Standings:
1.) Draper 13-4 (2-2 upset)
1.) Seeberg 13-4 (1-3 upset)
3.) Schweinfurth 11-6 (3-1 upset)
3.) Hoying 11-6 (2-2 upset)
Draper: Georgia has looked very...very good this year (primarily on defense). The offense has been a little shaky, but the explosion against Vandy (yes, yes I know it was Vandy) was good to see. Arkansas has absolutely been the party crasher of the year. Beating Texas wasn't THAT special, but taking out A&M was a statement that they're here to compete. BUT....are they on the Bulldogs level? Not yet. I think this will provide a little bit of a shock to the system in a low scoring affair. Dawgs keep truckin. Ark: 10--UGA: 24
Hoying: Color me surprised. I didn't expect the Hogs to suffocate A&M on their way to an impressive 4-0 start. But if you want to be top pretender in the SEC, you have to knock off the current perennial maybe-threat to Alabama, the Georgia Bulldogs (no, Florida, nobody ever believes you'll actually beat the Tide). Georgia's been on a tear of their own over the last 3 weeks, against some admittedly terrible competition. The opening win over Clemson doesn't look as impressive now that the Tiger's out of the bag about Dabo's nonexistent offense in a post-Lawrence, post-Etienne world. Still, the Bulldog defense hasn't had an off week so far, and that's bad news for a terribly one-dimensional Razorback attack. Remember when Clemson had 2 rushing yards against Georgia? Yeah, that included 7 sacks by the Georgia D, and I don't expect the Hogs to have any better success running or throwing the ball than Clemson did. Georgia hasn't given up a touchdown outside of garbage time so far this year, and they might not until they see the Gators in Jacksonville. Arkansas just isn't at that top tier of teams yet. Ark: 6--UGA: 28
Schweinfurth: I REALLY wanted to pull the trigger on Arkansas last week. I just thought TAMU would actually show up. Are the Hogs that good, not really. Are they ranked high because all the teams are about equal this year, yes. Unlike TAMU, Georgia's defense is legit. I really don't see how the Hogs score on the Dogs. Top the off with the fact that Georgia may be the second best team in the SEC (who knows, everyone has issues). Arkansas fight hard, but Georgia wins. Ark: 9--UGA: 17
Seeberg: Well, Arkansas now looks legit-ish after shutting down the Aggies. TAMU has underperformed all year on offense, however, so it's hard to know how much to take from that win. And speaking of underperforming offenses, a trip to Vandy certainly cured the Bulldogs of that ailment as they put up 62 last week. Not expecting these two to even get to 62 combined, but the Bulldogs are still too talented to drop this one between the hedges. Ark: 10--UGA: 24
Draper: So, what to do after the Irish 'blew out' the Badgers...well...upon further review, this was a close game (until a kickoff return and 2 pick 6's late). I don't think the Badgers are anything special, but I REALLY don't expect anything from the Irish. I remember the barn-burner against FSU and so does everyone else. To Cincy...this is the chance. They have a legit shot at the playoffs for the first Group of 5 rep. You need 3 things: 1) undefeated, 2) a few decent wins (ND and Indiana), and 3) a decent preseason ranking. Cincy checks the boxes so far, but they need to cash in. I think they get it done. The major problem is the fact that this game is on peacock and NOT youtubeTV taking eyeballs away. If the Bearcats win and win impressively, they are a real threat for the playoff. UC: 30--ND: 24 (as a Cincy sidenote: the sole possessors of 1st place in the AFC North say WHODEY!! SUPABOWL!)
Hoying: With all the conference realignment set to shake up the haves and have-nots over the next few seasons and potential Playoff expansion looming on the horizon, 2021 Cincinnati might be the Group of 5's last chance to crash the Playoff party before they're gifted an annual auto-bid. In order for a G5 team to fit the bill, they need (1) a relatively strong conference (check), (2) a weakened Playoff field overall (ACC is practically out already), and (3) a signature nonconference win. And look who's stepping up to the plate. It's the Fighting Irish, fresh off a blowout (of sorts) over the Wisconsin Badgers and still ranked in the top 10. The AAC hasn't had a chance like this since Houston opened the 2016 season with a win over Oklahoma. Are the Bearcats good enough to pull the [win while slightly favored]? Hard to say. They certainly looked the part last year, coming a late game meltdown away from going undefeated with a signature bowl win, but they struggled to put Indiana away in their last outing, trailing the Hoosiers in every quarter. The 'Cats have had an extra week to prepare for Notre Dame, but let's be honest with ourselves, they've been laser-focus locked into this game since before the season started. What better way to stake your claim to be a program's next head coach than to deliver them a humiliating defeat? The Irish, for their part, have their own problems. Long-time readers (thank you) will remember that none of us were bullish on the Irish last week, and the Wisconsin game doesn't really move the needle for me. Late pick sixes and kickoff returns are nice score padders but the Irish weren't able to do anything on offense. And now with Ice Cream Coan questionable to play, ND's problems on offense could be worsening. The G5 playoff train rolls along for at least another week. UC: 27--ND: 24
Schweinfurth: Luke Fickell has built himself a program, huh? He has a legit and aggressive defense and a veteran QB. Notre Dame is Notre Dame. They are a good, top 10 program. Just two issues here: 1) Who is going to be the Irish QB this week, and 2) Can they run the ball. The Irish just cannot get the ground game going this year and has survived by some excellent play on defense. I just don't see a way the Irish win this if they can't run the ball, and they are going to struggle. Big win for the Fightin' Ficks in South Bend. UC: 28--ND: 21
Draper: Lane Train gets to go up against the evil genius. We all know that Saban just doesn't lose to old assistants....ever. Ole Miss has been lighting up scoreboards all year, and Bama's defense isn't anything special...BUT Bama is still Bama, and they also break the scoreboard. Saban's key to success has been adaptation. He won with defense and running the ball for years. When offense became king, he reinvented the scheme. Don't mess with what works. Ole Miss is a nice flashy team, but flash doesn't usually beat the king. Miss: 30--Bama: 44
Hoying: What's Lane got left in the bag? Last year the Rebels put up an impressive 48 points on Bama (you may remember Ohio State scoring half that much) running all of the plays that Saban hates to face. You're probably not going to fool Old Nick twice, so it might just be up to the Ole Miss horses to outplay the Tide strength-on-strength. Is this possible? Your first thought we be "no, of course not, no way," but remember that Florida essentially played Alabama to a draw not two weeks ago. Then again, Ole Miss is not quite Florida, at least not yet, and Bama won't be leaving the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny this time. Texas A&M is on tap for the Tide, but I really don't see them looking ahead, as Ole Miss is likely the deadlier foe. Gun to my head, I'd say this upset is likelier than Arkansas beating Georgia, but I still wouldn't count on it. Miss: 30--Bama: 41
Schweinfurth: Bama feels vulnerable here and I don't know why. Lane just has Saban's number (even though he hasn't beaten him). But here's the thing, this is where Bama breaks the other team. Nicky owns his former assistants and the trend continues. BTW, I think this game would be closer if Lane would stop running his mouth. Saban will want to stick it to him. Miss: 28--Bama: 52
Seeberg: Solid slate of games this week! The hits keep coming with Lane's boys against Bama. Make no mistake, Ole Miss can score on anyone. Stopping anyone, particularly the Tide, however, is not a sure thing. Bama is also battled tested, getting a scare from Florida, and the Rebels have feasted on lesser foes. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth...and I don't like the visiting team's chances of recovering from that punch. Miss: 27--Bama: 45
Draper: Completely forgot the Big 12 was still a conference. I honestly have no clue about these teams, and I'm writing these late. In the interest of time, I'm leaning on the better coach with homefield. As a man who is 40 himself, Go Pokes. BU: 24--OSU: 35
Hoying: I guess we should talk about the Big 12. With the ACC essentially eliminated from Playoff consideration and 3 undefeated teams remaining in America's second-favorite wrong-numbered conference, the Big 12 is in good shape to return to the Playoff after missing out last season. And if it's not going to be carpetbagging Oklahoma (it will), it's likely to be one of these true-blue Big 12 loyalists. Yeah, I'm falling asleep already too. The Cowboys are fresh off their first multiple-score win of the season after having faced the fearsome lineup of Missouri State, Tulsa (shut up), and Boise State to start the season. Maybe they'll have a chance to break through once Big Brother has gone to easterner pastures. Baylor did a nice job squeaking out a win over ranked Iowa State last week, but it's Iowa State, the Indiana of Vanderbilts. I frankly don't trust either of these teams, so I'll do a weasel pick and take the home team. BU: 28--OSU: 31
Schweinfurth: Let's put it this way, I haven't watched much Big-12 football outside of Oklahoma booing Spencer Rattler. I guess Ok St is better? Who knows. Either way, I'll just take the home team. BU: 35--OSU: 42
Seeberg: Is anyone in this conference for real? The Sooners look pedestrian week after week, but I don't trust either of these teams much. The Cowboys have 4 wins by a combined 24 points, including by just 5 over Tulsa (yes, that Tulsa) and a 1-point squeaker, albeit on the road, at Boise State. Baylor, meanwhile, was thrust into the rankings after beating we-thought-they-would-be-good (they're not) Iowa State last week. Still, when I don't know who to pick I tend to lean on the single unit that I believe is best- and in this case, it's the Baylor offense. Bears buoy bad Big 12. BU: 41--OSU: 31
THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Draper: Newsflash Buckeye Nation: this isn't your grandparent's Rutgers team. Buttgers has been the laughing stock since...well before they joined the B1G, but Schiano is returning them to the glory year of 2006, but we're not there yet. I see this as a Purdue level game (which was honestly terrifying in the Urban Era). I think the team will enjoy welcoming Stroud back, but I hope the scheme is more creative this week and get the dang ball to Olave and Wilson. Henderson is a mismatch as well so he'll get his, but I need to see more creativity in the passing game. We have the 2 best receivers in college football and we aren't showcasing them. I think this game will have the Buckeye faithful super nervous into the 2nd half, but Marotti time kicks in and the Bucks pull away. Just get better every week. OSU: 34--RU: 17
Hoying: Ah, this is the Rutgers we were promised when the Big Ten extended an invitation nearly a decade ago. The return of Greg Schiano has injected some competence into the Scarlet Knights. The B1G wins haven't followed, yet, but the Knights will have plenty of opportunities to pick up a signature win in a stacked Big Ten East this season. And after playing a hot Michigan team to a standstill with its excellent defense, Rutgers sets its sights on the big kahuna. Is Ohio State's offense capable of moving the ball where the Wolverines couldn't? In a word, yes. CJ Stroud is coming back, TreVeyon Henderson continues to improve seemingly on every carry, and the Buckeyes now feature the nation's top offense in terms of yards per play. Sadly, the Bucks are only #2 in total offense since the defense doesn't make it off the dang field enough, but that shouldn't be a problem against Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights have a total of 30 points in the two games they've played against Power 5 opponents. Look for them to break out the bullcrap (like in the second half last year) but not to be a serious threat to take down Ohio State this year. This will be a good measuring stick for the Scarlet and Gray after last week's glorified scrimmage. If the domination continues, this season could have a happy ending after all. OSU: 45--RSUNJ: 17
Schweinfurth: Rutgers looks like it is finally getting better and that's not surprising. Schiano has brought credibility and has the players buying in. Rutgers almost pulled the annual Michigan shocker and absolutely dominated the second half. Here's a secret though, Michigan is a one trick pony on offense. The Buckeyes are the #2 ranked offense (by yards) in FBS. That's pretty good. The Scarlet Knights are going to sell out to stop TreVeyon Henderson. I don't think it matters much. I think Stroud is rested and ready to go. Olave is due for a big day and maybe even a few deep bombs this week. On defense, I'm just looking for more improvements, especially when backing into zones. Denzel Burke is owed an INT. Get up big, let Rutgers pull out the tricks to make it look close, and move on to a potentially HUGE game against *gulp* Maryland? OSU: 52--RU: 20
Seeberg: Don't look now kids, but this is your older-older brother's Rutgers; well-coached, and actually starting to close the talent gap thanks to Schiano's return. Ironically, both teams NEED to run the ball and control the clock and game flow, but only one WANTS to (not us). Assuming Day isn't too stubborn with his play calling, a healthy dose of Henderson, Teague and Williams are needed. It won't be the laughable whitewash this game has been literally every year since the Knights wandered aimlessly into the B1G 14, but a conference win over a +.500 opponent always looks good. OSU: 31--RU: 20
Upset Special
Draper: Kentucky over Florida
Hoying: Stanford over Oregon
Schweinfurth: BC over Clemson
Seeberg: Kansas State over Oklahoma
