1. Draper (34-13, 1-9 upset)
2. Seeberg (31-16, 5-5 upset)
3. Schweinfurth (31-16, 0-10 upset)
4. Hoying (29-18, 1-9 upset)
Are you not entertained?!? No, not by the Buckeyes (yikes) but by the endless onslaught of ranked vs. ranked matchups that backloaded November schedules have delivered unto us? November is for contenders, spake a certain man in a sweater vest, and there's a good chance another 4 or 5 pretenders are going to get kicked to the curb by the time Sunday morning rolls around.
Alabama Crimson Tide @ Mississippi State Bulldogs
Draper: Bama's been quietly destroying everyone in their path...again. I have no faith that Mississippi State is anything more than a paper bulldog. I love CLANGA at home when they play a team close to their skill level, but the talent disparity is enormous. This shouldn't be close. I'm sure Saban will find something to whine about after, but Tide Rolls. Bama: 34 -- MSU: 10
Hoying: The days of depth in the SEC are no more. There seem to be about 3 good teams: Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn. "But wait!" you say. "Mississippi State is 7-2, the same as Auburn!" Yes, and they've played Georgia and Auburn already. Scores of those games: 31-3 Georgia and 49-10 Auburn. Now, Alabama hasn't played any of those quality teams yet, and it's possible they're a total paper tiger as well. But Alabama didn't spend the better part of a game trailing UMass last weekend like MSU did, though they did look less than spectacular against LSU. This has all the makings of a possible Bulldog upset, which means the Tide have already foreseen this possibility and installed their "win by 50" gameplan. So let's go with that. Ala: 38--MSU: 17
Schweinfurth: Alabama vs. an overrated SEC team. Yea, we are back to that. The only way this game ends up close is if Mississippi State can a) "rattle" the Tide offense with the cowbells, and b) force Jaylen Hurts to throw the ball. I don't see either happening. Ala: 31--MSU: 10
Seeberg: Lots more ranked vs. ranked matchups this week. Many are likely to be close, this one, however, is likely an exception. Obviously this is the ultimate test for the Bulldogs, who have failed miserably in their only two legitimate contests to date. Unfortunately, the third time will not be the charm. Plus as long as 'Bama has that #2 sitting by their name in the playoff rankings, Saban can actually play that chip for motivation. Sorry 'dogs. Ala: 35--MSU: 13
Georgia Bulldogs @ Auburn Tigers
Draper: This is the prime spot for UGA to crap themselves when everything's going well. The running game has been phenomenal all year, but Auburn has the front seven to slow them down. Can Jake Fromm (State Farm) add another dimension to the Dawg attack? I don't think he'll be super effective, but effective enough to escape Jordan-Hare with a victory. Auburn has been pretty solid all year but can 't quite get over the hump on the big stage. I expect more of the same here in a close game. UGA: 24 -- Aub: 20
Hoying: Unlike Alabama, these teams have been both tested already. One was up to the challenge, the other has been found wanting. Yes, the Tigers have cracked the top 10 despite their two close losses, but the Dawgs have a chokehold on the #1 spot thanks to their stifling defense and punishing rushing attack. Kinda like Auburn, but better. Look for them to keep rolling. UGA: 24--Aub: 20
Schweinfurth: I don't know what to make of Auburn. Then again, I haven't watched much of Auburn, either. Georgia is just pummeling teams...H8 FEEDS THE DAWG. Georgia plays sound defense and has a dominant running game, and that is a great formula for winning. This game will be close, but mostly because it's at Auburn. UGA: 21--Aub: 13
Seeberg: Auburn has the same record as unproven Mississippi State, but has been much more competitive in their big games thus far. Georgia, meanwhile, has won all of their games, so these Bulldogs sit atop the playoff rankings. This is Georgia's last real test before the SEC title game, and I expect them to pull away late and pass it with flying colors. UGA: 31--Aub: 20
Iowa Hawkeyes @ Wisconsin Badgers
Draper: Iowa seems to have found an offense after the dismantling of the Buckeyes in Kinnick last week to support a pretty good defense while the Badgers continue to just bludgeon people with the running game. I actually think the loss of Wisky's leading receiver might make a dent in the Bucky gameplan, but I'm going off of history in this one. When a team that has no business beating OSU pulls it off and everyone thinks they're ready to turn the corner, they lay a MONSTROUS egg the next week. I get the feeling that Wisconsin is going to wax the Hawkeyes in Madison and get the hype train running for the B1G Championship game (if the Bucks take care of business. Iowa: 10 -- Wisc: 31
Hoying: Well, that was excruciating. Now it's time to find out the Badgers can do against this juggernaut. Wisconsin hasn't been seriously tested this season, either by quality of opponent or by late close game tension, so it will be interesting to see if Iowa can put a bit of a scare into them. I don't believe for a second that Bucky > Bucks, but the friendly confines of Kinnick will be a few hundred miles away from this scrum, and the Hawkeyes should merit the Badgers' full attention. On the other hand, Wisconsin does host Michigan the following week, so there may be a very very slight look-ahead factor. Every fiber of my being tells me to go with the home team, but a small voice in the back of my head is suggesting that a better-than-advertised Iowa just needed an opportunity to seize their potential, and our hapless Buckeyes sprung them from their cocoon. I don't expect them to do...THAT...again, but Wisconsin has been drinking the weekly weak sauce for too long. Iowa: 20--Wisc: 16
Schweinfurth: Man Iowa played a near perfect game last week. Let's all remember, this is a team that lost on the last play to Penn State and then flat rolled what we all thought was a playoff team in Ohio State. Perennial B1G Coach of The Year Kirk Ferentz is getting his guys ready to play this year. The problem for Iowa is that this game is in Madison. Lot's of smash mouth football here. Wisconsin has the better running game and this looks to be their only true test so far this year. I see this game coming down to a last second field goal. Iowa: 14--Wisc: 17
Seeberg: After the head-scratching performance from last week, who knows what will happen here. It's almost as if Ferentz broke out the "good playbook" like you only break out the fine china and crystal stemware once every other year. It won't take as Herculean an effort to beat the Badgers, but after watching the black and...black? dismantle the Buckeyes, I doubt Wiscy will be taking this game lately. Expect it ugly, boring, and another blah Wisconsin win. Iowa: 17--Wisc: 24
Texas Christian Horned Frogs @ Oklahoma Sooners
Draper: Oklahoma continues to be an absolute power on the offensive side and a disaster on defense. Baker Mayfield more-or-less has the Heisman wrapped up, but to put a bow on it, he needs to do it against the one defense in the Big 12. I think he can. OU seems to be able to get into a track meet with anyone and finish ahead. Kenny Hill won't be able to keep up unless the Horned Frog D can slow down Mayfield...and I don't think they'll slow him enough. I still hate his stupid face, but there's only one thing to say....BOOMER! TCU: 24--OU: 31
Hoying: It's not every day you give up 52 points and still win by double digits. I'm guessing the winning score in this one will be somewhere south of that mark, as TCU doesn't quite torch the field the way the Pokes do. You can tell they're not an original Big 12 team, though, as a competent defense is still on display in Fort Worth. This isn't to say that Oklahoma can't suffocate a big-name opponent when they need to (shudder), but they haven't given up fewer than 24 points in a conference game. Baker Mayfield has been peerless this season, but the Horned Frogs are itching to finish the job that Ohio State's defense started (for a half, at any rate). TCU: 27--OU: 24
Schweinfurth: Can anyone in the Big 12 play defense? TCU can. Oklahoma did in one game this year (in Columbus *sigh*). Oklahoma's offense is good enough to move the ball, but TCU just doesn't let teams score. If good Kenny Hill shows up, this could be ugly. I just don't see Oklahoma scoring enough on this TCU defense. TCU: 35--OU: 28
Seeberg: I'm not sure what to make of this matchup, other than it's crucial to any conference outside the SEC's chances to get somebody in the playoff. TCU has a competent defense and offense, while Oklahoma has a fabulous offense and technically does field a defense. The Sooners won't need a ton of stops to get this win, however, and I suspect they will get just enough. TCU: 31--Okla: 42
Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Miami Hurricanes
Draper: I'm torn in this game because Miami finally went up against a good team in VA Tech and took care of business. The Irish have faced a lot of good teams this year and handled them, but we're all waiting for the other shoe to drop. The injury bug is biting the Irish at the wrong time, but can they hang with the swagger of South Beach? Watching the Canes and Rozier, I've found their offense to be extremely lacking. While I don't trust Brian Kelly to keep rolling, it's about the time of the year when a Mark Richt team crashes back to Earth. The Irish play like a champion for another week and end the undefeated season in Miami. ND: 24 -- UM: 20
Hoying: Last week was put up or shut up time for the Canes, and they put up 28 points and shut up the Hokies. But now the fearsome Notre Dame ground game is invading the Miami suburbs. It's not like Miami hasn't seen an elite rushing unit before (hello, Georgia Tech), but in stud RB Josh Adams's absence last week, the Irish passing attack woke up the echoes, leaving Miami with a potential two-headed hydra to deal with. If the Canes are going to keep their magical undefeated season alive, the turnover chain is going to have to appear early and often. Expect the unexpected. The swag, and the swagger, are back in Coral Gables. ND: 20--UM: 27
Schweinfurth: Catholics vs. Convicts is back!!! Okay, so not quite to that extent. How about Golden Domes vs Golden Turnover Chains. In reality, Miami has been escaping teams they should be blowing out. Notre Dame has done nothing but surprise me all year. In fact, I keep picking them to lose because of Brian Kelly's "big game" history. I have to change my tune here. the Domers are running all over teams. Their only loss is close to Georgia? I think I'm starting to come around. ND: 35--UM: 21
Seeberg: Anybody have this as a critical game at the beginning of the season? If so, I hope you're collecting your winnings and enjoying them thoroughly. After a series of ugly wins, Miami dispatched Va Tech with ease last week while Notre Dame has done away with pretty much everyone in their path since losing a squeaker to Georgia early in the year (also, in hindsight, a crucial game. Amazing, isn't it?). I picked Va Tech over the U last week, so obviously I don't quite trust the Hurricanes yet, but they do get this one at home. Still, the golden domers have RB Josh Adams on the fringe of a Heisman invite, and if they feed him enough, they should be able to grind Miami down late. ND wins a close one. ND: 27--UM: 17
Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Iowa State Cyclones
Draper: Weee...another big 12 matchup of teams you forgot existed! Iowa State SENT IN THE CLONES to dispatch of the two real contenders in the Big12 but couldn't keep the train rolling. Mike Gundy and Company don't provide any shocks when they (again) win impressively against the bad teams and drop close calls against the top teams. I'm not sold on the Clones and Mike Gundy is still a man who is middle aged...that's good enough for me. I don't think the Cyclones can keep up in this one. Go Pokes. OkSt: 42--ISU: 28
Hoying: Meanwhile, in the Big 12's second-tier game, we have the giant-killer Cyclones and the disappointed Cowboys. With losses to both Oklahoma and TCU, Oklahoma State is all but out of the chase for the Big 12
Schweinfurth: Iowa State has caught lightning in a bottle this year...until last week. Oklahoma State can put up points in a hurry and I just don't see the Cyclones being able to keep up. I can see Iowa State winning if the game is close, but I think OSU pulls away in the third. OkSt: 42--ISU: 35
Seeberg: I've lost all idea of what will happen in the Big 12 this season. Iowa State plays fabulous defense (at least by its conference standard), but the Cowboys hung approximately 38,722 yards of offense on the Sooners in a defeat last week. I expect both teams to be hungry after rough losses last week, but the Cyclone magic of 2017 may have finally run its course. Cowboys late. OkSt: 34--ISU: 31
Michigan State Spartans @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Can a home team get a win? Let's hope so for the Buckeyes sake. Dantonio has been remarkably adept at achieving success on the level that MSU expects (Big Ten titles and wins over Michigan and/or OSU). This game is all about heart and desire. The Buckeyes remain the far superior team on paper, but "that's why they play the games". As CFN put it, one team enters this game 7-2 on a high with all goals in front of them and the other enters 7-2 and the sky is falling. Can Urban motivate the Buckeyes to play for the prize of a Big Ten championship? JT needs to have a bounce back in the worst way due to the 5 second memories of Buckeye Nation. I think he'll be ok (not awful or great) on Saturday which will be enough for the Buckeyes to smell victory. The defensive line MUST get pressure to ease the burden on the linebackers. I expect a back and forth game (although I'd REALLY appreciate a resounding comfortable win), but the Bucks find enough pride to muscle out a victory and keep their sights on the Big Ten Championship. OSU: 31 -- MSU: 21
Hoying: By now you've probably heard the fun little tidbit that the home team hasn't won this game since 2007. This stat is mildly amusing but doesn't really speak to any particular futility by the Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium. The Spartans have only been to visit twice during that period: in 2011 against the worst Ohio State team in 15 years, and in 2015, when a playoff-bound MSU beat a flat and uninterested Buckeye squad. Despite what you'll hear this week, this is not really a great and historic rivalry (Tressel was notably 6-0 against MSU) but it has been annoying of late, with the Spartans ruining Buckeye title hopes in 1998, 2013, and 2015. The thing is, though, those Ohio State teams were all reallllly good, whereas this one is...flawed I guess is the best way to put it. Not much danger of coming into this one overconfident after the way the linebackers, safeties, and JT played last week. And the way MSU QB Brian Lewerke has suddenly started shredding opposing defenses. Having a good game against Penn State seems to be rat poison, as both Iowa and Ohio State proceeded to lay eggs the week after doing so. Let's hope a Michigan State letdown follows as well. MSU: 17--OSU: 28
Schweinfurth: I have to be honest, I taped last week's train wreck with good intentions. I watched the first half and promptly deleted it. I get that there may have been an huge emotional let down after that Penn State win, but there is no excuse for this defensive line to get pushed around the way Iowa did. Between that and the Wilson/Meyer combo forgetting that the Bucks have a couple of stud running backs...Ohio State is 2-3 in games where Barrett is the leading rusher (take out the garbage time rushes by Williams last week). I really hope the defense is angry (let the hate flow through you) because another performance like last week is unacceptable. This is a double digit point spread, but this game is historically close. I have the Buckeyes close, but this is going to be ugly. MSU: 13--OSU: 17
Seeberg: In what I sincerely hope is a statistical anomaly, the home team hasn't won this game since the Buckeyes emerged victorious in 2007. Last week was just...just bad. I blame coaching far more than playing, however. J.K. Dobbins had 4 carries for 47 yards on ONE DRIVE, and only two carries the remainder of the game. As with nearly every loss Urban has suffered as head of the Bucks, the running backs have all but disappeared. What happened to the two-back set with Weber and Dobbins we've heard about for weeks? I get wanting to save some stuff, but down two scores on the road in the 3rd quarter seems like as good a time as any to deploy a thing or two for which the defense wouldn't have been able to prep. This game, like most between these two schools, will be won in the trenches. I have yelled for it ALL YEAR (seriously, read the other posts I've made). So please, PLEASE get at least 30 carries between Weber and Dobbins and grind the Spartans down. PLEASE, Urban, I beg of you! MSU: 24--OSU: 31
Upset Special
Draper: Georgia Tech over Virginia Tech
Hoying: Arkansas over LSU
Schweinfurth: Florida State over Clemson (aka Clemsoning)
Seeberg: Utah over Washington State
SPART-AAAAY!
