Southwest Minnesota State University (D-II): Southwest Minnesota State is looking for an Offensive Graduate Assistant. Responsibilities include practice/game preparation, recruiting, summer camps, equipment, video and all other aspects of the football program. Qualifications include acceptance into graduate school (3.0 minimum GPA), enrolled in a minimum of six credits per semester, and meet the MnSCU vehicle driving qualifications. Compensation package includes $8,000 and tuition waiver. Review of candidates will begin in two weeks and continue until filled. Expected start date in early January. We will move fast on this opening. Send letter of interest, resume, and references to Cory Sauter - Head Football Coach, Southwest Minnesota State University, 1501 State Street, FH 317, Marshall, MN 56258 or e-mail to cory.sauter@smsu.eduNo phone calls please.
UNLV: Bobby Hauck has released both offensive coordinator Brent Myers and defensive coordinator J.D. Williams according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
South Florida: Willie Taggart's agreement is 5 years / $5.75 million ($1.15M / year). The pool for his assistants is $1.9 million.
West Virginia: Cornerbacks coach Daron Roberts will not return to the staff.
Tennessee: Cincinnati offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian and defensive coordinator John Jancek will join Butch Jones at Tennessee. Bajakian will serve as OC. Jancek might be DC; but is humble enough to not need the title and is willing to work as linebackers should Butch decide to bring another defensive coordinator in. We have also learned that Tennessee running backs coach Jay Graham will be retained. More to come...
Seton Hill (D-II - PA): Sources tell us Seton Hill will hold on-campus interviews with a small group of finalists this week.
Cincinnati: We have learned that Tommy Tuberville will be the next head coach at Cinicnnati. Tuberville resigned from Texas Tech minutes ago. Texas Tech has now confirmed. Cincinnati will hold a presser tonight. Here's the story.
Arkansas: Bret Bielema has retained Tim Horton. Sources also tell us defensive backs coach Bobby Allen expected to remain on staff in an off the field capacity (likely HS relations). More to come ....
Idaho: Sources tell us that Illinois offensive grad assistant Jon Carvin will be the new offensive line coach at Idaho.
Montana: Head coach Mick Delaney plans to use co-offensive coordinators for the 2013 season. Offensive line coach Scott Gragg and current special teams coordinator / tight ends coach Kefense Hynson will serve as co-offensive coordinators. Montana has one full-time position to fill.
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Houston Baptist: Rockwall High head coach Scott Smith will join the HBU staff as offensive coordinator we're told.
Cal: Sources tell us that from his staff at LA Tech, at least the following coaches will join Sonny at Cal... Tony Franklin (OC), Pierre Ingram (RB) and Rob Likens (WR). Don't have any info on the others. Will update...
Wisconsin: Barry Alvarez plans to coach the team in the Rose Bowl.
Auburn: Auburn 247 is reporting that Gus has let all of the nine assistants from Gene Chizik's staff go.
Louisville: Pete Thamel of SI reports that Charlie Strong has turned down Tennessee and is working on a new contract with Louisville.
Auburn: Sources tell us that Ellis Johnson has accepted the defensive coordinator job at Auburn.
Cal: We have learned that Sonny Dykes will be named head coach at Cal. We're told to look for an announcement "within 24 hours".
Colorado: The Denver Post is reporting that Butch Jones has accepted the Colorado job. We have not confirmed. Sources tell us Colorado broke out the big guns last night. Update> Sources close to the situation tell us that the agreement is currently being finalized. Not done; but headed that way... 7pm Update> Both Colorado and Cincinnati have made it expressly clear that no deal has been executed at this time.
Northwest Mississippi (CC): We have learned that head coach Ricky Woods has decided to step down after five seasons with the program.
John Carroll (D-III - OH): Tom Arth has been promoted to head coach. Arth previously served as the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Weber State (UT): Former offensive coordinator Matt Hammer has accepted the head coaching job at Weber HS (UT).
Boston College: Ryan Day will join Steve Addazio and serve as offensive coordinator.
Hamline University (D-III - MN): Sources tell us that Bucknell (FCS) offensive line coach Chad Rogosheske will be named the new head coach at Hamline.
Auburn: Phillip Marshall is reporting that Ellis Johnson has been offered the defensive coordinator job at Auburn. Will update...
Kentucky: Sources tell us that Texas Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown has been offered the same position at Kentucky; but plans to interview for a head coaching vacancy in the south later this week before making his decsion.
McKendree (NAIA - IL): We have learned that CSU Pueblo (D-II) quarterbacks coach Mike Babcock will be named head coach at McKendree.
The 4-2-5 Defense Study: X&O Labs has just released the largest, most in-depth study on the 4-2-5 defense ever conducted. This study took over six-months to compile the research data, conduct interviews with coaches like Bud Foster, DC at Virginia Tech, and watch hundreds-of-hours of game film from schools like Virginia Tech, TCU, James Madison and some of the top high school programs in the country. To see what new trends X&O Labs' researchers uncovered in this powerful study, click here!
Dordt College (NAIA - IA): Dordt is currently seeking a special teams coordinator. This is a full time position which includes instructional duties within the Health and Human Performance Department as well as the strength and conditioning coach for all sports. Applicants for this position must possess a Bachelor of Arts degree. A Master’s degree and teaching experience at the high school or college level is preferred. Employment is set to begin in the Spring of 2013. A review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Interested candidates can send their resume and letter of interest to Susan Droog at hr@dordt.edu.
University of Mary (D-II - ND): The University of Mary is a member of the NCAA Division II institution and is part of a very competitive Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.The University of Mary Football Program is seeking an applicant for Graduate Assistant Offensive Football Coach (QB, RB, or WR). Responsibilities would include, but are not limited to coaching, recruiting by DII rules, scouting opponents, breaking down film, assisting and planning daily practice sessions, game preparation, assisting and organizing camps and clinics and assisting the Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator with other duties as assigned. This is a two year position that requires a bachelor’s degree, admission to the graduate program and preferred playing experience at a DI or DII level. Start date will be immediately. Compensation includes an annual stipend and graduate school tuition. Please send e-mail with a cover letter, resume, and three references to Offensive Coordinator Andy Koteinicki at aekotelnicki@umary.edu.
San Bernardino Valley (CC): We hear former New Mexico Highlands receiver coach Artie Allen has accepted the special teams coordinator / receiver coach position.
Carleton College (D-III - MN): Bob Pagel has had the interim tag lifted and been named head coach at Carleton College.
Louisville: Brett McMurphy of ESPN reports that Louisville is working on an extension for Charlie Strong. McMurphy asserts that he had an offer from Tennessee.
Arkansas: Bret Bielema's agreement at Arkansas is 6 years at $3.2 million per. Buyout (if they want to get rid of him) begins at $12.8 million and steps down to $3.2 million over time. If he wants to leave, he would owe them $3 million initially...stepping down to $500,000 in the last year. Arkansas is also effectively making the $1 million buyout payment to Wisconsin called for in Bielema's agreement with Wisconsin.
Tennessee: Bruce Feldman just tweeted that Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy has been offered the head job at Tennessee. Update> Sources close to Gundy tell us they do not expect him to leave Oklahoma State.
Idaho: Bryce Erickson (head coach at South Albany HS in Oregon) will be joining Paul Petrino's staff as well we're told.
FIU: In shocking news, we have learned that head coach Mario Cristobal has been let go. Under Cristobal, FIU went from 1 win in 2007 all the way up to 8 wins in 2011 and went to two bowl games. Unfortunately, this season they finished 3-9 and the administration decided to make a change. More to come...
Purdue: Purdue has officially named Darrell Hazell their head coach.
SUNY Brockport (D-III - NY): Sources tell us the defensive coordinator Rashaan Jordan has resigned.
Concordia (NAIA - Ann Arbor, MI): Lonnie Pries, head coach at Concordia - Chicago (D-III), will be named head coach and athletic director at Concordia - Ann Arbor.
University of Alberta (Canada): Chris Morris has been named head coach at the University of Alberta. Morris spent the past four seasons with the Harry Ainlay Titans football program.
South Florida: Several outlets and sources are relaying that Western Kentucky head coach Willie Taggart met with South Florida officials yesterday in New York.
Idaho: We have learned that former Idaho linebacker, and Washington grad assistant, Mike Anderson is joining the staff as the linebackers coach.
USC: Lane Kiffin said earlier today that Ed Orgeron's new title will be assistant head coach / recruiting coordinator / defensive line.
Auburn: Jay Jacobs (AD) says Gus Malzahn will have a five year agreement at $2.3 million per year.
Georgia State: Trent Miles will have four Indiana State coaches join him on the staff at Georgia State (reported in the AJC and confirmed by us). Jesse Minter (defensive coordinator), PJ Volker (linebackers), Shannon Jackson (defensive line) and Harold Etheridge (offensive line). Sources tell us there is a good possibility that Jeff Jagodzinski joins the staff as offensive coordinator but that has not been finalized at this time.
Tulsa: Athletic director Ross Parmley has been fired.
Sioux Falls (D-II - SD): Sources tell us head coach Jed Stugart plans to fill the defensive coordinator position internally.
Alabama: Sources tell us Kirby Smart agreed to a new agreement today with Alabama after receiving an offer from Auburn. Will update with details once they are made public.
Purdue: Sources close to the situation tell us that Kent State head coach Darrell Hazell is expected to be the next head coach at Purdue. The deal is expected to be finalized tonight. Update> We've seen a report that the deal has stalled. We have not confirmed. Further Update> Bruce Feldman of CBS Sports is now confirming our original report that Hazell is expected to be named head coach.
Boston College: SI just reported that Temple head coach Steve Addazio will be named head coach at Boston College. We have now confirmed the hire. Team meetings ongoing now. Here's what you need to know.
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West Virginia State (D-II): West Virginia State has hired Sioux Falls (S.D.) defensive coordinator Jon Anderson as its head coach.
Auburn: AStateNation is reporting that Gus Malzahn has now accepted the head coaching job at Auburn. We have confirmed. Here's what you need to know.
Arkansas: Yahoo Sports has broken news that Bret Bielema has accepted the head job at Arkansas. We have confirmed the hire. Bielema told his staff about one hour ago and we are told he did not make any promises about going down to Arkansas with him. Here's what you need to know.
UConn: Athletic director Warde Manuel said today that Paul Pasqualoni will return; but added that changes will be made. We'll keep you posted.
Baylor: Multiple sources are reporting that Art Briles has agreed to an extension at Baylor. ESPN has confirmed.
Auburn: Sources close to the situation tell us Auburn's interest in Kirby Smart is very sincere. This one could play very soon. Update> Multiple sources tell us Auburn is working on an agreement with Kirby. Will update...
Boston College: Mark Blaudschun reports that BC is down to three finalists: Bob Diaco, New Orleans Saints offensive line coach Aaron Kromer and Ball State head coach Pete Lembo. We have not confirmed this report. Update> Sources tell us Pete Lembo should not be considered a finalist.
Oakland Raiders: Head coach Dennis Allen's father has passed away. Please keep their famiy in your prayers.
Kentucky: Mark Stoops will meet with Texas Tech offensive coordinator Neal Brown today.
UCLA: FoxSports has reported what we've been telling you guys all along...that Jim Mora isn't leaving UCLA. Fox says he declined interview requests from both Tennessee and Auburn.
West Viriginia State (D-II): Look for West Virginia State to announce their new head coach later today. We will update once it's public.
Colorado: Sources tell us Colorado's offer to Butch Jones was six years, $15 million...fully guaranteed!
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Butch Jones: Sources close to the situation tell us that Jones was very impressed with the visit he had with Colorado yesterday. However, he remains undecided at this point. Jones will meet with the media for the Belk Bowl press conference at 1pm ET. We believe that it is very possible that Jones could announce his decision at that time. Update> We are told no "job discussion" at the Bowl presser. Look for a decision later tonight...or possibly tomorrow.
South Florida: Fox Sports is reporting that Houston Nutt will interview for the head coaching job. Sources tell us that there is tremendous interest in this job.
Langston University (NAIA - OK): Langston University is looking to fill 4 football Graduate Assistant positions (receivers, linebackers, defensive backs and film specialist) for the 2013 football season. Head Coach Dwone Sanders is seeking disciplined and knowledgeable candidates with coaching aspirations. Those selected for these positions will be working under a dedicated staff with Division I-Football coaching experience. Included in the Graduate Assistant package are tuition costs, as well as room and board. Please have a copy of GRE test results, as well as official undergraduate transcripts ready to submit to Coach Sanders. Please email resumes to Sports Information Director Daniel Garrett at: danielmgarrett@gmail.com. Coach Sanders will contact qualified applicants as resumes are submitted.
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Mass Maritime Academy (D-III): Mass Maritime, located on Cape Cod, is looking for a scrimmage for the upcoming 2013 season. They have a week 1 bye so dates are flexible and are willing to play a D2 or D3 program. If interested, please contact Head Football Coach Jeremy Cameron via email, jcameron@maritime.edu or phone, 508-830-5072.
After the stunning departure of Bret Bielema for Arkansas, Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez quickly inserted himself as the Badgers' figurehead head coach for the Rose Bowl.
"I don't want this to be about me," Alvarez said at the time. "I want this to be about the players. I want to give them as good an opportunity to win the Rose Bowl as we possibly can."
The university announced today that the College Football Hall of Fame coach, three Rose Bowls while patrolling the sidelines for Wisconsin, will be paid $118,500 for his month-long return to coaching. In sum, Alvarez will make $203,500 this month: $195,000 for his coaching duties (90 percent of Bielema's monthly salary) and $8,500 for his athletic director duties. The $203,500 figure represents a $118,500 increase from Alvarez's regular athletic director salary. He can earn an additional $50,000 if the Badgers defeat Stanford on Jan. 1. The money for Alvarez's bump in pay is generated from Bielema's $1 million buyout.
"We weighed the factors involved, including the unique circumstances that developed less than a month before the game, the challenges of the job, the marketplace and his strength as a coach and concluded that this is a reasonable arrangement," said Wisconsin Board President Brent Smith.
In other coaching bonus news, Jeremy Fowler of CBSSports.com reported today that recently departed Northern Illinois coach will miss out on a $100,000 bonus for leading Northern Illinois to the Orange Bowl. Don't shed a tear for Doeren, though, as he received a raise from $400,000 to $1.8 million in leaving for N.C. State.
Nick Saban is in line for the biggest bonus of all BCS-bound coaches. The Crimson Tide head coach could make $400,000 with a win over Notre Dame. Louisville's Charlie Strong will receive a total of $291,667 for leading the Cardinals to the Sugar Bowl. Will Muschamp is due a bonus of $100,000, while Chip Kelly will get $50,000, Bill Snyder will receive $40,000 and Jimbo Fisher will earn $20,000. Fisher will root for major rankings chaos to benefit is 12th-ranked Seminoles, as he could earn an extra $100,000 if Florida State finishes in the top 5.
The contracts for Notre Dame's Brian Kelly and Stanford's David Shaw are not public.
So, Barry Switzer has weighed in on Bret Bielema's hiring at Arkansas. It's a great quote.
Here's what Switzer had to say;
"The first thing I heard today was that he grew up on a pig farm. That's quite a start in my book. And my last memory was watching him hang 70 on Nebraska. Just those two facts are enough. Then, I hear that he's out of the Hayden Fry-Bill Snyder-Barry Alvarez coaching tree. Oh, that's enough for me to like a lot. Then, I hear he's got a 27-year-old wife. Okay, we can stop. I like him."
Barry Alvarez sat down with the Wall Street Journal to explain exactly how the Bret Bielema to Arkansas situation played out in his eyes, and what they're looking for in the new head coach at Wisconsin.
As he explains, Bielema came into to his office Tuesday and said that they "needed to talk". That's when he informed Alvarez that Arkansas had offered him their head coaching job, and that he was going to take it. Alvarez confirmed that Bielema had already made his decision, and that there was no need for Wisconsin to make a counter offer.
The first move that Alvarez made after that conversation was to pick up the phone in order to reach out to people that he had on his "short list" in an effort to gauge their interest in the position.
As far as the new head coach goes, Alvarez explains that his first inclination is to look at guys that are acting head coaches, who have a sucessful track record in coaching and, most importantly, will fit into the Wisconsin culture and understand "how they win". He added that he does not plan on rushing the decision.
"My next responsibility is to start to screen head coaching candidates and keep moving forward, but I'm not going to be in a big rush, because it's a very important decision, and I'm going to make sure it's the right decision."
The interview is a bit long, but is worth watching until the very end. Alvarez goes on to explain why picking new members for conference expansion is "not like grocery shopping", and what it takes to turn around a losing culture.
Within minutes of each other, we learned that Bret Bielema will leave Wisconsin for Arkansas and Gus Malzahn will depart Arkansas State and return to Auburn. Bielema's move to Arkansas is widely considered the most stunning news of the coaching change season, and Malzahn to Auburn is the least stunning.
Beilema went 68-24 in seven seasons in Madison, leading the Badgers to an unprecedented three straight Rose Bowls. Beilema's teams are known for a thunderous, straight ahead running game which figures to be in lock-step with he dominant teams of the SEC but in conflict with the team built by former Razorbacks coach Bobby Petrino.
Lest we forget, however, that Bielema rose through the ranks as a defensive coach, coaching linebackers at Iowa and as a defensive coordinator at Kansas State and Wisconsin before his promotion to head coach. The Badgers ranked 13th nationally in total defense and 19th in scoring defense, allowing just 19.1 points per game. Wisconsin was eighth in total defense and sixth in scoring defense during its 11-2 season in 2011. Even if the offensive transition goes through some growing pains, Bielema figures to improve an Arkansas defense that ranked 12th in the SEC in total defense and scoring defense this fall.
Meanwhile, SEC West foe Auburn is bringing Gus Malzahn back to the Plains. Malzahn famously served as the Tigers' offensive coordinator from 2009-11, where his work with Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton brought Auburn the 2010 national title. Malzahn spent the 2012 season as the head coach at Arkansas State, where he led the Red Wolves to a 9-3 record and Sun Belt championship.
Malzahn's return to Auburn figures to be a boon for Auburn quarterback Kiehl Frazier. Recruited to be Newton's successor, Frazier struggled in Malzahn's absence, completing just 62-of-116 passes for 753 yards with 2 TDs and 8 INTs. The TIgers were ranked 115th in total offense and 112th in scoring offense this fall, while Arkansas State placed 17th in total offense and 21st in scoring offense.
Love the attitude of Gus' staff up at A-State. They are happy; but all business. Keep recruiting, focus on the players, etc…Good guys
In case you missed it, the NCAA approved of a new penalty structure earlier this week. In a nutshell, the NCAA has dumped its major and secondary-violation system in favor of a new four-level grouping and, most importantly, holding a head coach accountable for violations committed by an assistant. See the original reporting from USA Today and our write-up about the bylaw changes. Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated does a good job of explaining everything in layman's terms here.
Several Big Ten coaches gave their thoughts on the rules changes to the Chicago Tribune.
"Throughout history," Ohio State's Urban Meyer said, "the only way to keep civilization and to keep things in order is to have very strong rules and enforce them."
"The way coaches act when they are on the road (recruiting) is a direct reflection of the head coach," Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald said. "At the end of the day, the buck stops with the head coach.
"It's been frustrating for a lot of coaches trying to do it the right way," Wisconsin's Bret Bielema said.
The NCAA's changes were well received, but it always helps to have the endorsement of some of the biggest names in college football.
After squeaking by Northern Iowa and Utah State, and losing a close to close game to Oregon State in their first three games this season, it seems that the Wisconsin offense is starting to hit their stride.
They have put up at least 31 points in three of the last four games, including their last two Big Ten games (Illinois and Purdue), and have held their opponents to 14 points in their past two conference wins. Last week against Purdue, the Badgers racked up 467 yards rushing, their highest rushing total since Bielema took over in 2006.
First year Badger offensive coordinator Matt Canada noted that all eleven guys were finally able to put it all together against the Boilermakers, as they averaged a gaudy 8.3 yards per carry.
"I say it in good days and bad days, offensive football is 11 guys doing their jobs. We ran the same plays, it's just 11 guys did their jobs. Nobody likes to hear that, like (there is) some magic potion, but there's not."
"I don't live in a box, but I try to in a sense. I'm very critical, good days and bad days. I think our players have understood that. We just have to keep going. You have to keep believing in the plan and where you are. You've just got to keep moving forward and grinding on the plan."
Bielema noted that one of the reasons that he hired Canada was his calm demeanor.
"One of the reasons I was intrigued to hire him, he's a pretty even-keel guy," Bielema said. "Probably reminds you of another guy that used to be in the same position."
That approach looks like it's starting to pay off. We'll see how things shape up down the home stretch of their schedule. Their next two games are at home against Michigan State and Minnesota, and they wrap up the year at Indiana, at home against Ohio State, and then on the road at Penn State.
It's hard to believe we're sitting at the halfway point of the 2012 college football season. We could have sworn Labor Day was just a week or two ago. Regardless, 50 percent of the season is already in the books. Here's what we found noteworthy from Week 7 of the college football slate.
1. Move over Ohio, is New Hampshire the new Cradle of Coaches? Probably not, but this stat (courtesy of Bruce Feldman) is astounding: Coaches from the state of New Hampshire, Chip Kelly and Dan Mullen, currently sit at 12-0 so far this season. Not bad for a state with zero FBS programs and just one FBS signee in 2012.
2. Speaking of the Buckeye State, Ohio stands as the top state in college football right now. Urban Meyer is 7-0 and ranked No. 7 in the AP poll in his first season at Ohio State. Butch Jones is 5-0 and ranked No. 21 at Cincinnati. Frank Solich has Ohio at 7-0 and No. 25 in the AP. In fact, the MAC East standings read Ohio, Kent State (5-1, 3-0), Bowling Green (4-3, 2-1) and Miami of Ohio (3-4, 2-1) while Toledo also sits atop the MAC West at 6-1 and 4-0 in the league. Ohio's seven FBS teams are a combined 38-14. Oh yeah, and Mount Union is also 5-0 and has allowed only seven points all season.
3. Arkansas seems to have put the wheels back on the wagon. One week after handling Auburn 24-7, the Razorbacks again looked like the top 10 team many expected to see in a 49-7 dismantling of Kentucky. No coach in the country could use a two-game winning streak more than the embattled John L. Smith. Yes, the wins came against teams that are a combined 0-8 in the SEC. But when you are 1-4, a two-game winning streak is a two-game winning streak.
4. Duke missed its first chance at bowl eligibility. David Cutcliffe's team jumped out in front of Virginia Tech 20-0 only to see the Hokies reel off the game's final 41 points. Duke's next three opponents (North Carolina, Clemson and Florida State) are a combined 16-4 until a date with 2-4 Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Nov. 17.
#Duke's David Cutcliffe reiterates Tuesday statement that #Hokies' Frank Beamer is the top coach in the country
5. Congrats to James Franklin and Vanderbilt for finally cracking the code to Florida's fourth quarter defense. After not allowing a point in any fourth quarter this season, Vanderbilt managed to register 10 points in the final frame on Saturday night. It wasn't enough to pull the upset as Will Muschamp's team improved to 6-0 with a 31-17 win. After being outscored 72-22 in fourth quarters last season, the Gators hold a 54-10 fourth quarter edge this season. Florida also claims come-from-behind wins over Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU and Vanderbilt. Conditioning was clearly an emphasis of Muschamp in the off-season, and strength coach Jeff Dillman has definitely succeeded in transforming his team.
6. We're glad to see that Jerry Kill plans to coach again this Saturday. Kill suffered a seizure in his private locker room less than an hour after Minnesota's 21-13 loss to Northwestern on Saturday. Coach Kill was released from a Minneapolis hospital on Sunday morning.
7. Wisconsin has returned to form after a shaky start to the season. New offensive coordinator Matt Canada and interim offensive line coach Bart Miller have found their footing, and the Badgers' offense is back to its old ways. In a 38-14 win over Purdue, the Wisconsin offense rushed 57 times for 467 yards and four touchdowns. Starting tailback Montee Ball contributed 247 yards and three touchdowns on 29 rushes. After rushing for just 3.3 yards per carry over their first five games, Wisconsin is churning out 7.1 yards per attempt over its last two games. The Badgers are 5-2 and 2-1 in the Big Ten, a full two wins ahead of the pack of bowl-eligible teams in the Leaders Division.
8. Oregon will face an interesting challenge at Arizona State on Thursday night. In his first season in Tempe, Todd Graham has the Sun Devils sitting at 5-1 and ranked No. 24 in the Coaches Poll. Paul Randolph's defense is far and away the best unit in the Pac-12 on paper. Arizona State leads the league in total defense by nearly 60 yards per game over second place USC. The Sun Devils is giving up just 3.92 yards per play, nearly a full yard better than the rest of the conference. Randolph's unit also leads the conference in pass efficiency defense (4.86 yards per attempt), and its 3.23 yards per carry allowed is over a full yard better than Oregon's Pac-12 opposition to date. And then there's this: the last time Oregon traveled to the Grand Canyon State on a Thursday night was in 2007 when the No. 2 ranked Ducks lost to Arizona, 34-24. Chip Kelly and co. will hope history doesn't repeat itself this week. Scott and Zach from our staff will be at this game. More on this to come later in the week.
9. Notre Dame trailed for the first time this season on Saturday. The Fighting Irish actually trailed for a full quarter against Stanford after falling behind 10-3 at halftime; they didn't tie the game until a 24-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter. Brian Kelly's team trailed again 13-10 before scoring the game's final 10 points in a 20-13 overtime win. Bob Diaco's defense still has not (officially) surrendered an offensive touchdown in four full games.
10. Midweek action begins this week in college football. Starting with Louisiana - Lafayette at North Texas tomorrow night, we will have Tuesday or Wednesday night football all but one week through Thanksgiving.
