Games of the week:
Light slate this week before Rivalry week next week
Penn State @ OSU - This has been easily the most important rivalry in the B1G the last 3 years. Each game in that time frame has seen a double digit 4th quarter comeback. 2016 saw the block FG that put PSU back on the map. 2017 saw PSU jump out to a big lead thanks to bad kickoff coverage (and some questionable reffing) before JT Barrett had the half of his life. Last year, saw OSU fall behind, make a furious comeback on nothing but screen passes, then Chase Young stopped a 4th down play to win it. OSU clinches the East with a win. PSU essentially clinches the East with a win (technically OSU could pass them with win over Michigan and a PSU loss to Rutgers...but no). So for the 4th year in a row, the winner of this game wins the B1G East.
PSU has been solid, beating a decent Pitt team, racing out to a big lead vs Michigan and MSU (although Michigan nearly ties it) and drubbing some of their cupcakes. However, their defense, namely their pass defense, has looked iffy the last 2 weeks. Minnesota threw the ball at will, although that was at Minnesota and the Gophers have good WRs. Last week, Indiana threw for 371 on 41 attempts despite losing their top WR late in second quarter and starting (experienced) backup QB Peyton Ramsey. KJ Hamler left the Indiana game early and RB Noah Cain missed the Indiana game, but both seem like they will play this week.
PSU will do some things offensively, because Clifford is a good enough runner and they have some big play threats all around the field. They have 2 WRs averaging over 17 ypc, a BIG TE in Pat Freiermuth and 4 different runner averaging 5 ypc (when you take out Cliffords sacks). However, Clifford hasn't completed over 57% of his passes since the Purdue game on October 5th, and hasn't been above 60% versus a bowl team all year. PSU will hit some big plays, I don't think they'll be consistent enough to match OSU with the way their defense has looked recently.
Also, good luck blocking Chase Young!
Right now, that looks to be the only matchup of top 25 CFP teams. Here are other notable games
Baylor vs Texas - Texas may stay in the ranking, making this the "other" possible top 25 game. Texas' loss last week almost assured us a Baylor-Oklahoma rematch in the BIG Title game. Texas still has an outside shot. I don't think a 1 loss Baylor has a CFP shot, but a 2 loss Baylor definitely doesn't. However, a 1 loss Oklaoma has a shot, and would love to see an 11-1 Baylor again. Also, a 5/6 loss Texas team take away from LSU's resume.
Illinois vs Iowa - Illinois is already bowl eligible despite losing to Eastern Michigan, and still play NW. I don't see them grinding out a win here. Even though OSU plays neither team and neither team can win the B1G West, I feel keeping Iowa ranked is best for OSU.
Michigan @ Indiana - Indiana gave PSU a scare last week, despite some injuries and gifting PSU some points. If Whop Philyor is back, Indiana has a legit shot to pull a home upset if Michigan is looking ahead.
SMU@ Navy - Navy will almost assuredly fall out of the CFP ranking but SMU might jump in. Both teams are 5-1, tied with Memphis in the AAC West (why is Navy in the West?), but both lose the tiebreaker. However, Memphis plays Cincinnati next week, so the winner here would be poised to go to the title game if Memphis loses.
Temple @ Cincinnati - Cincinnati has barely held on the last couple of weeks, beating both ECU and USF by a FG each. However, they still are in the driver's seat for a NY6 bid. Temple has beaten 2 (bad) power 5 schools and Memphis, but also lost to Buffalo by 16. Cincinnati clinches the AAC East with a win, but also knows it has a huge game vs Memphis next week (which might happen 2 weeks in a row).
Pitt @ Va Tech - Both teams, along with UVA, have 2 losses in the non-Clemson division of the ACC. Pitt already loses the tiebreaker with UVA, and UVA meets Virginia Tech next week. So this game has HUGE implications regarding who will try and stay within 4 TDs of Clemson.
Oregon and Utah - Oregon travels to Arizona St and Utah travels to Arizona. Both are 2+ TD favorites. Utah can clinch the PAC12 South with a win and a USC loss to UCLA. Oregon has already clinched the PAC12 North.
SEC - Here are the OOC SEC opponents this week: Samford, W. Carolina, East Tennessee State, Tennessee-Martin, Albiene Christian.
IT JUST MEANS MORE!
Texas AM vs Georgia - Another potential top 10 win for Georgia. In seriousness, a TamU win would be interesting. Georgia has clinched the SEC East, but another loss means the only other possible 1 loss SEC team after LSU would be Bama, who has to play @ Auburn without Tua.
