RJ's five spot
This week: Five flavors of change
1 Big change: Iowa can pass. The Hawkeyes ranked 118th nationally in passing yards last year, but QB Nate Stanley, a sophomore from Menomonie, Wis., threw for 333 yards and five TDs in a 44-41 OT win over Iowa State. His eight TD passes lead the Big Ten.
2 No change: Notre Dame still is struggling in the close ones. With their 20-19 home loss to Georgia last week, the Fighting Irish fell to 1-7 over the past three seasons in games decided by three points or fewer.
3 The cheatin' kind of change: USC lists its record against Texas as 4-0. Technically, that's true, because the Trojans' 41-38 loss to the Longhorns in the 2005 BCS Championship Game was vacated in the wake of the Reggie Bush scandal. But seriously? Vacated or not, Texas won that game. The No. 4 Trojans and Longhorns meet Saturday night in L.A.
4 Black Friday change: The end is near for the traditional Black Friday matchup of the Hawkeyes and Huskers. In announcing its 2020 and 2021 schedules, the Big Ten revealed that the usual Iowa-Nebraska matchup on the day after Thanksgiving will end after 2019. Nebraska has played on Black Friday every year since 1989 and has reportedly contacted its opponent on that weekend for 2020 and 2021— Minnesota —about playing then.
5 Don't change!: Baker Mayfield apologizes for planting Oklahoma flag at Ohio State. C'mon, Baker. Stick to your guns. If the Buckeyes protect their turf, they don't have to worry about opponents celebrating on it.