Standings:
1.) Schweinfurth 14-7 (0-5 upset)
2.) Draper 13-8 (1-4 upset)
2.) Seeberg 13-8 (1-4 upset)
4.) Hoying 11-10 (1-4 upset)
The usual suspects (those being Ohio State and...Indiana) still rule the Big Ten roost for the time being, but there have been a few unusual suspects trying to poke into the upper echelon and challenge for a B1G title berth. Now that we're thoroughly out of September, it's time to start separating the pretenders from the contenders.
Indiana Hoosiers @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
Draper: Honestly, we still have absolutely no idea what Indiana is. Nebraska is the first undefeated ranked P4 team in week 6 in some time, but I don't think anyone believes in them (present company included). Giving up 23 points in a half to Maryland is a terrifying prospect, but, to their credit, they fought back for the W. Even though I'm not sold on IU, Cignetti and the better athletes are wearing crimson & cream. This is a little close for comfort as Cig preps for OSU, but the Hoosier train keeps chugging along. IU: 31--Neb: 20
Hoying: Back in 2024, this was Indiana's "we've arrived" moment as the Hoosiers stomped into dust the same Pinstripe Bowl Champion Cornhuskers that gave the Buckeyes fits in Ohio Stadium. Nebraska would sure love to flip the script this year, but their biggest problem, like every year, is that they aren't good. Sure, 5-0 is nice but they've done it against two of the worst teams in the Big Ten and three of the worst teams anywhere else. Sure, "how you win" matters as much as "who you beat", and the Huskers haven't been challenged in any of their games so far. But the one time this season that Indiana didn't look invincible was against a Northwestern team that has since turned a few heads thanks to their pasting of Penn State. Nebraska hasn't beaten anyone good in forever and I don't see their fortunes changing anytime soon. IU: 34--Neb: 13
Schweinfurth: Indiana hasn’t looked like last year, and that’s expected. Here’s the problem, Nebraska isn’t that good. The Huskers do get Indiana in a bit of a look ahead game. Not sure that it matters. Indiana wins. IU: 35—Neb: 17
Seeberg: Look, Nebraska has handled its business so far this year, arguably better than the Hoosiers (but maybe Northwestern is actually good?). IU is getting healthier at RB which may be crucial here as a balanced attack will be needed. In Lincoln this will likely be a Ryan-Day-approved “four-quarter game” (TM pending). I’m just not sure the Huskers can get enough stops over four quarters, but it should be a good one! IU: 34—Neb: 24
California Los Angeles Bruins @ Oregon Ducks
Draper: Speaking of undefeated B1G teams NO ONE is taking seriously, enter UCLA. Based on their schedule to date, only IU has faced more cupcakes (but at least they have the Nerds on the schedule). Bob Chesney has done a nice job overhauling the Bruins quickly, but I don't see a world that they go into Eugene and pull off a monstrous upset. Speaking of the Ducks, has any heard what is going on with Dante Moore? I figure he should just prep for the NFL at this point, but I haven't heard anything. Raiola looked good off the bench vs. SC, and he should be just fine here. Quack. UCLA: 17--Ore: 35
Hoying: Another undefeated team that's played nobody, UCLA has been turning a few heads despite Tennessee castoff Nico Iamaleava continuing to do nothing for them. On the other sideline, Oregon continues to be the one team that can stock up a healthy stable of starter-grade transfer QBs, and Dylan Raiola looked as good as or better than Dante Moore in putting away USC last week. The Bruins do tear it up on the ground though, a phase in which the Ducks haven't been the stingiest team on defense. If UCLA can make this a game of keep-away they might pull the same stunner that Oklahoma State did. I do think Oregon is vulnerable, but I like them to squeak past UCLA, setting up a nice run to the Playoff if they only have one more misstep. UCLA: 24--Ore: 27
Schweinfurth: I’ve made fun of Oregon a bit all year. They haven’t played well. Enter Dylan “Mini Mahomes” Raiola. Mini Mahomboy looked good in at USC. A backup with that amount of experience is nice luxury to have. It looks to be paying off. Raiola should be able to keep the train on the tracks until Moore comes back. UCLA: 24—Ore: 31
Seeberg: The Bruins have feasted on dregs so far this season with their conference slate opening with Purdue and Maryland (lol). The Ducks represent a sizable step up. I realize the other Coliseum team has no defense, but Raiola looked darn good. Maybe Nebraska was the problem after all? Regardless, UCLA doesn’t have the horses to hang with their former PAC foe in this one. Ducks cruise. UCLA: 20—ORE: 37
Georgia Bulldogs @ Alabama Crimson Tide
Draper: I really don't know what to expect here. The weather will be a major factor (if they play the game...). The Dawgs are the quiet juggernaut murdering everyone in their path without regard for human life--but their schedule has low-key sucked. Bama on the other hand, came back against a tough UK squad and my Noles (surely you jest) and demolished a super-hot Mississippi State squad in their own backyard. Is Bama back? I don't think I'd go that far...but this game in Bryant-Denney Stadium will certainly help. The odds-makers don't know what to do as UGA opened as a 1.5 point favorite and the line has swung to the Tide -1.5. I love what Keelon Russell can do with his legs, but that's when the passing game is a threat...which it shouldn't be here. Gunner Stockton is suuuuper boring, but he's there to not make mistakes. I think it's a classic high variance high upside team (Bama) vs. low variance team (UGA). With crazy weather expected, I'm going to lean on boring old consistency of Georgia (which is exactly what Saban's teams were. Kirby Smart finally takes care of the "elephant" in the room and beats his nemesis that has foiled him forever. UGA: 17--Bama: 16
Hoying: All right, Lucy, set the football up again. Surely one of these years the Dawgs can get one over on Bama before the postseason, right? Well, a couple of weeks ago I might have agreed, but the Tide have turned over a new leaf since last year's embarrassment by national champion Indiana in the Rose Bowl (still won't ever not be weird) to be arguably the hottest team in the nation right now. Georgia is, as always, their steady, steamroller selves, but (stop me if you've heard this one), they've been getting real fat on a steady diet of cupcakes. We'll see how much impact Hurricane Post-Tropical Cyclone Isaias has on each team's gameplan, but I wouldn't count out Keelon Russell's ability to create with his feet if the pass game just isn't working for either team. Remember what CJ Stroud ended up having to do against Northwestern back in '22? UGA: 17--Bama: 20
Schweinfurth: We get a weather game! These are always fun to watch when your team isn’t involved. Georgia has had Bama’s number here lately. Low scoring defense game? Sounds like the Dogs' type of game. UGA: 12—Bama: 6
Seeberg: It sounds like a cop out, but this one will rely almost exclusively on the weather. Keelon Russell is absolutely balling out, but heavy rains and 40 MPH winds will render any passing game inert. The Bulldogs can run it, the Tide can’t. I reserve the right to change this pick if the game gets postponed or moved indoors, but I gotta go with Kirby and Co. in the slop. UGA: 21—Bama: 10
Maryland Terrapins @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: This game is pure: get in, don't get hurt, get the dub, we're on to Bloomington. Don't let last week fool you...Maryland is B-A-D. Don't be surprised if the Buckeyes hold McCuin and Innis out and the youngbloods get some play. Don't get me wrong, JJ will put up stupid stats for the Heisman glory, but he will ideally be on the sideline much of the 2nd half. I'm excited to see if we can get Henry and Boyd some real game action and see what they can do. There will be a lot of running late to ice the game so might see a little more Jackson...or Jackson...or West....or maybe even Bey if he can get his head on straight. I think I might be predicting too many points as the Buckeyes shouldn't have to do much, but whatever. Happy Homecoming. Mary: 10--OSU: 52
Hoying: Apres Maryland, le deluge. We already knew the 2026 schedule was going to be an absolute gauntlet, but now even the anticipated late season breathers of Northwestern and Nebraska*** might not be such easy outs either. Of course, none of that applies to this week's matchup against the Maryland Terrapins in Ohio State's second turtle-themed game of the season. And this one should be even easier than the first, as the Terps can't really do anything well. Former promising star QB Malik Washington can't throw to his own receivers anymore, and MD gave up 54 and 48 points to UCLA and Nebraska, respectively, over the past two weeks. Ohio State has never scored fewer than 37 points against Maryland and I don't see that streak stopping this week, even if McCuin and Inniss don't play. Time to pad JJ's Heisman stats (watch out for Keelon Russell) and get some quality reps for Brock Boyd and Chris Henry to see what the future holds. Maybe we could even see a 5-wide package once everyone's healthy again! The real work starts next week. Mary: 10--OSU: 49
Schweinfurth: Maryland is Bad, M’kay. Full Stop. With that said, this is a stay healthy and play everyone game. Seriously, just get JJ his 100+ yards, 2 TDs and let Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd take it home. I’d like to see one running back go for at least 100 yards here too. It would be nice to see Legend Bey again, but not sure how practice is going. Either way, Bucks win big and on to Bloomington. Mary: 7—OSU: 49
Seeberg: The calm before the storm that is the remainder of the Bucks’ schedule. The Terrapins are already on life support. 4 and 10 will pull the plug. McCuin and Inniss will hang out, watch JJ get 150 yards by half again, and hopefully Boyd and Henry can have a little coming out party. Last week the defense was encouraging, particularly in the second half. Yes Iowa doesn’t run it all that well (weird to type that honestly), but the chunks that the Hawkeyes got in the first half were all but eliminated until the game was out of hand. Would like a couple 20+ yard runs as well to get some more of those on tape. Heck, put Bey and JJ in the backfield simultaneously and watch defensive coordinator poop their Pampers. Illinois already fired their DC after playing the scarlet and gray, and there’s a non-zero chance a head coach gets the axe after this one. Bucks big. MD: 13—OSU: 52
Upset Special
Draper: Iowa State over BYU
Hoying: UCF over Oklahoma State
Schweinfurth: TAMU over Missouri
Seeberg: South Carolina over Florida
Not even picking the Red River Shootout? Cold-blooded (and deserved)
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