Standings:
1.) Draper 43-13 (1-10 upset)
1.) Schweinfurth 43-13 (1-10 upset)
3.) Seeberg 39-17 (3-8 upset)
3.) Hoying 39-17 (2-9 upset)
The Buckeyes' romp through the Little 12 comes to a close (for the regular season at least). Other national title contenders have cupcakes of their own (looking at you, Alabama and Florida State) while a couple have the audacity to play live ranked opponents before settling in for Rivalry Week. Last week was the first time this season no undefeated team lost. Can it happen again?
Georgia Bulldogs @ Tennessee Volunteers
Draper: There's no reason to expect lightning to strike in Knoxville in back to back seasons. Joe Milton isn't the one to get this done. UGA should be able to sleepwalk to another win. The only potential for something weird is that UGA has been feasting at home. Carson Beck COULD be rattled, but I don't think it matters. UGA: 30--UT:17
Hoying: I have bad (or maybe good) news for you: it appears that for the second year in a row, the only threat to another Georgia national championship is Ohio State. Not Alabama, Milroe is still a work in progress. Not Michigan, that program is crumbling into dust at an alarmingly accelerating rate and might not even exist by the time the Playoff rolls around. And certainly not Tennessee, who are fresh off getting blasted by Missouri the same week Georgia obliterated Ole Miss. Carson Beck has very quietly put together an elite-level season at QB that's only getting better as the season progresses. And the Vols just keep wasting drive after drive. This was the game that ruined Tennessee's resurgent feel-good season last year, and it'll put the Vols out of their misery this time. UGA: 31--UT: 16
Hoying: I have bad (or maybe good) news for you: it appears that for the second year in a row, the only threat to another Georgia national championship is Ohio State. Not Alabama, Milroe is still a work in progress. Not Michigan, that program is crumbling into dust at an alarmingly accelerating rate and might not even exist by the time the Playoff rolls around. And certainly not Tennessee, who are fresh off getting blasted by Missouri the same week Georgia obliterated Ole Miss. Carson Beck has very quietly put together an elite-level season at QB that's only getting better as the season progresses. And the Vols just keep wasting drive after drive. This was the game that ruined Tennessee's resurgent feel-good season last year, and it'll put the Vols out of their misery this time. UGA: 31--UT: 16
Schweinfurth: I just don't think the Vols have that major upset in them this year. Milton's got a great arm, but he needs time to uncork the ball. He won't have it and Georgia is starting to get healthy. UGA: 33--UT:14
Seeberg: Definitely not going to overthink this one. Georgia beat Mizzou, Mizzou torched Tennessee. Even Dolly Parton can't save the Vols this week. UGA big. UGA: 41--UT: 20
Washington Huskies @ Oregon State Beavers
Draper: This is the toughest game of the week to pick. It seems like a no-brainer that the Huskies keep it rolling as the Beavers have beaten....no one of note en route to the top 11 ranking; however, UW has looked vulnerable darn near every week. Oh yeah, and the game's in Corvallis where top teams go to die (for some reason). The weather report certainly favors Oregon State with rain in the forecast, a strong rushing attack, and a weak Washington rush defense....but Michael Penix is still far better than Uiagalalei and the UW rushing attack feasted against the air of Alex Grinch's defense. The Husky magic continues for another week. I don't think the turnover chainsaw will be enough, but it will be a barn burner. UW: 38--OSU: 37
Hoying: Speaking of Tennessee...I have this horrible sinking feeling that Washington just isn't very good. Michael Penix threw the ball around for a month, the Huskies pasted an awful Michigan State team in East Lansing, and Oregon made a few critical situational blunders, and suddenly UW was the next big thing on the college football landscape. But the Huskies haven't put together a convincing win since. Perhaps the brightest sign of hope was shutting out Utah in the second half last week and bottling up an otherwise potent Ute running game, which was a nice reversal of the Huskies' Achilles heel run D this season. The problem for UW is that OSU West Coast has a potent running game of their own and an erstwhile Playoff team QB. Neither of these teams has a great defense, so expect to see at least as many points as we saw in last week's Utah-UW game. But Washington has been living a charmed life for far too long, and 'tis the season for them to suffer a fatal hiccup. UW: 34--OSU: 38
Hoying: Speaking of Tennessee...I have this horrible sinking feeling that Washington just isn't very good. Michael Penix threw the ball around for a month, the Huskies pasted an awful Michigan State team in East Lansing, and Oregon made a few critical situational blunders, and suddenly UW was the next big thing on the college football landscape. But the Huskies haven't put together a convincing win since. Perhaps the brightest sign of hope was shutting out Utah in the second half last week and bottling up an otherwise potent Ute running game, which was a nice reversal of the Huskies' Achilles heel run D this season. The problem for UW is that OSU West Coast has a potent running game of their own and an erstwhile Playoff team QB. Neither of these teams has a great defense, so expect to see at least as many points as we saw in last week's Utah-UW game. But Washington has been living a charmed life for far too long, and 'tis the season for them to suffer a fatal hiccup. UW: 34--OSU: 38
Schweinfurth: Corvallis is always a rough place to play. Everyone seems to think this is an upset week for Washington, and it may be. They haven't been playing great. Because of that the Huskies' focus should be on the Beavers, but next week is rivalry week. I think Penix does just enough to pull the win off, but it sure will put a scare into the Huskies. UW: 28--OSU: 24
Seeberg: Is this the week the Huskies finally get got? The oddsmakers certainly think so, as the west coast OSU is actually favored in this one. The Beavers match up well with the Huskies, sporting an excellent rushing attack, they may be able to play keep away from Penix and Co. The Huskies haven't won a game by double digits in over a month, so they're excellent in close games- but often against inferior competition. In my estimation they've played with fire one too many times and they just might get burned before a rematch with Oregon. Beavers reclaim the state of Oregon from the Huskies. UW: 28--OrSt: 31
Kansas State Wildcats @ Kansas Jayhawks
Draper: While I'm not really sold on KState being that good of a team, Kansas is in a bad way right now without Jalon Daniels. KState took Texas to the wire but couldn't close the deal, but there's still an outside (very outside) chance for the Wildcats to get to the Big 12 Championship. Obviously, they need to win here and I think they get it done. KSU: 30--Kansas: 17
Hoying: You may have forgotten, because the Playoff didn't reflect it, but TCU was not the Big 12 champion last year. It was Kansas State, and while TCU has fallen off a cliff this season (though they did manage to convince the world for a hot minute that Colorado was going to make some noise this year by losing to them in the season opener), the Wildcats have won a bunch of games and been competitive in each loss. Kansas has been a nice story for the second year in a row, but they also have no defense for a second year in a row. That's going to be a problem against a high-powered KSU ground game, and Kansas is also likely down to their 3rd string QB with Jalon Daniels out for the season and Jason Bean leaving early against Texas Tech last week. This isn't Ohio State; you don't get to just pull Cardale Jones off your bench and follow him to the promised land. KSU: 41--KU: 17
Hoying: You may have forgotten, because the Playoff didn't reflect it, but TCU was not the Big 12 champion last year. It was Kansas State, and while TCU has fallen off a cliff this season (though they did manage to convince the world for a hot minute that Colorado was going to make some noise this year by losing to them in the season opener), the Wildcats have won a bunch of games and been competitive in each loss. Kansas has been a nice story for the second year in a row, but they also have no defense for a second year in a row. That's going to be a problem against a high-powered KSU ground game, and Kansas is also likely down to their 3rd string QB with Jalon Daniels out for the season and Jason Bean leaving early against Texas Tech last week. This isn't Ohio State; you don't get to just pull Cardale Jones off your bench and follow him to the promised land. KSU: 41--KU: 17
Schweinfurth: I can't really say I've watched much football from either Kansas team other than the Jayhawks upset over the Sooners. I actually had to look this one up because I have no clue. It appears the Wildcats have the better QB, so let's go with them here. KSU: 42--KU: 35
Seeberg: Wow. I'm not certain how often the sunflower state rivalry has been a ranked vs. ranked matchup, but this year it qualifies. Kansas HC Lance Leipold will be a hot name this off season (looking at you, MSU) taking a basketball school's football program to respectability, including a win over blue blood Oklahoma with their backup QB playing. Meanwhile Kansas State is, well Kansas State. Beating everyone bad, losing to everyone great, splitting their games with the good. For this season, at least, the Jayhawks qualify as "good", but the Wildcats own this in-state tussle and I don't see that changing this time around. Wildcats pull away late. Love sunflowers! KSU: 34--KU: 24
Utah Utes @ Arizona Wildcats
Draper: The Pac12 games this week are surprisingly good. Utah and Kyle Whittingham just keep doing what they're doing without a QB or any real stars. Arizona has quietly put together a very nice season that no one is talking about. I expect Jedd Fisch to get some hits in the coaching rumor mill next year. I think I'm going to go a little off base and lean on the Cats in this one. I don't have confidence that Utah can keep getting away with these surprising wins and Arizona has been fun....especially in Tuscon. Bear Down. Utah: 20--Zona: 23
Hoying: How good is Arizona, really? You might as well ask how good the Pac-12 is in general, as the Wildcats have beaten every conference opponent they've played except for valiant efforts in losses to USC and Washington. Then again, they lost to SEC basement Mississippi State. Utah played an SEC team, too, and beat them, in a weird game that saw Florida outgain the Utes but fail to cash in on several drives deep into Utah territory. Oregon struggled against mid Texas Tech, Washington's premier out-of-conference win was Michigan State...have we been hoodwinked into thinking the Pac-12 was good? Regardless, these teams are playing this week and good luck drawing a bead on either. Last week I wrote that Utah's passing game shouldn't make a dent in the Washington D, and then the Utes put an awful scare into the Huskies for a half behind a solid day from Bryson Barnes' arm. As stated above, that might say more about Washington than it does about Utah. Back on task, need to pick this game. A good rule of thumb in picking the mid-level Pac-12 games has been to pick the home team, and that's worked out pretty well (except for the ghastly thrashing Arizona put on Wazzu in Pullman and the faceplant USC pulled against Utah in Los Angeles). No need to overthink this one. Utah: 20--Zona: 27
Hoying: How good is Arizona, really? You might as well ask how good the Pac-12 is in general, as the Wildcats have beaten every conference opponent they've played except for valiant efforts in losses to USC and Washington. Then again, they lost to SEC basement Mississippi State. Utah played an SEC team, too, and beat them, in a weird game that saw Florida outgain the Utes but fail to cash in on several drives deep into Utah territory. Oregon struggled against mid Texas Tech, Washington's premier out-of-conference win was Michigan State...have we been hoodwinked into thinking the Pac-12 was good? Regardless, these teams are playing this week and good luck drawing a bead on either. Last week I wrote that Utah's passing game shouldn't make a dent in the Washington D, and then the Utes put an awful scare into the Huskies for a half behind a solid day from Bryson Barnes' arm. As stated above, that might say more about Washington than it does about Utah. Back on task, need to pick this game. A good rule of thumb in picking the mid-level Pac-12 games has been to pick the home team, and that's worked out pretty well (except for the ghastly thrashing Arizona put on Wazzu in Pullman and the faceplant USC pulled against Utah in Los Angeles). No need to overthink this one. Utah: 20--Zona: 27
Schweinfurth: Utah has really struggled on offense this year. Here's the thing though, they are in every game (other than Oregon). Their defense helps them just stick around and then they pull one off. Arizona has come out of nowhere this year to surprise everyone. I mean, a win over USC does help. This is one game I just can't see Utah losing. Utah: 27--Zona: 24
Seeberg: As with this season's Utes, their solid defense keeps them in most games, the question usually becomes whether or not they can score enough to get the W. Enter the surprising Arizona Wildcats, another basketball school turned respectable in football. They have good wins (Oregon State, UCLA) but a propensity to give up lots of points (43 to USC, 31 to Colorado and UW, etc.). Utah will get their stops, and I have an inkling they'll put up just enough points for a hard-fought win on the road. Utah: 24--Zona: 20
Minnesota Golden Gophers @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Just don't get hurt. No, I don't see this as a trap game. The Buckeyes will be focused enough with everything still in front of them, and Minnesota....sucks. Let's just call a spade a spade. I'd set the O/U at 1.5 Marvin TDs (and I'd take the over). He'll be force fed the ball to keep the stats in the Heisman talk and pulled after 2 TDs and the game no longer in doubt. This should be a Trey game for the most part as he should have a day, but look for day to limit his touches to keep him healthy. The defense will be fine, but I would like to see a focus on stopping the run. Our pass rush is intense, but we have a tendency to give up decent gains on the ground. Gotta shore it all up for next week. Get in, get the dub, get out, and turn your eyes north. Minn: 13--OSU: 45
Hoying: Here's the difference between these two teams. Last week, Ohio State was without its sole defensive captain, Tommy Eichenberg, anchoring the middle LB spot, as well as both of its starting safeties, and the Buckeyes gave up 3 points to Michigan State on a 53 yard field goal. Last week, Minnesota was missing its starting middle LB and it got absolutely plowed over by the only team in the Big Ten West that routinely loses games to other teams in the Big Ten West. This is a team that got killed on the road by North Carolina and was throttled by the Cheat Weasels back in October, and they've only gotten worse since then. A different trajectory from the Silver Bullets and an offense that finally seems to have found its footing (as long as McCord isn't pressured too much). Everyone has the Buckeyes pegged pretty well by this point in the season, so style points aren't going to matter a great deal. And the Gophers are not winning this game. Look for another healthy peppering of long TD plays like the last time these two teams met back in 2021. Try to contain yourselves until we're up 3 scores, then you can start to look ahead to one of the most significant showdowns in Buckeye football history...Minn: 6--OSU: 45
Hoying: Here's the difference between these two teams. Last week, Ohio State was without its sole defensive captain, Tommy Eichenberg, anchoring the middle LB spot, as well as both of its starting safeties, and the Buckeyes gave up 3 points to Michigan State on a 53 yard field goal. Last week, Minnesota was missing its starting middle LB and it got absolutely plowed over by the only team in the Big Ten West that routinely loses games to other teams in the Big Ten West. This is a team that got killed on the road by North Carolina and was throttled by the Cheat Weasels back in October, and they've only gotten worse since then. A different trajectory from the Silver Bullets and an offense that finally seems to have found its footing (as long as McCord isn't pressured too much). Everyone has the Buckeyes pegged pretty well by this point in the season, so style points aren't going to matter a great deal. And the Gophers are not winning this game. Look for another healthy peppering of long TD plays like the last time these two teams met back in 2021. Try to contain yourselves until we're up 3 scores, then you can start to look ahead to one of the most significant showdowns in Buckeye football history...Minn: 6--OSU: 45
Schweinfurth: I don't have much to say here. The Buckeye offense finally showed that the finishing touches are being put on their death star. Here's what I want. Hypertarget Marv in the first half for stat accumulation and then pull the starters like last week. Keep everyone healthy and then we start The Week. Minn: 7--OSU: 42
Seeberg: Just nine measly days before "The Game" as I type this. Will the Buckeyes be caught looking ahead? Maybe. Thankfully, it won't be enough to allow the Gophers to stay in the game for four quarters anyway. The offense finally looked like the offense we've grown accustomed to here under Urban/Day in the first half last week, Scoring FIVE touchdowns in two quarters. The defense, still markedly undermanned, looked dominant as well and may be getting Josh Proctor back this Saturday. Get Marvin another 150 and 2 scores to make the Heisman race interesting, keep Treveyon happy and dear lord keep everyone healthy! Senior day should provide enough motivation to avoid the let down game, and then we can finally use up whatever puns and jokes we have about the absolute dumpster fire that is the Wolverines. Bucks roll. Minn: 10--OSU: 42
Upset Special
Draper: Iowa State over Texas
Hoying: Maryland over Michigan
Schweinfurth: Florida over Mizzou
Seeberg: Rutgers over Penn State
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