Standings:
1.) Hoying 28-10 (3-5 upset)
2.) Draper 28-10 (0-8 upset)
2.) Draper 28-10 (0-8 upset)
3.) Seeberg 27-11 (0-8 upset)
4.) Schweinfurth 25-13 (2-6 upset)
In Toaplan's cult 1991 scrolling shooter Zero Wing for the Sega Mega Drive, the player character faces off against the overwhelming invasion of the mysterious CATS, who gleefully declares that "All your base are belong to us." This Saturday, the script is flipped as cats from the Little Apple to Happy Valley hope to defend their bases from various invading OSU forces, with a few invading Kentucky Wildcats sprinkled in for variety.
Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Kansas State Wildcats
Draper: What to do with the Big12. It seems like no one really sucks (except maybe Iowa State or WVU), but no one is truly great. Kansas State has been thriving off their transfer QB, but no one really believes they are true contenders. The loser of this game is likely out of the championship, so the importance cannot be understated. I still believe that Gundy and company are the best team in the conference so even though they dropped one at the last purple team they faced, redemption abounds for the Pokes. OkSt: 35--KSU: 31
Hoying: It's a broken record at this point, but this one may depend on the health of the quarterbacks for Kansas State. Last week, even after losing Big Ten legend Adrian Martinez early, backup Will Howard still did more than enough to build a giant lead against Big 12 frontrunner TCU. Then he, too, fell off, and so did the wheels for the Wildcats. This week, Martinez is still a game-time decision, but Howard should be back in any case. Either way, moving the ball against the Cowboys shouldn't be the tough sledding the Wildcats faced in the second half last week. Jim Knowles isn't in Stillwater anymore, and the defense has been suffering without him. Okie State particularly suffers against the run, which is KSU's bread and butter. I'm going to bank on healthy Wildcat QB play, and Kansas State to throw another curveball into the Big 12 race. OkSt: 31--KSU: 35
Schweinfurth: At first glance, I was ready to pick OkSt. They still have the remnants of Jim Knowles' defense, I thought. Then I looked at the numbers, woof. Back to a typical Big 12 defense I guess. After seeing that, I like the Adrian Martinez redemption tour to continue. OkSt: 35--KSU: 42
Seeberg: Ah yes, the 2022 "we blew a big lead against TCU" bowl. To their credit, the Cowboys bounced back with an upset(?) win over Texas last week. How will the Wildcats recover? My guess is not well. TCU loss aside, the Cowboys have been respectable on D with the remnants of Jim Knowles' work. The offense has been solid as well, and it's hard to imagine the Wildcats keeping pace for four quarters. Cowboys keep their ultra-slim CFP hopes alive. OkSt: 30--KSU: 23
Hoying: It's a broken record at this point, but this one may depend on the health of the quarterbacks for Kansas State. Last week, even after losing Big Ten legend Adrian Martinez early, backup Will Howard still did more than enough to build a giant lead against Big 12 frontrunner TCU. Then he, too, fell off, and so did the wheels for the Wildcats. This week, Martinez is still a game-time decision, but Howard should be back in any case. Either way, moving the ball against the Cowboys shouldn't be the tough sledding the Wildcats faced in the second half last week. Jim Knowles isn't in Stillwater anymore, and the defense has been suffering without him. Okie State particularly suffers against the run, which is KSU's bread and butter. I'm going to bank on healthy Wildcat QB play, and Kansas State to throw another curveball into the Big 12 race. OkSt: 31--KSU: 35
Schweinfurth: At first glance, I was ready to pick OkSt. They still have the remnants of Jim Knowles' defense, I thought. Then I looked at the numbers, woof. Back to a typical Big 12 defense I guess. After seeing that, I like the Adrian Martinez redemption tour to continue. OkSt: 35--KSU: 42
Seeberg: Ah yes, the 2022 "we blew a big lead against TCU" bowl. To their credit, the Cowboys bounced back with an upset(?) win over Texas last week. How will the Wildcats recover? My guess is not well. TCU loss aside, the Cowboys have been respectable on D with the remnants of Jim Knowles' work. The offense has been solid as well, and it's hard to imagine the Wildcats keeping pace for four quarters. Cowboys keep their ultra-slim CFP hopes alive. OkSt: 30--KSU: 23
Kentucky Wildcats @ Tennessee Volunteers
Draper: Can the Wildcats get back to early season heroics and derail the Vols magic season? I actually think this could be a trap game for the Vols with Will Levis and the Wildcats throwing a little defense at the Heisman hopeful, but going to Knoxville on the high they are experiencing is a tough pill to swallow. I think UK goes up early and makes the Vol Nation sweat it out, but Hyatt keeps the magic going as the Vols look to UGA. UK: 35--UT: 42
Hoying: Oh, man, get Admiral Ackbar all over this one. The Vols have been terrific so far this year, with an offense as good as anyone not wearing scarlet and gray, but the big dog defending national champs are looming next week, and all that stands between now and then is a team practically tailor-made to exploit the Vols' weaknesses. Suspect secondary? Meet Will Levis, in the running for next year's overall top draft pick and probably back to fighting form after missing a game and being at less than 100% for another. Tennessee didn't slow down Alabama in the slightest, and they barely put up a fight against Florida, either. If Kentucky can play a solid 60 minutes of football, they can definitely catch the Vols sleeping before Footballpocalypse next week. But...that's not really UK's style. Turnovers and other mistakes doomed Big Blue two weeks in a row and kept an otherwise dominating performance against Mississippi State closer than it needed to be. I would love to pull the trigger on this but I just don't think the stars are going to align for the visitors. Mark your calendars for a possible #1 vs. #2 next Saturday. UK: 38--UT: 42
Schweinfurth: Kentucky is a decent team this year. I honestly can't see the Wildcats winning here. Hendon Hooker is just playing too well right now and I'm not sure the Cats can keep up. UK: 35--UT: 45
Seeberg: Side note: Remember kids, James Franklin was deciding between Sean Clifford and Will Levis in 2020 and went with Clifford and not the 1st-round talent. Yikes. Regardless, Levis is back and near 100% against the Vols. Under circumstances from 20 years ago, when UK was awful and UT was still relevant, this could be considered a trap game for the Volunteers before going to play top dawg Georgia. Kentucky's offense, however, isn't catching anyone napping as it's top notch. A let down last week might have also aided the visitors, but UT-Martin was the perfect post-Bama opponent for a safe W to ease back into SEC play. Well done schedule gods! Hendon Hooker feels like Stroud's only legitimate threat for the Heisman, and looking good while beating UGA next week would certainly warrant it. In the mean time, however, expect lots of stats and points on both sides again, but the Vols just feel destined to make it to Athens unscathed. Tennessee late. UK: 31--UT: 41
Hoying: Oh, man, get Admiral Ackbar all over this one. The Vols have been terrific so far this year, with an offense as good as anyone not wearing scarlet and gray, but the big dog defending national champs are looming next week, and all that stands between now and then is a team practically tailor-made to exploit the Vols' weaknesses. Suspect secondary? Meet Will Levis, in the running for next year's overall top draft pick and probably back to fighting form after missing a game and being at less than 100% for another. Tennessee didn't slow down Alabama in the slightest, and they barely put up a fight against Florida, either. If Kentucky can play a solid 60 minutes of football, they can definitely catch the Vols sleeping before Footballpocalypse next week. But...that's not really UK's style. Turnovers and other mistakes doomed Big Blue two weeks in a row and kept an otherwise dominating performance against Mississippi State closer than it needed to be. I would love to pull the trigger on this but I just don't think the stars are going to align for the visitors. Mark your calendars for a possible #1 vs. #2 next Saturday. UK: 38--UT: 42
Schweinfurth: Kentucky is a decent team this year. I honestly can't see the Wildcats winning here. Hendon Hooker is just playing too well right now and I'm not sure the Cats can keep up. UK: 35--UT: 45
Seeberg: Side note: Remember kids, James Franklin was deciding between Sean Clifford and Will Levis in 2020 and went with Clifford and not the 1st-round talent. Yikes. Regardless, Levis is back and near 100% against the Vols. Under circumstances from 20 years ago, when UK was awful and UT was still relevant, this could be considered a trap game for the Volunteers before going to play top dawg Georgia. Kentucky's offense, however, isn't catching anyone napping as it's top notch. A let down last week might have also aided the visitors, but UT-Martin was the perfect post-Bama opponent for a safe W to ease back into SEC play. Well done schedule gods! Hendon Hooker feels like Stroud's only legitimate threat for the Heisman, and looking good while beating UGA next week would certainly warrant it. In the mean time, however, expect lots of stats and points on both sides again, but the Vols just feel destined to make it to Athens unscathed. Tennessee late. UK: 31--UT: 41
THE Ohio State Buckeyes @ Pennsylvania State Nittany Lions
Draper: Much of the national media is downplaying this game as the Lions were blasted by Michigan and the OSU juggernaut doesn't look to be stopped. I'm a little concerned as Happy Valley seems to send the Saturday Scaries at the Bucks. They tend to pull it out, but it's usually close. In a position by position comparison, there is no reason for this to be close. They only people starting for the Lions that would sniff the field for the Bucks would be the corners so the talent disparity certainly exists. Stroud and Co. need to take control of the B1G by sending a message. While the corners at PSU are quite good, our receivers are better. In addition, the running game should make noise with a below average rush defense that was decimated by the Wolverines. On the other side, I don't really see Clifford consistently orchestrating drives against the Silver Bullets. The safeties should be able to limit the big plays and the Bucks cruise to 8-0. OSU: 52--PSU: 20
Hoying: There are three Big Ten opponents that Ryan Day's Buckeyes have never beaten by more than two scores. The Illini, whom Day has never faced (a crime hopefully rectified at season's end). The Gophers, whom Day only saw in C. J. Stroud's coming out party. And our erstwhile not-rivals. Yes, despite playing the Lions every year, the Buckeyes haven't found a way to pound them into the pavement since 2015. Even the 2019 juggernaut Bucks caught the fumble bug in the second half and took their closest victory of the year against Penn State at home. Last year, in the Buckeyes' pajama game (never again), Penn State revealed Ohio State's red zone and 3rd down rushing struggles that would plague them for the remainder of the season. This year we got to meet those problems a week early, but I'll gladly take a 54-10 clunker of a win (in my day, the Buckeyes struggling would mean Sickos-quality 10-7 wins). The good news is that the Buckeyes didn't let their lackluster first half dictate the game, and this should come as no surprise. Wilson and Knowles have been brilliant this year at halftime adjustments; the Buckeyes lead the nation in 3rd quarter offense and 3rd quarter scoring margin. That's bad news for the Nittany Lions, as I don't see a lot of positions at which they hold a talent or scheme advantage. Either the Buckeyes get out to a quick lead and never look back, or they have to struggle for a half and turn on the jets after the bands take the field. Sean Clifford is not good enough to take advantage of any problems Ohio State may have at corner, and they don't have the receivers this year for the standard Penn State "Five Hundred!" offense to work. And our favorite maize and blue villains have shown that playing the Lions could very well be good for whatever ails your running game. Buckeyes limit their mistakes and cruise to 8-0. OSU: 41--PSU: 20
Schweinfurth: What is Penn State this year? They still have Sean Clifford and a defense that got bullied by TUN. So, it appears to be a typical James Franklin team. Yes this game is on the road in a very hostile environment, but one gets the sense this Buckeyes team welcomes it. Overall, the Buckeye offense is just too much to handle.
Hoying: There are three Big Ten opponents that Ryan Day's Buckeyes have never beaten by more than two scores. The Illini, whom Day has never faced (a crime hopefully rectified at season's end). The Gophers, whom Day only saw in C. J. Stroud's coming out party. And our erstwhile not-rivals. Yes, despite playing the Lions every year, the Buckeyes haven't found a way to pound them into the pavement since 2015. Even the 2019 juggernaut Bucks caught the fumble bug in the second half and took their closest victory of the year against Penn State at home. Last year, in the Buckeyes' pajama game (never again), Penn State revealed Ohio State's red zone and 3rd down rushing struggles that would plague them for the remainder of the season. This year we got to meet those problems a week early, but I'll gladly take a 54-10 clunker of a win (in my day, the Buckeyes struggling would mean Sickos-quality 10-7 wins). The good news is that the Buckeyes didn't let their lackluster first half dictate the game, and this should come as no surprise. Wilson and Knowles have been brilliant this year at halftime adjustments; the Buckeyes lead the nation in 3rd quarter offense and 3rd quarter scoring margin. That's bad news for the Nittany Lions, as I don't see a lot of positions at which they hold a talent or scheme advantage. Either the Buckeyes get out to a quick lead and never look back, or they have to struggle for a half and turn on the jets after the bands take the field. Sean Clifford is not good enough to take advantage of any problems Ohio State may have at corner, and they don't have the receivers this year for the standard Penn State "Five Hundred!" offense to work. And our favorite maize and blue villains have shown that playing the Lions could very well be good for whatever ails your running game. Buckeyes limit their mistakes and cruise to 8-0. OSU: 41--PSU: 20
Schweinfurth: What is Penn State this year? They still have Sean Clifford and a defense that got bullied by TUN. So, it appears to be a typical James Franklin team. Yes this game is on the road in a very hostile environment, but one gets the sense this Buckeyes team welcomes it. Overall, the Buckeye offense is just too much to handle.
OSU: 45--PSU: 17
Seeberg: Looks good on paper doesn't it? #2 vs. #13. #2 on the road in a notoriously hostile environment against a 1-loss conference foe? All the makings of an excellent game. But I just don't see it. The Nittanies had their doors blown off by UM to the tune of 418 rushing yards in a game they lost by 24 and it honestly wasn't that close. The strength of their defense is the pass D and it should be a decent challenge for Stroud and his litany (look at me rhyming with Nittany!) of receivers, but the run game HAS to get going after being largely thwarted by Iowa last week. I know Day's instinct is to chuck it all over the yard, but the PSU linebackers are largely suspect and a heavy dose of Henderson and Williams is just what the OC should order. Also, did you know the Buckeyes have SEVEN pick-6s since 2002 against Penn State? Twice they had two in one game! Somehow, Clifford hasn't been a victim...yet. He already threw an awful one week one against Purdue, I think it's time for a second. Run the ball, keep everyone healthy, and do your best to get out of that podunk Happy Valley before dusk. OSU: 38--PSU: 13
Seeberg: Looks good on paper doesn't it? #2 vs. #13. #2 on the road in a notoriously hostile environment against a 1-loss conference foe? All the makings of an excellent game. But I just don't see it. The Nittanies had their doors blown off by UM to the tune of 418 rushing yards in a game they lost by 24 and it honestly wasn't that close. The strength of their defense is the pass D and it should be a decent challenge for Stroud and his litany (look at me rhyming with Nittany!) of receivers, but the run game HAS to get going after being largely thwarted by Iowa last week. I know Day's instinct is to chuck it all over the yard, but the PSU linebackers are largely suspect and a heavy dose of Henderson and Williams is just what the OC should order. Also, did you know the Buckeyes have SEVEN pick-6s since 2002 against Penn State? Twice they had two in one game! Somehow, Clifford hasn't been a victim...yet. He already threw an awful one week one against Purdue, I think it's time for a second. Run the ball, keep everyone healthy, and do your best to get out of that podunk Happy Valley before dusk. OSU: 38--PSU: 13
Upset Special
Draper: West Virginia over TCU
Hoying: California over Oregon
Schweinfurth: Notre Dame over Syracuse
Seeberg: Nebraska over Illinois
