Standings:
1.) Schweinfurth 9-3 (0-3 upset)
1.) Seeberg 9-3 (0-3 upset)
3.) Hoying 8-4 (1-2 upset)
3.) Draper 8-4 (0-3 upset)
It's hard to believe that it's bowl season already, with all of these premium interconference battles peppering the landscape...what's that? USC/Michigan isn't a Rose Bowl matchup anymore? Tennessee isn't meeting Oklahoma in the Sugar? Utah isn't playing...well, it's been tough keeping track of what conference the Utes are in since the days when Urban made them the original BCS buster. Enjoy living in the middle times before the Power 2 subsume all of the remaining programs of value.
Southern California Trojans @ Michigan Wolverines
Draper: The reigning National Champions* limp into week 4 in what most considered an epic replay of Rose Bowls past. Fortunately, I expect this to be a replay of Rose Bowl past....but not so epic. SC has taken 6 of the last 7 meetings (Rose Bowls) from the maize and blue and it's hard to imagine something different playing out in this game. Something seems to be off on the Wolverines' side this year....I can't QUITE put my finger on what could have caused this MASSIVE fall from dominance. The QB play has been atrocious in Ann Arbor leading to a change to Alex Orji, the presumed starter entering the year. The fact that he was passed up is a serious indictment of his throwing ability. He's a huge human that can run, but he must have been a train wreck to lose the starter's job. On the other side of the ball Miller Moss has been fantastic running Lincoln Riley's scheme and showed more poise than I've seen in a QB in a long time vs. LSU--which bodes poorly for the UM crowd. The defense of the Wolverines won't be enough to end the Trojans streak. USC: 27--UM:16
Hoying: Are we sure that USC is legit this year? As I wrote in my LSU preview, it takes a Jeff Hafley level DC to wash the stink of Alex Grinch off in the span of one offseason. But the Trojans may have found their own industrial solvent in D'Anton Lynn. After slowing down LSU in their opener, SC choked out Utah State and looked like the Silver Bullets doing so. And now they've had an extra week to get ready for an offense that seems to have no idea what it's doing. The Wolverines' roster behind center consists of the guy who can't throw, the guy who doesn't throw (now this week's starter), and a former backup at...Indiana. UM is better on defense but we just saw them get shredded by a competent quarterback not two weeks ago, and the total counterpunch paralysis of their offense did them little favors. During the offseason, Vegas put Michigan's win total for their """"""""title"""""""" defense at 9.5, but if the Cheat Weasels get embarrassed for the second time in three weeks, it might be time to stop taking bowl eligibility for granted. USC: 24--UM: 17
Hoying: Are we sure that USC is legit this year? As I wrote in my LSU preview, it takes a Jeff Hafley level DC to wash the stink of Alex Grinch off in the span of one offseason. But the Trojans may have found their own industrial solvent in D'Anton Lynn. After slowing down LSU in their opener, SC choked out Utah State and looked like the Silver Bullets doing so. And now they've had an extra week to get ready for an offense that seems to have no idea what it's doing. The Wolverines' roster behind center consists of the guy who can't throw, the guy who doesn't throw (now this week's starter), and a former backup at...Indiana. UM is better on defense but we just saw them get shredded by a competent quarterback not two weeks ago, and the total counterpunch paralysis of their offense did them little favors. During the offseason, Vegas put Michigan's win total for their """"""""title"""""""" defense at 9.5, but if the Cheat Weasels get embarrassed for the second time in three weeks, it might be time to stop taking bowl eligibility for granted. USC: 24--UM: 17
Schweinfurth: The Wolverines are a shell of their former selves. It's almost like losing half your starters ON TOP of losing the ability to know what play is coming has a detrimental effect. Add in a coach who is way out of his depth and hahahahahaha. UM can't throw the ball. At. All. They can run the ball, but if you know it's coming, you can stop it. USC isn't exactly a world beater, but they are better the TUN. The Trojans win and bump the cheaters and the worst from the rankings. USC: 31--UM: 9
Seeberg: Interesting matchup here. It's lost some luster from UM's side after their lousy game against Texas, but gained some shine with USC's actual defense(!) and win over LSU to start the year. I'm not sold a ton on LSU just yet, nor am I sold on either of these two teams. It is certainly a matchup of strength on strength (USC offense vs. UM defense) and bleh against maybe-not-quite-so-bleh now in UM's offense and the surprisingly respectable USC defense so far. Sherrone Moore has looked anything but competent as a head coach thus far- probably why he didn't have a contract. Their QB situation is just alternating dumpster fires, but announcing to the world that Orji would start at the beginning of the week gave the USC defense an even easier time to prep for whatever run-based garbage they throw out. It's just tough to imagine that team scoring more than 20 on any competent defense, and since USC looks suddenly competent, that's all I need to know. USC: 20--UM: 13
Utah Utes @ Oklahoma State Cowboys
Draper: I've seen reports that this could be the first of 2 meetings which wouldn't be a shock since these teams are both pretty mid. Cam Rising should add a boost to the Utah attack against Mike Gundy since he's a man...he's 40! If Rising is still out, this should be a heavy reliance on high T football on both sides with Micah Bernard and Ollie Gordon. Gordon was a darkhorse Heisman candidate in the preseason but hasn't gotten off the ground as of yet. This is a huge stage to take the step forward, but the Ute defense has always been stout. I usually go with the home team in these scenarios (especially in Boone Pickens) but I'm riding with the Utes in the 'who really cares' game of the week. UU: 24--OkSt: 21
Hoying: So we all know that the SEC and the Big Ten run the world now, especially since the only team outside of those two conferences with multiple Playoff game wins, Clemson, hasn't been in serious title chase mode for several seasons now. We could charitably say that Miami could make a credible run at a respectable entry into the 12-team field this year, but we need to find a fourth team to fill out the first field of first-round byes. And since we have to keep pretending that the Big 12 is a power conference for a few more years, one of these teams has as good a chance as any to snag that last coveted spot. Oklahoma State has quietly put up Wisconsin levels of consistent success throughout the Playoff era, without a single Playoff appearance. Utah has burned a little brighter during their peak years but always faceplanted when the big prize is in front of their faces. At least they have their back-to-back Rose Bowl runners-up performances to keep them warm at night. You might remember the first of such Rose Bowls as Marv's coming out party, and Cam Rising was still Utah's starting QB back then. And just like every season since then, he's kind of hurt and might / might not play against the Cowboys. Not that it should matter: the Utes have comfortably dispatched their early season foes with Okie State got thoroughly outplayed by, and managed to barely escape, C-tier SEC team Arkansas. Utes get the big road win. UU: 20--OkSt: 17
Hoying: So we all know that the SEC and the Big Ten run the world now, especially since the only team outside of those two conferences with multiple Playoff game wins, Clemson, hasn't been in serious title chase mode for several seasons now. We could charitably say that Miami could make a credible run at a respectable entry into the 12-team field this year, but we need to find a fourth team to fill out the first field of first-round byes. And since we have to keep pretending that the Big 12 is a power conference for a few more years, one of these teams has as good a chance as any to snag that last coveted spot. Oklahoma State has quietly put up Wisconsin levels of consistent success throughout the Playoff era, without a single Playoff appearance. Utah has burned a little brighter during their peak years but always faceplanted when the big prize is in front of their faces. At least they have their back-to-back Rose Bowl runners-up performances to keep them warm at night. You might remember the first of such Rose Bowls as Marv's coming out party, and Cam Rising was still Utah's starting QB back then. And just like every season since then, he's kind of hurt and might / might not play against the Cowboys. Not that it should matter: the Utes have comfortably dispatched their early season foes with Okie State got thoroughly outplayed by, and managed to barely escape, C-tier SEC team Arkansas. Utes get the big road win. UU: 20--OkSt: 17
Schweinfurth: Man there is some experience at QB in this game. Both teams QBs are *checks notes* old. I always get in trouble picking against Utah, but this isn't the Utes team that made the Rose Bowl and won the Pac-12. They seem somewhat diminished. OKSt isn't much better, and this should be close. I'll take the home team. UU: 21--OkSt.24
Seeberg: I'm not sure what season Cam Rising is in, but I know I'm not surprised that he's injured yet again. The middle-of-the-country OSU struggled with the Razorbacks but handled their business against Tulsa the following week. Utah will be prepared and they will play hard, but it's difficult to see them hanging for four quarters with their backup QB. The Utes wear down on D and Okie State pulls away late. UU: 13--OkSt: 27
Tennessee Volunteers @ Oklahoma Sooners
Draper: While Texas is thriving after the SEC move (although they haven't played a decent team yet), Oklahoma has looked shaky at best. Brent Venables might has the Sooner defense ramping up (a bit), but the offense isn't getting it done against subpar competition. The Vols, on the other hand, have been putting up ridiculous numbers against the paperbags they've faced. Perhaps NCState is decent (I doubt it), but UT has been absolutely dominant thus far. I expect that to continue here. Josh Heupel knows what it's like in Norman and I expect him to leave victorious once more with Nico Iam...Iam...IamthreattowintheSEC?? UT: 40--OU:24
Hoying: What a reversal of fortune the post-COVID era has wrought upon these two storied programs. The once high-flying Oklahoma Sooners have emerged as some type of Tressel-ball defense-first team, and they have the unimpressive win over mediocre nonconference foe Houston to prove it. Tennessee has more or less risen from their two decade slump to be a perennial SEC contender under Josh Heupel, and they've looked as good as anyone in the country over the season's opening month. No need to overthink this one, the Vols' hot streak isn't cooling until at least the Third Saturday in October. UT: 34--OU: 24
Hoying: What a reversal of fortune the post-COVID era has wrought upon these two storied programs. The once high-flying Oklahoma Sooners have emerged as some type of Tressel-ball defense-first team, and they have the unimpressive win over mediocre nonconference foe Houston to prove it. Tennessee has more or less risen from their two decade slump to be a perennial SEC contender under Josh Heupel, and they've looked as good as anyone in the country over the season's opening month. No need to overthink this one, the Vols' hot streak isn't cooling until at least the Third Saturday in October. UT: 34--OU: 24
Schweinfurth: Oklahoma is a long way from the Lincoln Riley teams that were running the Big-12. Bring in the Volunteers, who are just running teams this year. Yikes. I think this is a rude introduction into the SEC for the Sooners. Vols win big. UT: 35--OU: 17
Seeberg: I am, quite frankly, astounded at how good my second alma mater has looked this year. The Vols' purported $8-million QB has looked worth every penny. Oklahoma struggled mightily against Houston (no, this isn't basketball season) and had difficulty putting away Tulane the very next week. One would think the Houston game would have been a wakeup call, or maybe the Sooners just aren't all that great. Either way, the orange-clad juggernaut doesn't look likely to slow down any time soon. Vols roll. UT: 41--OU: 20
Marshall Thundering Herd @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Speaking of complete beatdowns, the Bucks have done what you're supposed to in the 'preseason'. The win over WMU was one of the most complete beatdowns I've witnessed. Keeping a living breathing team from reaching 100 yards...in game where your offense rarely punted?? Absolute destruction by the Bullets (which is what we expected to happen). Marshall may have a playmaker or two, but if you listen to the Coach of the Herd, he's falling over himself in delivering the accolades (rat poison?) to the Buckeyes. This team is too veteran to overlook an opponent on the national stage (Big Noon what???). I'd like the Bucks to establish a little more downfield passing in this game early (to receivers not named Smith---and Smith too) then just lean on them with the run. Chip had the backs cooking last game, so I'd like to get Howard prepped for making plays more than managing before the B1G season gets going. Howard for 300 and 3, the 2 headed backfield adds 3 more and the Bucks cruise into conference play. Oh yeah, Marshall kicks a stupid FG late to break up the shutout. Marshall: 3--OSU: 51
Hoying: After a strong two week start, all of the pieces seem to be coming together for the Buckeyes to make another title run. We haven't seen any position group be seriously challenged yet, but each has proven that its game plan can work at least in concept. If nothing else, this season should be more fun than 2015's miserable mismanagement of elite talent. And, unlike some elite Buckeyes of recent past (looking at you, 2022) the coaches have actually been willing to rotate pretty deeply at every position, so the Buckeyes should be inoculated against any devastating injuries down the stretch. Then again, if Howard goes down...let's just hope that any such injury would be early enough in the season for Sayin to get up to speed. Danny Kannell and others may roll their eyes at the latest cupcake finishing off Ohio State's less than impressive nonconference slate, but the more unfortunate truth for the Bucks' SOS is that their conference opponents don't look all that strong either. Outside of Oregon and Penn State, the Buckeyes may not even play another ranked team all year. That's where the style points come in. Clemson played a lot of garbage week in and week out during their title runs, but the Playoff Committee gave them a pass because they pulverized their opponents into fine powder. So another big performance this week would go a long way toward preserving the Buckeyes' Playoff hopes should a 2019 Clemson-style meltdown seize them in one of their few big games this season. No mercy. Marsh: 6--OSU: 52
Hoying: After a strong two week start, all of the pieces seem to be coming together for the Buckeyes to make another title run. We haven't seen any position group be seriously challenged yet, but each has proven that its game plan can work at least in concept. If nothing else, this season should be more fun than 2015's miserable mismanagement of elite talent. And, unlike some elite Buckeyes of recent past (looking at you, 2022) the coaches have actually been willing to rotate pretty deeply at every position, so the Buckeyes should be inoculated against any devastating injuries down the stretch. Then again, if Howard goes down...let's just hope that any such injury would be early enough in the season for Sayin to get up to speed. Danny Kannell and others may roll their eyes at the latest cupcake finishing off Ohio State's less than impressive nonconference slate, but the more unfortunate truth for the Bucks' SOS is that their conference opponents don't look all that strong either. Outside of Oregon and Penn State, the Buckeyes may not even play another ranked team all year. That's where the style points come in. Clemson played a lot of garbage week in and week out during their title runs, but the Playoff Committee gave them a pass because they pulverized their opponents into fine powder. So another big performance this week would go a long way toward preserving the Buckeyes' Playoff hopes should a 2019 Clemson-style meltdown seize them in one of their few big games this season. No mercy. Marsh: 6--OSU: 52
Schweinfurth: That may have been the most ill-timed bye week I've ever seen. This Buckeye team was rolling and then...nothing. It does give Will Howard some time to watch film and work on his reads, but this team really did not need the bye week now. At least they get another one later in the season. Now to this game. It's another mismatch. Marshall does run an air raid offense, so they will get some yardage and cheap points. I feel like Judkins and Henderson roll for at least 100 yards each. Enjoy the last blowout before B1G play starts up. Mar: 7--OSU: 52
Seeberg: I realize that it's nearly impossible to plan a season slate this perfectly, but somehow, here we are. Conference realignment upheaval canceled our former nonconference bout with Washington and we find ourselves with three group of 5 opponents to start the season, each a half step up from the previous one. Marshall hung with Virginia Tech and, ironically, they play Western Michigan next week so we'll know for sure who is better. The Buckeyes, however, could beat an all-star team of all three teams combined by at least 21. The bye week felt...poorly timed as both units clicked on all cylinders in a 56-0 win two weeks ago. The defense looked poised and disciplined, the offense, even with subs on the O-line, made the run game look good and Jeremiah Smith is just terrifyingly elite for an 18-year-old. Getting lots of reps for backups at ALL positions is critical too, as injuries are inevitable in this long grind. Also, have you noticed how we haven't been taking timeouts for not getting a play call decided or horrendous special teams mismanagement? Amazing what happens when you trim dead coaching weight and delegate properly. Ryan Day can now be JUST the head coach on game days, and the result is more fluidity and less indecision. 56-0 may be a tall ask, but the domination should still appear. Start fast, play hard, get reps for everyone. We'll see you in the B1G 18 next week. MAR: 6--OSU: 45
Upset Special
Draper: USF over Miami
Hoying: Georgia Tech over Louisville
Schweinfurth: NC St over Clemson
Seeberg: Buffalo over Norther Illinois
