Standings:
1.) Draper 33-12 (1-8 upset)
1.) Schweinfurth 33-12 (1-8 upset)
3.) Hoying 31-14 (2-7 upset)
4.) Seeberg 30-15 (3-6 upset)
One consequence to Urban building his entire Ohio State staff out of past and future head coaches is that you start seeing former Buckeyes everywhere. The opponent of the week is the architect of two terrific (and one terrible) Buckeye defenses, and the sine qua non of a successful Rutgers season. Elsewhere, the top contenders in three of the other four Power 5 conferences (Florida State, you're excused until December) face opportunities to seize strangeholds on their respective conference races, or open the door to that sweet sweet November chaos.
Kansas State Wildcats @ Texas Longhorns
Draper: Kansas St. caught lighting in a bottle at the end of last year, but I’m not drinking the Kool-aid this year. While UT has a weird QB merry go round with injuries, the talent disparity is too great. Deuce Vaughn ain’t walking through that door. Texas may not be all the way back, but I think they take care of business at DKR. KSU: 17—UT: 31
Hoying: Who would have thought that Kansas State's mid-September matchup against Missouri would turn out to be such a clash of conference heavyweights? That one was decided by a last second 61-yard field goal, which I don't see happening this week as Texas's kicker hasn't converted from beyond 50 yet this year (no Dicker the Kicker to save you this time). This is the week that we find out if Texas is truly back or if Quinn Ewers has been papering over a thin team that can't handle adversity. The Longhorns darn near let Oklahoma beat them twice as they barely pulled out of a nosedive against Houston the following week. The same Houston that KSU just obliterated seven days ago. With Ewers still out with a bum shoulder, it'll be up to freshman QB Maalik Murphy to command the UT offense, and while BYU posed no threat to his coming out party last week, that was BYU. K-State is the reigning Big 12 champs, and they're not about to let one of the SEC turncoats steal the last Power 5 crown the league has to offer. The Wildcats put Texas's red zone woes on full display as they inch closer to a title defense. KSU: 28--UT: 23
Hoying: Who would have thought that Kansas State's mid-September matchup against Missouri would turn out to be such a clash of conference heavyweights? That one was decided by a last second 61-yard field goal, which I don't see happening this week as Texas's kicker hasn't converted from beyond 50 yet this year (no Dicker the Kicker to save you this time). This is the week that we find out if Texas is truly back or if Quinn Ewers has been papering over a thin team that can't handle adversity. The Longhorns darn near let Oklahoma beat them twice as they barely pulled out of a nosedive against Houston the following week. The same Houston that KSU just obliterated seven days ago. With Ewers still out with a bum shoulder, it'll be up to freshman QB Maalik Murphy to command the UT offense, and while BYU posed no threat to his coming out party last week, that was BYU. K-State is the reigning Big 12 champs, and they're not about to let one of the SEC turncoats steal the last Power 5 crown the league has to offer. The Wildcats put Texas's red zone woes on full display as they inch closer to a title defense. KSU: 28--UT: 23
Schweinfurth: While I'm not fully sold on Texas, I really haven't even paid much attention to K-State. That's usually what happens when the Wildcats rise up and pull a wild upset. Texas is a solid team an the more talented team here. They should win this going away. KSU: 21--UT: 35
Seeberg: At first glance this one could get interesting. Kansas State is, well, Kansas State. Beating all the teams they should and with 2 losses to ranked teams by a combined 11 points. Texas is likely still running out backup QB Maalik Murphy- but he's looked so good he has some wondering if the prodigal son Manning will hit the portal. The Wildcats just don't have enough juice to hang in this one for four quarters. Longhorns pull away late. KSU: 20--UT: 31
Missouri Tigers @ Georgia Bulldogs
Draper: Could this be the game in which the UGA dominance in the SEC East comes to a screeching halt? Of course not. Missouri is a shell and their record isn’t indicative of their quality. They almost snake bit the Dawgs last year in Columbia, but how could Kirby’s boys not step up after the DISRESPEKT from the committee? No one believed the underdog 2x National Camps could beat a HIGHLY overrated Tiger team between the hedges, but they just needed to prove the world wrong. (Editor’s note: literally, no one thinks this). Mizzou: 10–UGA: 40
Hoying: A month or so ago I wondered when Georgia was going to wake up and start taking this season seriously. The answer was "right then" as they steamrolled Kentucky and haven't looked back since. I may have also said that Kentucky might have been the best team left on Georgia's regular season schedule, which looks like weapons-grade stupidity at this point. Georgia now kicks off a three game slate of ranked opponents, any of which is good enough to take down the Dawgs on any given day, but which also provide a path for Georgia to vault to #1 in the Playoff rankings with wins over all three (until The Game, that is). Missouri is the first up, a team with a great underrated QB in Brady Cook buy not much run game to speak of. That hasn't limited the Tigers much so far (other than dooming them with a late pick six against LSU) but Georgia's vulnerability is on the ground, not through the air. Cook has been a difference maker on the ground as well in Mizzou's last two wins but I think he'll find the Georgia D a bit beyond his skill to solve. Georgia's not invincible but they aren't stumbling this week. Mizzou: 17--UGA: 34
Hoying: A month or so ago I wondered when Georgia was going to wake up and start taking this season seriously. The answer was "right then" as they steamrolled Kentucky and haven't looked back since. I may have also said that Kentucky might have been the best team left on Georgia's regular season schedule, which looks like weapons-grade stupidity at this point. Georgia now kicks off a three game slate of ranked opponents, any of which is good enough to take down the Dawgs on any given day, but which also provide a path for Georgia to vault to #1 in the Playoff rankings with wins over all three (until The Game, that is). Missouri is the first up, a team with a great underrated QB in Brady Cook buy not much run game to speak of. That hasn't limited the Tigers much so far (other than dooming them with a late pick six against LSU) but Georgia's vulnerability is on the ground, not through the air. Cook has been a difference maker on the ground as well in Mizzou's last two wins but I think he'll find the Georgia D a bit beyond his skill to solve. Georgia's not invincible but they aren't stumbling this week. Mizzou: 17--UGA: 34
Schweinfurth: Missouri is having a very nice season. Could I see them pulling the upset, eh not really. While there isn't a great team in college football this year, Georgia sure feels like one of the top 4. I feel like Mizzou is just a rung below. Time to start propping up that "SEC resume." Mizzou: 17--UGA: 42
Seeberg: The worst part about this matchup is that after the Bulldogs win, Missouri will still be ranked and it will be a quality win even when Missouri loses again, inevitably, and falls from the rankings entirely *heavy sigh*. UGA cruises. Mizzou: 17--UGA: 34
Seeberg: The worst part about this matchup is that after the Bulldogs win, Missouri will still be ranked and it will be a quality win even when Missouri loses again, inevitably, and falls from the rankings entirely *heavy sigh*. UGA cruises. Mizzou: 17--UGA: 34
Oklahoma Sooners @ Oklahoma State Cowboys
Draper: I’ll miss Bedlam when the dust settles. The Pokes have quietly rebounded from a horrendous start to face their rival in a game for the inside track to the Big 12 title game (featuring Nelly……Nelly), but even the confines of Stillwater won’t be enough to crack the Sooners. I’d guess the environment will be insane as the Cowboys look to have the door smack the Sooners on the way out, but Dillon Gabriel will be too much to overcome. BOOMER! OU:34–OkSt: 24
Hoying: So I know that after Oklahoma's loss to Kansas last week there's about 13 teams tied for the Big 12 lead, and technically Oklahoma State is one of them. But the stink of losing to South Alabama (USA! USA!) by twenty-six doesn't wash off quickly. This is a team with serious problems behind center, especially compared against what could be Heisman dark horse candidate Dillon Gabriel taking snaps for the Sooners. Do the Cowboys at least have a defensive advantage to offset their deficiencies with the ball in their hands? Nope, OU has them outclassed in every sense on the other side of the ball as well. I'm sure that Okie State would be glad to get one last laugh over big brother before another wave of mediocre teams arrives to replace them, but there's just no advantage to press here. OU: 31--OkSt: 20
Hoying: So I know that after Oklahoma's loss to Kansas last week there's about 13 teams tied for the Big 12 lead, and technically Oklahoma State is one of them. But the stink of losing to South Alabama (USA! USA!) by twenty-six doesn't wash off quickly. This is a team with serious problems behind center, especially compared against what could be Heisman dark horse candidate Dillon Gabriel taking snaps for the Sooners. Do the Cowboys at least have a defensive advantage to offset their deficiencies with the ball in their hands? Nope, OU has them outclassed in every sense on the other side of the ball as well. I'm sure that Okie State would be glad to get one last laugh over big brother before another wave of mediocre teams arrives to replace them, but there's just no advantage to press here. OU: 31--OkSt: 20
Schweinfurth: Is this the final Bedlam game ever? Man, I sure hope not. This has been one of the better rivalry games for the recent past. Oklahoma reeling after that huge upset last week throws another wrench into this game. My guess would be that Ok State jumps out early, but can't hold on late. That was a once in a generation loss for the Sooners and they're feeling it for sure. The Sooners win, but the Cowboys get a pound of flesh. OU: 35--OkSt: 31
Seeberg: Every year the CFP ranks a team their first week that, even after having the benefit of a full 2/3 of the season, you have to scratch your head. This year that would be the 6-2 Oklahoma State Cowboys. Best wins? One-possession wins over both Kansas teams. Oh, yeah, and a 33-7 loss to South Alabama who is 4-5 and one directional away from being the SCLSU Muddogs. The Sooners played with fire several times this year and finally got got, but in this (hopefully not!) last edition of Bedlam, they'll wake up and leave their mark. OU: 38--OkSt: 27
Washington Huskies @ Southern California Trojans
Draper: This game looked to be a dud when USC was clearly crashing and burning, but UW has matched the Trojans in style over the last few weeks. Pen is hasn’t been up to snuff after the injury in the Oregon game, but USC has just looked awful. I still believe that Caleb Williams is an all-world talent, but he’s playing for next year (i.e., don’t die). The Huskies still have it all in front of them. While I could envision an upset if SC puts it together and wins a shootout, I’ll play the probabilities and lean the purple and gold. Closer than the experts think. UW: 34-–USC: 31
Hoying: Is Washington OK? It's easy to look at this matchup and notice that USC hasn't put 4 quarters of good football together since walloping Stanford the same day of the Jim Tressel Bowl in Columbus, buuut that Stanford team? They were trailing the Huskies by 2 points with 2 minutes left to go last week. And the week before that, it took a red zone pick-six for UW to get past awful Arizona State. I'm still not convinced the Huskies are the best team in the Pac-12; in fact, every week cements my belief that they're still not as good as Oregon. That being said, you don't need to be at your absolute best to get by USC, although you do need to be on your game in the 4th quarter, as that was where Arizona and Cal saw potential huge upsets slip away. Unfortunately for the Trojans, that's the money quarter for UW as well. There's plenty of time to slip up on the upcoming stretch run for Washington; this won't be the week. UW: 42--USC: 35
Hoying: Is Washington OK? It's easy to look at this matchup and notice that USC hasn't put 4 quarters of good football together since walloping Stanford the same day of the Jim Tressel Bowl in Columbus, buuut that Stanford team? They were trailing the Huskies by 2 points with 2 minutes left to go last week. And the week before that, it took a red zone pick-six for UW to get past awful Arizona State. I'm still not convinced the Huskies are the best team in the Pac-12; in fact, every week cements my belief that they're still not as good as Oregon. That being said, you don't need to be at your absolute best to get by USC, although you do need to be on your game in the 4th quarter, as that was where Arizona and Cal saw potential huge upsets slip away. Unfortunately for the Trojans, that's the money quarter for UW as well. There's plenty of time to slip up on the upcoming stretch run for Washington; this won't be the week. UW: 42--USC: 35
Schweinfurth: This one feels odd. Washington looks the part while USC can't stop anything. Outside of one game, Penix has played extremely well. The USC defense is just...I can't even describe how bad it is. It's not gonna be close. UW: 49--USC: 21
Seeberg: If ever you needed proof that brands matter, look no further than USC. With an atrocious defense, two losses and their best win a 2-point squeaker over 5-3 Arizona, and they sit at 20th in the CFP poll. Outlandish. Thankfully, that will no longer be an issue because the former Heisman winner has no defense to back him up, and quite possibly the future Heisman winner (former IU quarterback! That's still hilarious to me) can sling it. No chance USC gets enough stops to stay in this one. Huskies roll. UW: 45--USC: 26
Seeberg: If ever you needed proof that brands matter, look no further than USC. With an atrocious defense, two losses and their best win a 2-point squeaker over 5-3 Arizona, and they sit at 20th in the CFP poll. Outlandish. Thankfully, that will no longer be an issue because the former Heisman winner has no defense to back him up, and quite possibly the future Heisman winner (former IU quarterback! That's still hilarious to me) can sling it. No chance USC gets enough stops to stay in this one. Huskies roll. UW: 45--USC: 26
Louisiana State Tigers @ Alabama Crimson Tide
Draper: Don’t look now, but the terrible, horrible, no-good, very-bad Alabama team…is one of about 6 teams that controls their destiny for the CFP. LSU has the hype that just never came to fruition this year, but Daniels has been very good directing the Tiger offense. Bama is clearly #2 under center in this game, but they are (as usual) better at pretty much every other positions. LSU feels like a team that could get it done, but every time we say it, the Tide Roll. Therefore, <say the line>….roll tide…. LSU: 27–-Bama: 30
Hoying: You want to know why name isn't at the top of the standings kicking off each weekly post? Because I'm the sap that keeps picking Alabama to lose games. Ole Miss, Texas A&M, clearly I'm not learning my lesson about the inevitability of Nick Saban. But heaven help me, it's time to dive into that snake pit again. This game is strength on strength and struggle on struggle as arguably the nation's best defense in the Tide attempts to slow what is less arguably the nation's best offense behind Jayden Daniels. But when the possession changes, get ready to watch Jaylen Milroe try to get anything cooking against what might as well be air. This is the bizarro version of last year's Bama that couldn't quite keep up with an LSU attack that was gashing them repeatedly on the ground. But the Tigers might be even better this year with the ball and Alabama has been vulnerable week to week during the first half. The danger for LSU is that Bama lives or dies on the big plays and the Tigers are seemingly incapable of doing anything to keep the offense in front of them. That being said, way back in September, just when it seemed like the Crimson Death Star was surging back to seize another marquee nonconference win, Quinn Ewers and Texas exploded for three fourth-quarter TDs to salt the game away. Look for LSU to get punched in the mouth but refuse to heed the bell. LSU: 35--Bama: 31
Hoying: You want to know why name isn't at the top of the standings kicking off each weekly post? Because I'm the sap that keeps picking Alabama to lose games. Ole Miss, Texas A&M, clearly I'm not learning my lesson about the inevitability of Nick Saban. But heaven help me, it's time to dive into that snake pit again. This game is strength on strength and struggle on struggle as arguably the nation's best defense in the Tide attempts to slow what is less arguably the nation's best offense behind Jayden Daniels. But when the possession changes, get ready to watch Jaylen Milroe try to get anything cooking against what might as well be air. This is the bizarro version of last year's Bama that couldn't quite keep up with an LSU attack that was gashing them repeatedly on the ground. But the Tigers might be even better this year with the ball and Alabama has been vulnerable week to week during the first half. The danger for LSU is that Bama lives or dies on the big plays and the Tigers are seemingly incapable of doing anything to keep the offense in front of them. That being said, way back in September, just when it seemed like the Crimson Death Star was surging back to seize another marquee nonconference win, Quinn Ewers and Texas exploded for three fourth-quarter TDs to salt the game away. Look for LSU to get punched in the mouth but refuse to heed the bell. LSU: 35--Bama: 31
Schweinfurth: This game, like in past years, will most likely decide the SEC
West. This Bama team feels like a step below what they have been lately. Then
again, so does LSU under Brian Kelly. The Tide has finally found something in Jalen
Milroe and the Bama defense is still pretty good. Yes, LSU has Jayden Daniels,
but again, they have Brian Kelly. I’ll take the Tide in a close one. LSU: 17—Bama:
21
Seeberg: Quite possibly the game of the week in Tuscaloosa. I keep hearing a lot of Jayden Daniels Heisman chatter, which I find weird given the two losses already, and one in which he didn't look too good (FSU). This game could make those conversations legitimate if he can run and throw it on the Tide. Bama looked shockingly competent on offense in the second half against Tennessee. It may have been an aberration, but I do know that Nick Saban had an extra week of prep for this one. The offense should be primed and the defense will use that Heisman talk as motivation. Bama wins an entertaining one. LSU: 27--Bama: 34
Seeberg: Quite possibly the game of the week in Tuscaloosa. I keep hearing a lot of Jayden Daniels Heisman chatter, which I find weird given the two losses already, and one in which he didn't look too good (FSU). This game could make those conversations legitimate if he can run and throw it on the Tide. Bama looked shockingly competent on offense in the second half against Tennessee. It may have been an aberration, but I do know that Nick Saban had an extra week of prep for this one. The offense should be primed and the defense will use that Heisman talk as motivation. Bama wins an entertaining one. LSU: 27--Bama: 34
THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Draper: The Buckeyes enter SHI stadium to see if they can duplicate TTUN’s best win (look it up!). However, don’t be fooled: Rutgers is…not terrible. The Buckeyes are the clear favorites and have talent disparities everywhere, but the Knights are a team that’s like the Purdue teams of old….just get lucky and maybe. Schwann will throw a curve here or there, but it won’t be enough. McCord will bounce back after a pretty bad game in Madison and get things going early. The Piscataway faithful won’t set the earth on fire and the Scarlet and Gray will outweigh the Scarlet and,…black? Marv gets his hundo and TD and TreVeyon continues his explosion from last week by cashing in 2x. I’d like to see Egbuka get back into shape and the defense stay on target. Bucks! OSU: 38—RU: 16
Hoying: For what seems like the millionth time since the Maryland game, the Buckeyes face a team that can't move the ball, especially through the air. Which means that this is a guaranteed W unless the mistakes just start cascading from behind center. Even two picks last week were only enough to pull Wisconsin within two scores at home. Rutgers might have an even better defense than the Badgers but they are a total shambles at quarterback. You thought McCord struggled against Wisconsin? The Rutgers passing attack put up a ghastly 5.5 yards per attempt while getting wrecked by the Badgers, with a pick-six to boot. Losing Lathan Ransom is less than ideal but next-man-up Sonny Styles and the rest of the Buckeye secondary should feast against Rutgers QB Gavin Wimsatt and co. Of course, you have to score points to win, and as it turns out Rutgers also has a pretty bad run defense. It's time to see whether the shot in the arm that a healthy Tre gave to the ground game is here to stay or just a nice present from Fick last week. I'm betting on the Buckeye O getting their groove back notwithstanding Schiano's bag of tricks and treats off the bye week. On to the home cupcakes and then................. OSU: 31--RSUNJ: 10
Hoying: For what seems like the millionth time since the Maryland game, the Buckeyes face a team that can't move the ball, especially through the air. Which means that this is a guaranteed W unless the mistakes just start cascading from behind center. Even two picks last week were only enough to pull Wisconsin within two scores at home. Rutgers might have an even better defense than the Badgers but they are a total shambles at quarterback. You thought McCord struggled against Wisconsin? The Rutgers passing attack put up a ghastly 5.5 yards per attempt while getting wrecked by the Badgers, with a pick-six to boot. Losing Lathan Ransom is less than ideal but next-man-up Sonny Styles and the rest of the Buckeye secondary should feast against Rutgers QB Gavin Wimsatt and co. Of course, you have to score points to win, and as it turns out Rutgers also has a pretty bad run defense. It's time to see whether the shot in the arm that a healthy Tre gave to the ground game is here to stay or just a nice present from Fick last week. I'm betting on the Buckeye O getting their groove back notwithstanding Schiano's bag of tricks and treats off the bye week. On to the home cupcakes and then................. OSU: 31--RSUNJ: 10
Schweinfurth: I feel like there is still some bad blood after Jesse Mirco made
the unilateral decision to fake a punt in a blowout. Schiano was understandably
upset. I get it. You’re tired of getting your butt kicked every year. Good news
for our old friend Greg, he actually has a decent team this year. I mean, they’re
already bowl eligible. Bad news for the Scarlet Nights, the Silver Bullets have
been crushing teams this year. Add in the Routeman Marv factor and this feels
like it’s still a mismatch. Rutgers will pull out all the trick plays they can,
but it won’t be enough. Bucks win, but it may be close into the 3rd quarter. OSU:
35—RU: 10
Seeberg: Well, like I predicted, things got weird in Mad-town last week. McCord struggled mightily (that whole "I throw of my back foot if I even kinda feel pressure" thing finally caught up to him), but hey, we have a run game again! Thanks Treveyon. Meanwhile, Rutgers is...competent?? Better than Virginia Tech?? Bowl eligible before November??? Somehow, all of these statements are accurate. Schiano is maximizing that Knights' roster, and we all know he will pull out all the stops against opponents like the Buckeyes. Still, Emeka may be good to go, and Marvin Harrison Jr. is simply a cheat code. Hopefully there's no dust ups about a fake punt again. Stay healthy and get out of Piscataway with some rhythm for Kyle and a solid W. RU: 13--OSU: 31
Seeberg: Well, like I predicted, things got weird in Mad-town last week. McCord struggled mightily (that whole "I throw of my back foot if I even kinda feel pressure" thing finally caught up to him), but hey, we have a run game again! Thanks Treveyon. Meanwhile, Rutgers is...competent?? Better than Virginia Tech?? Bowl eligible before November??? Somehow, all of these statements are accurate. Schiano is maximizing that Knights' roster, and we all know he will pull out all the stops against opponents like the Buckeyes. Still, Emeka may be good to go, and Marvin Harrison Jr. is simply a cheat code. Hopefully there's no dust ups about a fake punt again. Stay healthy and get out of Piscataway with some rhythm for Kyle and a solid W. RU: 13--OSU: 31
Upset Special
Draper: Virginia Tech over Louisville
Hoying: Colorado over Oregon State
Schweinfurth: Iowa State over Kansas
Seeberg: Maryland over Penn State
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