Standings:
1.) Hoying 22-7 (1-6 upset)
2.) Schweinfurth 21-8 (0-7 upset)
3.) Draper 19-10 (1-6 upset)
4.) Seeberg 17-12 (2-5 upset)
After the murderer's row the Big Ten presented last week, America's focus turns a bit further south to check in on three matchups between teams with one loss or fewer. Elsewhere, one of America's most storied rivalries is renewed for perhaps the final time in the foreseeable future, and a corpse is presented for desecration.
Louisiana State Tigers @ Vanderbilt Commodores
Draper: Is Vandy for real? I think they are, but can they handle the spotlight? Last time out, they started strong, but crashed late. Pavia has Vanderbilt believing, but there's believing and there's delivering. The Dores don't have the athletes to match with the top teams (and they never will). Of course that doesn't mean they can't compete, but this feels like a correction week for the Tigahs. No, LSU isn't the world beater everyone thought after beating Clemson, but they're a solid team. This feels like a game in which Nussmeier regresses (progresses?) back to the positive end and Vandy takes a step back. Sometimes, the young upstart needs a reminder. LSU: 24--Vandy: 17
Hoying: Ah yes, the classic "offense" vs. "defense" showdown. Except, for the first time since before Joey B got to town, the Tigers are the "defense" half of the matchup. Preseason Heisman favorite-turned-clunker (join the crowd) Garrett Nussmeier hasn't been able to get LSU out of second gear, and the running game is atrocious, but nobody is moving the ball on the Tigers this season. That is, except for Ole Miss, who racked up 480 yards against LSU and never really seemed threatened even the Rebs only won by a single score. That said, nobody has been able to stop the Commodores...until the Tide slammed a shutout second half on them in the Vanderbilt's last outing. The advanced stats still aDore (sorry) Vanderbilt's offense, though, as one of the most efficient in the nation, and the stats show a pronounced edge for Vandy overall. Alarm bells are going off in my head for leaning toward picking Vanderbilt to beat LSU, but I'm thinking the Tigers are still getting way, way too much credit for beating a mediocre Clemson team in the opener. Get ready for another SEC shakeup, and for every SEC-head's Week 2 #1 team to be put on Playoff life support. LSU: 17--Vandy: 20
Hoying: Ah yes, the classic "offense" vs. "defense" showdown. Except, for the first time since before Joey B got to town, the Tigers are the "defense" half of the matchup. Preseason Heisman favorite-turned-clunker (join the crowd) Garrett Nussmeier hasn't been able to get LSU out of second gear, and the running game is atrocious, but nobody is moving the ball on the Tigers this season. That is, except for Ole Miss, who racked up 480 yards against LSU and never really seemed threatened even the Rebs only won by a single score. That said, nobody has been able to stop the Commodores...until the Tide slammed a shutout second half on them in the Vanderbilt's last outing. The advanced stats still aDore (sorry) Vanderbilt's offense, though, as one of the most efficient in the nation, and the stats show a pronounced edge for Vandy overall. Alarm bells are going off in my head for leaning toward picking Vanderbilt to beat LSU, but I'm thinking the Tigers are still getting way, way too much credit for beating a mediocre Clemson team in the opener. Get ready for another SEC shakeup, and for every SEC-head's Week 2 #1 team to be put on Playoff life support. LSU: 17--Vandy: 20
Schweinfurth: Vandy gave Bama all they could handle until a late score. Impressive by a still plucky team. But here come the Tigers and "I turn purple" Brian Kelly. I'm really not sure which team I have more faith in. I don't think Vandy is all they are cooked up to be, but I feel the same about LSU. Diego Pavia is the ultimate chaos QB, so lets go with that. LSU: 17--Vandy: 28
Seeberg: Are either of these teams…(what’s the word I’m looking for), good? The jury is still out but don’t let that stop the AP from putting them both in the top 20. Pavia has been quiet since his humbling at the hands of the Crimson Tide. He and Nussmeyer are both still serviceable but not anywhere near as good as expected. Has Garrett been hurt? Who knows. Neither team runs it well either - heck, Pavia is the Commodores’ leading rusher. This is just a coin flip. So, being a pessimist, I’ll take Vandy so both meh teams stay ranked. Barf. LSU: 20—Vandy: 24
Seeberg: Are either of these teams…(what’s the word I’m looking for), good? The jury is still out but don’t let that stop the AP from putting them both in the top 20. Pavia has been quiet since his humbling at the hands of the Crimson Tide. He and Nussmeyer are both still serviceable but not anywhere near as good as expected. Has Garrett been hurt? Who knows. Neither team runs it well either - heck, Pavia is the Commodores’ leading rusher. This is just a coin flip. So, being a pessimist, I’ll take Vandy so both meh teams stay ranked. Barf. LSU: 20—Vandy: 24
Mississippi Rebels @ Georgia Bulldogs
Draper: Many of the matchups this week are juicy. Ole Miss has (quietly) been very strong this year while UGA is not close to the Death Star they've been in the past. However, the schedules are not balanced. The Rebs have a solid win at home vs. LSU, but nothing else to speak of. The Dawgs dropped a home game to the Tide (but made a valiant comeback) but won in Knoxville and Auburn (albeit ugly). I want to pick Ole Miss and was going to...until I dove a little deeper. I wouldn't be shocked if UGA stumbles again, but Kiffin's resume doesn't hold the water I thought it did. Dawgs reclaim Sanford. Miss: 20--UGA: 30
Hoying: You can tell it's going to be a good week of college football because I look at all of these matchups (except one) and just say "I don't know". Despite being one of seven remaining undefeated Power 4 teams, the Rebs haven't yet turned in two-score win against any of their Power 4 opponents this year. Georgia has been quietly disappointing as well, arguably getting outplayed by SEC basement dweller Auburn last week. Ole Miss is the standard Lane Kiffin "great offense, unreliable defense, also the offense will just disappear in the biggest games of the year", but Georgia isn't the brick wall on D that they were during their title runs. The Dawgs are especially vulnerable through the air; Ty Simpson ate them for lunch after Jalen Milroe did the same to them last year. That's bad news against Mississippi's backup QB sensation (and legitimate all-SEC threat) Trinidad Chambliss. As stated above, not even LSU could meaningfully slow Ole Miss down, and the Tigers have a much better defense than the Dawgs do. Here's another instance of my instincts screaming at me to do otherwise, but I think the Rebs get one over on Georgia for the second straight year. Miss: 27--UGA: 24
Hoying: You can tell it's going to be a good week of college football because I look at all of these matchups (except one) and just say "I don't know". Despite being one of seven remaining undefeated Power 4 teams, the Rebs haven't yet turned in two-score win against any of their Power 4 opponents this year. Georgia has been quietly disappointing as well, arguably getting outplayed by SEC basement dweller Auburn last week. Ole Miss is the standard Lane Kiffin "great offense, unreliable defense, also the offense will just disappear in the biggest games of the year", but Georgia isn't the brick wall on D that they were during their title runs. The Dawgs are especially vulnerable through the air; Ty Simpson ate them for lunch after Jalen Milroe did the same to them last year. That's bad news against Mississippi's backup QB sensation (and legitimate all-SEC threat) Trinidad Chambliss. As stated above, not even LSU could meaningfully slow Ole Miss down, and the Tigers have a much better defense than the Dawgs do. Here's another instance of my instincts screaming at me to do otherwise, but I think the Rebs get one over on Georgia for the second straight year. Miss: 27--UGA: 24
Schweinfurth: Here's the thing, Georgia is the better team. At least I think so. Add in the Dawgs are at home, yea, pretty easy. Miss: 13--UGA: 21
Seeberg: Ole Miss heads between the hedges with their backup-turned-starter at QB. Trinidad Chambliss may well be a star in the making, but this isn’t exactly an inviting first career road start, even if the Bulldogs aren’t the wrecking ball on D that they were a few years ago. Ole Miss might build Lane a statue already if he wins this one, but he’s not quite there yet. The old dawg (see what I did there?) stays on top for another year. Miss: 20—UGA: 27
Seeberg: Ole Miss heads between the hedges with their backup-turned-starter at QB. Trinidad Chambliss may well be a star in the making, but this isn’t exactly an inviting first career road start, even if the Bulldogs aren’t the wrecking ball on D that they were a few years ago. Ole Miss might build Lane a statue already if he wins this one, but he’s not quite there yet. The old dawg (see what I did there?) stays on top for another year. Miss: 20—UGA: 27
Southern California Trojans @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Draper: Another SUPER interesting and incredibly important game for both teams. If the Irish drop this game, the playoff is done. If the Trojans take the L, they would need some help to sneak into the playoffs (including a win in Eugene). Honestly, the Trojans' resume to date is pretty decent. They almost came back to beat the Illini after the cross country trip (sort of) and took care of the Wolverines, but there is a decent amount of fluff. Notre Dame has the 2 losses, albeit to good teams, but a whole bunch of crap rounding out the schedule. The best player on the field is wearing gold but not on the helmet. Love is a great RB but the Trojans bottled Haynes and Co. up for the most part. Makai Lemon is that dude and an absolute monster for the Trojans. If Maiava can get the ball in his area, the Trojans have a great shot. No Bush push needed, but the Irish's hopes of the playoff evaporate. USC: 27--ND: 20
Hoying: Buckle up, buckaroos. The game down between the hedges may have the highest ranked teams this weekend, but this one should be the headliner of the week. This season, when these teams are good, they're really good, and when they're bad, well, they've lost a combined three games, to three ranked teams, by an aggregate 6 points. It's possible that the Trojans' domination of the hated team up north last week is a bit of fool's gold, as the other team that walloped the Wolverines (Oklahoma) was exposed a bit last week and it's within the realm of possibility that UM is absolute dogwater for the second straight year. But that was the sixth straight game this year that the Trojans have put up at least 31 points, and they've showed no signs of slowing down. The Irish have been deceptively mediocre on defense this year, so it'll be up to Lloyd Carr's grandson and the Price/Love train to outscore USC. I don't think it's happening this year. These Trojans just look different. Even in the loss to Illinois, USC mounted a furious rally to go ahead late before Illinois hit the game winning field goal at the last second, and the Trojans haven't been seriously challenged otherwise. USC stakes their claim for another Playoff run. USC: 34--ND: 31
Hoying: Buckle up, buckaroos. The game down between the hedges may have the highest ranked teams this weekend, but this one should be the headliner of the week. This season, when these teams are good, they're really good, and when they're bad, well, they've lost a combined three games, to three ranked teams, by an aggregate 6 points. It's possible that the Trojans' domination of the hated team up north last week is a bit of fool's gold, as the other team that walloped the Wolverines (Oklahoma) was exposed a bit last week and it's within the realm of possibility that UM is absolute dogwater for the second straight year. But that was the sixth straight game this year that the Trojans have put up at least 31 points, and they've showed no signs of slowing down. The Irish have been deceptively mediocre on defense this year, so it'll be up to Lloyd Carr's grandson and the Price/Love train to outscore USC. I don't think it's happening this year. These Trojans just look different. Even in the loss to Illinois, USC mounted a furious rally to go ahead late before Illinois hit the game winning field goal at the last second, and the Trojans haven't been seriously challenged otherwise. USC stakes their claim for another Playoff run. USC: 34--ND: 31
Schweinfurth: I haven't watched much of either team, but I do think Notre Dame is better than the two losses they have on their record. USC is up and down. The Irish should be able to ground and pound their way to a win. USC: 17--ND: 31
Seeberg: Man it’s hard to know what to make of this one. ND has no wins of note, USC just manhandled UM. The fact that they were the more physical team was eye-opening - and makes me think they are a serious contender for the Irish. CJ Carr has looked solid against the dregs of the schedule - and I still don’t trust USC’s defense against any passing game with a pulse (read: not UM). The late start should negate the effect of the cross-country trip for USC- who put up nearly 500 yards the last time they traveled this far in a close loss to the Illini. Still, they couldn’t stop Altmeyer when they had to, and I expect a similar situation to arise here. Irish pull one out late. USC: 27—ND: 31
Seeberg: Man it’s hard to know what to make of this one. ND has no wins of note, USC just manhandled UM. The fact that they were the more physical team was eye-opening - and makes me think they are a serious contender for the Irish. CJ Carr has looked solid against the dregs of the schedule - and I still don’t trust USC’s defense against any passing game with a pulse (read: not UM). The late start should negate the effect of the cross-country trip for USC- who put up nearly 500 yards the last time they traveled this far in a close loss to the Illini. Still, they couldn’t stop Altmeyer when they had to, and I expect a similar situation to arise here. Irish pull one out late. USC: 27—ND: 31
Tennessee Volunteers @ Alabama Crimson Tide
Draper: I don't know if Tennessee is able to turn the corner after the ugly gag vs. the Dawgs, but the rest of their resume is blah. Bama looks to be evolving into their final form. Vandy threw some punches last week, but the Tide and Ty Simpson methodically sat on their heads and took control. I feel like this is another '3rd Saturday in Oct' in which Tennessee is taught a lesson by the big elephant in town. Tenn: 13--Bama: 27
Hoying: Like any of the games above, I could see this one playing out in about a thousand different ways. But I take a look at the visiting team and see that they're giving up almost 30 points a game. You could say that's understandable when teams like Georgia come to town, but Syracuse? Mississippi State? It's true that the Vols' defensive struggles have mostly been against the ground game (which Bama has still failed to get going) but Tennessee isn't going to reach anywhere near last season's lofty heights playing defense like this. Tide roll to their fourth straight ranked win. UT: 24--Bama: 31
Hoying: Like any of the games above, I could see this one playing out in about a thousand different ways. But I take a look at the visiting team and see that they're giving up almost 30 points a game. You could say that's understandable when teams like Georgia come to town, but Syracuse? Mississippi State? It's true that the Vols' defensive struggles have mostly been against the ground game (which Bama has still failed to get going) but Tennessee isn't going to reach anywhere near last season's lofty heights playing defense like this. Tide roll to their fourth straight ranked win. UT: 24--Bama: 31
Schweinfurth: Tennessee is not the same team Ohio State whipped last year. Bama is better than last year. Are they world beaters? No, but they should win a tight one. UT: 28--Bama: 31
Seeberg: Well, Bama is alive and well after all. That week 1 crap show is looking more and more like an aberration by the week and Ty Simpson is near the top of an admittedly mediocre Heisman race this season (just throw the damn ball to Jeremiah). Meanwhile, the Vols’ best win is a close loss to Georgia. Look for Bama to turn Aguilar over a couple times and pull away late. UT: 20—Bama: 34
Seeberg: Well, Bama is alive and well after all. That week 1 crap show is looking more and more like an aberration by the week and Ty Simpson is near the top of an admittedly mediocre Heisman race this season (just throw the damn ball to Jeremiah). Meanwhile, the Vols’ best win is a close loss to Georgia. Look for Bama to turn Aguilar over a couple times and pull away late. UT: 20—Bama: 34
THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ Wisconsin Badgers
Draper: I never thought I'd see the day in which the Buckeyes would go into Camp Randall as a FOUR SCORE FAVORITE. Honestly, that probably isn't enough. The Badgers are just embarrassingly bad. Fickell is a dead man walking and the Buckeyes will likely end the suffering (at least the Badgers don't still have to go to Eugene AND to Bloomington AND play the Illini). It's going to get much much worse for the Badger faithful before it gets better. Another road game for the Buckeyes so expect Day to try to take the air out of the ball, run repeatedly, shorten the game, and get the dub. The Bullets will shut down any hopes the Badgers have early while we get a steady dose of Jackson (and Donaldson...and Peoples) as well as a token Jeremiah tuddy to keep the Heisman talk alive. Get in, get the dub, stay healthy, Go Bucks. (Sorry Fick...it's just business) OSU: 38--UW: 6
Hoying: It's easy to forget for those of us who remember tough, hard-nosed, power running Wisconsin football teams challenging for Big Ten Championships year in and year out, but Wisconsin was kind of awful for decades before Barry Alvarez took over. And, unfortunately for them, it looks like the Badgers are heading right back in that direction. UW hadn't had back-to-back seasons failing to hit 8 wins since Alvarez's first three years on the job, but Fick hasn't hit that total in either of his first two seasons, and it doesn't look like it'll happen this year, either. Yeah, it's tough to win when you can't keep your QB in playable condition for more than a game at a time, but it's not like anything else has been going right for the Badgers, either. That's a recipe for disaster against an Ohio State team that's been methodically strangling every team they've come across in their title defense tour. Turnovers and short fields masked a number of issues for the Buckeyes last week (the run blocking was just awful and the defense was caught off guard more than a few times), and the coaching staff will be looking to rectify these problems with some live reps against a real (so to speak) opponent heading into the bye week before the stretch run. This one doesn't stay close absent a colossal meltdown by the visitors. Time to start thinking about what Penn State will be able to salvage and present to the Bucks in two weeks. OSU: 31--UW: 0
Hoying: It's easy to forget for those of us who remember tough, hard-nosed, power running Wisconsin football teams challenging for Big Ten Championships year in and year out, but Wisconsin was kind of awful for decades before Barry Alvarez took over. And, unfortunately for them, it looks like the Badgers are heading right back in that direction. UW hadn't had back-to-back seasons failing to hit 8 wins since Alvarez's first three years on the job, but Fick hasn't hit that total in either of his first two seasons, and it doesn't look like it'll happen this year, either. Yeah, it's tough to win when you can't keep your QB in playable condition for more than a game at a time, but it's not like anything else has been going right for the Badgers, either. That's a recipe for disaster against an Ohio State team that's been methodically strangling every team they've come across in their title defense tour. Turnovers and short fields masked a number of issues for the Buckeyes last week (the run blocking was just awful and the defense was caught off guard more than a few times), and the coaching staff will be looking to rectify these problems with some live reps against a real (so to speak) opponent heading into the bye week before the stretch run. This one doesn't stay close absent a colossal meltdown by the visitors. Time to start thinking about what Penn State will be able to salvage and present to the Bucks in two weeks. OSU: 31--UW: 0
Schweinfurth: I actually expect this to be lower scoring just due to the weather. Yes, Jeremiah will get his touches. He has to, but with rain in the forecast this one should be on Bo Jackson and company. Let the big boys up front eat. I don't see Wisconsin getting much on this defense either. All and all, this one should be a pretty tidy win for the Bucks. OSU: 28--UW: 3
Seeberg: Wisconsin is averaging the least amount of points in the conference and OSU gives up the least. If they don’t score on their scripted drive this may be another shutout unless Day calls off the dogs because it’s Fickell (a la Freeman in the natty last year). Regardless, it should be an stress-free afternoon facing off against our future D-line coach up in Madison. A chance of showers may make things a little bumpy offensively, but this one should not be in any doubt. It would be nice to know how healthy Bo Jackson is since the Badgers do still stop the run relatively well. Day lamenting that young guys aren’t getting opportunities is amusing since he’s intentionally slowing pace of play to a crawl. But if that keeps everyone healthy it won’t matter much- this season at least. Regardless, easy trips to Madison were few and far between for a couple decades. Enjoy this lack of stress-inducing drama Buckeye Nation. OSU: 31—UW: 6
Seeberg: Wisconsin is averaging the least amount of points in the conference and OSU gives up the least. If they don’t score on their scripted drive this may be another shutout unless Day calls off the dogs because it’s Fickell (a la Freeman in the natty last year). Regardless, it should be an stress-free afternoon facing off against our future D-line coach up in Madison. A chance of showers may make things a little bumpy offensively, but this one should not be in any doubt. It would be nice to know how healthy Bo Jackson is since the Badgers do still stop the run relatively well. Day lamenting that young guys aren’t getting opportunities is amusing since he’s intentionally slowing pace of play to a crawl. But if that keeps everyone healthy it won’t matter much- this season at least. Regardless, easy trips to Madison were few and far between for a couple decades. Enjoy this lack of stress-inducing drama Buckeye Nation. OSU: 31—UW: 6
Upset Special
Draper: Rutgers over Oregon
Hoying: Kentucky over Texas
Schweinfurth: Ok St over Cincinnati
Seeberg: UNLV over Boise State
Hoying: Kentucky over Texas
Schweinfurth: Ok St over Cincinnati
Seeberg: UNLV over Boise State
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