Spotlight shining on Michigan, OSU
It’s rivalry week, and that means there’s plenty at stake in college football. Here’s what to watch, starting with Saturday’s two biggest games:
Here’s your chance, Michigan: There are college recruits who have only seen Michigan beat Ohio State once in their lifetime. The Wolverines have lost eight straight and 15 of their past 16 against their archrival in a historic series that dates to the 19th century. It’s been particularly lopsided of late, with the Buckeyes winning five of the past six games by 11 points or more.
So why should this year be any different? Simply put, this might be coach Jim Harbaugh’s best team since he came to Ann Arbor in 2015. The Wolverines rank fourth in ESPN’s SP+, a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of efficiency, and while there’s a bigger gap between Ohio State and Michigan in overall SP+ rating (32.3 vs. 24.0) than there is between Michigan and Tennessee (24.0 vs. 16.6), the Wolverines are still by far the toughest team the Buckeyes have faced this season.
If there’s a reason for optimism, it’s the Michigan defense. Aidan Hutchinson and David Njabo form perhaps the best pass-rushing duo in the country, recording a combined 19 of the team’s 28 sacks. Daxton Hill has emerged as one of the nation’s best safeties to solidify the secondary, but the Wolverines’ corners will be tested by Ohio State’s star trio of Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. If Hutchinson and Njabo can win consistently off the edge to make quarterback C.J. Stroud uncomfortable in the pocket, Michigan’s defensive backs have a chance. Otherwise, this game could get as lopsided as the Buckeyes’ 56-7 rout of Michigan State last week.
A spot in the Big Ten title game is at stake, and likely a berth in the College Football Playoff, too. The Wolverines have caved under such pressure against their biggest rival, but this could finally be their moment to shine.
State championship: The rivalry is called Bedlam, but there’s been nothing unpredictable about the outcome for quite some time. Since 2003, Oklahoma State has knocked off Oklahoma just twice. Their last win came in 2014, but since then the Sooners have won by a combined 110 points. So, again, why should this year be any different? Well, the Oklahoma State defense. The Cowboys own the nation’s sixth-best defense in SP+ and allow just 14.9 points per game. They lead the nation in sacks with 43, with defensive linemen, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties all getting in on the fun. They play a fast and aggressive style under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, a semifinalist for the Broyles Award given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.
They might be catching the Sooners at the right time, too. After taking the college football world by storm in the middle of the season, quarterback Caleb Williams has struggled of late. According to ESPN, Williams had a 1.4% interception rate and a 7.6% sack rate in his first three starts. In his past two, those numbers have climbed to 8.3% and 16.3%, respectively. An overaggressive quarterback who holds the ball too long will be playing right into Oklahoma State’s hands. The Cowboys have already clinched a spot in the Big 12 title game. But if they want to keep their hopes alive for a possible playoff berth, they need this win.
Extension ladder: It’s a battle of 10-year extensions between Penn State and Michigan State. James Franklin and Mel Tucker both secured lucrative deals to stay in the Big Ten after being rumored candidates for other top jobs. This figures to be an annual measuring stick for both programs about their place in the Big Ten East.
The Tide will roll: Auburn quarterback Bo Nix isn’t playing against Alabama on Saturday, but that didn’t stop him from being part of the conversation this week. His comments about officials favoring Alabama should stir up plenty of controversy, but it’s not going to stop the Crimson Tide from running away with this one.
Big 12 title awaits: If Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma and Baylor beats Texas Tech, the Bears will face the Cowboys for the Big 12 title. Keep an eye on Baylor coach Dave Aranda, who could be a hot candidate during this hiring cycle.
Demon Deacons still pushing: Wake Forest might not be a playoff contender anymore, but Demon Deacons can still secure their first trip to the ACC title game since 2006. A win over Boston College on Saturday will do just that.
Midnight pain to Georgia: Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate remains one of the nation’s greatest rivalries, even if Georgia has made it one-sided of late against Georgia Tech. Georgia has won the past three games by a combined 100 points, so it’ll take a small miracle just for the Jackets to cover the 35-point spread.