And now a quick recap of Saturday’s early finals, with some selective commentary thrown in.

After last weekend’s exciting matchups, it was back to business as usual for the Big Ten’s big boys, doing what they do best - beat up on MAC schools. Coming off of a heartbreaking loss to USC, Ohio State took out its frustrations on Toledo, blanking the Rockets 38-0 in a game played in Cleveland. Now maybe Buckeyes fans won’t be so miserable & unhappy.

Meanwhile, up at that “school up north”, there may have been concerns about a possible letdown by Michigan after their big home win against Notre Dame. And Eastern Michigan did keep it close early on, but the Eagles were eventually plucked by the Wolverines 45-17. Denard Robinson scored on a couple of late TD runs to deliver the final knockout punches - although RichRod will deny ever seeing it happen.

Penn State continued the trend with a 31-6 defeat on Temple. Yes, Temple is a MAC school - at least in football. The score could have been worse, but JoePa probably took it easy on the Owls, not wanting to embarrass Temple during Rosh Hashanah.

But one MAC team who forgot the memo was Northern Illinois, who went in to West Lafayette and came out with a 28-21 upset of Purdue. Good thing Joe Tiller didn’t drive out in his motor home early. And Minnesota just plum forgot to schedule a MAC foe this week, instead hosting #8 Cal - and being rewarded with a 35-21 loss.

Elsewhere, Kentucky bests in-state rival Louisville for the 3rd straight year in an exciting 31-27 triumph. Clemson clips the Boston College Eagles 25-7. Kansas crushes Duke 44-16 in a matchup that would have been more attractive on the hardwood. Alabama is mean to the North Texas Mean Green in a 53-7 blowout. And East Carolina couldn’t find any inspiration on International Talk Like A Pirate Day as they get stepped on 31-17 by the North Carolina Tar Heels.