Week 9: The Buckeyes Are Off

Standings:
1.) Draper 23-10 (1-7 upset)
1.) Hoying 23-10 (1-7 upset)
3.) Seeberg 20-13 (1-7 upset)
4.) Schweinfurth 18-15 (4-4 upset)

Now that the Buckeyes' recent successful run of games has come to an end, they've wisely chosen to pass on playing this week. Accordingly, we understand your interest in this week's games is secondary at best; we'll try to tone down our writing this week to keep any offensive lines to a minimum. Actually you need not read these picks at all. Or even watch football for that matter. Maybe there's a game you'd like to play, or some calling on friends you'd like to do.

#9 Florida Gators vs. #7 Georgia Bulldogs
Draper:  Sorry everyone, even though the Dawgs took a lickin’ last game, I see a massive resurgence vs. the Gators in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.  The Gators have been surprisingly....good...this year.  I certainly didn’t see that coming, but Georgia arguably has the second best talent in the land and it will show in Jacksonville.  The Gators believe they are ‘back’, but Smart and company will end the talks of a return to greatness.  UF: 13–UGA:30
Hoying: So continues the Great Kentucky Chase of 2018. Who's keeping pace and who's gearing up to fight for the Bloomin' Onion in the Outback Bowl? Conventional wisdom seems to put the Dawgs on top. Just two weeks ago everyone was salivating to see Bama and Georgia back in the playoff together after clashing at 12-0 apiece in the SEC title game. Unfortunately Georgia has been exposed as the hackfrauds that they are after getting dismantled by LSU in Death Valley. Florida has a semi-competent QB for the first time since Will Grier out of town, and that appears to have been the only piece holding them back from relevance. But are they really good enough to beat Georgia? Turnovers were the key to the Gators taking down LSU, and I don't see Jake Fromm having the kind of day Joe Burrow had in the Swamp a few weeks ago. Dawgs close. UF: 20--UGA: 24
Schweinfurth: It's actually a party this year! It's been a while since this game has meant as much. I am impressed as to how quickly Dan Mullen turned the Gators around. I didn't expect them to turn around this quickly. Which is why I'm going with the Dawgs. Georgia is a flawed team, but everyone with the exception of Bama is flawed. I just don't think Florida is back yet, but they are close. UF: 31--UGA: 35
Seeberg: Wait, the Gators are in the top 10?? Well at least that mistake will be short-lived as they have to visit an angry UGA squad. I wouldn't expect the same lousy output from the offensive side of the ball this weekend. Bulldogs stay in the coveted CFP conversation. UF: 13--UGA: 27

 #18 Iowa Hawkeyes @ #17 Penn State Nittany Lions
Draper: This game is really, really tough.  Iowa has quietly put together a nice little run on the season while Penn State has been pretty mediocre for a so-called “great team”.  Losses to MSU and OSU are excusable, but they aren’t taking the next step as expected.  Iowa always seems to be the team to win when they are coming from nowhere and no one expects it.  While no one expects it here, I think the Lions right the ship.  McSorley and company are the better team top to bottom, and I think this is a get right game at home.  I expect either a barn burner or a PSU blowout.  Iowa: 27–PSU: 28
Hoying: Remember when everyone thought Penn State was good? Why did we think that again? Because they stopped Ohio State from running the ball? Because they blew out Pitt and Illinois? Meanwhile, Iowa is a late collapse against Wisconsin from making their first run at an undefeated regular season since 2015. Their defense is a legitimate threat, and let's not forget that the Hawkeyes were a play away from beating Penn State last season, even with Saquon Barkley. The Lions are coming apart at the seams, and I don't expect this skid to end until their rivalry with Rutgers is renewed in late November. Iowa: 27--PSU: 24
Schweinfurth:  I'm not sold on either of these teams. Penn State has relied on the big play to put up points and seems to struggle when forced to drive the field. Iowa is a tight end heavy, defensive team devoid of any real playmakers. Still, Iowa has a tendency to step up at big times and Kirk Ferentz is a much better in game coach than mister "run zone read on fourth and five." Penn State has the fire power to keep it close, but Iowa just grinds the Nittany Kitties into dust. Iowa: 17--PSU: 14
Seeberg: State College has really been Not-So-Happy Valley lately, with the Lions dropping two straight to OSU and MSU before cranking out a super weak win at Indiana. Don't expect their luck to change anytime soon, either. Trace McSor-loser is reeling as of late, and the Hawkeye defense are licking their chops to make him and the suddenly pedestrian PSU offense their next victim. Iowa pulls out the road win. Iowa: 27--PSU: 23

#14 Washington State Cougars @ #24 Stanford Cardinal
Draper: Another interesting game that doesn’t reeeeeally matter.  I’m going to bite again because I love Mike Leach, even on the Paloose.  These are the games that Stanford usually wins because everyone assumes they’re done and they keep winning because they won’t go away.  I just can’t quit you Mike Leach.  I love the ingenuity and the pass heavy offense.  Stanford will try to slow the game down and frustrate the Cougs, but I think they (want them to?) keep rolling here.  Stanford finally shows the true colors and their bid for a Pac12 title is essentially gone.  WSU: 31–Stan:27
Hoying: Hey, is it 2002? No, it can't be, Ohio State's defense is terrible. But Washington State is still in a conference race well into October, doing their impression of a better version of Ohio State (all passing, no rushing). But they haven't played a team of Purdue's caliber yet. That ends this week, when they meet a Stanford team that is...also all passing and no rushing? Typical West Coast, just being weird for the sake of weird. The Cardinal haven't really done anything but punk Herm Edwards since Bryce Love went down, getting blown out by Notre Dame and Utah. Wazzu usually faceplants in a game like this about this time of year, but Stanford's not good enough to beat them at their own game. WSU: 38--Stan: 24
Schweinfurth: Where did the Cougs come from? Seriously, these guys weren't even considered as a PAC-12 contender to start the year, but here we are. Stanford just hasn't looked right all year and Bryce Love has been less than spectacular. The Cardinal wide outs and tight ends are huge and will give the Cougar defensive back nightmares all game long. The difference is the Mike Leach offense putting up a ton of points. WSU: 42--Stan: 27
Seeberg: Come on, are we actually fooling ourselves into thinking that Washington State is the real deal? Winning with College Gameday in town is one thing, but going on the road to Stanford (and their 100 screaming fans) is a bit taller order. Stanford gets back on track in the Pac-12 North hunt with a big win. WSU: 28--Stan: 34

Upset Special
Draper: Navy over Notre Dame
Hoying: Florida State over Clemson
Schweinfurth: Northwestern over Wisconsin
Seeberg: California over Washington