ESPN College Football

Every Saturday during the 2007 season, the ESPN.com college football team will be blogging live from Bristol, bringing you inside information and commentary from our writers and analysts who are at the top games at stadiums across the country. Refresh this page often to keep track of all the entries throughout the afternoon.

Have a question or comment on today's action? E-mail us and let us know what you're thinking.

12:00 p.m.: No. 5 West Virginia is hosting East Carolina on ESPN2. The ESPN research crew pulled up some interesting numbers on this matchup:

How potent is the WVU running game? Very. The Mountaineers average 343.7 yards per game on the ground. That's nothing new. WVU has rushed for more than 300 yards in 15 of its last 19 games. Dating back to 2005, the Mountaineers have 87 rushing TDs in their last 22 games.

But keep an eye on the East Carolina defense today. Since Skip Holtz took over the Pirates, some interesting numbers have developed. ECU held WVU to 127 rushing yards in 2005. The Mountaineers averaged 285.6 against everyone else. In 2006, ECU held WVU to 153 yards, while the Mountaineers rushed for 315.5 against everyone else.

Will that trend continue? Tune in to find out.

12:10 p.m.: Mike Ford punched in an early touchdown to give USF a 7-0 lead on North Carolina.

12:12 p.m.: The struggles continue for the Louisville defense. Syracuse WR Todd Smith caught a 79-yard TD pass to give the Orange a 7-0 lead.

Prior to today, the Orange offense ranked 116th in scoring offense, 116th in total offense and 97th in passing offense.

12:23 p.m.: Some early scores from around the nation:
Georgia Tech 7, Virginia 7
West Virginia 10, East Carolina 0
Syracuse 7, Louisville 0
USF 7, North Carolina 0

12:35 p.m.: Looks like the Bulls are not looking ahead to next Friday's showdown with West Virginia on ESPN2. USF scored again to make it 14-0 on UNC.

How good a job has Jim Leavitt done? The school hired him in 1995 to start the program. He has overseen the Bulls' move from I-AA to I-A in 2000. Our ESPN research staff notes two important firsts for the program this season: a win over an SEC team (Auburn) and an appearance in the Top 25.

12:47 p.m.: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
Here's some things I'm looking forward to finding out today:

1. It will be intersting to see what Clemson does on the road. NC State is looking for its first big win under Tom O'Brien looking and the Tigers have been known to lose games like this.
2. How will Georgia Tech bounce back after the loss to Boston College? The Yellow Jackets have lost their last seven games at Virginia.
3. Can Michigan keep it going and get make a statement in the Big Ten race. This will be the first road test for Penn State and QB Anthony Morelli.
4. Can Notre Dame score an offensive touchdown?
5. Keep an eye on the BYU-Air Force. Troy Calhoun has the Falcons off to a flying start.

12:55 p.m.: ESPN.com's Pat Forde
If Louisville wanted to show it was over losing to archrival Kentucky last week, surrendering a 79-yard touchdown bomb to Syracuse -- Syracuse! -- was not the most compelling evidence. The Orange have thrown for 139 yards in the first quarter, after coming into the game averaging 167 passing yards per game.

My vote for most underachieving unit in football to date: Louisville defense. By a smidge over the Notre Dame offense.

1 p.m.: From ESPN Research:
• Steve Slaton posted his 42nd career rush TD to tie the school record (Ira Errett Rodgers (1915-17, 1919) and Avon Cobourne (1999-2002) also have 42). It is Slaton's 47th career TD, the most among active I-A players.

Update: West Virginia leads East Carolina 17-0 in the second quarter.

• NC State's Darrell Blackmon's 99-yard kickoff return TD is the longest in school history, breaking the old record of 98 yards by Howard Turner in 1946 vs Clemson. It was Blackmon's second career kickoff return TD. He is tied with many other players for 4th among active players in I-A.

Update: Clemson 17, NC State 7 in the second quarter.

1:10 p.m.: Some early scores from around the nation:
Ole Miss 3, Florida 0 (1Q)
Syracuse 14, Louisville 3 (2Q)
Nebraska 7, Ball State 0 (1Q)
Illinois 13, Indiana 0 (2Q)

1:11 p.m.: From ESPN Research
Illinois has lost its Big Ten opener for 13 straight years, which is currently tied with Duke for the nation's longest streak.

Have a question or comment on today's action? E-mail us and let us know what you're thinking.

1:17 p.m.: From Joseph in Georgia: Do you think Auburn can get its offense on track this weekend against New Mexico State? If they don't, how ugly do you think it will be next week down in the Swamp?

1:20 p.m.: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
The Tigers will have that opportunity this week against the Aggies. Brandon Cox will have to eliminate the turnovers and the offensive line will have to do a better job of protecting him. New Mexico State could score some points, too.

No matter the outcome in Auburn today, it could be ugly for the Tigers in the Swamp next Saturday.

For a complete look at today's action, go to the scoreboard.

1:25 p.m.: ESPN.com's Pat Forde
Florida 7, Mississippi 6 should not come as a complete shock. For the past five years, Florida has "underachieved" according to experts' "predictions" in the game after the Gators played Tennessee. If you know what I mean.

The "experts" "predicted" Florida was 23 points better than Mississippi today. It looks like the Tennessee hangover is in effect yet again.

1:30 p.m.: From ESPN Research
Tim Tebow tossed an 18-yard TD pass to Percy Harvin. It was Tebow's 14th TD (9 pass, 5 rush) this season, surpassing his total from 2006.

1:35 p.m.: Surprise of the day? How about Syracuse 21, Louisville 7 at halftime. The ESPN Research staff reveals that Syracuse has 223 yards and 21 points against the Cards. Both totals are already season highs for the Cuse offense.

1:40 p.m.: ESPN.com's Bruce Feldman
Ole Miss already has more hits on Tim Tebow than it had the whole game on Missouri's Chase Daniel.

1:45 p.m.: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
They're holding their breath in Oxford, Miss., and Gainesville, Fla., as speedy sophomore receiver Percy Harvin goes down with an apparent leg injury. Harvin was hurt while running when a Rebels defender grabbed his leg as he tried to spin out of a tackle. The Gators are already without senior receiver Andre Caldwell, who missed his second game in a row with a sprained knee. The Gators just went ahead, 14-7. They always struggle in Oxford. Too much scenery to admire, I guess.

1:47 p.m.: ESPN.com's Bruce Feldman
Florida trainer just said Harvin had the wind knocked out of him.

1:50 p.m.: ESPN.com's Pat Forde
Angriest home crowd of the moment is a tough call between Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, where Louisville is losing 21-7 at halftime to Syracuse, and Memorial Stadium, where Nebraska trails Ball State 10-7 late in the first half.

Say this much for Ball State: going on the road and beating Navy last week was big. Backing it up with a strong performance in Lincoln is bigger. The Cardinals will be a major factor in the MAC race if they keep this up, although losing their league opener by a point to Miami (Ohio) hurts.

2 p.m.: From ESPN Research:
Since Ball St. joined I-A (FBS) in 1975, the Cardinals have never beaten a team from a BCS conference. They also haven't even had a winning season since 1996.

2:10 p.m.: Some scores from around the nation:
3 Florida 14, Ole Miss 6 (2Q)
5 WVU 34, East Carolina 0 (3Q)
14 Boston College 9, Army 0 (2Q)
15 Clemson 27, NC State 14 (Half)
17 Virginia Tech 20, William & Mary 0 (1Q)
Syracuse 21, 18 Louisville 7 (3Q)
23 South Florida, North Carolina 3 (3Q)
24 Nebraska 14, Ball State 10 (Half)

2:18 p.m.: A couple of other scores of interest:
Virginia 21, Georgia Tech 17 (Half) -- Everyone left UVa for dead after a week one loss at Wyoming, but a win today would make the Cavs a perfect 3-0 in ACC play.

Bowling Green 27, Temple 21 (3Q) -- The hardluck Owls possibly had a win taken away by the officials last week at UConn but are hanging tough again this week.

Duke 22, Navy 17 (2Q) -- Remember, the Dukies won at Northwestern to break the nation's longest losing streak. Two in a row for Duke?

2:20 p.m.: From ESPN Research:
Right on cue. Don't look now, but Duke is winning at Navy late in the first half. The Blue Devils haven't put together back-to-back wins against I-A opponents in a decade. They beat Army and Navy back-to-back in September 1997.

2:25 p.m.: So Louisville cuts the lead to 21-14 against Syracuse as Brian Brohm throws his second TD pass of the day -- this time to Harry Douglas for 35 yards. But the Orange answers right back as Taj Smith caught his second long TD pass of the day (79, 60). Syracuse now leads 28-14 with 5:00 to go in the third quarter. The fans in Louisville are booing and some have already left the stadium.

2:32 p.m.: Brian Brohm was picked off and Syracuse took the ball down inside the Louisville 10 but had to settle for a FG. So the Orange now lead 31-14 with 3:08 left in the third quarter. And there are actually SU fans in the stands at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. They may be in for the memory of a lifetime as it relates to Orange football, but what would really possess anyone to travel to watch Syracuse football? Those are real fans. Or they're real crazy.

2:35 p.m.: Question of the day: Could the Notre Dame offense score on the Louisville defense?

2:45 p.m.: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
BATON ROUGE, La. -- South Carolina figured it was getting a break when kickoff for today's game at No. 2 LSU was scheduled for 3:30 p.m ET. Tiger Stadium is one of the loudest and most intimidating places to play in the country. Just ask Virginia Tech. But three hours before kickoff, LSU students had already filled their seats in the corner of the north end zone. University administrators who constantly complain about late-arriving crowds should follow LSU's policy. It's first-come, first-served seating, so students are in line for the best seats hours before the game. And LSU fans shouldn't worry about the early kickoff. From what I saw in the parking lots and lawns outside the stadium, the Tigers faithful will be good and ready to go in about two hours.

Steve Spurrier has an 11-1 record against LSU (some have suggested he's paying back the Tigers for refusing to give him an interview before he went to Florida). I don't think he'll go 12-1. Gamecocks quarterback Blake Mitchell is a lot like Virginia Tech's Sean Glennon, who couldn't make it out of the first quarter vs. LSU. Mitchell, a senior, was suspended from the opener against Louisiana-Lafayette for missing too many classes during summer school, then played pretty well in the 16-12 upset of Georgia in Week 2. But Mitchell had three interceptions and lost a fumble versus Division I-AA South Carolina State last week. Spurrier said he expects his quarterback to play better and won't hesitate to go with backups Chris Smelley or Tommy Beecher today. The Gamecocks have looked very un-Spurrier-like in their first three games, playing stout defense and relying on their running game. But they'll have to make some throws against LSU's vaunted defense, which has allowed only one touchdown this season.

2:49 p.m.: Louisville is hanging around. Brohm just threw his third TD of the day to go along with his 365 passing yards, and the Syracuse lead has been trimmed back to 10 at 31-21 early in the fourth quarter.

2:51 p.m.: From Rick in Columbus:
Are we sure Brohm or Louisville in general is all that good? Or were they the product of their coach? To answer your question: no, ND would not score on UL's D. If that offense scores this year at all, it will be because of a turnover that gives them the ball deep in the opponents territory -- like on the 2.

2:55 p.m.: From Roy in Black Rock:
Is nebraska playing USC again? No, that's the mighty Ball State!

2:59 p.m.: The Cardinals and Huskers are trading shots in Lincoln. Nebraska lead 14-10 at the half but each team has scored two TDs in the third quarter (so far) so it's now 28-24 Huskers. But the Ball State scores have put them in the lead, meaning the Cards have lead 10-7, 17-14 and 24-21. Mediocrity reigns in (stinkin') Lincoln.

3:00 p.m.: ESPN.com's Pat Forde
I don't want to say that Louisville's secondary could not cover a team of kindergarteners, but: Andrew Robinson is averaging 31.5 yards per completion today for Syracuse. He came into the game averaging 11 yards per completion. Total meltdown in the 'Ville.

3:01 p.m.: Right on cue. Syracuse scored again and now leads 38-21 with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter. Robinson now has 4 TD passes on the day.

3:02 p.m.: Ball State has re-taken the lead in Lincoln at 31-28 in the final minute of the third quarter.

3:03 p.m.: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Heavy rain and strong winds at Tiger Stadium, about a half-hour before kickoff. Fans are flocking to the concourses. Teams are still on the field for warmups. I haven't seen any lightning yet, but the forecast called for a possibility of afternoon thunderstorms. Boy, now it's really pouring here.

3:06 p.m.: From ESPN Research:
Louisville has never lost a Big East game at home (7-0). The clock is ticking on that streak ...

3:13 p.m.: Um, Duke leads 36-25 at the half at Navy. That's five offensive TDs for the Blue Devils in 30 minutes. Their new offensive coordinator: Peter Vaas. He was the QB coach at Notre Dame last season.

3:18 p.m.: Ball State now leads 37-28 early in the fourth quarter at Nebraska. And the Cardinals have 523 total yards. Did Bill Callahan really just get a contract extension? Who's paying for it, the rest of the Big 12?

3:20 p.m.: Nice comeback by Ole Miss. The Rebels scored the final two TDs of the third quarter against Florida and only trail the defending national champs 27-24 heading into the fourth quarter.

3:25 p.m.: So here's where the upset alerts stand:
3 Florida 27, Ole Miss 24 (4Q)
14 Boston College 16, Army 7 (3Q)
Syracuse 38, 18 Louisville 21 (4Q)
Ball State 37, Nebraska 28 (4Q)

3:36 p.m.: Syracuse is trying to give this game away. Two fumbles in the fourth quarter have given Louisville life. It's 38-28 but the Cards are driving and are down to the SU 5 with 1:03 left.

3:38 p.m.: Touchdown Louisville. It's now 38-35 with 0:56 left. One timeout left for Louisville.

3:40 p.m.: ESPN's Rece Davis
Hangover Saturday is rampant. Look at all of the teams coming off emotional games ... who are in trouble or getting trounced. Louisville, BC, Ga Tech, Nebraska, Florida. Think of that as you watch Georgia Alabama (ESPN, 7:45 p.m. ET) and Kentucky-Arkansas (ESPN2, 6 p.m. ET) tonight.

Louisville's defense is a joke. They're not even close to making tackles.

Nebraska's D looks slow. Ball State has never beaten a team from a BCS conference ... as I write, they're up 5. Think Callahan and AD Steve Pederson will feel some heat about that contract extension ... Callahan got? I think so.

Florida and BC are in classic hangover mode.

Lou keeps sitting here chirping "brand new team every week, coach."

What a great win this will be for Greg Robinson if he can hang on. Syracuse AD Darryl Gross talked about being in observation mode for his program ... and whether Robinson can get it done. It would be a great step.

Steve Kragthorpe is a very good coach ... but something has to be done about their D. Mark, Lou and I all believe that Rutgers and South Florida are the most balanced teams in the Big East. That USF D is fast, fast, fast. Selvie is a beast. Mark says a couple of times he looked like Bruce Smith coming off the edge. West Virginia might beat USF Friday night & but they won't make their D look as if they're running in oatmeal the way most D's look when they face the Mountaineers.

3:45 p.m.: It's over in Louisville and Syracuse has won, 38-35. Brian Brohm finished with 555 passing yards and 4 TDs. You would think that would be enough to win a game. Cardinals' defensive coordinator Mike Cassity has to be in some trouble after this one -- and the last few debacles his unit has turned in.

3:47 p.m.: Nebraska has retaken the lead over Ball State at 41-40 with 3:06 left in the game.

3:51 p.m.: From ESPN Research:
This marks the first time since 1945 that Nebraska has allowed 40-plus points in consecutive games. That year Nebraska lost 61-7 to Minnesota and 54-14 to Indiana in consecutive weeks. Last week USC beat Nebraska 49-31.

Entering today Ball State was 0-7 all time vs. Big12 opponents. In those games they have been outscored 335 to 33. The Cards have already put up 40 points today.

3:58 p.m.: Ball State just missed a 55-yard field-goal attempt (very wide left), so Nebraska hangs on 41-40. Good day for Huskers QB Sam Keller (28-of-37 for 438 yards and 3 TDs). Really bad day for defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove as Ball State had over 600 yards in total offense.

4:00 p.m.: From Drew in Omaha:
I have a two-part question. When was the last time Nebraska lost back-to-back loses at home? Is this the worst group of blackshirts in the past 10 years?

4:01 p.m.: It wasn't that long ago. In 2005 the Huskers lost to Texas Tech and OU. I'm assuming the second part is rhetorical.

4:05 p.m.: Stop everything. Notre Dame has scored an offensive touchdown! A Travis Thomas 1-yard run gave the Irish an early 7-0 lead over Michigan State. A fumble by MSU quarterback Brian Hoyer gave ND the ball at the Spartan 9. So the scoring drive was 3 plays for 9 yards. Hey, you have to start somewhere.

4:08 p.m.: Of course the Irish just gave it back. Michigan State on an 8-play, 68-yard drive capped off by a Hoyer to Devin Thomas 7-yard TD has all tied up at 7-7 in South Bend.

4:11 p.m.: From placeco7 in Huskerland:
This is ridiculous. I've tried to be patient with Coach Callahan ever since he came to Nebraska. I approached it with an open mind but when we beat ball state 41-40 at home, especially since he's had a few years to get his new players recruited something is going on. 41 points is great but when you give up that much to Ball State at home there are problems. There will be alot of whispers about his future throughout Nebraska and the rest of Cornhusker nation after this game.

4:12 p.m.: South Carolina with a 7-0 lead at LSU late in the first quarter. Only the second TD scored against the Tigers defense this season and the first one was a meaningless one late in the Virginia Tech blowout.

4:15 p.m.: Other top 25 games in progress:
8 Ohio State 28, Northwestern 0 (1Q)
Michigan 7, 10 Penn State 0 (1Q)
14 Boston College 29, Army 10 (4Q)
17 Virginia Tech 44, William & Mary 3 (4Q)
25 Missouri 24, Illinois State 10 (3Q)

4:17 p.m.: Top 25 finals:
3 Florida 30, Ole Miss 24
5 WVU 48, East Carolina 7
15 Clemson 42, NC State 20
Syracuse 38, 18 Louisville 35
23 South Florida 37, North Carolina 10
24 Nebraska 41, Ball State 40

4:28 p.m.: Michigan State scored again to take a 14-7 lead in the final minute of first quarter. After 15 minutes, ND has one first down and 34 total yards. But the Irish scored an offensive touchdown and nobody can take away the highwater mark for them.

4:39 p.m.: Navy with a 44-yard FG as time expires to beat Duke 46-43 in Annapolis. The Blue Devils lead 43-32 entering the fourth quarter but were shut out in the final 15 minutes and the one-game winning streak has now become a one-game losing streak. Only 19 days until basketball practice starts.

4:47 p.m.: Notre Dame scored again! A Robert Hughes 3-yard TD run has trimmed the Michigan State lead to 17-14 with 10:41 left in the first half. The scoring drive went 80 yards in five plays. The Irish are up to 107 total yards and 5 first downs. Based on this, I'm confident that ND could in fact score on the Louisville defense.

4:55 p.m.: ESPN's Rece Davis
College Football held hostage is over. It's all over. Notre Dame is in the end zone ... TWICE. Lou breathing a sigh of relief in the studio. He just said, "Notre Dame is going to come back and win this game." Mark rolled his eyes. I think Lou was trying to talk himself into believing it.

So Nebraska escapes ... but the Blackshirts should follow Zack Bowman's lead and turn in the black practice jersey until they look like a solid D. Ball State QB Nate Davis is very good. But there's no way Nebraska should give up 40 at home to anybody not named USC.

Gotta go ... close to halftime of the Ohio State game. Will FCC decency standards allow us to show the second half? I said it last week. I love blogs ... I get to make predictions. Ohio State is going to win the Big Ten.

5:04 p.m.: Fake FG attempt by LSU leads to a TD run by Tigers kicker Colt David, who took an over-the-shoulder flip from QB and holder Matt Flynn and then sprinted into the corner of the end zone. Even Steve Spurrier was smiling after that trick play. LSU now leads 21-7 in the final minute of the first half.

5:15 p.m.: Top 25 games in progress:
2 LSU 21, 12 South Carolina 7 (Half)
8 Ohio State 45, Northwestern 0 (Half)
Michigan 7, 10 Penn State 3 (Half)
25 Missouri 38, Illinois State 17 (4Q)

5:20 p.m.: At the half it's Michigan State 17, Notre Dame 14. And the crowd in South Bend is actually cheering.

5:35 p.m.: ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach
BATON ROUGE, La. -- Here's a quick look at how LSU jumped to a 21-7 halftime lead over South Carolina:

First-half analysis
Turning point:Late in the first half, with the Tigers leading 14-7, LSU coach Les Miles seemed content to run down the clock and kick a field goal. On third-and-8 at the South Carolina 19, backup quarterback Ryan Perrilloux took the snap and ran for a four-yard gain. Much of the crowd booed offensive coordinator Gary Crowton's conservative play calling. But the fans didn't know what was coming next. Junior Colt David, who missed a 42-yard field goal earlier in the quarter, lined up for a 32-yard attempt. Quarterback Matt Flynn took the snap, but then David ran right. With Gamecocks defensive backs Carlos Thomas and Emanuel Cook rushing him, Flynn flipped the football over his head to David. The kicker ran around right end for a 15-yard touchdown and his point-after kick made it 21-7 with 1:10 to play in the half.

Read the entire analysis.

5:48 p.m.: From ESPN Research:
Texas Tech QB Graham Harrell has 388 yards passing at the half, but Texas Tech is only up one TD at Oklahoma State (35-28).

The Div. I-A record for passing yards in a game is 716 by David Klingler vs. Arizona State on Dec. 2, 1990. And the Texas Tech record is 661 by B.J. Symons vs. Ole Miss on Sept. 27, 2003 (third-highest total in Div. I-A history).

5:50 p.m.: Michigan State stretches the lead to 24-14 at Notre Dame with a TD on the opening drive of the second half.

5:55 p.m.: Some interesting in-progress scores:
BYU 31, Air Force 6 (4Q)
Maryland 24, Wake Forest 3 (3Q)
Colorado 28, Miami (Ohio) 0 (3Q)
UCF 49, Memphis 6 (3Q)
North Dakota State 30, Central Michigan 14 (3Q)

6:09 p.m.: It's 7-6 Michigan over Penn State entering the 4th quarter. Should be an interesting final 15 minutes over on ABC.

6:11 p.m.: Mike Hart just went over 100 rushing yards for a school-record 23rd time. Michigan is driving and down inside the Penn State 20.

6:13 p.m.: Late in the fourth quarter and Appalachian State trails 35-31 at Wofford.

6:16 p.m.: Touchdown Mike Hart. His 33rd career score at Michigan. The Wolverines now lead 14-6 with 8:52 left in the game.

6:26 p.m.: Penn State has driven down the field to the Michigan 15. There's 6:28 and counting.

6:29 p.m.: The Nittany Lions settle for a 31-yard FG from Kevin Kelly -- his third of the day. It's now Michigan 14, Penn State 9 with 6:04 left in Ann Arbor.

6:30 p.m.: And Appalachian State goes down. The final was 42-31 at Wofford. Big win for the Terriers from Spartanburg, S.C.

6:38 p.m.: Michigan State is starting to pull away in South Bend. The Spartans are up 31-14 with 11:32 left in the game. Jimmy Clausen has been removed from the game and Evan Sharpley is now at QB for ND.

6:44 p.m.: There's 1:28 left in Ann Arbor. Penn State has the ball on its own 13 but has no timeouts. Michigan still leads 14-9.

6:47 p.m.: Four incomplete passes later and Michigan will win its ninth consecutive game against Penn State -- and improve to 2-2 on the season (1-0 in Big Ten).

6:48 p.m.: The last two times Michigan started 0-2 (1988 and 1998) it went on to win the Big Ten.

6:52 p.m.: Michigan State will improve to 4-0 as it still enjoys a comfortable 31-14 lead late in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame. That sets up an interesting game for the Spartans in Madison next week if Wisconsin takes care of Iowa tonight (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).

6:55 p.m.: It's early in the second quarter in Fayetteville as Arkansas leads No. 21 Kentucky 10-7 (ESPN2). And coming up at 7:45 p.m. ET is another interesting SEC matchup from Tuscaloosa as No. 22 Georgia faces No. 16 Alabama (ESPN).

7:00 p.m.: Thanks for joining us this afternoon and we'll see you next week. Enjoy the rest of your college football Saturday -- including the first-ever night game at Harvard. And follow the fortunes of (or lack thereof) your favorite team here.