Standings:
1.) Draper 12-3 (0-3 upset)
2.) Hoying 11-4 (0-3 upset)
3.) Schweinfurth 9-6 (1-2 upset)
3.) Seeberg 9-6 (0-3 upset)
2.) Hoying 11-4 (0-3 upset)
3.) Schweinfurth 9-6 (1-2 upset)
3.) Seeberg 9-6 (0-3 upset)
As conference season begins in earnest across the college football landscape, thirty-three unbeaten teams remain, including thirty from across the Power 5. Obviously there are too many for us to feature all of their various matchups here but our quick and dirty half-dozen should give you a good overview at the tough slate in store for many top major conference teams.
Maryland Terrapins @ Michigan Wolverines
Draper: I was considering this as an upset special because Maryland is such a volatile program, but the Big House (where fans actually think they can win) makes this a tough trigger. J.J. McCarthy is the clear September Heisman frontrunner but I anticipate a slight drop when the opponent rises above the JV difficulty in EA Sports. This game will have a few moments, but Michigan simply has better athletes. Young Tagovailoa will keep it interesting until Blake Corum pulls away. Mary: 20--UM: 35
Hoying: I'll be honest: Michigan looks really good this year. Yeah, they've had a chance to beat up on the three blind mice so far, but, as the analysts say, it's not whom you play, it's how you play, and the Wolverines have been playing great. J. J. McCarthy looks like as good a QB the Maize and Blue have had since...Denard? Henne? The head coach himself? The only trouble is we haven't seen him have to respond to adversity at all, and I'm not sure that will happen this week either. Maryland has real actual Big Ten athletes (I suppose) but getting outgained by SMU and barely pulling out a victory doesn't scream "upset threat" to me. Let's see what happens when he has to throw against the Iowa defense next week. As for the Wolverine D, let's see what happens when Penn State comes to town in October. Not a lot of offensive threats until then (yes, that includes you, Maryland). Mary: 10--UM: 34
Schweinfurth: Michigan actually has to play a team with a pulse? This is a nice change from *looks at ranking* playing three of the worst FBS teams in the nation. Do I think Michigan will win this game? Yes. Do I also think that Maryland could have a lead at some past the opening drive? Yes. If there is on thing the Terps can do, it's put up points. I think the Harboogers pull away late, but Maryland will at least put up a fight. Maryland: 28--UM: 42
Seeberg: Ironically, that squad in the maize and blue we love to hate is in a polar opposite situation to our beloved scarlet and gray. UM's stellar D may not be quite as elite as last season but the offense appears to be making huge strides whereas our Buckeyes lost a ton of offensive production but the D has stepped up thus far. What to make of UM? Nobody knows. They've destroyed their schedule, which they damn well should, because their SOS is literally the worst in Division I. Regardless, in comes also-unblemished Maryland to the Big House in the first quasi-test of the season for the Wolverines. The Terps can score it- their WR room is arguably the best in the conference outside Columbus- and they've recruited relatively well too, but overall their talent depth is still a notch or two below that of UM. As long as Harbaugh doesn't poop the proverbial bed with the game plan, that talent disparity should show up around late 3rd quarter as they wear the Terrapins down. Wolverines pull away late. Mary: 20--UM: 38
Hoying: I'll be honest: Michigan looks really good this year. Yeah, they've had a chance to beat up on the three blind mice so far, but, as the analysts say, it's not whom you play, it's how you play, and the Wolverines have been playing great. J. J. McCarthy looks like as good a QB the Maize and Blue have had since...Denard? Henne? The head coach himself? The only trouble is we haven't seen him have to respond to adversity at all, and I'm not sure that will happen this week either. Maryland has real actual Big Ten athletes (I suppose) but getting outgained by SMU and barely pulling out a victory doesn't scream "upset threat" to me. Let's see what happens when he has to throw against the Iowa defense next week. As for the Wolverine D, let's see what happens when Penn State comes to town in October. Not a lot of offensive threats until then (yes, that includes you, Maryland). Mary: 10--UM: 34
Schweinfurth: Michigan actually has to play a team with a pulse? This is a nice change from *looks at ranking* playing three of the worst FBS teams in the nation. Do I think Michigan will win this game? Yes. Do I also think that Maryland could have a lead at some past the opening drive? Yes. If there is on thing the Terps can do, it's put up points. I think the Harboogers pull away late, but Maryland will at least put up a fight. Maryland: 28--UM: 42
Seeberg: Ironically, that squad in the maize and blue we love to hate is in a polar opposite situation to our beloved scarlet and gray. UM's stellar D may not be quite as elite as last season but the offense appears to be making huge strides whereas our Buckeyes lost a ton of offensive production but the D has stepped up thus far. What to make of UM? Nobody knows. They've destroyed their schedule, which they damn well should, because their SOS is literally the worst in Division I. Regardless, in comes also-unblemished Maryland to the Big House in the first quasi-test of the season for the Wolverines. The Terps can score it- their WR room is arguably the best in the conference outside Columbus- and they've recruited relatively well too, but overall their talent depth is still a notch or two below that of UM. As long as Harbaugh doesn't poop the proverbial bed with the game plan, that talent disparity should show up around late 3rd quarter as they wear the Terrapins down. Wolverines pull away late. Mary: 20--UM: 38
Clemson Tigers @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Draper: What is Clemson? They were penciled in as the clear (distant) #4, but do we really have any clue what to expect? The offense is still fairly anemic with a stout defense to keep them afloat. Now they face last year's ACC Atlantic Champion Demon Deacons. Winston Salem has some nasty juju in which opposing players always get hurt (see every year FSU is good and plays there--so 10 years ago). When your team is defense oriented, it's hard for an injury to derail you, so I'll stick with the Tigers, but Wake usually has a trick or two up their sleeve. Clem: 24--Wake: 17
Hoying: I feel like we've been singing the death of Clemson ever since they lost to the best team in the country by the margin of a pick six to open 2021. Last year they looked awful in a lot of their games against their usual weak ACC slate, but they only lost two more of those games and currently have the nation's longest winning streak at 9. Against all odds, the defense is holding up even after the departure of legendary camera target Brett Venables, but I don't get what's wrong with the offense. Is Dabo's legacy really just built on Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence (with a bit of Kelly Bryant thrown in)? Meanwhile, Wake Forest is having trouble replicating their magical 2021 season (in which they still lost handily to Clemson) as the defense is as bad as ever but QB Sam Hartman isn't up to his dark horse Heisman levels of success from last year. In short, Clemson should be better, and Wake worse, than the last time these two played, so I don't think this should be particularly close. Clem: 31--Wake: 17
Schweinfurth: Clemson just hasn't looked right the last two years. The defense looks fine, but the offense just doesn't have the same punch with D.J. as the QB. Clemson should win this game on the power of their D, but Wake has proved to be a hard out in the past. Clem: 20--Wake: 14
Seeberg: Make no mistake: This game is likely to be close. Clemson's anemic offense keeps a lot of lesser teams competitive, and Wake can score it pretty well. Unfortunately the Deacons seem to have lost a step from last season, needing a failed 2-point conversion to escape disaster against Liberty las week. I'd love to see mighty Clemson go down in a stadium that's never even half full (and that I've been to!), but they should do just enough to live to play another day. Clem: 23--Wake: 17
Hoying: I feel like we've been singing the death of Clemson ever since they lost to the best team in the country by the margin of a pick six to open 2021. Last year they looked awful in a lot of their games against their usual weak ACC slate, but they only lost two more of those games and currently have the nation's longest winning streak at 9. Against all odds, the defense is holding up even after the departure of legendary camera target Brett Venables, but I don't get what's wrong with the offense. Is Dabo's legacy really just built on Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence (with a bit of Kelly Bryant thrown in)? Meanwhile, Wake Forest is having trouble replicating their magical 2021 season (in which they still lost handily to Clemson) as the defense is as bad as ever but QB Sam Hartman isn't up to his dark horse Heisman levels of success from last year. In short, Clemson should be better, and Wake worse, than the last time these two played, so I don't think this should be particularly close. Clem: 31--Wake: 17
Schweinfurth: Clemson just hasn't looked right the last two years. The defense looks fine, but the offense just doesn't have the same punch with D.J. as the QB. Clemson should win this game on the power of their D, but Wake has proved to be a hard out in the past. Clem: 20--Wake: 14
Seeberg: Make no mistake: This game is likely to be close. Clemson's anemic offense keeps a lot of lesser teams competitive, and Wake can score it pretty well. Unfortunately the Deacons seem to have lost a step from last season, needing a failed 2-point conversion to escape disaster against Liberty las week. I'd love to see mighty Clemson go down in a stadium that's never even half full (and that I've been to!), but they should do just enough to live to play another day. Clem: 23--Wake: 17
Florida Gators @ Tennessee Volunteers
Draper: Sorry you have to experience this one, Gameday. The real question: will Anthony Richardson have more TD passes than tackles after this game (so far it's 0 TD passes - 1 tackle). Tennessee seems to have worked its way up into that 2nd tier SEC East squad with Kentucky, but the Gators have some talent to leverage. The power of Neyland Stadium, Rocky Top, and Mike Stewart will be enough to thwart Napier's upstart campaign. UF: 20--UT: 27
Hoying: I'm glad I picked Florida to beat Utah in week one, but I don't think the Gators win that game 6 out of 10 times. The Florida offense has gone bye-bye, as their overrated QB can't throw the ball and the run game isn't that impressive either. The defense is...OK...I guess? but not good enough to slow down the juggernaut that Coach Bobby Hill has built down in Knoxville. As long as Rocky Top doesn't fall asleep late in the game like they did against Pitt , we should see Florida slip down another spot to 4th in the SEC East pecking order. Don't sleep on South Carolina, though. UF: 17--UT: 28
Schweinfurth: I'm not sure what to make over either of these two. Florida is propped up by a win over Utah, but got bullied by Kentucky. Tennessee best win to this point is an OT win over Pitt. Ultimately, I think Tennessee has more firepower on offense. Florida has been an interesting turnaround from the mess they had last year, but the Vols just look more well rounded. UF: 17--UT: 21
Seeberg: Ah yes, my "other" alma mater makes another appearance. I'm not ready to anoint the Vols as "back" just yet, but Hendon Hooker gives them a fighting chance to get there (well, that and paying literal millions a la TAMU to recruits). In any event, in comes hated rival Florida who goes as their QB does. Anthony Richardson is wildly talented but a little too mercurial to trust week in and week out, particularly on the road against a conference rival. Rocky Top into the night in Knoxville UF: 24--UT: 34
Hoying: I'm glad I picked Florida to beat Utah in week one, but I don't think the Gators win that game 6 out of 10 times. The Florida offense has gone bye-bye, as their overrated QB can't throw the ball and the run game isn't that impressive either. The defense is...OK...I guess? but not good enough to slow down the juggernaut that Coach Bobby Hill has built down in Knoxville. As long as Rocky Top doesn't fall asleep late in the game like they did against Pitt , we should see Florida slip down another spot to 4th in the SEC East pecking order. Don't sleep on South Carolina, though. UF: 17--UT: 28
Schweinfurth: I'm not sure what to make over either of these two. Florida is propped up by a win over Utah, but got bullied by Kentucky. Tennessee best win to this point is an OT win over Pitt. Ultimately, I think Tennessee has more firepower on offense. Florida has been an interesting turnaround from the mess they had last year, but the Vols just look more well rounded. UF: 17--UT: 21
Seeberg: Ah yes, my "other" alma mater makes another appearance. I'm not ready to anoint the Vols as "back" just yet, but Hendon Hooker gives them a fighting chance to get there (well, that and paying literal millions a la TAMU to recruits). In any event, in comes hated rival Florida who goes as their QB does. Anthony Richardson is wildly talented but a little too mercurial to trust week in and week out, particularly on the road against a conference rival. Rocky Top into the night in Knoxville UF: 24--UT: 34
Southern California Trojans @ Oregon State Beavers
Draper: USC is wrecking fools out west with Heisman #2 Caleb Williams and Jordan 'chase the $$$' Addison. While the offense is just churning, the defense is a little bit of a mess. Did someone say mess? Hello Corvallis. This has been the place Trojans go to die in the early 2000s...and the Beavers look...competent? I know there is an imbalance of sheer athleticism, but can the Lincoln Riley push continue? I say sure. The athletes and scheme will see too much offense for the Trojans for the Beavs to keep up. USC: 45--Ore St: 30
Hoying: All the attention out west is in Los Angeles after Oregon and Utah faceplanted out of the gate. The Trojans havebought recruited assembled a solid offensive ensemble led by Spencer Rattler's former backup and Pitt's larger-handed offensive weapon from last year. It's a Lincoln Riley team, so expect the offense to be elite. But in order to reach the heights of the great Pete Carroll USC teams, you'll need some defense to go with it, and Oregon State might provide a bit of a test for them. Boise State's not the same Boise State we all knew and tolerated post-Statue of Liberty, but Oregon State still handled them impressively in week 1. And, yes, the Beavs probably should have lost to Fresno State, a team USC just dismantled, but I'm not convinced that USC will be able to slow the Beaver attack to a degree that allows them to dominate this game. USC eventually pulls away to clear a major early hurdle and announce themselves as a genuine championship contender for the first time since 2008. USC: 38--Ore St.: 30
Schweinfurth: Lincoln Riley has brought that Big 12 mantra of all offense, optional defense. The Trojans have put up points in bunches and the Beaver D isn't exactly the most stingy squad, giving up 28 to Montana State. That's not a great tune up for this one. This should be a fun shoot out, but USC's offense is just too much. USC: 56--Ore St.: 42
Seeberg: Oregon State is undefeated? How about that. One of those wins, incidentally, is a 3-point escape at Fresno State, who USC just whipped last week. Honestly I'm surprised the Trojans are only favored by 6. No chance the Beavers can shut down USC at all. Definitely an entertaining one if you're up late. USC: 48--Ore St.: 35
Hoying: All the attention out west is in Los Angeles after Oregon and Utah faceplanted out of the gate. The Trojans have
Schweinfurth: Lincoln Riley has brought that Big 12 mantra of all offense, optional defense. The Trojans have put up points in bunches and the Beaver D isn't exactly the most stingy squad, giving up 28 to Montana State. That's not a great tune up for this one. This should be a fun shoot out, but USC's offense is just too much. USC: 56--Ore St.: 42
Seeberg: Oregon State is undefeated? How about that. One of those wins, incidentally, is a 3-point escape at Fresno State, who USC just whipped last week. Honestly I'm surprised the Trojans are only favored by 6. No chance the Beavers can shut down USC at all. Definitely an entertaining one if you're up late. USC: 48--Ore St.: 35
Duke Blue Devils @ Kansas Jayhawks
Draper: The game of the week resides in Lawrence, Kansas...and it's not on the hardwood! Bluebloods (in basketball) collide in a titanic match of undefeated juggernauts. Duke has been pretty decent for the last decade after years of abject ineptitude while Kansas is the perennial doormat that only knows how to beat Texas. No more. It's time for a Jayhawk uprising. Lance Leipold rides this epic start into the loving arms of Trev Alberts and the Huskers. Duke: 30--KU: 35
Hoying: It's a wide-open Big 12 this season, and guess who's alone at the top? That's right, the 3-0 Kansas Jayhawks, and it's no fluke. The Jayhawks are riding a terrifying rushing attack to average over 50 points a game against actual competition with a pulse (looking at you, TTUN), with a stylish OT win at West Virginia getting them into the conference W category already. Duke, on the other hand, has been feasting on phonies. They needed a goal line fumble to beat Northwestern (the weapon of choice for beating B1G West teams with no offense) and their only other chances to flex have been against Temple and NC Verizon. But again, it's not whom you play, it's how you play, and Kansas has looked much, much better so far. I don't expect anything to change this weekend. Duke: 17--KU: 34
Schweinfurth: It's a Kansas sell out! Seriously. Duke comes rolling in with three, meh wins. Kansas actually has a win over a decent West Virginia team. Both of these teams can put up points in bunches, and I wouldn't expect anything less. The crowd should provide the lift for the Jayhawks to move to 4-0. Duke: 42--KU: 49
Seeberg: Are either of these teams for real on a playing surface that's 120 yards and not 94 feet? Not sure. Duke is hanging its hate on beating NW who, if you'll recall, barely beat an absolutely atrocious Nebraska squad. Rock chalk has impressive wins over West Virginia and Houston so far. Add that to home field and it's enough to convince me. Congrats to Lance Leipold on his $7 million a year from whatever program snatches him at the end of the year. Duke: 31--KU: 45
Hoying: It's a wide-open Big 12 this season, and guess who's alone at the top? That's right, the 3-0 Kansas Jayhawks, and it's no fluke. The Jayhawks are riding a terrifying rushing attack to average over 50 points a game against actual competition with a pulse (looking at you, TTUN), with a stylish OT win at West Virginia getting them into the conference W category already. Duke, on the other hand, has been feasting on phonies. They needed a goal line fumble to beat Northwestern (the weapon of choice for beating B1G West teams with no offense) and their only other chances to flex have been against Temple and NC Verizon. But again, it's not whom you play, it's how you play, and Kansas has looked much, much better so far. I don't expect anything to change this weekend. Duke: 17--KU: 34
Schweinfurth: It's a Kansas sell out! Seriously. Duke comes rolling in with three, meh wins. Kansas actually has a win over a decent West Virginia team. Both of these teams can put up points in bunches, and I wouldn't expect anything less. The crowd should provide the lift for the Jayhawks to move to 4-0. Duke: 42--KU: 49
Seeberg: Are either of these teams for real on a playing surface that's 120 yards and not 94 feet? Not sure. Duke is hanging its hate on beating NW who, if you'll recall, barely beat an absolutely atrocious Nebraska squad. Rock chalk has impressive wins over West Virginia and Houston so far. Add that to home field and it's enough to convince me. Congrats to Lance Leipold on his $7 million a year from whatever program snatches him at the end of the year. Duke: 31--KU: 45
Wisconsin Badgers @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: This game seems pretty similar to the Notre Dame game. Historically good to great team enters the Shoe with a good defense and questionable offense. The issues are twofold: 1) Wisconsin's defense is not as good as Notre Dame's and 2) Wisconsin has shown no ability to move the ball. Braelon Allen was a preseason Heisman contender that has done Jack and Squat so far. Now, will the OSU defense be able to shut them down like they did Notre Dame? I'm not convinced yet. I think there will be a few 'what are you doing?' moments for the Bullets, but I'm confident that Stroud and his minions will continue to do work. This offensive juggernaut has been touched by a few injuries, but they don't turn the ball over and they simply impose their will. I expect nothing less than a workman like dismantling here. Biggest spread over Wisky since the 90s? No problem. UW: 20--OSU: 45
Hoying: I'm really trying not to buy into the hype, because the only time the Buckeyes win national championships in my lifetime is when it seems they have no chance to. But once you've showed your hand like Ohio State has this year, there are only two types of games on the schedule: (1) good teams that you don't care how much you beat by (so long as you win), and (2) games where you're only happy with a blowout. And, sadly, if you're not a raggedy mountain cat or a skunk weasel, you don't qualify for category (1) this season. Wisconsin still plays slow plodding Wisconsin defense that's great for stifling overmatched Big Ten opponents, but haven't been able to handle the Buckeye fun and gun since the early days of Jim Tressel (when...everybody could stop us). Graham Mertz is a below-average Wisconsin QB (notwithstanding everyone gushing over him after he eviscerated Illinois to open the 2020 season), and their rushing attack this year is just OK, which is a death knell for any Badger team. Even if the rushing attack were great, I don't think a Ryan Day Ohio State team would just sit back and let a team beat them by running all over them all game...stop laughing...shut up...things are different now........This offense isn't slowing down until Iowa comes to town, and even then I'd like to see what the Hawkeyes can do to stop it. UW: 13--OSU: 41
Schweinfurth: Time to answer the question of, can the Buckeyes stop the run when you know it's coming? This plagued the team last year, and is why Jim Knowles was brought in to revamp the defense. The early returns have been good for the most part. The deep ball has been the Achilles' Heel this far and stopping the run has been much better. Everyone knows they Badgers are going to pound the ball, so can you man up and shut it down? The Badger defense isn't as talented as it has been, but they are still very disciplined and will put up a test for Stroud and company. Ultimately, this offense is getting healthy and is just too much for the Badgers. UW: 13--OSU: 45
Seeberg: The best analogy I can conjure up for this iteration of the Buckeyes' opponent this week is as if they are a clone of a clone of a clone. Eventually things get fuzzy and not quite as high-quality as the original. The line is good, not great. The RB is good, not great. The QB is meh as usual. When Bucky fires on all cylinders they can bully anyone in the country, but a couple cylinders are missing right now and there's just no way a B- Wisconsin squad can compete for 4 quarters with the Buckeyes. There's a reason the line has moved 3 full points in the direction of the Buckeyes in just 5 days. UW: 16--OSU: 38
Hoying: I'm really trying not to buy into the hype, because the only time the Buckeyes win national championships in my lifetime is when it seems they have no chance to. But once you've showed your hand like Ohio State has this year, there are only two types of games on the schedule: (1) good teams that you don't care how much you beat by (so long as you win), and (2) games where you're only happy with a blowout. And, sadly, if you're not a raggedy mountain cat or a skunk weasel, you don't qualify for category (1) this season. Wisconsin still plays slow plodding Wisconsin defense that's great for stifling overmatched Big Ten opponents, but haven't been able to handle the Buckeye fun and gun since the early days of Jim Tressel (when...everybody could stop us). Graham Mertz is a below-average Wisconsin QB (notwithstanding everyone gushing over him after he eviscerated Illinois to open the 2020 season), and their rushing attack this year is just OK, which is a death knell for any Badger team. Even if the rushing attack were great, I don't think a Ryan Day Ohio State team would just sit back and let a team beat them by running all over them all game...stop laughing...shut up...things are different now........This offense isn't slowing down until Iowa comes to town, and even then I'd like to see what the Hawkeyes can do to stop it. UW: 13--OSU: 41
Schweinfurth: Time to answer the question of, can the Buckeyes stop the run when you know it's coming? This plagued the team last year, and is why Jim Knowles was brought in to revamp the defense. The early returns have been good for the most part. The deep ball has been the Achilles' Heel this far and stopping the run has been much better. Everyone knows they Badgers are going to pound the ball, so can you man up and shut it down? The Badger defense isn't as talented as it has been, but they are still very disciplined and will put up a test for Stroud and company. Ultimately, this offense is getting healthy and is just too much for the Badgers. UW: 13--OSU: 45
Seeberg: The best analogy I can conjure up for this iteration of the Buckeyes' opponent this week is as if they are a clone of a clone of a clone. Eventually things get fuzzy and not quite as high-quality as the original. The line is good, not great. The RB is good, not great. The QB is meh as usual. When Bucky fires on all cylinders they can bully anyone in the country, but a couple cylinders are missing right now and there's just no way a B- Wisconsin squad can compete for 4 quarters with the Buckeyes. There's a reason the line has moved 3 full points in the direction of the Buckeyes in just 5 days. UW: 16--OSU: 38
Upset Special
Draper: Rutgers over Iowa
Hoying: Texas Tech over Texas
Schweinfurth: Stanford over Washington
Seeberg: Tulsa over Ole Miss
