The Alabama Problem, and Other Playoff Issues

It just wouldn't be the College Football Playoff without Ohio State being somewhere near the conversation, would it? We've been doing this for 4 years and the Buckeyes have never finished higher than #3 or lower than #7, and it looks like a win over Northwestern would guarantee them a spot squarely within that range again.

But where? And why is the ceiling at #3 and not #2? After all, only Notre Dame is undefeated and virtually guaranteed a spot at this point. How does Ohio State really stack up against the other potential one-loss teams? Let's take a deeper dive.

FIRST TOTALLY STUPID AND OBVIOUS POINT

Undefeated Alabama and Clemson are obviously #1 and #2 in some order. Undefeated, win your P5 conference, you're in at the top (sorry, 2014 Florida State, these guys have style points out the wazoo (sorry sorry, WSU) which the Committee thinks matters for some reason).

But suppose Georgia, Pitt, Ohio State, and Oklahoma all win this weekend. That puts Notre Dame at an easy #1 but how should #'s 2 through 6 be apportioned among Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, and Oklahoma?

WHOM DID YOU PLAY AND WHOM DID YOU BEAT

You know our philosophy here at Let's Go Bucks! We grade on resume first and go to the dreaded "I test" when all other metrics have failed us. With that in mind, let's do a blind resume comparison (the order is randomized, and please pretend you can't figure who they are right away), keeping in mind the aforementioned 5 teams would all be 12-1.

(note: some liberties were taken in assuming no other upsets occur next week in order to finalize opponents' records)

TEAM A
Conference Champion

FBS opponents' records: 83-74

Wins over bowl-eligible opponents: 8

Best win: Close road win against 3-loss Power 5 team

Loss: Close loss to 4-loss Power 5 team (neutral site)

TEAM B
NOT a Conference Champion

FBS opponents' records: 84-61

Wins over bowl-eligible opponents: 9

Best win: At home against 3-loss Power 5 team (2 of these, one close, one blowout)

Loss: To 5-loss Power 5 team (neutral site)

TEAM C
Conference Champion

FBS opponents' records: 75-82

Wins over bowl-eligible opponents: 8

Best win: At home blowout win against 2-loss Power 5 team (this team also has a close road win over a 3-loss Power 5 team)

Loss: Blowout loss to 6-6 Power 5 team (on the road)

TEAM D
Conference Champion

FBS opponents' records: 91-54

Wins over bowl-eligible opponents: 9

Best win: Neutral site win against 1-loss Power 5 team (this team also has blowout home and road wins against 3-loss Power 5 teams)

Loss: Blowout loss to 3-loss Power 5 team (on the road)

TEAM E
NOT a Conference Champion

FBS opponents' records: 81-64

Wins over bowl-eligible opponents: 7

Best win: Road blowout win against 3-loss Power 5 team (3 home blowout wins against 4-loss Power 5 teams as well)

Loss: To 1-loss Power 5 team (neutral site)

Team D is clearly out in front by themselves, so we'll put them at #2. That leaves teams A, B, C, and E to fight it out for the #3 and #4 rankings and the final playoff spots. Each has a healthy number of wins over bowl-eligible teams (although look at Team C's opponent win-loss; they must have played some craaaaaap along the way). What's better: beating a 2-loss team at home or a 3-loss team on the road? Probably the former, but not by a whole lot. Team C has one of each; Team B has none of either but two good home wins. Team E has the best loss, but they're not a conference champion, and their resume isn't strong enough to overcome such a glaring weakness. Let's pencil them in at #6. Non-champion Team B really isn't much better; they don't have a signature win or a good road win, so they go to #5.

That puts Teams A and C in the Playoff. Who gets to be #3? That depends on what's better: a more respectable loss or better top wins. Were this March Madness, the Committee would point out that you're not going to see any more garbage teams at this point; you're going to see the top dogs, so we'd better know you can beat them. But this isn't college basketball. Every game matters immensely, and you can't wish away your weakest performance. Oh, and margin of victory won't help you here, either. Team A is winning by 17.4 ppg, Team C by 17.5. They both played one common opponent, with Team A winning by 25 on the road and Team C winning by 12 at a neutral site. I'd probably give a slight nod to Team C, but I could easily go either way. 

In case these teams' identities aren't painfully obvious by now, the foregoing analysis gives us the following playoff rankings:

1. Notre Dame
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Oklahoma
5. Clemson
6. Alabama

THE ALABAMA (AND CLEMSON) PROBLEM

As you noticed above, if every possible 1-loss team ends up in the hunt for the Playoff this weekend, I would put Alabama and Clemson at the bottom of the list. Why? Simple. They would be the only ones without a conference championship, and the rest of their resume would not support them jumping a conference champion. Yes, Alabama would have the best loss (unless Georgia beat them by 50 or something). Yes, Clemson would have wins over 9 bowl eligible teams. But neither would have the best win among the 1-loss teams. The only other thing Alabama has going for it at this point, the factor driving them merrily along at #1 all season, is this aura of invincibility from blowing out everyone they've played. The funny thing about auras of invincibility is that they tend to fade when you lose. As for Clemson, they've been on fire as of late as well, but the ACC, more than any other Power 5 conference, didn't have anything resembling a strong #2 team to give them any sort of challenge.

And don't get me started on the "conference non-champions have made the playoff before" train. In 2016, 1-loss non-champion Ohio State got in over a 2-loss champion Penn State. In 2017, 1-loss non-champion Alabama got in over a 2-loss champion Ohio State. In 2015, 1-loss non-champion and NFL talent stockpile Ohio State finished ranked behind (1) 1-loss champion Michigan State, (2) 1-loss conference runner-up Iowa, and (3) 2-loss conference champion Stanford. In 2018, if Alabama or Clemson ends up with 1 loss, they're very likely going to be looking around at a lot of 0- and 1-loss conference champions (and undefeated Notre Dame) pushing to crowd them out. If Alabama or Clemson loses and still finds themselves in the Playoff the next morning in front of Ohio State / Oklahoma, then you can start your "The fix is in!" takes.

JUDGMENT TUESDAY

Of course, everything above is my opinion, a little friendly advice to the Committee before this week's all-important rankings. Yes, this week's all-important rankings, because the rankings the Committee puts out this Tuesday are of paramount importance. If this week's rankings have Ohio State at #6, Buckeye fans should be very nervous about their playoff chances. Why? Because Oklahoma plays 9-3 and possibly top 10 Texas, and Ohio State plays 8-4 and probably ~#20 Northwestern. This isn't like 2014 or 2017 when Ohio State entered Championship Weekend with the opportunity to get another statement win and gain ground on a competitor. If the rankings this week are #5 Oklahoma and #6 Ohio State, and both teams win on Saturday, I have a hard time believing anything will switch on Sunday morning. If the rankings are reversed on Tuesday, it's still not quite win-and-in for Ohio State, since Oklahoma can avenge their loss and beat a better opponent than Ohio State can, but Buckeye Nation can keep hope alive and fight for enough of those ephemeral style points to keep the Sooners at bay.


THE BIG 12'S GAMBLE PAYING OFF

I thought the Big 12 resurrecting their conference championship game even though their conference schedule was already a 10 team round robin was an incredibly stupid idea. The prevailing wisdom was that a conference championship would give the Big 12's top team (or teams) a 13th game to pad their resume vis-a-vis the other Power 5 champions. I thought the extra game would be a pointless rematch with the #1 team likely having already beaten #2, and the game would be just as likely to derail a team that had already earned a playoff spot by season's end (hi, 1998 Kansas State). But, barring a giant upset by Northwestern this weekend, it appears that I was wrong and the Big 12 was right. Without Oklahoma's chance for redemption on Saturday, there would've been a very real chance that they entered the week in the catbird seat at #5 and sat at home watching the Buckeyes wow the Committee past the Sooners and sneak intothe #4 spot. This time, Oklahoma will be the team making up ground. Of course, if Ohio State loses and Oklahoma faceplants against the Longhorns again, the Big 12 will look really, really, really stupid.

Week 13: Eleven and One

Standings:
1.) Draper 38-11 (2-10 upset)
2.) Hoying 35-14 (2-10 upset)
3.) Seeberg 32-17 (3-9 upset)
4.) Schweinfurth 31-18 (5-7 upset)

Ohio State is eleven and one in its last twelve clashes with you-know-who (actually thirteen of their last fourteen). But they're chasing a different eleven and one this Saturday, as is their bitter rival. The survivor will be eleven and one on the season and off to fight the grape ape on their way to a hopeful playoff bid. The loser...will be bitterly disappointed. Go Bucks.

FRIDAY

#6 Oklaho_a Sooners @ #13 West Virginia _ountaineers
Draper:  Now we enter into the wheel of Big 12 destiny.  One would expect the Sooners to be the standard bearer, but Holgo's squad can end all hope for the conference in the CFP.  WVU is a tough group to predict with the highest of highs on offense and....a defense? Not really.  Good news! OU has no defense. It's 11:12 and ... please don't castigate this blog NCAA. Another shootout to rival the big NFL contest earlier this week with the potential for a higher load of insanity.  Can Coach Riley or Holgo get a stop? Will it even be of value? Who knows! Let's get crazy.  Bye bye, Big 12.  OU: 48--WVU: 51
Hoying: Half a loaf is better than none. After squandering a lot of opportunities to put away their in-state rivals two weeks ago, the Cowboys finally dealt a real blow to the Big 12's playoff chances by snakebiting West Virginia in Stillwater. Now the conference's playoff hopes rest squarely on the Sooners, and they're going to have to go through an angry West Virginia and (barring any resurgence of KANSAS BEAT TEXAS) their archrivals to get there. Oh, and their defense looks positively Buckeye-esque of late, giving up 40 points to Kansas last week. Fortunately, their offense, led by their QB (probably the signature player of the season, since the Tide could be starting a wet sock at QB and still win every week by 500,000 or so) is able to plaster over any cracks on the other side of the ball (as long as they're not playing Texas). You're not going to keep up with that scoring attack. OU: 45--WVU: 38
Schweinfurth: The Sooners appear to be ripe for an upset this week. Everything is set up. Friday night, on the road, at Country Roads. WVU has the offense to give the Sooners issues, as shown by Texas. This is a true Big 12 shootout. Bucks get help from West Virginia. OU: 49--WVU: 52
Seeberg: Chiefs vs. Ra_s, part two.  I expect WVU to be angry after struggling against the Sooners' little brother last week.  Angry enough to pull the upset?  Quite possibly.  It also could be wishful thinking as a Buckeye fan, however.  But to be fair, the _ountaineers' D is, on paper, better than OU's, and they just could possess the drive to show up and scrounge out enough stops to give the Buckeyes' flatlining playoff chances a boost.  WVU late.  OU: 38--WVU: 44  

#16 Washington Huskies @ #8 Washington State Cougars
Draper:  I just can't help it.  I fall for it every year and it's happening again. I want so badly for Coach Leach to reach the pinnacle and he always chokes in this Apple Cup.  Coach Peterson always has his Huskies ready to pounce on the Cougs early, but I continue to drink the Kool-Aid.  The crazy scientist prowls the Palouse for to give us his beautifully designed trickeration and one day it will work.  That day is Friday.  Washington State finally wins won for all the Apples and a showdown with who cares in the Pac12 title.  UW: 31--WSU: 48
Hoying: Like we all predicted before the season started, a Washington school enters the Apple Cup looking to clear their last big hurdle to a possible playoff berth. Wait, which school? Washington State??? They just keep winning, and with style points, too, pasting 55 onto the hapless Arizona Wildcats last week. Oh wait, that was the FIRST HALF. Whoever picked that as his upset of the week is an idiot. He would be wise not to repeat his error. Washington isn't quite Arizona but they have been about as blah as a half-decent contender can be while still controlling their own destiny for a Rose Bowl bid. I know that Washington always inexplicably wins this battle but the advantage in the Cougars' favor is as wide as it's been since their last Rose Bowl in 2002, when they...also lost to Washington. Ah, you know what I was getting at. UW: 24--WSU: 35 
Schweinfurth: The Huskies are broken. This was supposed to be the year Washington had a run at the playoffs. You have to be able to score lots of points or play outstanding defense to beat the Cougars. I just don't think the Huskies have it. Crazy Mike Leach rides on. UW: 21--WSU: 42
Seeberg:  I've spent a lot of the year picking against the _ad scientist Coach Leach and his Cougars.  That strategy has, sadly, not been effective.  Gotta eat some crow and give Wazzou their due- plus I don't trust the Huskies to stop that Cougar offense indefinitely.  Leach and Co. pull away late.  UW: 27--WSU: 41


SATURDAY  


Auburn Tigers @ #1 Alaba_a Cri_son Tide
Draper:  At this point, who cares? It's the Tide's world.  They toyed with their food like a satisfied cat last week before chowing down and spitting out the bones.  What's that you say? They play their rival this week? And the rival kind of sucks? I have a feeling that Tu'a and Saban will continue to pour this on as retribution for the kick six (people--Saban--don't forget).  Aub: 10--Ala: 48
Hoying: Nick Saban's Tide have never beaten Auburn when it finishes with 9 or double digit wins, and never lost to Auburn when it doesn't.The Tigers are sitting at 7 right now, so they could get to 9 wins if they win their bowl and...and...well, this presents the Tide with a kind of choose your own prophecy, whereby they can either lose to good Auburn again or beat bad Auburn again. Should they be worried? Do you read this blog? Aub: 6--Ala: 31
Schweinfurth: Can we just say last week was a fluke for the Tide? I do. Tua's been injured and that played into a rough first half. This contest is in Tuscaloosa and I have no faith in this Tigers team. They can't keep their QB upright. I will adapt Hoying's phrase for this week: Tide by a ton. Aub: 13--Ala: 42
Seeberg:  As long as we continue picking contests with the Tide, I will hold to our principle here at Let's Go Bucks:  Ba_a by a _illion.  It's really that easy.  Aub: 17--Ala: 37

#7 Louisiana State Tigers @ #22 Texas A&_ Aggies
Draper:  Bienvenidos a la....rankings, Aggies! Enjoy another brief stay! LSU was returned to Earth after facing the juggernaut (and perhaps realizing the Joe Burrow is kinda average?--still a step up for LSU), but they're still significantly better than what Coach Fisher has in College Station.  Coach O and Co. are ready for a real get-back contest after last week's appetizer.  Does LSU belong in the top ten? Sure.  Will they sniff the playoff? No.  Should they? Also, no.  But they can easily take care of the Aggies in the process.  LSU: 24--Aggies: 13
Hoying: Another ranked opponent for the Tigers, which, as a top priority, gives LSU the opportunity for another quality loss! Add another 3 or 4 such losses and they could crack the top 4! LSU has sort of fallen out of the national consciousness after getting the standard 2018 Tide treatment and suffering a bit of a hangover against Arkansas the next week, but they're still a perfectly serviceable group, with that usual LSU defense. The Aggies are back to their SOP of losing to everyone of consequence (except Kentucky) and I would expect their annual end of year nosedive to continue in style this week. LSU: 24--Aggies: 20
Schweinfurth: Why are the Aggies ranked? Oh yea, we have to reach the quota of SEC schools each rankings release. *eye roll* LSU is the better squad here. I will roll with Joe Burrow on this particular week. LSU: 28--Aggies: 9
Seeberg:  Ah, the "wheel of rando_ ranked SEC squads" landed on the Aggies this week.  Once again, this will be another short-lived error.  Hoying said it well, the Aggies, tend to freefall in Nove_ber, and this year is no exception.  LSU completes the ka_ikaze-esque nosedive.  LSU: 31--Aggies: 20

#21 Utah State Aggies @ #23 Boise State Broncos
Draper:  Does anyone know about these foes? Does anyone really care? No and definitely no. After receiving an absolute gift last week with the final play penalty awarding the Aggies a victory, they have had a year for the ages.  A seven point loss to a reasonably lousy Spartan squad is the only wart for a group that has had no success that I can ever recall.  Boise has had the success but a rather so-so year with two losses and no wins of note.  Can they recapture the blue field wizardry and pull out another conference title? Sure.  Why not? USU: 28--BSU: 38
Hoying: Finally we get to the showdown at the forefront of everyone's cortex. Who wins the right to be the #2 Group of Five squad behind UCF and thus get a big fat nothing for its efforts (except a conference title berth, whoopee)? The Aggies survived last week on a heartbreaker last ditch throw by Colorado State, since the receiver who caught it had already stepped out of bounds (hi Johnnie Dixon), but they've otherwise looked solid since dropping their opener against East Lansing's finest. Granted, the opponents have been awful, but that doesn't stop UCF slapping their chests and it shouldn't stop Utah State, either. Boise has struggled to find the endzone a few weeks this year, leading to a couple of costly losses to Gundy's Pokes and San Diego State. And it's going to cost the Broncos on Saturday as well. USU: 30--BSU: 20
Schweinfurth: I really have no clue about either squad. I'll roll with the Broncos. USU: 21--BSU: 35
Seeberg:  The Broncos have pretty much run the _ountain West for awhile now, but the "other" Aggies are hoping to put a stop to that trend.  Don't just look at the school's na_es here:  Boise State has a suspect D and fewer offensive play_akers than in years' past.  Just about the witching hour for that blue field and it's squad.  Aggies end Boise State's reign.  USU: 34--BSU: 27

#4 That School Up North @ #10 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper:  Serious question: does anyone doubt that the Buckeyes are capable of winning this contest? If you do, you need to take a long hard look at the talent on this Buckeye squad. Granted, this is one of the better groups of Wolverines entering the fight and the Buckeye defense hasn't attained close to what was expected, but do you think it's out of the area of possibility? No way.  I watched TTUN last week...in the Big House...vs. a Hoosier crew with the equal 5-5 record as the Terps and it was no drubbing.  Yes, the winged ones won by 11 on a late field goal, but if even one of those fluky turnovers didn't happen in College Park, we're talking about a proportionate win over the group that beat Texas.  The Bucks are better at QB and WR while TTUN has the defensive and O-line advantage.  Yeah, I like their positional advantage too...but we're in the Shoe...and we have recent history and belief on our side.  You can be all Debbie Downer, but I will stand tall.  They want revenge.  I will not concede and neither will the Bucks.  It will be a shootout, but a costly turnover and a surprising late defensive stand allows the Bucks to keep the agony in Ann Arbor.  TTUN: 34--OSU: 38
Hoying: I was a first-year Buckeye sitting in the south stands the last year the Buckeyes were an underdog to the Wolverines in the Horseshoe. Then, about 60 seconds into the contest, Troy uncorked a 68-yard beauty to a rando white guy called Gonzalez, and the rout was on (those 2 did pretty well the next 2 years, too). Can we hope for a repeat this year? No reason not to; the pieces are all there for our beloved Buckeyes to be truly great as long as they can shore up an identity on offense and find positions in which you would expect football players to stand on defense. The Wolverines have looked terrific...at the Big House...when not playing Indiana, but playing on the banks of the Olentangy is a bit harder nut to crack. Urban's never lost at Ohio State as an underdog (they were favored in the 2016 playoff against the Tigers, lol) and this Saturday could be the bellwether for whether he's still got the golden touch or the pains of coaching are finally catching up (again). At the end of the day, Dwayne is still better than Shea Patterson, even if the latter will be throwing (and running) against air all day, and Haskins has already beaten these clowns once before, on the road. Let's see another legend born in the Shoe. TSUN: 27--OSU: 30
Schweinfurth: The week I wait for every year is here. I don't care what the Buckeyes did last week. I don't care about the Purdue loss. I don't care about the defensive lapses. This is the week legends are born at Ohio State. Everyone points out how great that other school's defense is. They are good and they pass the eye test. They have not faced an offense like the Buckeyes. Running the ball has been very good the last few weeks and Haskins had a return to what we witnessed the first part of the year. The other school's offense is like what the Bucks faced in Happy Valley, and they handled it well. I do think we see the Buckeyes step up in the Shoe. It's what the Bucks do. Urbs doesn't lose to his rivals. Let's send the Booger dude back north with yet another loss!! GO BUCKS! BEAT BLUE!!! TTUN: 21--OSU: 35
Seeberg:  I...yeah.  As insane as this sounds, there are reasons to be opti_istic about this clash at high noon (as it da_n well should be) on Saturday.  The Bucks can finally run the ball again, Urban is 6-0 as an underdog since taking over at Ohio State, and Harbaugh is, well, Harbaugh.  Oh, and Chase Winovich could be out?  Definitely wouldn't hurt the Bucks' chances.  _eanwhile, TTUN FINALLY has an actual living, breathing offense to go with it's typically stout D.  But anyone reading this knows that already in all likelihood.  It all boils down to whether or not the Buckeyes can find an edge through the doubt, being an underdog, etc., or if the sa_e, ridiculous issues that have bogged this incredibly talented squad down all year (penalties, no offensive balance, WHAT IN ALL HADES IS OUR BACK SEVEN DOING HALF THE TIME, and so forth) rear their collective ugly heads.  I want the W, I will be in the Shoe (section 2C, say hi!), but even the ho_er inside just cannot get there.  The Scarlet and Gray keep it close, but TTUN, regrettably, resets the clock to 0 days since _ichigan beat Ohio State.  TTUN: 34--OSU: 30

Upset Special
Draper: Florida State over Florida
Hoying: _ississippi over _ississippi State
Schweinfurth: USC over ND (why not?)
Seeberg:  South Carolina over Cle_son

Grading the Bucks: Week 12--_aryland

Sheesh....and yet....

Offense: A-

co_VPs: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Johnny Dixon, WR, and JK Dobbins, RB

Other that the turnovers, hard to say that this side of the ball was at fault here.  JK ran really well but sorry _issed the _ike Weber change of pace.  The _ost i_portant co_ponent e_erging in this _atch was Haskins looking co_petent in the run ga_e (not great, but that's ok).  Just having hi_ as a threat is a HUGE boon to the offense and the sche_e.  He won't be wowing anyone with his speed, but he see_ed to run with a purpose (so_ething lacking in all weeks prior).  Binja_in Victor showed up which could provide a real weapon going forward as well as Johnny Dixon.  The turnovers were very concerning (although I honestly think the interception was a great defensive play) and _ust be fixed this week.  Extra possessions cannot be surrender like that.  Also, Isaiah Prince: what happened? He was showing such i_prove_ent early on and then crashed and burned.  Pray for hi_ (and Haskins) next week against Gary. _aybe also try to turn down the stupid on the false starts a bit too?

Defense: D-

_VP: none

Once again, the defense returned to for_ after a nice showing vs. a hapless Spartan squad.  The pursuit angles and gap discipline is just atrocious.  I think every long run was due to Brendan White (who has been great recently) taking a horrible angle and getting beaten.  _ichigan's running backs are too good for us to allow those big plays. They will capitalize.  It can't happen next week if we want to keep the streak alive.  Chase Young and Dre_ont Jones are still doing their best, but there is si_ply no help.  The back seven need to be average and we can survive.  This week was not average.

Special Tea_s: D+

Don't re_e_ber _uch but the fake punt was ridiculous.  _ore in the coaching section, but co_e on.  Kicks were fine.

Coaching: D-

What. Are. You. Doing? This tea_ shows no i_prove_ent in sche_e and or preparation.  Every week I say "If we can finally get off to a good start this week..." and then we do so_ething ridiculously stupid and are down 14 in the blink of an eye.  Failing to start fast with these athletes is pure coaching.  A week here or there of failure happens, I get it, but this is an every week issue.  Then, while _ounting a co_eback (shouldn't be necessary against _aryland....or _innesota....or Purdue...) the tea_ looks surprised at the opponent's plan of attack.  Our coaches are so_e of the highest paid in the country.  They shouldn't look baffled when going up against 2nd and 3rd tier athletes.  Case 1A was allowing the fake punt.  What are you doing co_ing after that punt (on any punt if we're to be honest)? 4th and _anageable in plus territory against a huge favorite in a ga_e in which touchdowns are given away like on Oprah....OF COURSE THEY'RE AT LEAST CONSIDERING FAKING IT!!  This is Coaching 101 and we're failing.  _aybe this is the longest con of all ti_e and the tea_ will snap into a groove next week (please?), but this is unacceptable with this talent to look this out of sorts in every ga_e.

Overall: C-

Offense good, defense bad.  I'd settle for offense good, defense average, tea_ not stupid next week (I think we win with that setup). Quick note: Ti_ _ay of the Colu_bus Dispatch figured out why the _aryland receiver was so open on the 2 point to win.  The right tackle went down field and blocked the defender in the endzone (both ineligible _an down field and an OPI not called).  Go watch the replay (nu_ber 58).  It didn't _atter, but i_agine if they would have executed the pass....hello Big Ten refs.  I hope I'_ not bitterly disappointed in a call this next week...

Week 12: Cupcake Wars

Standings:
1.) Draper 34-11 (2-9 upset)
2.) Hoying 33-12 (2-9 upset)
3.) Schweinfurth 29-16 (5-6 upset)
3.) Seeberg 29-16 (2-9 upset)

The good news is that all top 10 teams are playing this week (though none are playing each other). The bad news: how many of them are playing teams with winning records? Two: Notre Dame (see below) and Clemson, who plays Duke. At least Michigan, Washington State, West Virginia, and Ohio State are playing decent teams. The rest of them? Wooooooof. Tune in at noon to see the Buckeyes hopefully get to double-digit wins for an FBS-best fifteenth time this century, then go ahead and hibernate until Thanksgiving.

#12 Syracuse Orange vs. #3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Draper:  Honestly, I don't believe there are 3 ranked matchups this week, but if Syracuse can sneak in... That being said, the Orange are pretty solid with Eric Dungy.  Coach Babers has the Orange completely outpunching their class, but the Irish are locked on the goal.  While they will get destroyed by Bama or Clemson, Brian Kelly and Co. can take care of most teams in the country with relative ease.  The Yankee stadium gimmick is dumb, but it won't be enough for the Orange to pull off the upset.  Reasonably close for 3 quarters before the Irish pull away.  Cuse: 20 -- ND: 34
Hoying: Yes, you read that right. #12 Syracuse. As in, two spots behind our beloved Buckeyes. This will be the last ranked opponent the Irish face this year, and the last significant obstacle to Notre Dame crashing the playoff for the first time. It's not a road game for the Irish per se; the game is in the state of New York, at Yankee Stadium, but the Irish are wearing Yankee uniforms for some reason? I guess that makes sense, after all, most Irish fans are Yankee fans (and Cowboy fans, and Duke basketball fans, and Golden State fans) anyway. How's the game going to shake out? You may remember Syracuse as the one team able to put a real scare into Clemson this season (other than some early season weirdness at Texas A&M). The offense has been stellar but the D hasn't been able to stop anybody. That's not good news against the (not-so-) new look Notre Dame offense under Ian Book. Man, a lot of teams sure had their offense jump start after swapping out quarterbacks midseason. Clemson, Notre Dame, Purdue, Iowa State...makes you wonder what would've happened last year if Urban wasn't so stuck on JT...oh wait, right, the offense was better last season than this season. Never mind. Anyway, Notre Dame wins this one, inching closer to further narrowing the tightest playoff race yet. SU: 27--ND: 34
Schweinfurth: If you've been following along this year, you would know that I am not a fan of this Notre Dame team and have picked them multiple times to get upset. Northwestern had their shot and then forgot how defend a zone read. I like Syracuse and think Dino Babers has done great things at a school with lots of tradition, but not much recent success. I would be all over this upset if this game was in the Carrier Dome, but it's at Yankee Stadium (yawn). That totally kills any home field advantage. Notre Dame wins, but close.  SU: 28--ND: 31
Seeberg: I've had this one earmarked for an "upset special" pick for weeks, just didn't imagine the 'Cuse would be ranked and it'd be a regular game for us to pick here at Let's Go Bucks.  It boils down to a couple things.  The Orange tend to get up for big games (see Clemson last year), and, well, I really don't trust Brian Kelly to not screw things up somehow.  Book may be back, but a week off for injury combined with still not being 100% is a dicey recipe.  Cold weather, lousy conditions in a baseball diamond no less, and the Irish will be too out of sorts to play as well as they're capable.  Orange pick up arguably the best win of the year outside of Jeauxy Burreaux's dismantling of Georgia.  Cuse: 27--ND: 23

#24 Cincinnati Bearcats @ #11 Central Florida Knights
Draper:  This matchup features the juicy undefeated and 1 loss teams...who have beaten a grand total of no one.  UCF has been trouncing most of the garbage they've played (sans Memphis), but Fickell and Co. have been winning close.  While the Knights are not the 2017 National Championships as those in their mother's basement want you to believe, they're a pretty solid squad with that chip squarely on their shoulder.  Being a ranked team for the first time this year will be nice for them...until UC drops out and they can whine about no respect even more.  I'm actually quite impressed with Fickell's turnaround in year 2, but the train ends here in one of the biggest games in Orlando this year.  UC: 24--UCF: 34
Hoying: How long can you keep a team motivated at the highest levels when they've got practically nothing to play for? UCF is currently riding a 22(!) game win streak that features a """"""national championship"""""" but let's face it, the Committee isn't going to let them anywhere near the playoff, even if they are only one freaking spot behind our beloved Buckeyes at present. And this week they're facing a hungry Cincinnati team fresh off of two 4-8 seasons (and 2 blowout losses to UCF), looking to crash the big boy bowls for the first time since being Tim Tebow's going-away party patsies back in 2009. The 'Cats have the defense to win this one, and I think Fick will get them over the hump as he continues to head toward bigger and better things. Good for him (but don't beat us next year or you're dead to me). UC: 34--UCF: 31
Schweinfurth: UCF belongs in the playoff, blah, blah, blah. Yes, they had an argument last year, but has anyone actually watched one of their games this year? That defense is B. A. D. bad. I've watched a couple of UC's games (I don't know why) and they have looked impressive. Luke Fickel is doing great things down there. Add to the fact Marcus Freeman (UC's D Coordinator) is my guy and I've got the Cats all day. UC: 35--UCF: 24
Seeberg: For Luke Fickell's surprising 2nd-year reclamation project down I-71 a ways from the Horseshoe, this game needs to stay in the 20s to give the Bearcats a shot.  Cincy plays solid D, certainly a reflection of their head coach, but 30+ for UCF is likely to break the Cats' backs.  Anyone have this one as the ABC primetime game on their calendars 3 months ago?  Yeah, me neither.  Expect a good one, but just a little too much UCF offense in the end.  Night Knights indeed.  UC: 27--UCF: 31

#16 Iowa State Cyclones @ #15 Texas Longhorns
Draper:  What to do with Iowa State? They always seem to snakebite someone (hello OU last year and WVU this year), but it always goes down at home.  They ruined Brandon Weeden's bid for a National Title in 2011..but also in Ames.  On the other side of the ball, what is going on in Texas with all the Tom Herman drama?  Returning to Darrell K Royal will be a blessing as the Horns snag another ranked win over an 'eh' team to make the year end on a high(er) note.  Ok cool.  Hook em.  ISU: 20--UT: 31
Hoying: Lost in the perpetual shuffle of "Is Texas back?" is one of the greatest turnarounds in college football this season. After a terrible 1-3 start, the Cyclones turned to 3rd string QB Brock Purdy and have been firing on all cylinders since, leveling the Mountaineers along the way. Is Texas next on the hit list? Maybe. For all the success the 'Horns have enjoyed this season, they haven't won a game by more than 7 points since beating TCU the week after OSU did. The defense has gone bye-bye of late (granted, playing Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and Texas Tech will do that to you; see also, generally, Big 12 football), and the team may be crumbling a bit down the stretch. Fun fact: each of these teams plays a cream puff next week, and if the winner of this game can take care of business, they can find themselves in the Big 12 title game if the Oklahoma-West Virginia game next week breaks their way (ISU needs an Oklahoma victory, Texas is pulling for WVU). That team will be Iowa State. ISU: 31--UT: 30
Schweinfurth: I'm going to keep this short. Texas is not back, but is close. Iowa State is the one team no one wants to play right now. I'll roll with Matt Campbell and the Cyclones. ISU: 38--UT: 21
Seeberg: Not sure where to go on this one as the closeness in rankings would suggest.  Iowa State is, surprisingly, trending up with a 3rd string QB (hi there, 2014 Ohio State) while Texas is, also surprisingly, trending downward, losing two in a row just two weeks after winning the Red River Rivalry in a shootout.  A narrow win in another shootout (which feels redundant to say given that it's a Big 12 contest) against Texas Tech may have righted the ship for the Longhorns.  If the weird Zack Smith/Herman feud causes a distraction, this one could well go the other way, but I'm taking Texas in a tight one (giggity).  ISU: 28--UT: 34

#10 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ Maryland Terrapins
Draper:  Maryland is that program that can't seem to keep a QB healthy.  It's getting ridiculous how they drop like flies....and that's not close to the worst thing happening in College Park this year.  Some may point to this as a trap game as the Bucks prepare for TTUN, but honestly, I think this is a game to strut our stuff.  Last week was gross...but if you step back, the team played pretty well in most phases.  Win--Check, Ranked Opponent--Check, on the road--Check, by 20 -- Check.  I expect to see a few wrinkles to confuse Michigan (more Tate Martell to add another element please).  Of course there's the worry that things all fall to the opponent (see: Purdue) but if we play our game and smart (BIG if), we'll be fine.  Keep winning and let the chips fall.  OSU: 38--MD: 16
Hoying: Ahhhhhh, isn't it nice to actually enjoy a win for once? What, you didn't enjoy that mess in East Lansing? It had punting, defensive touchdowns, punting, a semi-competent running game, and more punting. Somewhere (probably Youngstown) Jim Tressel is smiling and nodding. I haven't watched a lot of Maryland football this year so I don't know much about them other than that their athletes are worse than Ohio State's, and that their coach and starting QB are both gone. Then again, Maryland starting a backup QB is pretty much par for the course for them; they've lost 6 QBs to ACL tears alone in the last 7 years. The last two times Maryland started a backup QB against Ohio State they got absolutely obliterated. The year before that, backup QB Perry Hills couldn't throw worth a lick but he ran for 170 yards and scared the crap out of the Buckeyes for a half. What does any of that have to do with this year? Not much, but writing about Maryland is boring me already. There's no reason they should win this game; Ohio State is kind of sort of finding something like a groove again and this should be nothing more than a tune-up for you-know-who next week. OSU: 34--MD: 20
Schweinfurth: I have one wish this week: get the win and keep everyone healthy. Maryland is a feast or famine team on offense. Limit the big plays and the Terps will have trouble moving the ball. Please keep working on that run game this week. I don't know that the Bucks will really show a lot on offense, just simple plays. I expect to see Tate Martell, only because there should be garbage time. OSU: 45--MD: 10
Seeberg: Fun stat of the day:  Ohio State is beating Maryland by an average of 39 points since the Terrapins entered the conference.  This Buckeyes team isn't as good as years' past, so don't expect quite as decisive a victory.  Fun stat #2:  Mike Weber has 711 rushing yards this season, and J.K. Dobbins has...712.  However, Weber has had 30 fewer carries than Dobbins, bolstering my 2-year belief that Weber is the better back (though both are clearly very good).  Regardless, the goal is to win this one going away and stay healthy.  I REALLY hope to see further improvement in red zone efficiency with the Martell package, or Tate Crate (tm) as I am officially coining it.  Score touchdowns not FGs, because we'll need 7s next week for sure.  OSU: 42--MD: 17

Upset Special
Draper: Citadel over Alabama (greatest upset of all time)
Hoying: Arizona over Washington State 
Schweinfurth: Middle Tennessee over Kentucky
Seeberg: Oklahoma State over West Virginia

Grading the Bucks: Week 11--Michigan State

It wasn't (that) pretty, but they took care of business.  Honestly, it's hard to call a 20 point victory on the road against a ranked opponent a 'bad' win.

Offense: C
MVP: Mike Weber, RB
The running game was reasonably effective against a rugged MSU defense.  The passing game has evaporated over the last few weeks which is immensely concerning. I'm hopeful that the goal was to develop the run game (success) and hide the 'strength' but I worry about the ability to flip the switch.  Haskins has looked timid which could be a very real issue come to TTUN. Here's hoping we can find the key to reset Haskins to the beginning of the season.  The O-line got closer to average with this performance (but Prince has dropped off the map).  I loved the addition of the Tate Martell package (imagine the Bucks STARTING Martell vs. Meatchicken...).  More to follow.

Defense: A
MVP: Dremont Jones, DT
Let's be clear: Michigan State is bad on offense.  Horrible.  But, the defense did what they were supposed to do and shut them down.  While the offense faced is atrocious, credit is deserved for doing their job.  I'm a bit concerned that teams have been able to scheme away the D-line with quick passes (nullifies the advantage).  The secondary needs more work of course, but White had another nice game. 

Special Teams: A+
coMVPs: Drue Chrisman, P, Terry McLaurin, WR
What a day! The worst punt in OSU history couple with one of the greatest punting performance in OSU history. A 4 yard punt set the defense back, but 5 punts inside the 6? Crazy good.  Those also led directly to a safety and defensive TD.  Phenomenal effort.  Terry McLaurin deserves credit for the unsung fielding of the punts at the one.

Coaching: B
Confusion still abounds.  Offensive playcalling is still a mystery.  The decline of Haskins accuracy and comfort is worrisome. Defensive playcalling was fine this week but the Spartans are a mess.  The Martell package was great (and the coaches seemed very comfortable calling plays), it gained 8 yards....and then we went away from it.  Why? The QB run option completely opens up the running game but it's painfully clear no defense respects Haskins running (which they shouldn't).  A creative mix can be used effectively, but the gameplan needs to be scripted to allow for it.  Maybe it's more of a threat to TTUN but I think Tate should be peppered in situationally as well as on certain drives.  The O-line and coaches are much more comfortable utilizing a running QB.  If Haskins could run....he'd put Tua to shame (maybe).

Overall: A-
20 point road win over a ranked opponent.  Credit is deserved even if the CFP committee has shown they don't care.  Perhaps one of these days the scales will be balanced.  Buckeyes, take heart.  This was a good win.  We are right in the thick of playoff hunt (to be sacrificed on the alter of Saban).

Week 11: Fortnite Battle Royuck

Standings:
1.) Draper 30-11 (2-8 upset)
2.) Hoying 29-12 (1-9 upset)
3.) Schweinfurth 25-16 (5-5 upset)
4.) Seeberg 25-16 (2-8 upset)

We hope you enjoyed the four key ranked matchups last week that settled a great deal of the dust surrounding this year's playoff field. Because you're not going to see many more of those before rivalry week. Between then and now are two weeks (or, a fortnight, get it?) of blah matchups, starting with some lambs being led to the slaughter against Alabama and Clemson and a couple of ranked, somehow, teams that nobody cares about (hi, Auburn and Michigan State). You know it's bad when the best game of the week features Alabama (no prizes for guessing who wins by a million).

#16 Mississippi State Bulldogs @ #1 Alabama Crimson Tide
Draper:  I have moved to the side of darkness.  My colleague, Mr. Hoying, has been correct all along.  It's Bama's world and we're all living in it.  They are completely legit and will crush everything in their path.  Hail Saban.  MSU: 10 -- Bama: 48
Hoying: Nice knowing you, Bulldogs. MSU: 6--Bama: 38
Schweinfurth: Is there really any reason to break this game down? The Crimson Death Machine has almost reached full awareness and is already eviscerating everything/one in it's path. Clanga doesn't stand a chance. MSU: 7--Bama: 42
Seeberg: Quite honestly I love that middle-of-the-road SEC teams keep getting ranked, because we get to keep picking 'Bama games here at Let's Go Bucks and, well, I'm struggling this season so I need the easy W's.  No break down needed.  It's 'Bama, end o' story.  MSU: 14--Bama: 49

#2 Clemson Tigers @ #17 Boston College Eagles
Draper:  Here's another game that shouldn't be close.  Clemson is really finding themselves late in the season and prepping for the Bama beatdown.  With sunshine QBing the Tigers and Etienne holding it down on the ground, I don't expect the likes of Steve Addazio and company to make much of a dent.  Sure, they've been a nice little team this year, but Clemson is an 'elite' team (as James Franklin might put it).  Clem: 48--BC: 17
Hoying: Boy, it sure feels like forever and a day since Clemson fell backwards into a road win at Syracuse with their 3rd string warm body quarterback. Since then they've been the most terrifying death machine east of Tuscaloosa (and nobody plays football of consequence west of Tuscaloosa). BC has put together a nice little run of their own except for a blowout loss to Purdue (*droops head*) and a loss to the ACC's third competent team, NC State. How did Clemson do against the Wolfpack? Oh yeah, they stomped them by 34. I'm beginning to get a strong suspicion of who's going go have the honor of heading to Santa Clara on January 7 to, well, you know. Clem: 45--BC: 31
Schweinfurth: This game feels a like it could end up being pretty close. Don't get me wrong, I fully expect Clemson to win. I think the Tiger defense is just too much for the Eagles. The weather will be the great equalizer here. It is going to be cold in Boston and passing could be an issue. This feels like a grind it out game and Entiene has been outstanding for Clemson. Clem: 28--BC:24
Seeberg: Make no mistake, this isn't your older brother's BC team that thrived on elite defense and, well, only playing offense because it was forced to by rule.  They can score it and score it well.  Unfortunately for those hoping the TIgers stumble, BC can't stop anyone consistently either which is a poor recipe when facing a squad that just put up 77 (in barely over 3 quarters at that).  Clemson by half a million.  Clem: 52--BC: 28

#24 Auburn Tigers @ #5 Georgia Bulldogs
Draper: Has UGA figured it out after the inexplicable gag vs. LSU? I think so.  Jake Fromm is fine, but the rest of the team is the reason for the success.  Auburn is an riddle wrapped in an enigma.  They have shown some spurts of success vs. A&M and Washington, yet they were nipped by LSU and crushed by a mediocre Mississippi State squad.  Haven't watched much of these teams this year, but I have much more faith in the talent of the Dawgs.  Aub: 17--UGA: 27
Hoying: Not gonna lie, when I put up the first draft of games to pick this week, I didn't include this one on the list, because I didn't foresee Auburn being ranked by the Committee. And...I'm still kind of scratching my head. I guess they beat Washington (doesn't that feel like a million years ago?), so it would make sense to rank Auburn ahead of Washington. And they beat Texas A&M, but it's November, everybody's going to be beating the Aggies from now on. Meanwhile Georgia woke up just in time to flatten their meager East competition and secure a showdown with the Tide in the SEC Championship (the poor b*st*rds). I don't foresee Gus Malzahn lucking into the same voodoo magic that bottled the Dawgs up for a half down in Baton Rouge. Auburn has hit their usual ceiling of 7-8 wins in between runs to almost championships (unless you have Cam Newton). Aub: 20--UGA: 31
Schweinfurth: Auburn's offense has been downright dreadful this year. That offensive line can't block anything for Stidham. That poor guy my get dismantled by the Tide in a few weeks if he survives this game. Georgia has recovered from that weird loss to Florida nicely. The Dawgs are just going to H8 stomp this poor Tiger Team. Aub: 10--UGA: 38
Seeberg:  Fascinating.  The "Wheel of SEC Ranked Teams" inexplicably stopped on Auburn this week.  Oh well, one week at a time, right?  LSU peaked against the Bulldogs before gaining approximately .73 yards of offense against 'Bama last week.  UGA is just too good to play that poorly again- and it might not matter anyways because they're just that much better than their remaining competition, Auburn included.  On a completely irrelevant note, I wish teams from the south were named ANYTHING other than the TIgers or Bulldogs.  I'm getting tired of typing those two words.  Oh well, UGA and his goofy jowls lap up another W.  Aub: 16--UGA: 35

#10 THE Ohio State University Buckeyes @ #18 Michigan State Spartans
Draper:  What to do? I keep waiting for the team to break out and showcase the talent, but they can't get out of their own way.  The players still swwm very disinterested at times and the coaches seem like they started game prep around 8 minutes INTO the 1st quarter. If the coaches can get it together, the sky's the limit (well..Bama's the limit).  I still believe the Haskins is a 1st round NFL talent and we have a few top 3 round wide receivers.  If we can scheme appropriately, there is no reason we shouldn't have an explosive performance every week.  The defense has a talent discrepancy, but a better scheme could hide some of the flaws.  The plus is MSU is incredibly pedestrian.  Lewerke is 'eh' and no one really scares you.  That being said, they have a reasonably average to above average talent across the board.  Consistency has been the Dantonio staple.  I could see any of a variety of things happening, but I expect a close game with a mistake or two being the difference.  When in doubt, lean on the better athletes.  OSU: 27--MSU: 21
Hoying: I don't get this team. On pure talent, they should be running teams out of the building week in and week out like Bama and mini-Bama above. On scheme, they look like a confused mess every week. Yeah, they finally got the running game going again last week (against a terrible terrible defense), but the air raid seems to have been grounded in the process. I can't figure out if this is a team in transition to something we're more used to at THE Ohio State University or if the coaches are just throwing things at the wall and seeing what will stick. Not that the Spartans are any easier to peg. They have great rushing defense, sure, unless they're facing an actual good running team like Michigan or Penn State. Is Ohio State a good running team? They were last year when they put up 335 yards on the ground. On the other side of the ball, the Spartans Will...have trouble getting anything going. But these Silver BBs seem to be the cure opposing offenses are looking for, being just a couple of key turnovers against Minnesota away from a full month of truly bad football. The injuries seem to be healing (except for one big hole), so it may be that our blue chip secondary can handle whatever the mighty Brian Lewerke can throw at them. And the Spartans don't have a ground game at all, so I wouldn't be worried on that front unless you really think our linebackers are worse than the likes of Central Michigan or Utah State. This game will be a knock-out, drag-down slop of a mess, and it may be that the first team to double digits will escape with a win. Under those circumstances, I'm willing to ride with Dwayne. He'll be far and away the best player on the field on Saturday. OSU: 17--MSU: 16
Schweinfurth: Hey look, the Buckeyes remembered how to run the ball last week! This is a really big deal. The next three opponents for the Bucks are all in the top 30 in total defense (yes, that includes Maryland). What bodes well for the Bucks is that the Spartan offense is totally depleted. The Bucks can line up in the base defense pretty much all game in this and match up with the Spartans. I really want to see more of Brendon White at the the safty spot opposite of Fuller this week. No more Isaiah Pryor. I've seen that horror show way too much this year. I do think the Bucks will move the ball this week by utilizing the screen game and a few downfield shots to loosen up the Michigan State D. This feels like last years game a bit. I think the Bucks run away with this one. OSU: 35--MSU: 14
Seeberg:  As even as this matchup has been since Urban took over (despite a typical talent disparity in the Scarlet and Gray's favor), this year's edition is outright bizarre.  You have easily stoppable force (OSU rush game) meeting immovable object (MSU's #1 rush D), and then easily stoppable force (MSU's woeful offense) meeting easily movable object (OSU's steel sieve D).  In my mind, whoever wins that fight of embattled units more often will ultimately win the day.  MSU does have some issues in the secondary and can be exposed via the pass, so points should still come with Haskins and the Buckeyes' bevy of quality receivers.  Can the Buckeyes get enough stops to sneak out a W?  I'm not so sure, but I do, however, believe the Spartans will stop themselves enough for that to be the case.  One or two "Sparty no!" moments allow the Bucks to escape East Lansing with a less-than-aesthetically-pleasing win.  OSU: 31--MSU: 27

Upset Special
Draper: Colorado over Washington State
Hoying: Rutgers over Mich......ahahahahahahaha Tennessee over Kentucky
Schweinfurth: Ok St. over Oklahoma
Seeberg: Navy over UCF

Grading the Bucks: Week 10--Nebraska

Not great, Bob.

Offense: B-
So we finally got the running game going...and forgot how to pass.  Dwayne Haskins has seemingly started a slow decline in accuracy (very odd...and disconcerting).  Honestly, I spent most of the time railing at the playcalling (more to come) but the accuracy issues are a bit concerning.  It was certainly nice to see the line opening a few holes here and there, but this was against a bad Nebraska team.  The push on 4th and short was still nonexistent and it is HUGE problem for an OSU unit that has (should have) better athletes than 99% of the schools they face.  Dobbins and Weber flashed (and finally broke a few tackles!) but growth need to continue.

Defense: C
Let's be clear...Nebraska isn't good.  Yet they seemed to move up and down the field with relative ease.  There have been a bevy of injuries on this side of the ball (primarily in the secondary) but that's no excuse to look as the Buckeyes have.  Teams have figured out how to neutralize the strength of the D-line with quick hitters and draw plays and our coaches haven't adjusted (more later).  We don't face a truly dynamic offense for the remainder of the regular season, but the running game of TSUN will be a problem.

Special Teams: I don't remember
Sorry...I don't remember the special teams play of last week which is usually a plus.  Instead of making fun of me for my crappy lack of analysis...make fun of Nebraska's kicker for....what this was.

Coaching: D-
This team is devolving.  The playcalling is getting worse.  There is no ingenuity in design and scheme.  It seems as if the coaches are assuming the better athletes will win without help.  I don't understand the apathy.  Two weeks to improve and Haskins looks worse.  Two weeks to gameplan and the playcalling was horrid.  The team looks wholly unprepared and I think there may be some questioning of the coaching duties within the ranks as well (no real reason to think this other than the players aren't stupid).  The ultimate failure was early in the game on a 3rd and 1.  We know the line wasn't successful on getting a push in the past few weeks, but there were 2 attempts to psych the players up and get that yard.  Barring that, try to throw the ball (which was usually successful). No.  Instead the playcall was a jet sweep with Paris Campbell that the line (predictably) was unable to provide any protection.  Loss of 2.  Then, to compound matters, we went for it on 4th down in what appeared to be a total reaction to the bad play. "We failed there, but we'll show them by running it down their throat" (with no fight left). Stuffed.  Momentum swing.  The coaches appeared to be on tilt with the stupidity of the first playcall and the overreaction following.  Urban appeared in disbelief when we didn't get it on 4th...but that's been this team the last few weeks.  I don't know how some of the brightest minds in coaching seem befuddled at scheming for a 2-6 opponent.  It's disturbing to say the least.

Overall: C-
Not great, Bob.  Not great. The talent still resides in Columbus in the Scarlet and Gray.  We can achieve most of the goals set out at the beginning of the year (sorry, I saw the Bama game and I welcome our new Elephant Overlords and their Commander Satan...er...Saban).  To achieve these goals, the mindset and mental aspects of the team/scheme must be improved and they must be improved NOW.  Michigan State isn't a great team, but Dantonio has been a thorn in Urban's side.  The opponents smell blood in the water.  Can the Bucks rally and live up to potential? I sure hope so.

Bonus--Uniforms: BUTT
Stop it.  Just stop it.  Ohio State doesn't need gimmicks.  I don't care if you think they look 'fire emoji'.  This is Ohio State.  Play for the tradition, play for pride, play for what's come before you and what's coming after.  Don't play for stupid looking gimmicky uniforms.  Scarlet and Gray are the colors and that's what we should be about.  Now...get off my lawn.