This Week's BCS Top 10 College Football Series Trivia

October 31, 2011 – Happy Halloween everybody and a spooky day to all.  Here’s this week’s BCS Top 10 series trivia.

This is the game of the week.  The #1 LSU Tigers invade Bryant Denny Stadium to take on the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide.  The winner of this game could possibly go on to win the national championship, so it could also be considered the real SEC championship game.  The series started in 1895 when LSU beat Bama 12-6.  Alabama leads the series 45-24-5, but LSU is 9-5 against the Tide since 1997.  In fact, the series is tied 14-14-1 since Bear Bryant retired in 1982.  The last time Alabama shut out LSU was 31-0 in 2002.  The last time LSU shut out Alabama was 27-0 in 1997.  Their last tie was 14-14 in 1985.

The #14 Kansas State Wildcats, still smarting from their whipping by Oklahoma, go to the Sooner State to take on the #3 Oklahoma State Cowboys.  Oklahoma State leads the series 35-22 and won three out of the last four games in the series.  However, Kansas State is 10-3 against the Cowboys since 1990.  The last time Kansas State shut out Oklahoma State was 10-0 in 1992.  The last time Oklahoma State shut out Kansas State was also 10-0 in 1980.

The #4 Stanford Cardinal goes to Corvallis to take on the Oregon State Beavers.  Stanford leads the series 49-25-3, but Oregon State is 9-5 against the Cardinal since 1996.  Stanford is 1-4 at Oregon State since 1998.  The last time Stanford shut out Oregon State was 38-0 last season.  The last time Oregon State shut out Stanford was 27-0 in 1962.  Their last tie was 20-20 in 1988.

The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels host the #5 Boise State Broncos.  They’re playing each other for the first time since 1977, when Jimmy Carter was president.  The series is tied 3-3.  Boise State is 1-3 at UNLV.  Neither team has ever shut out the other.

The Texas A&M Aggies go to Norman to take on the #6 Oklahoma Sooners.  Oklahoma leads the series 18-11 and is 10-2 against the Aggies since 1998.  They played each other off and on from 1903-51 and picked up the series again in 1993.  Oklahoma is 11-6 against Texas A&M since then.  The last time Oklahoma shut out Texas A&M was 77-0 in 2002.  The last time Texas A&M shut out Oklahoma was 29-0 in 1998.

The #7 Arkansas Razorbacks host the #9 South Carolina Gamecocks.  Arkansas leads the series 12-7 and is 4-1 since 2006 against the Gamecocks.  This is a late starting series, both teams first facing off in 1992.  The only time Arkansas shut out South Carolina was 23-0 in 2002.  The only time South Carolina shut out Arkansas was 14-0 in 1994.

The Washington Huskies take on the #8 Oregon Ducks at home in Husky Stadium.  Washington leads the series 58-40-5, but Oregon has won the last seven straight.  The Ducks are 12-4 against the Huskies since 1994.  The series began with a 43-0 Oregon win in 1900.  The last time Washington shut out Oregon was 54-0 in 1977.  The last time Oregon shut out Washington was 58-0 in 1973.  Their last tie was 21-21 in 1962.

The #10 Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Northwestern Wildcats in Lincoln.  This will be the first time they played each other since the Alamo Bowl in 2000.  Nebraska leads the series 3-1, with Northwestern’s lone win coming in 1931.  The only shutout in the series was their first ever meeting, a 12-0 Nebraska win in 1902.

Here are some historical scores for this week’s BCS Top 25 matchups played on October 31,

1936 – Washington 7 – Oregon 0

1970 – Stanford 48 – Oregon State 10

1970 – Washington 25 – Oregon 23

1981 – Texas 26 – Texas Tech 9

1987 – Oklahoma State 56 – Kansas State 7

1987 – Texas 41 – Texas Tech 27

1987 – Purdue 49 – Wisconsin 14

1987 – UCLA 31 – Arizona State 23

1992 – Texas 44 – Texas Tech 33

2009 – Wisconsin 37 – Purdue 0

Today in 2002 - Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars

October 27, 2002 – Today in 2002 the Houston Texans went to Alltel Stadium to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in a Week 7 meeting.

After a scoreless first quarter, Jimmy Smith caught a 25 yard touchdown pass from Mark Brunell to put the Jaguars on the board first, 7-0.  The Texans answered with a Jonathan Wells 2 yard touchdown rush and the game was tied.  Jacksonville got a safety and led at halftime 9-7.

In the third quarter, Kris Brown kicked a 43 yard field goal, which gave Houston the lead.  But Jacksonville answered with a 34 yard Tim Seder field goal and retook the lead.  At the end of the quarter, the Jaguars led 12-10.

Houston started off the fourth quarter with a 1 yard touchdown pass from David Carr to Billy Miller.  They made the 2-point conversion on a Carr pass to Jabar Gaffney.  Jacksonville responded with a 2 yard Stacey Mack touchdown run, but Brown kicked a 45 yard field goal to win the game.  The Houston Texans beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 21-19.

For the Jaguars, Mark Brunell passed 16-34 for 202 yards and a touchdown.  Fred Taylor had 25 rushes for 84 yards.  He also had 3 catches for 22 yards.  Jimmy Smith had 4 receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown.  Danny Clark, John Henderson, Marlon McCree, and Wali Rainer each had a sack.

For the Texans, David Carr passed 11-18 for 184 yards and a touchdown.  Billy Miller had 3 receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown.  Kailee Wong had 2 sacks.  Jeff Posey, Jason Simmons, and Kenny Wright each had a sack.

Jacksonville went to 3-4 and finished the season at 6-10, 3^rd in the AFC South.  Houston went to 2-5 and finished their inaugural season at 4-12, last in the AFC South.

Trivia

• This was the first time these two teams ever played each other.  Houston wasn’t so fortunate in their rematch at home on November 17.  Houston trailed and came back, but fell short at the end of the game.  Jacksonville won 24-21.
  
• Obviously, this was Dom Capers’ first season coaching the Texans.  He coached the team from 2002-05.  He coached another expansion team, the Carolina Panthers, from 1995-98 and led the Panthers to the NFC Championship game in 1996.
  
• This was Tom Coughlin’s sixth season coaching the Jaguars.  He was the team’s first head coach and coached the team from 1995-2002.  Like Capers, he led the Jaguars to the AFC Championship game in 1996.  It’s the only time two expansion teams ever made it to their respective conference championship games in their second year of existence in the same year.
  
• Coughlin is now the head coach of the New York Giants and has coached the team since 2004.
  
• Jaguars’ tight ends coach is Miami’s head coach Tony Sporano.
  
• Texans’ offensive coordinator Chris Palmer was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1999-2000.

Here are some historical scores on this day for teams facing each other this week, on October 27,

1946 – San Francisco 34 – Cleveland 20

2008 – Indianapolis 31 – Tennessee 21

Game stats can be found on Pro-Football-Reference.com at Houston Texans vs Jacksonville Jaguars - October 27, 2002.

Today in 1975 - Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles

October 26, 1975 – Today in 1975, the Philadelphia Eagles hosted the Dallas Cowboys at the Vet in a Week 6 contest.

The Eagles scored first on a 1 yard touchdown pass from Roman Gabriel to Harold Carmichael.  Philly led at the end of the first quarter 7-0.

Dallas scored on a special teams play.  Golden Richards returned  a Spike Jones punt 43 yards for a touchdown and the score was tied.  Philly retook the lead on an 18 yard touchdown pass from Gabriel to Carmichael.  The Cowboys answered with a 20 yard field goal by Toni Fritsch.  The Eagles led at halftime 14-10.

After a scoreless third quarter, Philly increased its lead on a Horst Muhlmann 28 yard field goal to 17-10.  But Dallas didn’t give up.  Roger Staubach threw a 21 yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson and tied the game.  The Cowboys put the game away on a 42 yard Fritsch field goal.  The Dallas Cowboys beat the Philadelphia Eagles 20-17.

For the Eagles, Roman Gabriel passed 9-23 for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Carmichael had 3 receptions for 26 yards and 2 touchdowns.  For the Cowboys, Roger Staubach passed 27-49 for 314 yards, a touchdown and an interception by John Outlaw.  Jean Fugett had 7 receptions for 93 yards.  Drew Pearson caught 4 passes for 48 yards and a touchdown. 

Philadelphia went to 1-5 on the season.  They finished the season at 4-10, last in the NFC East.  Dallas went to 5-1 and finished the season at 10-4, second in the NFC East to the St. Louis Cardinals.  They made the playoffs and lost Super Bowl X to the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-17.

Trivia

• There were 7 Hall of Famers present: special teams coach Dick LeBeau and head coach Mike McCormack for the Eagles and Roger Staubach, Rayfield Wright, Mel Renfro, Randy White, and head coach Tom Landry for the Cowboys.
  
• Mike McCormack was in his last season coaching the Eagles.  He coached the team from 1973-75.  He later coached the Baltimore Colts and the Seattle Seahawks.
  
• This was Tom Landry’s 16^th season coaching the Cowboys.  He was the team’s first head coach and he coached the team from 1960-88.
  
• Dick LeBeau was the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals from 2000-02.
  
• McCormack was replaced the next season by Dick Vermeil.
  
• Landry and McCormack faced each other as players in 1954 and 1955.  McCormick was a right tackle for the Cleveland Browns and Landry was a punter and defensive coordinator with the New York Giants.  McCormack’s Browns won both meetings.

Here are some historical scores on this day for teams facing each other this week, on October 26,

1947 – Cleveland 14 – San Francisco 7

1975 – Los Angeles Rams 38 – New Orleans 14

1997 – Philadelphia 13 – Dallas 12

2003 – Cincinnati 27 – Seattle 24

Game stats can be found on Pro-Football-Reference.com at

Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles - October 26, 1975.

Last Place Update

October 25, 2011 – The 0-7 Indianapolis Colts made a statement Sunday.  They are seriously in the hunt for the first pick in the 2012 draft and the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

The Colts were owned by the New Orleans Saints 62-7 to keep their current title of Kings of the Cellar.  However, this is not the first time the Saints experienced that score.  The only other time was when they were on the receiving end of a 62-7 spanking by the Atlanta Falcons on Opening Day in 1973.  The Colts played like the 1973 New Orleans Saints on Sunday night.

This week’s honorable mention goes once again to the 0-6 Miami Dolphins.  Again, they managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and extend their losing streak to nine games.  They were leading in the fourth quarter 15-0 with 7:34 left.  All they had to do was run the ball and get first downs.  Hello?  Dolphins running game?  Is anybody home?  Bueller?  Bueller?  Hats off to Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos for pulling off an improbable comeback.

The 0-6 St. Louis Rams were dominated by the Dallas Cowboys 34-7.  Okay, they get an honorable mention, too.  At least Miami was in the game.

Next Loss…

The Indianapolis Colts face division rival Tennessee Titans on the road.  This could be an Upset Special…unless the ghost of the ’73 Saints shows up again.  Tennessee got hammered by Houston 41-7.  I’ll go out on a limb and say the Colts will get their first win.

The cellar dwellers are just having the worst luck.  First Indy and now St. Louis.  The Rams face the New Orleans Saints at home.  Although the Saints could have a letdown after drubbing the Colts and give the Rams a chance at a win, they won’t.  It won’t be 62-7, but this should be an easy loss for the Rams.

The Miami Dolphins go to the Meadowlands to face the New York Giants.  The Giants are coming off a bye and should take care of the Dolphins.  This could be an Upset Special, but it won’t be.  The Dolphins should keep pace with the Colts in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes.

Some BCS Top 10 Football Series Trivia

October 24, 2011 – Here’s this week’s BCS Top 10 series trivia and historical scores on this day.

The #1 LSU Tigers have a bye week after spanking the #23 Auburn Tigers.  They face the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide next week.

The #2 Alabama Crimson Tide, fresh off their easy victory over the Tennessee Volunteers also have a bye week.  Next week’s game against LSU will be good.

Finally, a game this week.  The #3 Oklahoma State Cowboys host the Baylor Bears.  The Cowboys lead the series 17-12 and have won the last five.  Oklahoma State is 16-3 against Baylor since 1972.  They met in the 1983 Bluebonnet Bowl, which Oklahoma State won 24-14.  The last time Baylor shut out Oklahoma State was 13-0 in 1939.  The only time Oklahoma State shut out Baylor was 60-0 in their first ever meeting in 1914.  That score will be featured later.

The #4 Boise State Broncos have a bye this week.  They go to UNLV to face the Running Rebs next week.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets host the #5 Clemson Tigers in Atlanta.  Tech leads the series 49-25-2 and is 6-2 since 2004.  The series has been streaky since 1994 with one team winning three or four and then the other team winning three or four.  Their first ever meeting was in 1898 and Clemson won 23-0.  The Jackets shut out the Tigers six out of seven years from 1910-19.  Tech’s head coach was John Heisman.  The last time Tech shut out Clemson was 10-0 in 1967.  The last time Clemson shut out the Yellow Jackets was 10-0 in 1906.  Their last tie was 24-24 in 1976.

The #6 Stanford Cardinal invade the L.A. Coliseum to take on the USC Trojans.  Southern Cal dominates the series 59-27-3 and is 6-3 against Stanford since 2002.  The series is more even since 1991, where USC is 11-9 against Stanford.  The last time Southern Cal shut out Stanford was 42-0 in 2006.  The last time Stanford shut out USC was 13-0 in 1941.  Their last tie was 21-21 in 1979.

The #7 Oregon Ducks host the Washington State Cougars in Eugene.  Oregon leads the series 45-36-7.  They won the last four games in the series and are 22-13 since 1975, including the highest scoring game in the series, a 55-44 win by the Cougars.  The last time Washington State shut out Oregon was 6-0 in 1958.  The last time Oregon shut out Washington State was 35-0 in 1955.  Their last tie was 21-21 in 1964.

The #10 Oklahoma Sooners go to Manhattan, Kansas to take on the #9 Kansas State Wildcats.  Oklahoma owns the series 70-17-4, but is 7-6 against Kansas State since 1993.  The highest scoring game in the series was a 75-28 spanking by the Sooners in 1971.  The last time Oklahoma shut out Kansas State was 63-0 in 1974.  The last time Kansas State shut out Oklahoma was 14-0 in 1933.  Their last tie was 6-6 in 1936.

Here are some historical scores for this week’s BCS Top 25 matchups played on October 24,

1892 – Purdue 24 – Michigan 0

1896 – Michigan 16 – Purdue 0

1914 – Oklahoma State 60 – Baylor 0

1914 – Nebraska 24 – Michigan State 0

1914 – Wisconsin 7 – Ohio State 6

1931 – Kansas State 14 – Oklahoma 0

1936 – USC 14 – Stanford 7

1936 – Washington State 3 – Oregon 0

1942 – Stanford 14 – USC 6

1953 – Ohio State 20 – Wisconsin 19

1959 – Wisconsin 12 – Ohio State 3

1959 – Penn State 20 – Illinois 9

1959 – USC 30 – Stanford 28

1964 – Oklahoma 44 – Kansas State 0

1964 – Ohio State 28 – Wisconsin 3

1970 – Kansas State 19 – Oklahoma 14

2009 – Oklahoma State 34 – Baylor 7