground game (61-263) and 114 through the air allowed them to dominate time of possession and hold on to win.
SMU (1-5 ) had a bye.
Tulsa (3-3) lost to East Carolina (4-3) 30-17. The game was not that close as ECU held a 23-0 lead going into the fourth quarter and Tulsa’s final score came with 30 seconds left in the game. Nonetheless, Tulsa put up 463 yards of total offense to 382 for the “Pirates,” while losing the turnover battle 2-0.
Final thoughts: Houston, Memphis, and Temple continue to be undefeated and real contenders for the G5 “Access” Bowl bid. Houston and Memphis meet on Nov 24th which could be a major factor in who might go. Houston has Vandy, Cincinnati, Navy, and UCONN to play besides Memphis. With one win against P5 Louisville, winning out (and winning the conference championship) would probably do it. Memphis has a similar road to the championship with Tulsa, Tulane, Navy, Temple and SMU remaining in the regular season. Temple has the tougher road with ECU this weekend, followed by Notre Dame, SMU, USF, Memphis, and UCONN. An undefeated conference champion will undoubtedly get the bid and even one loss might do it. The only other undefeated G5 team is Toledo who has beaten both Iowa State and Arkansas of the P5. Their road forward includes only four games, all against MAC competition and the conference championship. If they should stumble somewhere, the door will be wide open for the AAC.
Hopefully, some year, Tulane will be in that position.
Roll Wave!!!
Duke (5-1) had a bye
Georgia Tech (2-5) lost their fifth straight, this time to Pitt, 31-28. Tech gained a “potload” of yards (376 rushing and 106 passing) but also gave up a total of 391. Two turnovers cost them while Pitt played turnover-free ball. A late 56 yard field goal won the game for Pitt. With several tough games to go, the “Jackets”, after their big start, might not be “bowl eligible” this year.
Maine (2-4) lost to “mighty” Yale, 21-10 after leading 10-9 after three quarters. It was their first meeting in almost 80 years. Fortunately, even I’m not old enough to remember the last encounter.
Temple (6-0) beat UCF (0-7), 30-16, after trailing 16-14 going into the 4th quarter. The Owls were hurt by four turnovers, one of which was an interception returned 80 yards for a TD. The Temple defense held UCF to only 139 net yards on offense while its own offense gained 361 yards. The two teams appear to be going in violently different directions.
Houston (6-0) had their way with Tulane 42-7 to remain unbeaten.
Navy (4-1) had a bye.
Memphis (6-0) won a big game against nationally ranked Ole Miss, 37-24. I watched most of the game and it was a real “passing show” with the two teams throwing 101, 73 complete, for 824 yards. Our game against the “Tigers” could get ugly. They looked very good against a tough team.
UCONN (3-4) lost to South Florida 28-20 in another wild offensive show. UCONN had 528 yards of offense to 461 for USF. UCONN won everyplace but the scoreboard: first downs, turnovers, and time of possession.
Army (2-5) needed a late rally to avoid the embarrassment of losing to a second FCS team this year. They beat Bucknell 21-14 when a reserve QB came in to run for two TD’s and throw for one. Despite losing the turnover battle, 3-1, Army’s ground game (61-263) and 114 through the air allowed them to dominate time of possession and hold on to win.
SMU (1-5 ) had a bye.
Tulsa (3-3) lost to East Carolina (4-3) 30-17. The game was not that close as ECU held a 23-0 lead going into the fourth quarter and Tulsa’s final score came with 30 seconds left in the game. Nonetheless, Tulsa put up 463 yards of total offense to 382 for the “Pirates,” while losing the turnover battle 2-0.
Final thoughts: Houston, Memphis, and Temple continue to be undefeated and real contenders for the G5 “Access” Bowl bid. Houston and Memphis meet on Nov 24th which could be a major factor in who might go. Houston has Vandy, Cincinnati, Navy, and UCONN to play besides Memphis. With one win against P5 Louisville, winning out (and winning the conference championship) would probably do it. Memphis has a similar road to the championship with Tulsa, Tulane, Navy, Temple and SMU remaining in the regular season. Temple has the tougher road with ECU this weekend, followed by Notre Dame, SMU, USF, Memphis, and UCONN. An undefeated conference champion will undoubtedly get the bid and even one loss might do it. The only other undefeated G5 team is Toledo who has beaten both Iowa State and Arkansas of the P5. Their road forward includes only four games, all against MAC competition and the conference championship. If they should stumble somewhere, the door will be wide open for the AAC.
Hopefully, some year, Tulane will be in that position.
Roll Wave!!!