Standings:
1.) Hoying 18-9 (2-5 upset)
1.) Draper 18-9 (1-6 upset)
3.) Seeberg 17-10 (2-5 upset)
4.) Schweinfurth 16-11 (1-6 upset)
Buckeye Nation will need to wait another week for some corn husks to wash the taste of defeat out of their mouths. But while the nation's erstwhile national championship favorite licks its wounds, multiple other Playoff hopeful monsters find themselves in talent-equated matchups of their own.
Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Indiana Hoosiers
Draper: A sneaky good game to kick off the week. I went through the schedules and found that the Hoosier schedule this season is OSU and garbage. All credit to Cignetti for bringing IU to the relevant world of college football in half a season, but can this explosive offense and surprisingly stingy defense keep it up for the long haul? Enter Nebraska and Baby Mahomes. Nebraska has also played a lot of hot garbage thus far, but the win over Colorado was nice. I don't know what Matt Rhule is going to end up doing at Nebraska (don't expect much), but this would be a nice win that no one will care about. I was going to make this my upset special, but as it is, I need to stick to my guns. Indiana falls from the unbeaten ranks. Neb: 30--IU: 28
Hoying: Fun fact: other than the Magnificent Seven that have joined over the last decade or so, Indiana has the fewest Big Ten Championships of any B1G team, with two. And in both 1945 and 1967, the Hoosiers were fortunate that their schedule was missing the Big Ten's premier program, Ohio State (though they did beat Michigan both years, go Hoosiers). So even though IU currently sits atop the Big Ten standings (as we all predicted preseason), don't pencil them in to any championship slots just yet. On the other hand, Nebraska, I'm told, has been some kind of all-time powerhouse in multiple decades past, but the Huskers haven't been able to overcome the Curse of Pelini, with winning seasons eluding them since 2016. Remember 2016? When Nebraska was in the top ten and Ohio State embarrassed them 62-3? And Joe Burrow came in and went 6-6 in extended garbage time and we thought "Man, the future sure is bright here in Columbus." What was I talking about? Oh yes, resurgent red teams in the Big Ten. Indiana has played garbage upon garbage over the first half of the season, but they've been taking care of business, winning by an average of 34 points and never trailing in a single game. I've never seen Indiana look this competent, not even back in 2020 when future Heisman and natty runner-up Michael Penix was slinging it within one score of knocking off the #2 Buckeyes in Columbus. And that might be a problem for Buckeye Nation in a month or so, but it's definitely a problem for the Huskers right now. Nebraska has looked the part themselves for the first time in forever, slipping only against the Big Ten's third surprise team of the year, Illinois, but they aren't doing what the Hoosiers are doing on offense. Once-Ohio State QB commit Dylan Raiola has been...fine...for the Huskers, but former Ohio U QB Kurtis Rourke has come out of nowhere to light the world on fire for Indiana. As we saw last week, grinding the Little Sisters of the Poor into dust doesn't necessarily translate to being able to perform at the highest level on the biggest stage, but I don't think playing Nebraska, even an improved Nebraska, reaches that threshold. Neb: 21--IU: 35
Schweinfurth: Not sure if Indiana is for real, but they sure have been fun to watch. The offense is carrying this team, but Nebraska can put up some points as well. I see this as a one score game, so you know what that means...Neb: 28--IU: 31
Seeberg: We all had this one as a key conference matchup back in August, right? NOPE. Regardless, Coach Cig "Smoke 'em if you got 'em" Netti has the Hoosiers on a roll they haven't seen since 1967. Playing the dregs of the conference has obviously aided the Hoosiers, as we knew NW would be lousy, and MD and UCLA have been equally bleh thus far. Still, with no Oregon, Penn State or USC on the schedule- and UM at home where things have often been tricky for the maize and blue- the Hoosiers might be on pace for DOUBLE DIGIT WINS. Nebraska, however, poses their stiffest test to date. An above average team on both sides of the ball, let's not forget the Huskers absolutely stifled Colorado to the tune of 28-0 through 3 quarters before calling off the dogs. That game, however, was in Lincoln, and IU often plays well at home despite a typically lackluster crowd. This may be more of a heart than head pick because I do believe the Huskers have the better roster, but it's fun watching the Hoosiers be good and I want it to keep going. Hoosiers squeak one out at home. Neb: 17--IU: 20
Hoying: Fun fact: other than the Magnificent Seven that have joined over the last decade or so, Indiana has the fewest Big Ten Championships of any B1G team, with two. And in both 1945 and 1967, the Hoosiers were fortunate that their schedule was missing the Big Ten's premier program, Ohio State (though they did beat Michigan both years, go Hoosiers). So even though IU currently sits atop the Big Ten standings (as we all predicted preseason), don't pencil them in to any championship slots just yet. On the other hand, Nebraska, I'm told, has been some kind of all-time powerhouse in multiple decades past, but the Huskers haven't been able to overcome the Curse of Pelini, with winning seasons eluding them since 2016. Remember 2016? When Nebraska was in the top ten and Ohio State embarrassed them 62-3? And Joe Burrow came in and went 6-6 in extended garbage time and we thought "Man, the future sure is bright here in Columbus." What was I talking about? Oh yes, resurgent red teams in the Big Ten. Indiana has played garbage upon garbage over the first half of the season, but they've been taking care of business, winning by an average of 34 points and never trailing in a single game. I've never seen Indiana look this competent, not even back in 2020 when future Heisman and natty runner-up Michael Penix was slinging it within one score of knocking off the #2 Buckeyes in Columbus. And that might be a problem for Buckeye Nation in a month or so, but it's definitely a problem for the Huskers right now. Nebraska has looked the part themselves for the first time in forever, slipping only against the Big Ten's third surprise team of the year, Illinois, but they aren't doing what the Hoosiers are doing on offense. Once-Ohio State QB commit Dylan Raiola has been...fine...for the Huskers, but former Ohio U QB Kurtis Rourke has come out of nowhere to light the world on fire for Indiana. As we saw last week, grinding the Little Sisters of the Poor into dust doesn't necessarily translate to being able to perform at the highest level on the biggest stage, but I don't think playing Nebraska, even an improved Nebraska, reaches that threshold. Neb: 21--IU: 35
Schweinfurth: Not sure if Indiana is for real, but they sure have been fun to watch. The offense is carrying this team, but Nebraska can put up some points as well. I see this as a one score game, so you know what that means...Neb: 28--IU: 31
Seeberg: We all had this one as a key conference matchup back in August, right? NOPE. Regardless, Coach Cig "Smoke 'em if you got 'em" Netti has the Hoosiers on a roll they haven't seen since 1967. Playing the dregs of the conference has obviously aided the Hoosiers, as we knew NW would be lousy, and MD and UCLA have been equally bleh thus far. Still, with no Oregon, Penn State or USC on the schedule- and UM at home where things have often been tricky for the maize and blue- the Hoosiers might be on pace for DOUBLE DIGIT WINS. Nebraska, however, poses their stiffest test to date. An above average team on both sides of the ball, let's not forget the Huskers absolutely stifled Colorado to the tune of 28-0 through 3 quarters before calling off the dogs. That game, however, was in Lincoln, and IU often plays well at home despite a typically lackluster crowd. This may be more of a heart than head pick because I do believe the Huskers have the better roster, but it's fun watching the Hoosiers be good and I want it to keep going. Hoosiers squeak one out at home. Neb: 17--IU: 20
Alabama Crimson Tide @ Tennessee Volunteers
Draper: What to do here? Both teams limp into this game after lackluster wins last Saturday. Bama clearly has the talent edge, but the Vols are at home. I feel like I have more faith in the Bama raw talent winning out. This isn't huge props to the greatness of this Tide team, but they are the better than the orange on the other side. When both teams look overrated (they probably are), default to better athletes. Roll Tide. Bama: 24--UT: 20
Hoying: Last year was a bit of a down year for the SEC. As of just three weeks ago, it looked like the league was back in form with five teams legitimately vying for the #1 spot. The only one of those five that hasn't beclowned themselves since has been Texas, as neither of the teams at hand has put together a solid four quarters over the last three weeks. I still think the Tide have a much higher floor (and ceiling) than the upstart Vols, and home field advantage isn't going to be enough to get the job done. UT had everything going their way 2 years ago (including but not limited to their fraud 2022 Biletnikoff winner Jalin Hyatt), and that was still barely enough to beat a down year Bama on a last second field goal. Lightning isn't striking twice, unless we're talking about Jalen Milroe adding some razzle dazzle to the all-or-nothing Tide offense. Bama: 24--UT: 21
Hoying: Last year was a bit of a down year for the SEC. As of just three weeks ago, it looked like the league was back in form with five teams legitimately vying for the #1 spot. The only one of those five that hasn't beclowned themselves since has been Texas, as neither of the teams at hand has put together a solid four quarters over the last three weeks. I still think the Tide have a much higher floor (and ceiling) than the upstart Vols, and home field advantage isn't going to be enough to get the job done. UT had everything going their way 2 years ago (including but not limited to their fraud 2022 Biletnikoff winner Jalin Hyatt), and that was still barely enough to beat a down year Bama on a last second field goal. Lightning isn't striking twice, unless we're talking about Jalen Milroe adding some razzle dazzle to the all-or-nothing Tide offense. Bama: 24--UT: 21
Schweinfurth: This is a massive elimination game for Tennessee. Bama could, and probably will still get in the playoff with two losses, but not the Vols. I learned my lesson a few weeks ago and I'm not picking against Bama again. Bama: 35--UT: 28
Seeberg: I...have no idea what to make of this game any more. Bama shocks the world by beating UGA, then lays two massive eggs in a row. UT looked like world beaters the first month of the season, then the schedule caught up to them and they literally look like they've forgotten how to play offense (7 of their last 10 quarters? Scoreless). I realize Florida is a rivalry game but the Vols looked even a half step lousier than Bama has looked post-Georgia. Multiple scoreless quarters against Bama isn't exactly a recipe for success, even with Rocky Top blaring every 9 seconds (hi Stewie!). Bama survives again. Bama: 24--UT: 13
Seeberg: I...have no idea what to make of this game any more. Bama shocks the world by beating UGA, then lays two massive eggs in a row. UT looked like world beaters the first month of the season, then the schedule caught up to them and they literally look like they've forgotten how to play offense (7 of their last 10 quarters? Scoreless). I realize Florida is a rivalry game but the Vols looked even a half step lousier than Bama has looked post-Georgia. Multiple scoreless quarters against Bama isn't exactly a recipe for success, even with Rocky Top blaring every 9 seconds (hi Stewie!). Bama survives again. Bama: 24--UT: 13
Michigan Wolverines @ Illinois Fighting Illini
Draper: A team that can only run vs. a coach that....can't run? There is no faith that the Wolverines have anything resembling an offense, but Illinois has shown little to believe in either. While the Illini seemed to be the potential B1G spoiler, life comes at you fast. The win over Nebraska was a nice one, but they did all they could to blow a game vs. hapless Purdue (lucking out on a 2 point attempt). That will stay with you. We saw last week that the swan song of TTUN is over. Playing against a team with a pulse that can slow the run will be the end...but I don't really trust the Illini to show out in this game. Again, the better athletes in this game (on the defensive side at least) wear maize and blue. UM squeaks out an Iowa-esque 'ranked win' on the road. UM: 13--Ill:10
Hoying: As much as I hated Michigan's success (and everything else about them) last season, it sure made for easy writeups (spoiler alert: pick the blue team). This year I can't make heads or tails of the Wolverines. They haven't really looked good in any of their games this season, but sometimes they succeed in making their opponents look worse. The passing game still isn't functional in any sense, so this one will come down to whether the UM run game can find any room to work against Illinois. The Illini gave up 239 yards on the ground to...Purdue...last week, which doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. But this isn't the 2023 (or 2022 or 2021) Wolverine rushing attack. At some point, they're going to hit a wall and have to test the Illini through the air. And Illinois excels in the turnover margin, +4 overall and +7 in interceptions. Look for the Wolverines to melt down for the second straight time in their second straight road game, establishing a pattern of behavior that will ultimately lead to its logical conclusion. UM: 13--ILL: 16
Schweinfurth: This game is an absolute rock fight. It's also probably worth few laughs. TUN wins because they have the better defense. UM: 9--Ill: 7
Seeberg: And now the battle of "who gets to stay ranked?" in the Big Ten. Why UM is ranked at all is a mystery. Same can be said for Illinois whose ranking comes primarily off their big nonconference win against *checks notes* Kansas? Yikes. I'm still highly uncertain how the Illini gave up nearly half a hundred to lowly Purdue. It's like the Purdue upset special team rolled out there a week too early. If we know anything, this game will be ugly to watch but exciting because it'll be close given that UM can stop you but just flat out can't score it. Purdue threw for nearly 300 and ran for over 200 against Illinois, and it's that second number that scares me. UM can't throw for 300 against air, but if you let them run it, they will gladly do so. UM (GAH) stays ranked. UM: 27--Ill: 17
Hoying: As much as I hated Michigan's success (and everything else about them) last season, it sure made for easy writeups (spoiler alert: pick the blue team). This year I can't make heads or tails of the Wolverines. They haven't really looked good in any of their games this season, but sometimes they succeed in making their opponents look worse. The passing game still isn't functional in any sense, so this one will come down to whether the UM run game can find any room to work against Illinois. The Illini gave up 239 yards on the ground to...Purdue...last week, which doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. But this isn't the 2023 (or 2022 or 2021) Wolverine rushing attack. At some point, they're going to hit a wall and have to test the Illini through the air. And Illinois excels in the turnover margin, +4 overall and +7 in interceptions. Look for the Wolverines to melt down for the second straight time in their second straight road game, establishing a pattern of behavior that will ultimately lead to its logical conclusion. UM: 13--ILL: 16
Schweinfurth: This game is an absolute rock fight. It's also probably worth few laughs. TUN wins because they have the better defense. UM: 9--Ill: 7
Seeberg: And now the battle of "who gets to stay ranked?" in the Big Ten. Why UM is ranked at all is a mystery. Same can be said for Illinois whose ranking comes primarily off their big nonconference win against *checks notes* Kansas? Yikes. I'm still highly uncertain how the Illini gave up nearly half a hundred to lowly Purdue. It's like the Purdue upset special team rolled out there a week too early. If we know anything, this game will be ugly to watch but exciting because it'll be close given that UM can stop you but just flat out can't score it. Purdue threw for nearly 300 and ran for over 200 against Illinois, and it's that second number that scares me. UM can't throw for 300 against air, but if you let them run it, they will gladly do so. UM (GAH) stays ranked. UM: 27--Ill: 17
Georgia Bulldogs @ Texas Longhorns
Draper: The game of the year...of the week enters Austin for a massive SEC showdown. Texas has been the darling of the college football world (outside of stupid Oregon), but let's take a look at the resume. Wins over CSU, UTSA, ULM, and Mississippi State are expected; Winning the Red River Shootout--> OU kinda sucks; and the signature win is....over TTUN without advance knowledge of the plays or the fact that the forward pass was legalized. There is a chance that their best win is over ULM (probably not, but....). UGA on the other hand beat beat down Clemson, went toe to toe with Bama in Tuscaloosa, and won an ugly road game in Lexington. Is UGA the juggernaut from the past few years? No. Is Texas unbeatable? Also no. It's going to be a fun game, but I actually think Kirby is going to out-scheme Sark and work on 'reclaiming the crown'. UGA: 27--UT: 24
Hoying: Everyone's spent the last week sh***ing on Ryan Day for being the coach who never wins the big one, but, once again, let's turn our eyes to the seeming gold standard of active coaches, Kirby Smart. In addition to his continuing struggles against Alabama (already noted for predictive value), when was the last time Kirby beat a top 10 team on the road? The Kirbster is 2-3 in these games, with their only such wins being over Notre Dame in 2017 and Kentucky in 2018. (Ryan Day has 1 in each of his last two seasons, but I digress.) Since losing to Bama (again), the Dawgs were never really in danger last week against Mississippi State, but Texas has been the absolute buzzsaw that everyone thought Ohio State was prior to last week's unfortunate events. This matchup reminds me quite a bit of Ohio State's visit to Eugene last week. Like last week's Buckeyes, the Horns haven't really faced a functional offense yet, so this is a good chance to see if the now-#1 defense in the country is as good as advertised. I don't think this game is quite as tough a challenge for the Horns as the Ducks were for the Bucks last week, as a few of Georgia's warts have already been laid bare, particularly on defense. I'm confident that the Horns take care of business at home, kicking off a month-long denouement leading into the season-concluding restoration of the Lone Star Showdown. Who would have thought that both of the nation's premier conferences would have fresh faces firmly in control down the stretch? UGA: 20--UT: 28
Schweinfurth: I'm not really sure how good Texas is, or even if they are truly "back." They beat a bad TUN and their next biggest win is??? UGA at least showed heart and competence coming back on Bama. Again, not fully sold on Bevo yet and there are really fast cars down the road this weekend. UGA races out of Austin with a win. UGA: 35--UT: 31
Seeberg: Maybe the only constant/consistent team in the SEC this year is Texas (man that's still bizarre to type). The rest of the conference has gone berserk while the Longhorns just cruise along, even without Buckeye legend Quinn Ewers for a couple weeks. This one was supposed to be the ultimate mid-season clash until Georgia nearly lost to Kentucky, crapped the bed against Bama, and followed that up by struggling to put away Mississippi State- a team that paid Toledo over $1 million to come destroy them by 24 on their home field. Again, home field makes a big difference here. You have to assume the Bulldogs will be up for this one, but it's not between the hedges in Athens. Until they give me reason to believe otherwise, after Saturday night, Texas may finally, possibly, potentially be...back. UGA: 20--UT: 31
Hoying: Everyone's spent the last week sh***ing on Ryan Day for being the coach who never wins the big one, but, once again, let's turn our eyes to the seeming gold standard of active coaches, Kirby Smart. In addition to his continuing struggles against Alabama (already noted for predictive value), when was the last time Kirby beat a top 10 team on the road? The Kirbster is 2-3 in these games, with their only such wins being over Notre Dame in 2017 and Kentucky in 2018. (Ryan Day has 1 in each of his last two seasons, but I digress.) Since losing to Bama (again), the Dawgs were never really in danger last week against Mississippi State, but Texas has been the absolute buzzsaw that everyone thought Ohio State was prior to last week's unfortunate events. This matchup reminds me quite a bit of Ohio State's visit to Eugene last week. Like last week's Buckeyes, the Horns haven't really faced a functional offense yet, so this is a good chance to see if the now-#1 defense in the country is as good as advertised. I don't think this game is quite as tough a challenge for the Horns as the Ducks were for the Bucks last week, as a few of Georgia's warts have already been laid bare, particularly on defense. I'm confident that the Horns take care of business at home, kicking off a month-long denouement leading into the season-concluding restoration of the Lone Star Showdown. Who would have thought that both of the nation's premier conferences would have fresh faces firmly in control down the stretch? UGA: 20--UT: 28
Schweinfurth: I'm not really sure how good Texas is, or even if they are truly "back." They beat a bad TUN and their next biggest win is??? UGA at least showed heart and competence coming back on Bama. Again, not fully sold on Bevo yet and there are really fast cars down the road this weekend. UGA races out of Austin with a win. UGA: 35--UT: 31
Seeberg: Maybe the only constant/consistent team in the SEC this year is Texas (man that's still bizarre to type). The rest of the conference has gone berserk while the Longhorns just cruise along, even without Buckeye legend Quinn Ewers for a couple weeks. This one was supposed to be the ultimate mid-season clash until Georgia nearly lost to Kentucky, crapped the bed against Bama, and followed that up by struggling to put away Mississippi State- a team that paid Toledo over $1 million to come destroy them by 24 on their home field. Again, home field makes a big difference here. You have to assume the Bulldogs will be up for this one, but it's not between the hedges in Athens. Until they give me reason to believe otherwise, after Saturday night, Texas may finally, possibly, potentially be...back. UGA: 20--UT: 31
Upset Special
Draper: Mississippi State over A&M
Hoying: Purdue over Ore...lol, no, Georgia Tech over Notre Dame
Schweinfurth: Stanford over SMU
Seeberg: Louisville over Miami (you stole my joke Hoying)
