Posts Tagged ‘wisconsin’

Tennessee: Sources tell us that Butch Jones has been offered the job. No decision expected tonight. 

South Florida: Multiple outlets are reporting and we are told but haven't verified that Chad Morris will interview with South Florida. Earlier in the day Steven Godfrey reported that Mike MacIntyre interviewed as well. We can confirm. 

Carthage College (D-III - WI): Defensive coordinator (interim head coach) Mike Yeager has been named head coach. 

Pearl River CC (MS): East Mississippi defensive coordinator William Jones will be the new head coach at Pearl River. 

San Diego Chargers: Kevin Acee with U-T San Diego is reporting that sources tell him that head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith will be let go following the season. While we have no reason to doubt Acee, we do feel like we've heard this before and Norv has lived to coach another day. 

Idaho: Sources tell us that offensive coordinator Jason Gesser, defensive coordinator Mark Criner and running backs coach Wayne Moses have all been told they will not be retained. Tight ends coach Al Pupunu has been retained. We have also learned that Ronnie Lee (Indiana State) will be named defensive coordinator...and Mike Anderson as linebackers (previously reported). 

Texas: University President Bill Powers wrote today that "I'd like to state unequivocally that Coach Brown has my full support as well as the support of...DeLoss Dodds. Put succinctly, Mack Brown is and will remain the Longhorns' head football coach." 

Duke: Athletic director Kevin White has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Duke through June of 2019.

Sonny Dykes: Steve Berkowitz of USA Today reports that Sonny's buyout of his contract at Louisiana Tech is $500,000; but had they been scheduled for a bowl game and he left before that game the buyout would have been $800,000. 

Wisconsin: Barry Alvarez stated today that he doesn't feel it would be the right thing to do to consider Pitt head coach Paul Chryst about the opening given that he's only been at Pitt one season. 

The Coach Tracker App: Not often do we see something that will change lives for coaches across the country; but this app will do that. You need to see this...and you need this app. 

FIU: Joe Schad has reported that Butch Davis will not be the next head coach at FIU. 

Northeastern State (D-II - OK): Defensive line coach Greg Richmond has decided to step down to take a job working with underprivileged youth.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (Canada): The Roughriders have announced that linebackers coach Alex Smith, defensive line coach Mike Walker, and offensive line coach Kris Sweet have been let go.

Colorado: Sources tell us that Butch Jones to Colorado will not happen. After sleeping on the deal, both sides agreed to move on. As we cautioned last night, a deal isn't done until the ink is dry. 

Louisville: Brett McMurphy reports that Charlie Strong has a new agreement that runs through 2020 with Louisville. 

Arkansas State: Defensive coordinator John Thompson has been named the interim head coach.

Louisville: Charlie Strong has announced at a press conference this morning that he will remain at Louisville.

FirstDown PlayBook™ Dropback app:  Find Professional drop back pass game ideas in moments!  This is not a subscription!  For less than a penny a play you have access to the same plays being run on Saturdays and Sundays.  You can tag the plays, rename them to fit YOUR system.  Create playbooks that can be used forever.  Also, share the plays with your coaches and or players.  Great resource for passing game ideas at all levels.

Yesterday we destroyed the all-time viewership record for the site! Keep sending the Scoop, and thank you for helping us help coaches!

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.

      D.J. Durkin - 2012 Special Teams Coordinator of the Year 

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.

Interested in attending the NFL / NCAA Coaches Academy? Here's what you need to know. 

Mississippi Delta CC: Head coach Todd Lott has resigned. 

Wisconsin: Head coach Bret Bielema mentioned today during the Big Ten conference call that he is leaning toward keeping interim offensive line coach Bart Miller on full-time. 

Philadelphia Eagles: General manager Howie Roseman has reportedly signed a four-to-five year contract extension.

Husson University (D-III - ME): Sean Murphy has resigned as the head football coach. Murphy will stay on as the assistant athletic director and also serve as the new men's lacrosse coach.

Wisconsin athletic director/interim head coach Barry Alvarez discussed the progress of his coaching search and  staff movement after the Badgers' bowl practice today. As you are surely well are, Alvarez fill in as head coach for Wisconsin's Rose Bowl date with Stanford after Bret Bielema's stunning departure to Arkansas.

Here are Alvarez's thoughts relevant to the search and the subsequent loss of assistant coaches. 

On the status of the search... We're moving along. We're progressing. Everyone gets anxious but I've said all along we were going to take our time. It's only been 10 days. I couldn't hire someone even if I wanted to until the latter part of this week. I feel good about the due diligence of the people that I've talked to. I have one more to visit with and then we'll sit down and decide on the best person. I feel good about the candidates we've interviewed.

On if there's a sense of urgency to hire a coach before the Rose Bowl... There isn't. This is a dead period now, you can't reruit anyhow. We've done a pretty good job of staying in contact with our recruits in the first week after Bret's resignation. I've felt pretty solid about all of them. We had a good group of commitments in. Our guys have done a good job of staying in contact with them. Hopefully when we get a new coach in place we'll get some momentum and really get everything going down. 

On losing assistant coaches... They couldn't delay their decision because other coaches were putting pressure on them and giving them 24 hours to make a decision. I'd like for them to stay but they had to protect their families. A coach says, 'You've got 24 hours to make a decision or your job isn't there.' I couldn't promise them the next coach would retain them. I was so emotionally zapped the other day, I was thinking about doing it myself just so we could keep them. If I do it for another year, we'd be in the same situation next year. It was unfortunate. I couldn't have sped the process up. I have to get to the people that I want to talk to. You have to do it right. I feel bad for losing them because they're very good coaches, very professional throughout this. Their main concern was the kids and getting them ready. They've given us everything as far as preparation, game planning and practice. 

On if his short list has changed... My short list changed immediately because many of the guys were hired prior to our opening. Some of the guys were loyal to their chancellor and to their program, that type of thing. 

On the perception of the Wisconsin job changing after so much recent turnover... That's an unfair question because it's not accurate. The guys that left last year, one guy got a head job and they all got promotions. We had one head guy that jumped and (the current assistants) have to make a decision. We're spoiled here because we were one of the most stable programs in the country with me being here 16 years and elevating an assistant (to head coach) for seven years. This happens around the country. I'll hire a good coach and this program will continue being very good. For those that are panicking, don't panic. We'll take care of business and this program will be in excellent hands. 

Shortly after the leaders of the Badgers were made aware of Bret Bielema's decision to leave Madison for the Arkansas head coaching job they reached out to Barry Alvarez to gauge his interest in leading the team for the Rose Bowl against Stanford.

With Alvarez honored to return to field, the Badgers have dispatched a film crew to chronicle his return in their "Path to Pasadena" series.

It's evident that players are stoked to have Alvarez, a coach that they watched lead the Badgers growing up, back on the sideline for their season finale.

Judging from the way he addresses the team, Alvarez hasn't missed a beat.

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.

It was Championship Week in college football, so which coaches delivered championship efforts on Saturday? Find out here in our FootballScoop Coaches of the Week. 

Head Coach of the Week - Nick Saban, Alabama: Saban's team survived a rip roaring, record-breaking SEC Championship with a 32-28 win over Georgia and now sits on the precipice of history. The Crimson Tide were far from perfect on Saturday (see: special teams) but in the end they were five yards better than Georgia. Alabama came out on top of a game that set an SEC Championship record with six lead changes but after falling behind 21-10 in the third quarter, it was Alabama that scored 22 of the game's final 29 points. Saban's decision to go for two after T.J. Yeldon's 10-yard touchdown run loomed extremely large as it forced Georgia to need a touchdown on the game's final drive rather than a field goal. That one extra point is what caused the Bulldogs to run out of time at the doorstep of the goal line. 

Offensive Staff of the Week - Wisconsin: Doug Nussmeier called a great game for Alabama, but Wisconsin's night in the Big Ten Championship can not be ignored. Matt Canada's offense compiled 63 points and 640 yards in a 70-31 thrashing of Nebraska. The Badgers ran 50 times for a mind-boggling 539 yards and eight touchdowns. Melvin Gordon ran nine times for 216 yards (24 yards per carry!) and a touchdown, Montee Ball pounded out 21 rushes for 202 yards and two scores, and James White rushed 15 times for 109 yards and four touchdowns. When they needed to throw, three Wisconsin passers combined to complete 8-of-10 attempts for 101 yards and a touchdown. In all, Wisconsin snapped the ball 60 times and averaged 10.7 yards per play and scored a touchdown on nearly 15 percent of their plays. 

Defensive Staff of the Week - Florida State: In his final outing as Florida State's defensive coordinator, Mark Stoops orchestrated a masterpiece. The Seminoles held Georgia Tech to 183 yards on 52 carries (3.52 yards per carry), their second-worst output of the season, and 5-of-16 passing for 118 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Karlos Williams' interception with with one minute to go ended Georgia Tech's last gasp drive and sealed the ACC championship for Florida State. Stoops' unit also played solid red zone defense, holding the Yellow Jackets to two field goals and one touchdown in three trips. Stoops will now move on to assume the head coaching position at Kentucky, but his closing act sent Florida State to its first Orange Bowl since the 2005 season. 

Special Teams Unit of the Week - Georgia: A hat tip must be given to Tulsa for returning a punt for a touchdown and blocking a field goal and extra point in their 33-27 overtime win over Central Florida, but Georgia was clearly the best special teams unit of the week. Georgia opened the second quarter with a fake punt pass from punter Arthur Lynch to cornerback Sanders Commings for 16 yards on 4th and 10. The play got Georgia inside the Alabama red zone, and two snaps later the Bulldogs had a 7-0 lead. Then, with Georgia leading 14-10 with just over 6:30 to go in the third quarter, Alec Ogletree returned a blocked field goal 55 yards for a touchdown to put Mark Richt's team up by 11 points. 

Call of the Week - Nick Saban, Alabama: It was mentioned above, but deserves further explanation here. After T.J. Yeldon rumbled in from 10 yards out at the 4:19 mark of the third quarter, Saban chose to go for two trailing 21-16. The Crimson Tide was in the midst of a second half feeding frenzy after Yeldon had rushed four times for 47 yards on the drive. Saban gambled that his offensive line could get him two-and-a-half more yards, and he was correct. That extra point was crucial after Georgia drove all the way to the Alabama eight-yard line with 15 seconds left. With no timeouts, the Bulldogs couldn't just spike the ball, send in their field goal unit and play for overtime. Aaron Murray had to throw, and linebacker C.J. Moseley's tipped pass landed in the arms of Georgia receiver Chris Conley in bounds at the five-yard line, essentially ending the game and sending the Tide to Miami. 

With his Nittany Lion squad having to deal with scholarship reductions over the next few years, Bill O'Brien and his staff are putting an emphasis on evaluating and targeting the right recruits and developing their non-scholarship players. 

When you think of traditionally strong walk on programs, teams like Wisconsin and Nebraska come to mind. O'Brien has started to make calls to staffs and athletic directors at programs around the country with a rich history of developing walk-ons in an effort to ensure that him and his staff get the most out of their "run-ons" over the next few years.

O'Brien started calling his non-scholarship players "run-ons" earlier in the season in an effort to give them credit for the hard work and hustle that they exhibit year round.

“Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, those places have great traditions of run-on programs, and those guys they just have done an excellent job, whether it was Coach Pelini or Tom Osborne or Frank Solich when he was there. They've really been one of the pioneers for run-on-type programs in the history of college football.”

“I'm going to reach out to a few programs." O'Brien added in the Patriot News. "I'm going to leave that between myself and our staff right now but a few programs here in the off season. Personally I will reach out to some of those coaches or athletic directors and see how exactly they went about doing that. And I already have, I already have done that and will continue to do that.”

In the eyes of the staff at Penn State, developing their walk-ons into contributors will be the key to success in the immediate future.

Earlier in the year, secondary coach John Butler explained that the lower amount of scholarships is going to challenge the staff to evaluate talent like they never have before, and then ensure that they maximize that player's given abilities. They'll be looking for those scrappy overachievers, with a ton of Penn State pride, who have to work ethic to go from walk on to major contributor by sheer effort and will.

"The biggest thing about the sanctions is when we recruit over the next four years we’ve got to make sure that every kid we bring in we can maximize his ability. We as a coaching staff have got to be able to get every single ounce of talent from every single kid. There’s no room for error. In the past, if you missed on a guy, he transferred and you replaced him. We can’t do that."

The staff has done an outstanding job since their arrival of maxmizing the talent that they inherited in Happy Valley, and making the most out of a very challenging and unique situation. The next few off seasons will decide the shape of the program as they continue to move forward.

If the success that they've seen so far this season is any indication, the Penn State community has got the right staff (from top to bottom) for the challenge that lies ahead.

After their 38-13 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday, Jerry Kill was frustrated, yet upbeat about his Gophers. Kill was concerned about how public perception would effect the team after their third straight loss.

"There is so much negativity around. When you go into a program that hasn't won for a lot of years, there's instant negativity, and more so now because of all the social media and stuff. That can get to the kids. They don't need to hear it when they come in Sunday with the coaches, because they're so pounded down by then."

"There are some good things going on here. You've just got to really look hard at it right now." Kill said after the game.

One person in particualr took notice.

When Kill got to the bus, former Wisconsin coach, and current athletic director Barry Alvarez met him and offered some words of encouragement. Alvarez had been in a similar situation when he took over Wisconsin, the Star Tribune points out.

In his first three years in Madison, Alvarez's teams failed to produce a winning record (0-8, 2-6, 3-5). But those three seasons helped paved the way for over a decade and a half of success. Alvarez's career at Wisconsin resulted in an impressive overall record of 118-73-4.

"There are people who understand we're going the right way, but it's always reassuring to hear from people who have been there before." Kill noted of the conversation with Alvarez.

The Golden Gophers will look to get back on track against Purdue this weekend and end their three game skid. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30pm ET on the Big Ten Network.

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

— Laura Keeley (@laurakeeley) October 10, 2012

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.