Standings
1) Schweinfurth 11-6 (3-1 upset)
2) Draper 13-8 (2-3 upset)
3) Hoying 12-9 (2-3 upset)
4) Seeberg 11-10 (1-4 upset)
If this week's ranked matchups strike you as a bit odd, you're not alone. The first eight teams listed below have never been ranked at the same time in the history of the AP poll. They've only each made appearances in the AP poll in the same year 4 times: in 2001, 1998, 1995, and 1986.
It's worth noting that Indiana did not beat Ohio State in any of those years. Or many others, for that matter.
Tennessee Volunteers @ Texas A&M Aggies
Draper: The Vols have appeared to be living on suuuuper borrowed time with their late game heroics the last few weeks. I've been a (the only) believer recently, but A&M is playing some good football under Trevor Knight. Let's not forget 2 things about the last two weeks of comebacks: 1) Florida sucks on offense and 2) Chubb didn't play for UGA. Still, UT needed massive 'get lucky' moments to pull out the wins (one at home!). Kyle Field is too much of a challenge for Joshua Dobbs to mount a significant comeback and the Vols drop one before the patsy they get next week...What? It's Bama? Well, that sucks... UT: 24 -- TAMU: 38
Hoying: OK, Vols. It's been fun, but now the kid gloves come off. You're not playing a Florida team with no QB, you're not playing a Georgia team that's wholly unremarkable, you're going deep in the heart of (southeast) Texas. The Texas A&M offense can score in bunches, and this year's version features a real live defense to go with it. Blowing large double-digit leads is all the rage in the SEC this year, but I think this finally the week in which Tennessee finds itself in a hole out of which it can't dig itself. UT: 24--TAMU: 31
Schweinfurth: Does anyone really think this Volunteer team is for real? Seriously. This is a team that has gotten very lucky in some crazy come backs. Getting down big early is going to cost this team at some point. I really think it's this week. The Aggies have the offense to get up big and keep piling on points. Time for Butch Jones to find a new lucky charm. UT: 31--TAMU: 42
Seeberg: The stretch of games that my other alma mater is on right now is mentally and physically draining to say the least: Beat your rival after going down 21, win an epic seesaw 4th quarter against Georgia, and now at Texas A&M. The Aggies have one of the few home field advantages that can compete with the Shoe, as the 12th man is downright deafening at times. If the Vols remember what time the game starts and actually play from the beginning, they could continue this fabulous streak, but sadly I don't see it. It's still too early in the year for a Sumlin-led team to start losing. UT: 27--TAMU: 38
Virginia Tech Hokies @ North Carolina Tar Heels
Draper: The Tarheels got the nice upset in Doak last week, but no one seems to be talking about Mitch Trubisky and the UNC offense. Trubisky has been fantastic all year and the offense is really good. The downside is the defensive side in which the Tarheels are just terrible (looking at you Jimbo). I've seen a part of one Hokie game this year in that ridiculous showdown in Bristol when (shocker) Tennessee came back to beat the Hokies after a sluggish start. While I have more faith in VT's defense, I believe the Tarheel offense is too good for the Hokies to stop. Heels continue the march to the mostly irrelevant ACC Coastal crown. VT: 28 -- UNC: 38
Hoying: Speaking of blowing double digit leads against SEC teams...At any rate, how about the turnaround in Blacksburg? Gone are the days of the 0-0 tie going into overtime, freshly arrived are 49-0 blowout wins over solid defensive schools like Boston College. The Hokies will take their 40.3 ppg to Chapel Hill, where the Tar Heels are averaging...40.4. But VT still plays a bit of Beamerball defense, while UNC hasn't really been stopping anybody. Oh, sure, they slowed down Florida State for a half; then they gave up 21 in the 4th quarter to try to give the game away. There's a hump UNC hasn't been able to get over during their recent resurgence, and their window of opportunity may have left them now that the ACC is arguably the nation's toughest conference. Hokies get a huge road win. VT: 31--UNC: 27
Schweinfurth: That was a crazy game from North Carolina last week. The whole Tar Heel team showed great poise after a CRAZY TD from Francois. Very impressive, but also a very emotionally draining game. Va Tech actually has an offense this year that could give the Heels some problems. I just don't think the Hokie defense will be able to hang for the whole game. This is close, but UNC hangs on. VT: 24--UNC: 28
Seeberg: Not really sure what to make of either team here. Va Tech's only noteworthy game saw them become a turnover machine in the 4th quarter against Tennessee. UNC played well at FSU and won- but it's tough to know just what that victory means anymore (see: MSU and Texas over Notre Dame). Why not another last-second win for UNC's offense? If it's on the field last, that's a distinct possibility. Tar Heels close. VT: 34--UNC: 38
Alabama Crimson Tide @ Arkansas Razorbacks
Draper: PAWWWLLL!!! Why isn't Bama getting more credit for hanging with the ESS-EEE-CEE rival Kentucky after falling behind? Good thing the Tide gets Bert to rebound. Yeah, Bert jumps up and bites teams every once in awhile, but he also poops over chances more often than that. This feels like one of those situations. Arkansas was competing with the big dogs when they tried to play big boy run it down your throat football. I don't think Bert has the intestinal fortitude (or more importantly players) to do that to Saban's Bama juggernaut. Jalen Hurts and Lane Kiffin open up the playbook and this could get a little out of hand. Ala: 38 -- Ark: 21
Hoying: Nick Saban may be running out of fingers for his national championship rings, but he's only had one undefeated team: his first Alabama championship team, in 2009. Alabama has lost a few headscratchers along the way, to Mississippi in most recent years. Could Arkansas be this year's snakebiter? Bert's Badgers played giant-killer against Ohio State in 2010, and they had a couple of nice B1G championships, but Bert's not otherwise known for winning the big games. The last time Alabama came to Fayetteville, the Hogs farted the game away late. True, they did stem the flow of the Tide for most of the game, and that was when Derrick Henry and Amari Cooper were still in the huddle. But this year's Razor D hasn't slowed down anyone who's been in D 1-A for more than a few years. I just don't see it happening. Ala: 34--Ark: 20
Schweinfurth: The adds for this game are laughable but true. Arkansas is the toughest game for Alabama so far this year. Yea, USC is really bad and shouldn't have been ranked (stupid preseason rankings). We still don't know much about Alabama other than they are talented and are supposed to be really good but have played no one. Arkansas as a Tide beater? I don't see that either. Bert is still bad and I just don't see the Hogs rising up for this one. I would love it to happen, but damn Nick Saban. Ala: 45--Ark: 24
Seeberg: I strongly dislike Alabama, but I flat out hate Bret Bielema. His squad is, unfortunately, improving, but Bama just has too much firepower, and a lackluster performance against Kentucky last week to make up for. Roll Tide (ugh). Ala: 34--Ark: 13
Florida State Seminoles @ Miami Hurricanes
Draper: Everyone waxes nostalgic with this rivalry but it tends to go in streaks. In the early 90s, the Canes had the Noles' number. In the mid to late 90s, the Noles dominated. Early 2000s saw a Miami resurgence in multiple 'wide ___' games (2 of which, I attended :( ). Now, the teams haven't both been relevant at the same time for awhile. This year appears otherwise, but FSU is on a major downswing. While the Noles were over-valued at the beginning of the season, I think they're under-valued now. The Canes under new management (Mark Richt) have been playing well with Brad Kaaya at the helm, but they have played a steaming pile of cow-dung thus far. The Noles have not looked particularly sharp in their drubbing to Lousiville and loss to UNC, but should be able to put up points here. This is a total last stand for FSU this year. The playoffs and ACC Championship are distant memories...the only thing left is the State Championship (and as an alum, that means something). Noles remind people that they actually have talent (at least on offense) and outscore the Canes. FSU: 42 -- UM: 31
Hoying: Remember when the world revolved around this game? Me neither, I only really started taking an interest in football around 1999. But, lo and behold, both teams are ranked again, though both rankings may be a bit of a mirage. There's no shame in Florida State losing to Louisville. There's much shame in losing by 43 to Louisville. As for Miami Southern, they did a nice job of storming into...Boone, NC to pick up their signature victory over App State, but first-year coach Mark Richt hasn't faced any real adversity yet. It calls to mind the 2013 season, when the Hurricane warning turned out to be a false alarm, as 7-0 Miami got drilled by Famous Jameis on their way to a 9-4 finish. This FSU squad may be fielding 11 wet paper towels on defense, but QB Deondre Francois is finding his groove, and I expect him to outplay Miami's Brad Kaaya!, even given the defensive disparity. Won't the 5,000 fans at Hard Rock Stadium be disappointed. FSU: 34--UM: 31
Schweinfurth: The joke about this game is that Miami is "back." Mark Richt has them headed in the right direction, but this program was run so far into the ground, it's going to take a few more years. Florida State seems to just assume they will win games by showing up so far this year. Nothing brings out the best in a team like a rivalry. This should be an exciting game to watch (with some nasty thrown in). 'Noles by a field goal at the gun (just to give Draper flashbacks and heartburn). FSU: 38--UM: 35
Seeberg: Ah yes, Miami, the Tennessee of the ACC. Both former powers, both with odd shades of orange, both supposedly back this season. Tennessee might be, but the 'Canes...well they might be too. Unfortunately for them, they get an extremely peeved Seminole team looking to prove a point in a rivalry game. The Seminole offense that returned 11 (yes that's all of them) starters finally clicks enough to win against a decent opponent. FSU: 35--UM: 24
Draper: Indiana has had a nice string of "Good game, good effort" performances against the Urban Meyer led Buckeyes. In addition, this game just SCREAMS trap. Thanks IU, for beating the Spartans last week and giving the coaches something to talk about and removing the 'disinterest' factor. Yeah, the Bucks might get caught sleep-walking a bit with the road test in Madison on the horizon, and Kevin Wilson has always put together some nice offenses in Bloomington, but no...I just don't see it. One of the best parts of this team is the youth and inexperience--huh? The talent is amazing, but the young players at focused on their internal competition to see the field. They're not experienced enough to 'expect to win handily'. I honestly expect a little hiccup early and then a hammer drop. JT goes for 4 TD passes, Weber runs for 2, a rando--let's say McCall--adds the cherry. The defense may not score, but will frustrate the Hoosiers. I think they match their season TD given up in this game, but that's simply not enough to be concerned with. IU: 17 -- OSU: 63
Hoying: What is it about Urban Meyer and Indiana? In 4 matchups, the Buckeyes had only one comfortable win, in 2013. We've seen the offense struggle to get going (2014), we've seen the defense fall asleep with the game seemingly in hand (2012), and we've seen the whole team suck all day (2015, with apologies to Zeke). And the scary part? Indiana might actually be good this year. They're entering into a brave new world of defense in Bloomington, giving up just under 22 points/game. However, our beloved Bucks are playing like the juggernaut everyone expected them to be last year. It's like watching the ball-hawking 2006 defense team up with the stingy 2009 defense, playing opposite the eye-popping 2013 offense stocked with 2014-level talent. I haven't seen teams play like this since Reggie Bush was pulling down 6 figures at USC. Make no mistake, this is a huge trap game with a trip to Wisconsin coming up, but if the trap is worth, say a 35 point swing, then what happens? Ohio State only wins by 20? IU: 10--OSU: 35
Schweinfurth: If there is one team that brings back some nightmares, it's Indiana. No, Ohio State hasn't lost to the Hoosiers since 1987, but Urban has had fits with this team for some reason. The good news? Indiana isn't sneaking up on the Buckeyes this year. That win against MSU got Urban's attention. This Buckeye team looks like a team on a mission. Once the Bucks get one touchdown, everything just comes crashing down on the opponent, and I have never seen anything like this. Something about Indiana brings out the best in OSU running backs. Hyde bulldozed the Hoosieers in 2012 and Zeeke ran away with the game for over 300 yards last year. It's time for a breakout game for Weber. Lil' Guap should go for 150+, Samuel goes for 100 receiving and rushing and JT continues his quiet Heisman campaign. IU: 20--OSU: 56
Seeberg: Ah Indiana. Some fond memories of Bloomington, playing sink the bismarck until 3 AM at the bars (they close at three there, not two, woohoo!), my first club tennis match representing tOSU, ah yes, and my first ever road OSU game. We got there about 3 hours early as if it were an OSU home game and parking would be an issue...and then literally drove RIGHT UP to the stadium. We could practically touch the stanchions before getting out of the car. Is it any wonder the Buckeyes rarely take a *cough* program like IU seriously? Well thankfully this year that won't be an issue, as the Hoosiers, quite frankly, outplayed Sparty for a fairly big chunk of their game last week and pulled the upset. No early bye-week rust this week as J.T. and Co. score early and often. Bucks big. IU: 13--OSU: 52
Upset Special
Draper: Arizona over Utah
Hoying: Washington State over Stanford
Schweinfurth: Navy over Houston
Seeberg: Oregon over Washington
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