Standings:
1.) Seeberg 28-8 (3-6 upset)
2.) Hoying 27-9 (4-5 upset)
2.) Schweinfurth 27-9 (3-6 upset)
4.) Draper 26-10 (4-5 upset)
Once again, if you want a ranked matchup, you'll have to look at a couple of second-tier teams in the SEC West. Otherwise, just enjoy the many upset opportunities while you wait for the backloaded schedules to pay off.
Draper: Since I am currently incapable of picking a non-OSU game correctly over the last 2 weeks, I don't know if I'd trust myself on this one. However, this is the trap game of all trap games. Purdue always snake bites teams, but they've already had their one this year. David Bell is a solid WR, but I'm not convinced they'll be able to stop the Spartan running game. Usually when a game is seen to be a guaranteed upset, it doesn't happen. The expectations of the world will be for the Boilers to take their pound of flesh, but Kenneth Walker keeps Sparty chugging along. MSU: 31--PU: 20
Hoying: The incomparable Ramzy Nasrallah of Eleven Warriors noted a series of odd coincidences between this year's Michigan State team and the 2002 National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. And now the Spartans have to travel to Purdue, where one Big Ten team's national championship hopes have already gone to die during this very season. What made Purdue's surprise (to most people anyway) upset blowout of Iowa possible? The Boilers got it done on defense, forcing 4 turnovers and holding the Hawkeyes to 271 total yards. That's an easy feat when you're facing a team with zero offensive threats (thanks, Brian Ferentz), but as I wrote last week, Michigan State is adequately capable in both the air and ground games. Sure, Payton Thorne may have been exposed a bit against the Wolverines, but Kenneth Walker is still the real deal. Purdue's run defense is not great, not terrible, certainly not on Michigan's level, so the Boilers may have to score quite a bit to keep up with Sparty. And that's a bit of a problem. The Boilermakers have hit 24 points in B1G play once, and they needed 4 Iowa turnovers to help them to that point. The Aidan O'Connell to David Bell connection is solid (and a choking hazard for Hawkeyes), but remember what I said last week about being one-dimensional and beating Michigan State? Don't expect lighting to strike twice for Purdue (next week, either). MSU: 27--Pur: 17
Schweinfurth: This smells of a trap game. Huge comeback win against a hated rival? Check. Overmatched opponent on the road? Check. An explosive wide receiver on Purdue that can break the game open? NIGHTMARE FUEL! Is Sparty banged up? Probably a bit, but they have a running game and running games travel. Kennith Walker is a beast and he should get his yards and TDs. This game will most likely be unnecessarily close because Ronnie Bell is that good, but Sparty should hold on. MSU: 24--Pur: 21
Seeberg: This feels like the Purdue-y-est of Purdue trap game wins. Except they already did that to perennial B1G Coach of the Year Kirk Ferentz this season. Sparty's offense isn't going to be held that far in check and make that many mistakes. A lackluster start is likely, but too much talent for Sparty wins out. MSU: 31--PU: 16
Auburn Tigers @ Texas A&M Aggies
Draper: I have no idea how to judge these SEC also-rans. Auburn had a nice win over 'top 10' Ole Miss, but lost to PSU. A&M took down the juggernaut of Bama and dropped inexplicable games to Miss St and Arkansas. Regardless, the Aggies are pretty tough to beat in Kyle Field. We saw good Bo Nix last week, I'm banking on bad Bo Nix this time. Aub: 13--TAMU:24
Hoying: As BoNix goes, so go the Tigers. Last week he had the pleasure of throwing against air when facing the Ole Miss defense, but the Texas A&M pass defense is one of the tops in the nation. I feel like a fool taking the Aggies to win a game in November, but I trust Auburn less against a competent defense (see Penn State). Aub: 20--TAMU: 27
Schweinfurth: I really have no idea here. This game will depend on if one team decides to take the week off. This game is a Kyle Field, and TAMU plays very well at home. I guess we make that Bama loss look better here...but that's a different rant. Aub: 17--TAMU: 20
Draper: I have no idea how to judge these SEC also-rans. Auburn had a nice win over 'top 10' Ole Miss, but lost to PSU. A&M took down the juggernaut of Bama and dropped inexplicable games to Miss St and Arkansas. Regardless, the Aggies are pretty tough to beat in Kyle Field. We saw good Bo Nix last week, I'm banking on bad Bo Nix this time. Aub: 13--TAMU:24
Hoying: As BoNix goes, so go the Tigers. Last week he had the pleasure of throwing against air when facing the Ole Miss defense, but the Texas A&M pass defense is one of the tops in the nation. I feel like a fool taking the Aggies to win a game in November, but I trust Auburn less against a competent defense (see Penn State). Aub: 20--TAMU: 27
Schweinfurth: I really have no idea here. This game will depend on if one team decides to take the week off. This game is a Kyle Field, and TAMU plays very well at home. I guess we make that Bama loss look better here...but that's a different rant. Aub: 17--TAMU: 20
Seeberg: The Tigers scored a solid win last week against Ole Miss...made far less impressive by the in-game departure of the Rebs' star QB. Auburn (read: erratic 9-year veteran Bo Nix) just doesn't travel well, as evidenced by their egg still sitting in Happy Valley from earlier this year. Hard to imagine them fending off the 12th man for four quarters. Aggies pull away late. Aub: 16--TAMU 28
THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
Draper: Nebraska is a frisky team that most of Buckeye Nation will discount, but every single loss for the Huskers has been within 1 score. Scott Frost may be a dead coach walking, but a win over the big dog could provide a stay of execution. The Buckeyes showed some chinks in the armor last week against PSU with the lack of a consistent running game, but that was likely due to a solid gameplan and a strong front 7 of the Lions. There were also quite a few miscues by the Bucks that need to be cleaned up this week (and I think will be). The PSU game was filled with some bad fortune (false start on 4th and 1, turnovers, etc.) but I expect the offense to fire back into shape this week. Stroud has been fantastic on the road, and I think that continues. I'd love an early offensive explosion this week to remove all doubt. OSU: 42--Neb: 20
Hoying: Watch yourselves, Buckeyes. This could be a tight one. Ohio State is coming off a hard-fought emotional win against Penn State, while Nebraska is desperately searching for a statement win after losing 6 games they could've won, practically giving away the Michigan and Michigan State games late. Adrian Martinez is playing the best football of his career, and the Blackshirts have been able to grind offenses like Oklahoma's and Michigan State's to a practical standstill. The Huskers feature a tough red zone defense, which is bad news for an Ohio State team looking to rebound from scoring 1 TD in 6 trips last week. But let's get a little perspective: Penn State has the best red zone TD defense in the nation, and I don't expect the Buckeyes to be caught flat-footed twice, especially with the overall talent on the offensive line and at running back. On the other side of the ball, don't expect Nebraska to get away with nearly the holding that Penn State did (what are the odds of getting the same terrible officials in back-to-back weeks), so it'll be up to Nebraska's dual threat wonder to escape the once-again elite Buckeye pass rush and keep up with the OSU offensive juggernaut. The more I think about this game, the more confident I am that the Buckeyes can handle Nebraska with ease. NU don't have Penn State-level horses, their coach has been gacking away games since he got there, and it's not just realistic to expect the Buckeyes to leave so many points on the board again. OSU: 45--Neb: 24
Schweinfurth: A B1G West team on the road after a Penn State game. I've seen this before and it hasn't ended well (usually with the B1G West team putting up 55). The good news here is all the penalties and the general clunker feel from last week should have the Buckeye's attention. Nebraska is very good at stopping the run, so Henderson et al. may have a rough time getting started. No worries. I expect Olave and Wilson to step up big early and loosen up the Husker D. Nebraska may score early while Chambers serves his (stupid) suspension in the first half. Expect a few picks by the Buckeye D and Martinez has a tendency to throw it up for grabs. It feels like I shouldn't pick a multiple score win here with the way Nebraska has played some very good teams this year, but I will. Ohio State is too explosive on offense. OSU: 42--Neb: 21
Hoying: Watch yourselves, Buckeyes. This could be a tight one. Ohio State is coming off a hard-fought emotional win against Penn State, while Nebraska is desperately searching for a statement win after losing 6 games they could've won, practically giving away the Michigan and Michigan State games late. Adrian Martinez is playing the best football of his career, and the Blackshirts have been able to grind offenses like Oklahoma's and Michigan State's to a practical standstill. The Huskers feature a tough red zone defense, which is bad news for an Ohio State team looking to rebound from scoring 1 TD in 6 trips last week. But let's get a little perspective: Penn State has the best red zone TD defense in the nation, and I don't expect the Buckeyes to be caught flat-footed twice, especially with the overall talent on the offensive line and at running back. On the other side of the ball, don't expect Nebraska to get away with nearly the holding that Penn State did (what are the odds of getting the same terrible officials in back-to-back weeks), so it'll be up to Nebraska's dual threat wonder to escape the once-again elite Buckeye pass rush and keep up with the OSU offensive juggernaut. The more I think about this game, the more confident I am that the Buckeyes can handle Nebraska with ease. NU don't have Penn State-level horses, their coach has been gacking away games since he got there, and it's not just realistic to expect the Buckeyes to leave so many points on the board again. OSU: 45--Neb: 24
Schweinfurth: A B1G West team on the road after a Penn State game. I've seen this before and it hasn't ended well (usually with the B1G West team putting up 55). The good news here is all the penalties and the general clunker feel from last week should have the Buckeye's attention. Nebraska is very good at stopping the run, so Henderson et al. may have a rough time getting started. No worries. I expect Olave and Wilson to step up big early and loosen up the Husker D. Nebraska may score early while Chambers serves his (stupid) suspension in the first half. Expect a few picks by the Buckeye D and Martinez has a tendency to throw it up for grabs. It feels like I shouldn't pick a multiple score win here with the way Nebraska has played some very good teams this year, but I will. Ohio State is too explosive on offense. OSU: 42--Neb: 21
Seeberg: Make no mistake, Buckeye Nation, this is a legitimate game. Nebraska is 2-6 against power five opponents this season...with a PLUS 41 POINT DIFFERENTIAL. Yes, you read that right. Two blowout wins- including one in conference against NW, and 6 one-possession losses. Frost may be on his way out but he shouldn't be, that program won't do better. Red-zone deficiencies were particularly troubling against Clemson in 2019 last week. Did we forget Jeremy Ruckert exists for some reason? That needs cleaned up, as do the penalties. It should be competitive for a half, but Adrian Martinez- who I feel like has been there about as long as Bo Nix has been at Auburn- has a penchant for the spectacular...and the spectacular mistake. A pick six somewhere in the mid-3rd to early 4th quarter should salt this one away. OSU--41--Neb: 24
Upset Special
Draper: Liberty over Ole Miss
Hoying: Washington over Oregon
Schweinfurth: Northwestern over Iowa
Seeberg: Tulsa over Cincinnati
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