#13 Utah, #14 Florida State, #15 LSU, #16 Navy: All of these teams can win out and it shouldn’t impact the Spartans if they continue to control their own destiny.
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When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Ohio State is No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings, leaving little room for error. I don’t think MI State will average four goals a game. “This is a huge gauge for us going into a few of the biggest games at the end of the season, because this is the biggest game we’ve played yet this season”. As it fights as one for respectability in the non-conference, or as its power dynamics shift on a week-to-week basis in October and November, we’ll follow the narrative to give you a better idea of where Northwestern fits into the 14-team puzzle. “We have to focus on that and not what people are talking about”. College Football Playoff implications also make Saturday’s game a must-win for both sides.
As uneven as they have played, the second-ranked Buckeyes (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten) have been physically superior to their opponents. “It’s part of being a Buckeye”. You feel the pressure from everybody all the time to be the best, in everything you do. The Hoosiers might have had a disappointing run with way too many close losses to Ohio State, Rutgers, Iowa, and now MI, but if they can’t close out with wins over the two worst teams in the conference – even on the road – there’s no excuse considering how well the offense has been playing.
The quarterback debate ended with J.T. Barrett winning the starting job over Cardale Jones, but a 28-3 win last week at IL did nothing to dispel the perception that the offense is not clicking.
OU quarterback Baker Mayfield was heroic, throwing for 270 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 70 yards. The run defense was key, holding the Illini to 20 yards on the ground.
Urban Meyer was relaxing at a friend’s house Saturday night when his channel-flipping buddy stumbled onto a local Ohio State football wrap-up show. “This is not a ideal team. But I’m excited for it. I’m excited to see where we’re at”. As a matter of fact, we’ve got a long way to go, ” he said. “There are certain areas we’re not playing very good, and that’s why we practice all the time”.
They will need a statement to vault toward the top four – perhaps along the lines of the 59-0 beatdown Ohio State put on Wisconsin in last season’s Big Ten title game.
“Pretty much everything is at stake in this game”, Ohio State offensive lineman Pat Elflein said.
And so it goes for MI fans Saturday, when dreaded rival Ohio State hosts what they claim is a lesser rival, MI State. If Clemson can keep North Carolina’s only signature win against Pitt, there’s no way with MI State’s remaining schedule will allow the Tar Heels to jump them.
“Boy, Zeke is something else, ain’t he?” said Barrett, who was suspended for last week’s game after being cited for driving while impaired.
Cook, 32-4 as a starter and the Big Ten’s No. 2-rated quarterback behind Indiana’s Nate Sudfeld, said his shoulder “is good”.
I have no issues with polls. Forwards Keita Bates-Diop and Marc Loving each finished with 14 points for Ohio State (2-0). The momentum sparked an offensive surge from MI that eventually outlasted the Buckeyes, as timely kills from senior setter Carly Warner, junior outside hitter Abby Cole and Knop sealed the Wolverines’ fate, pushing MI to a 31-29 set win.
The Baylor Bears suffered their first loss of the season last week at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners.
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“I think he’s fine”.
