Hard to believe it's almost over...has gone by so fast. 1. Oregon @ Wisconsin First trip to Wisconsin for the Ducks, one of the great venues to play in the Big 10. But as Bobda noted recently these Luke Fickell coached Badgers aren't the same as the Barry Alvarez and subsequent teams up through Brett Bilema. Ducks should win, might not be an easy win but a win. 2. Ohio State @ Northwestern ...out by the lake in a very small stadium, just like the chances of Northwestern pulling an upset. (Thanks Bobda!) 3. Texas @ Arkansas There might not be another fanbase who hates Texas more than the Razorbacks. Last time we ventured to the Hills we got our butts kicked badly. The crowd will be loud and they will impact the game if the Longhorns don't get out of the gate fast and quiet them down. Of course this Ark team isn't a great team, they have been up and down, beat Tenn and then get creamed by Ole Miss. Should be interesting. 4. Penn State vs Purdue A white out night game, and Purdue is probably the worst Big 10 team this season. Should be a beat down for the Boilermakers. 5. Indiana @ Ohio State 6. BYU vs Kansas BYU is a team that has over achieved their preseason prediction. They've done it by finding a way to win games. Some of them allegedly ref aided if you believe the Utah AD! KU on the other hand has found ways to lose, they are a better team than their record. But going to altitude and Provo probably too much for the Jayhawks. 7. Tenn @ Georgia This should be a great game, it's definitely an elimination game for Georgia, they can't survive a 3rd loss, the Vols might be ok with a 2nd loss but a win is pretty much what they have to get. What Carson Beck is going to step on the field in this game? Vols defense is outstanding which won't make his life easier. On the other hand the Vol QB is a RS freshman and while he did play well at home vs Alabama this a big time road game for him, can he hold up? 8. Notre Dame vs UVA Virginia is 1-3 in their last 4 games and the Irish seem to be on a roll. Every game is a must win game for the Irish, can't get to the playoffs if they lose another game. Hopefully, on Senior Day, they will come ready to play and put a big number down on UVA. 9. Miami - Bye 10. Alabama vs Mercer Hopefully they will have Mercy on Mercer. I must note that Mercer is 9-1 and the leader of the Southern Conference so maybe they have a pulse? Every game now means something with regards to positioning for making the final 12. It's made the season very exciting for me that's for sure.
There are a number of other big games impacting the playoffs. Utah @ Colorado The Buffs are favored now to make the B12 Championship and maybe even win it which if they do and beat BYU what will the committee do with a 1 loss BYU? Will it be a bid stealer? Clemson @ Pitt The Tigers can't lose anymore games if the are to have any chance at the ACC Championship game and the playoffs. Pitt on a 2 game losing streak. They are out of the playoffs and any real shot at the ACC Championship game. Boston College @ SMU The Ponies are another team that can't lose another game. BC is not a great team and BOB just said they were changing QB's, but they might not be an easy out either. LSU @ Florida The Tigers from Baton Rouge have a path to the SECCG, it's a very narrow path but it's there and Florida is just trying to hang on. I imagine Kelly's boys will be hero's this weekend. Nebraska @ USC This game means nothing in the big scheme, but both teams are fighting to find something that will allow them to finish the season strong. I think Rhule is the better coach but USC has way more talent. Missouri @ South Carolina A lot of pride at stake here, does Mizzu have Brady Cook back? If not I don't think my boy Drew Pyne can hold up against that Gamecock D. How will Mizzu handle that South Carolina QB who seemingly can't be tackled? Texas A&M vs New Mexico State State is the worst team in CUSA, I don't think A&M has to worry about anything other than injuries.
The OSU/Ind game is next week. Buckeyes travel to Chicago to play Northwestern this week. Kind of a crappy slate of games this week with Tenn v Georgia being the only one that really stands out. Kansas v BYU may be interesting as Kansas is starting to look like the team people thought they would be at the start of the season.
Actually the game is not being played at the little stadium by the lake but rather at Wrigley Field. Great for the travelling Buckeye fans almost certain to be in the majority, but it history is any guide, not ideal for the players. Not a good configuration for football unless your taste for entertainment includes running fade routes into ivy covered brick walls. Also, rolling turf over the infield in Chicago in mid-November and hoping it takes root by the weekend is a recipe for orthopedic disaster. Prayers this weekend are heavily skewed towards the health of our kids
Same can be said for the Irish going to Yankee Stadium in 2 weeks for the Army game. I don't get it why we have to play in a baseball stadium just because back in the 40's some great ND/Army games were played in the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium.
I agree with BT and Terry. I remember as a kid living in suburban Chicago watching the Bears in black & white when Wrigley was their home field. Back then they left the infield as is, no grass cover.
They reduced the amount of field space at Wrigley with additional seating after the Bears moved to Soldier Field. The first post Bears football game played several years ago between Ill v NW was a disaster. They decided just before kickoff that having a brick wall only 10 feet or so from the back of the end zone might pose a safety hazard so they cobbled a solution where both offenses would run their plays heading to the opposite end zone. They later reconfigured how the field would be set up in later games played there but it is still a tight squeeze. Fans however love how close they are to the game.
Some thoughts from the web. Three and out 1. Other than No. 1 Oregon, No. 4 Penn State enjoys the best CFP positioning. The Nittany Lions will close with games against lowly Purdue, middling Minnesota and mediocre Maryland. Win those, and rest your case at 11-1. Sit back, relax and watch Ohio State (assuming the Buckeyes win out), play a rugged rematch with Oregon in the Big Ten championship. Collect a No. 6 seed in the bracket, and host a first-round playoff game. Ideal positioning. 2. Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer delivered a Year 1 victory against LSU, and his recruiting class ranks No. 2 nationally. With that, sanity and smiles are restored in Tuscaloosa. Just don’t lose the Iron Bowl. 3. Army sits atop the AAC and retains a chance to go 13-0. Army would bolster its résumé if it upsets Notre Dame next week. Meanwhile, Boise State is positioned to win the Mountain West at 12-1. The committee must admit at least one Group of Five team, but no rule prevents it from selecting another as an at-large qualifier. Two G5s in a 12-team playoff? Now, that sounds like a narrative fit for bizarro world.
Bobda, you triggered my memory to a point. I remember that, and I recall watching it just to see that, but I don't recall if I watched the entire game.
Sid, I was wrong on a couple of things. The BT stepped in to resolve the safety issue the day before the game. And the brick wall was WAY closer than 10 feet. It was one foot at one spot from the back of the end zone! https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/sports/ncaafootball/20wrigley.html
We are coming to the end of the recruiting cycle for 2025 with the early signing period in mid December. On 247 It's mostly the same teams at the top. 1. Ohio State 2. Georgia 3. Alabama 4. LSU 5. Texas 6. Auburn 7. A&M 8. Tenn 9. Oregon 10. Miami Of course there can be some changes as players flip late. Ole Miss just flipped a highly rated WR from Alabama, stuff like that.
Yes, but instead of signing a National Letter of Intent the "NLI" they will sign some financial agreement. I am not sure it's binding though and I'm thinking that they can still flip. But I'm not sure.
Not optimal to be certain. If I was Day, I'd be none too pleased. Disaster awaits in every corner and the middle of the field.
I see that when BOB (Boston College) demoted his starting QB that the kid quit the team. That's where we are at these days
I saw that earlier Terry, and I completely agree. Going back in time when all of this came out about all the money was going to various university coffiers and not anything for the players, was maybe a step in the right direction, but now it has mushroomed into an absolutely uncontrollable mess. That's where we are at these days[/QUOTE]
IU just gave Cignetti a big extension, 8 years to his contract. Not that these extensions mean anything other than define the amount it costs to leave or to fire him sometime down the road. Indiana has agreed to a contract extension with Curt Cignetti amid the Hoosiers' unprecedented 10-0 start, the school announced Saturday. Cignetti's new eight-year contract runs through the 2032 season and will pay him an average of $8 million per year with an annual $1 million retention bonus, putting the total value of the new contract at $72 million. 10-0 Indiana gives Cignetti new 8-year contract