Standings:
1.) Draper 17-8 (1-6 upset)
2.) Schweinfurth 16-9 (2-5 upset)
2.) Hoying 16-9 (1-6 upset)
We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day.
- The soundtrack to what Ohio State should have done to That Team Up North this week
Well, Buckeye Nation, it looks like we'll need to wait until 2021 (please, Lord, no longer) for another chance to hang 100 on you know who. I'm as bummed as you are that we'll be missing out on what would've been the first version of The Game with MAC-like spread. And it's a darn shame that we'll probably never get to see Jim Harbaugh lose to Ohio State again. But, at least for the moment, there are a few sideshows still on the horizon for this weekend while the Bucks gear up for violet violence on Saturday next.
Georgia Bulldogs @ Missouri Tigers
Draper: It's nice the committee felt like another SEC team needed to be ranked. Georgia has had an exceptionally disappointing year based on the expectations. While they are likely the 2nd best team in the SEC East, getting blown out by Bama and Florida wasn't in the plan. However, no one cares, because the team they're playing isn't a contender. UGA has, for years, crapped the bed whenever a decent team came to town....and Mizzou isn't that. Another SEC snoozefest as the Dawgs sleepwalk through a 'ranked' win. It will be interesting to see if Geogia has found their QB of the future in J.T. Daniels at least. UGA: 31 -- Mizz: 17
Hoying: It's amazing how fast Georgia has fallen off the national radar, especially in a year in which so few teams are playing on any given weekend. Yeah, they lost big in both big boy games they've played this season but I remember once upon a time when Alabama - Georgia was supposed to be the game of the season, the first of three possible meetings this year, before everyone figured out that those descriptors were supposed to apply to Clemson - Notre Dame. So what has Georgia been doing since then? Churning through QBs trying to find any viable option they can. Problem is that neither Stetson Bennett nor JT Daniels is even approaching Jake Fromm-level competence. Guess it's just impossible to recruit good QB talent to Georgia. To compensate for this, Georgia is supposed to have the nation's best defense. They don't (another team we're picking this week does), but it's good enough to hold juggernauts like Mississippi State to 24 points so that the Dawgs can eke out a 7 point victory. I guess if I were Georgia I'd be worried, except they're playing an even more lifeless blob, Missouri, whose best win (depending on how you define "best") is either a 41-0 over hapless Vanderbilt or a 20-10 win over 4-6 Kentucky. Well, the Committee's much smarter than I am because they see something in the Tigers that merits a top 25 ranking even with 3 blowout losses (including one to Tennessee). The Tigers have a negative scoring differential on the season, which is a bad sign when you're playing a team that's expected to hold you to a negative score anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if Georgia lost this game, but I would be surprised if Missouri won. UGA: 24--Mizz: 13
Hoying: It's amazing how fast Georgia has fallen off the national radar, especially in a year in which so few teams are playing on any given weekend. Yeah, they lost big in both big boy games they've played this season but I remember once upon a time when Alabama - Georgia was supposed to be the game of the season, the first of three possible meetings this year, before everyone figured out that those descriptors were supposed to apply to Clemson - Notre Dame. So what has Georgia been doing since then? Churning through QBs trying to find any viable option they can. Problem is that neither Stetson Bennett nor JT Daniels is even approaching Jake Fromm-level competence. Guess it's just impossible to recruit good QB talent to Georgia. To compensate for this, Georgia is supposed to have the nation's best defense. They don't (another team we're picking this week does), but it's good enough to hold juggernauts like Mississippi State to 24 points so that the Dawgs can eke out a 7 point victory. I guess if I were Georgia I'd be worried, except they're playing an even more lifeless blob, Missouri, whose best win (depending on how you define "best") is either a 41-0 over hapless Vanderbilt or a 20-10 win over 4-6 Kentucky. Well, the Committee's much smarter than I am because they see something in the Tigers that merits a top 25 ranking even with 3 blowout losses (including one to Tennessee). The Tigers have a negative scoring differential on the season, which is a bad sign when you're playing a team that's expected to hold you to a negative score anyway. I wouldn't be surprised if Georgia lost this game, but I would be surprised if Missouri won. UGA: 24--Mizz: 13
Schweinfurth: I have not really watched much of Georgia since they were essentially eliminated from any title contention, SEC or otherwise. With that said, I haven't watched any of Mizzou because they just don't move the meter for me. I do think Georgia is the better team. UGA: 31--Mizz: 10
North Carolina Tar Heels @ Miami Hurricanes
Draper: The Top 10 Hurricanes..wait, what?...um...ok....take on the top 20 Tarheels (hold on, the ones that lost to the Noles?) in a ranked matchup that no one asked for. This could be really interesting as Carolina has a tendency to light it up or faceplant (spin the wheel!) whereas, I forgot Miami was a thing after that drubbing by Clemson. I think King for the Canes will be able to out duel the hit/miss UNC attack. In addition, Miami's defense usually has a little more edge (at least they used to). I'll rool with the Canes (gross) but I just. don't. care. UNC: 24 --Mia: 30
Hoying: There needs to be at least one fun game this week and I guess this is the best we can do. The Heels are still running their point-a-minute-and-a-half offense (offer not valid in the second half against Notre Dame). Does Miami have the offense to keep up? In a word, no, but the turnover chain might be able to cause enough havoc to keep the Canes in the game. Miami still ranks near the top of the nation in takeaways, and their BFFs the Noles were able to use an early pick 6 to help build a huge lead that Carolina couldn't climb. But I don't see it happening. Miami's been playing with fire for far too long this season. Heels win and both teams end up somehow ranked ahead of Indiana on Tuesday. UNC: 38--Mia: 34
Hoying: There needs to be at least one fun game this week and I guess this is the best we can do. The Heels are still running their point-a-minute-and-a-half offense (offer not valid in the second half against Notre Dame). Does Miami have the offense to keep up? In a word, no, but the turnover chain might be able to cause enough havoc to keep the Canes in the game. Miami still ranks near the top of the nation in takeaways, and their BFFs the Noles were able to use an early pick 6 to help build a huge lead that Carolina couldn't climb. But I don't see it happening. Miami's been playing with fire for far too long this season. Heels win and both teams end up somehow ranked ahead of Indiana on Tuesday. UNC: 38--Mia: 34
Schweinfurth: UNC has been a very frustrating team to watch. They have great offensive talent, but it takes forever for them to get going. Miami is so turnover dependent and, if they can get enough early turnovers, can make this one interesting. I think this is close, but Mac Brown finally gets that big win this year. UNC: 42--Mia: 31
Wisconsin Badgers @ Iowa Hawkeyes
Draper: The hits just keep on coming. If this isn't the quintessential 'punt to win' game, I don't know what is (shoutout to Drue Chrisman and his punter shade on TTUN). Wisconsin has just looked terrible in their last two outings, but maybe that's because Northwestern and Indiana are good? Spoiler alert: I think IU is legit but not Northwestern. Iowa has been quietly 'Kirk Ferentz-ing' another contract season. The Hawkeyes have likely guaranteed another 4 years on Ferentz's contract with another 'pretty good' season, and the Badgers have been in free fall. This is likely a battle of who cares...and I think the Hawks are more likely to be up for this one. Take a nap....it might be more exciting. UW: 10 -- Iowa: 17
Hoying: Did you enjoy watching Indiana and Wisconsin run back and forth across the 50 and punt from plus territory all day? Because things are about to get a whole lot worse. Small sample size disclaimer, but Wisconsin has produced the nation's best defense by far through four games. First in total defense, first in rushing defense, first in passing defense, second in scoring defense (by one point), you name it, the Badgers have mastered it. Granted, they've been playing incompetent offenses like Michigan, Northwestern, Illinois, and a Penix-less Indiana, but they've risen to the challenge every time. So why are they 2-2? Because in the hellscape that is 2020 Big Ten offense (you're excused, Ohio State), Wisconsin is making a sprint for the bottom, scoring a combined 13 points in their last two games (both losses, obviously). Will that be a problem this week? Oh, it's no big deal, they're only facing the team that hasn't given up 25 points in a game since 2018. Don't worry, the Hawkeyes have found a way to lose 5 games in that timeframe, because their offense doesn't work either. This game could be uglier than the 10-3 abomination the Hawkeyes put on last year in Ann Arbor. Look for Chris Spielman to really enjoy this one (maybe watching through the window with his "Sickos" sweater on). UW: 9--Iowa: 10 (five safeties)
Hoying: Did you enjoy watching Indiana and Wisconsin run back and forth across the 50 and punt from plus territory all day? Because things are about to get a whole lot worse. Small sample size disclaimer, but Wisconsin has produced the nation's best defense by far through four games. First in total defense, first in rushing defense, first in passing defense, second in scoring defense (by one point), you name it, the Badgers have mastered it. Granted, they've been playing incompetent offenses like Michigan, Northwestern, Illinois, and a Penix-less Indiana, but they've risen to the challenge every time. So why are they 2-2? Because in the hellscape that is 2020 Big Ten offense (you're excused, Ohio State), Wisconsin is making a sprint for the bottom, scoring a combined 13 points in their last two games (both losses, obviously). Will that be a problem this week? Oh, it's no big deal, they're only facing the team that hasn't given up 25 points in a game since 2018. Don't worry, the Hawkeyes have found a way to lose 5 games in that timeframe, because their offense doesn't work either. This game could be uglier than the 10-3 abomination the Hawkeyes put on last year in Ann Arbor. Look for Chris Spielman to really enjoy this one (maybe watching through the window with his "Sickos" sweater on). UW: 9--Iowa: 10 (five safeties)
Schweinfurth: Ahh, the B1G rock fight of the week. Wisconsin just hasn't looked right since losing to Northwestern. Iowa has figured out they can run people over to win. The Hawkeyes may be the second best team in the B1G, which isn't saying much. Iowa wins. UW: 7--Iowa: 10
Upset Special
Draper: Troy over Coastal Carolina
Draper: Troy over Coastal Carolina
Hoying: Illinois over Northwestern
Schweinfurth: UCLA over USC
Schweinfurth: UCLA over USC
