Games of great Import, week 7
Good week for an OSU bye, because there are a lot of intriguing games this week.
Penn State @ Michigan, B1G NOON FOX: With Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan State all underperforming, this marks the first meeting of good B1G teams. PSU is coming off a bye. Michigan is coming off a 31-10win over IU that was 10-10 at half but also featured Michigan RB coach Mike Hart collapsing and being rushed to the hospital (luckily, he seems to be OK).
Both teams have roughly top 5 defenses per the advanced metrics. PSU's offense has a roughly competent passing game and an ok run game, although frosh Nick Singletary is averaging over 7 per carry at 12 carries a game. Michigan's offense is very high on efficiency metrics, but haven't scored more than 34 in a B1G game, despite playing 2 mediocre defenses in Maryland and Indiana.
The O/U is only 51, and I agree this seems like a low scoring game. PSU is not explosive and Michigan is content being efficient but methodical. If PSU wins, I think they'll need an above average game from someone in the WR/TE room. Otherwise, Michigan will be more efficient, even in a low possession game.
Kansas @ Oklahoma, noon, ESPN2: Oklahoma is a 7 pt home dog to Kansas. Not in basketball.
Minnesota @ Illinois, noon, BTN: The B1G West might be the drunkest it's ever been. Illinois lost to Indiana, Nebraska fired their HC, and yet both are tied for the division lead. Minnesota is a half a game back. They already have a loss to Purdue, so losing here might be too much to overcome.
Northwestern seems like the worst of the west, and there's a real shot they lose out. I think any of the other 6 teams could win the west or just as easily finish 6th.
Bama @ Tennessee, 3:30, CBS: Tennessee's offense is for real, but Bama has the best defense in the country per most of the advanced metrics. The obvious big story is whether Bryce Young can play. Last week without him vs Texas AM, they averaged 5.8 yards per pass with 4 turnovers. If they do anything near that here, I think Tennessee wins. Bama certainly can win running the ball (averaged 5.7 per rush vs AM and that was with 4 sacks) and having the defense play well, but if they are turnover prone again, I don't see how they win. If Bryce Young is healthy, though, Bama will score more than enough to win.
NC State @ Syracuse, 3:30, ACCN: A top 20 matchup gets relegated to the conferences own network? Yeesh. Syracuse is probably they only hope left to keep Clemson from winning the division. They also still have to play Clemson, Wake, ND, Pitt and FSU, so this could also be a 7-5 team. NC State lost QB Devin Leary but managed to squeak by FSU.
Okie St @ TCU, 3:30, ABC: 2 of the 3 remaining B12 unbeatens. Both coming off shootout wins, over TTech and Kansas, respectively. With Texas looking much more formidable with Quinn Ewers, this one is really big. The winner is probably the last CFP hope for the conference.
Miss State @ Kentucky, 7:30, ESPN: Miss St is starting to turn some heads after putting up some big numbers against Texas AM and Arkansas. Kentucky lost QB Will Levis and if he can't play here, Kentucky is toast.
Nebraska @ Purdue, 7:30, BTN: The other B1G West co-leaders play. Nebraska is on a roll....with 2 wins over Indiana and Rutgers. Purdue could be sitting here at 6-0 with wins over 2 teams who are currently in the top 15.
USC @ Utah, 8, Fox: This game lost some luster after Utah lost to UCLA last week. A loss here would essentially put Utah 2 games behind the USC-UCLA loser and maybe out of the P12 title chase. USC is moving along fine, but have had trouble pulling away from their last 3 opponents.
