Sunday Morning Tally -- Nov. 26

TOP GAMES
(9) Ohio State at Michigan (+12.5)
Pick -- Ohio State 24-13; Score -- Ohio State 31-20 (SU/ATS W)

(1) Alabama at (6) Auburn (+4.5) 
Pick -- Alabama 28-27; Score -- Auburn 26-14 (SU L/ATS W)

(3) Clemson at (24) South Carolina (+13.5)
Pick -- Clemson 28-17; Score -- Clemson 34-10 (SU W/ATS L)

(8) Notre Dame at (21) Stanford (+3)
Pick -- Notre Dame 31-26; Score -- Stanford 38-20 (SU/ATS L)

(13) Washington State at (17) Washington (-10.5)
Pick -- Washington 34-21; Score -- Washington 41-14 (SU/ATS W)

OTHER GAMES
(7) Georgia at Georgia Tech (+10.5)
Pick -- Georgia 31-28; Score -- Georgia 38-7 (SU W/ATS L)

Louisville at Kentucky (+10.5)
Pick -- Louisville 34-33; Score -- Louisville 44-17 (SU W/ATS L)

Indiana at Purdue (-2.5)
Pick -- Purdue 27-23; Score -- Purdue 31-24 (SU/ATS W)

Appalachian State at Georgia State (+7) 
Pick -- Appalachian State 31-23; Score -- Appalachian State 31-10 (SU/ATS W)

Southern Miss at Marshall (-3)
Pick -- Marshall 26-24; Score -- Southern Miss 28-27 (SU/ATS L)

(23) Boise State at Fresno State (+7)
Pick -- Fresno State 26-23; Score -- Fresno State 28-17 (SU/ATS W)

Iowa State at Kansas State (-2.5)
Pick  -- Iowa State 24-21; Score -- Kansas State 20-19 (SU L/ATS W)

(5) Wisconsin at Minnesota (+18)
Pick -- Wisconsin 34-14; Score -- Wisconsin 31-0 (SU/ATS W)

North Carolina at NC State (-16.5)
Pick -- NC State 34-24; Score -- NC State 33-21 (SU/ATS W)

West Virginia at (4) Oklahoma (-22.5)
Pick -- Oklahoma 44-20; Score --Oklahoma 59-31 (SU/ATS W)

Vanderbilt at Tennessee (-1)
Pick -- Vanderbilt 28-24; Score -- Vanderbilt 42-24 (SU/ATS W)

Arizona at Arizona State (+2)
Pick -- Arizona 38-34; Score -- Arizona State 42-30 (SU/ATS L)

Oregon State at Oregon (-24.5)
Pick -- Oregon 44-18; Score -- Oregon 69-10 (SU/ATS W)

Texas A&M at (18) LSU (-9.5)
Pick  -- LSU 30-23; Score -- LSU 45-21 (SU W/ATS L)

2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- Week 14-5, Season 240-89 (72.9%); ATS -- Week 12-7, Season 172-151-6 (53.3%)

By The Numbers -- Nov. 25

It is finally here -- Rivalry Saturday. Animosity reigns, and foes put their hearts and souls into coming away with a victory. There's nothing better than making your hated rival have to think about a loss for a full year, which is why these games are so much fun. It is bittersweet, though, because -- save for the Army-Navy game in December -- the regular season ends today. Not sure where the time went, but next week will be conference championship games and the unveiling of the actual College Football Playoff field.

TOP GAMES
(9) Ohio State at Michigan
The Buckeyes have ruled this series seemingly forever, and should have a sense of urgency knowing that a possible berth in the CFP is still in the cards with a victory. Michigan is offensively challenged so will need to lean on its defense to create turnovers, and to do something with them. Today is a chance for Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett to pick up his fourth win over Michigan, something no other signal-caller in school history has accomplished.
Line -- Ohio State -12.5; Pick -- Ohio State 24-13

(1) Alabama at (6) Auburn
Lookie what we have here -- a winner takes all showdown in the Iron Bowl. Auburn has been red hot lately, including knocking off previously top-ranked Georgia, relying on a huge ground attack behind Kerryon Johnson. But it has thrown the ball just well enough for defenses to play honest. Alabama does what it does, wears foes down with a multi-pronged running game, and a defense that is always around the football. No one has been able to run on the Tide this season, so Auburn coach Gus Malzahn may need to reach into his bag of tricks to get the offense going.
Line -- Alabama -4.5; Pick -- Alabama 28-27

(3) Clemson at (24) South Carolina
The Tigers had the chance to see unbeaten Miami venture into Pittsburgh and lose, so there's little chance of overlooking the Gamecocks in this year's Palmetto Bowl. Clemson will once again rely on defense, but the ground game has been picking up steam behind Tavien Feaster, and will challenge South Carolina's athletic stop unit. Jake Bentley has been great lately for SC, fairly willing his team to win despite having stars injured. South Carolina has won five of the last nine meetings.
Line -- Clemson -13.5; Pick -- Clemson 28-17

(8) Notre Dame at (21) Stanford
The Irish will attempt to close their season on a high note, while the Cardinal still need some help to reach the Pac-12 championship game. A Stanford win and Washington beating Washington State means Stanford faces USC in the Pac-12 contest, but if Wazzu comes out victorious it will take on the Trojans. No matter what happens, this game is a showcase for two of the best backs in the nation, Notre Dame's Josh Adams and Stanford's Bryce Love, who has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury and could be in and out of the contest.
Line -- Notre Dame -3; Pick -- Notre Dame 31-26

(13) Washington State at (17) Washington
This is a pretty high stakes Apple Cup, as touched on above, but even without the Pac-12 title game backdrop, these two would still want to tear each other apart. Washington has won seven of the last eight contests, and would love nothing more than to spoil the Cougars dreams. Washington will rely on a diverse offensive attack, while the Cougars will lean on quarterback Luke Falk to get it done. Wazzu cannot run the football, averaging just 3.1 yards per rush and ranking 129th nationally in rushing yards. Washington is eighth in the country against the pass and will present a major challenge. Oh yeah, it also has return specialist Dante Pettis, who would love nothing more than to leave his mark on this game.
Line -- Washington -10.5; Pick -- Washington 34-21

OTHER GAMES
(7) Georgia at Georgia Tech
Line -- Georgia -10.5; Pick -- Georgia 31-28

Louisville at Kentucky
Line -- Louisville 10.5; Pick -- Louisville 34-33

Indiana at Purdue
Line -- Purdue -2.5; Pick -- Purdue 27-23

Appalachian State at Georgia State
Line -- App State -7; Pick -- Appalachian State 31-23

Southern Miss at Marshall
Line -- Marshall -3; Pick -- Marshall 26-24

(23) Boise State at Fresno State
Line -- Boise State -7; Pick -- Fresno State 26-23

Iowa State at Kansas State
Line -- Kansas State -2.5; Pick  -- Iowa State 24-21

(5) Wisconsin at Minnesota
Line -- Wisconsin -18; Pick -- Wisconsin 34-14

North Carolina at NC State
Line -- NC State -16.5; Pick -- NC State 34-24

West Virginia at (4) Oklahoma
Line -- Oklahoma -22.5; Pick -- Oklahoma 44-20

Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Line -- Tennessee -1; Pick -- Vanderbilt 28-24

Arizona at Arizona State
Line -- Arizona -2; Pick -- Arizona 38-34

Oregon State at Oregon
Line -- Oregon -24.5; Pick -- Oregon 44-18

Texas A&M at (18) LSU
Line -- LSU -9.5; Pick  -- LSU 30-23

2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- 226-84 (72.6%); ATS -- 160-144-6 (52.6%)

Saturday Morning Tally -- Nov. 25

TOP GAME
USF at (15) UCF (9.5)
Pick  -- UCF 37-27; Score -- UCF 49-42 (SU W/ATS L)

OTHER GAMES
Western Michigan at Toledo (-13.5)
Pick -- Toledo 38-31; Score -- Toledo 37-10 (SU W/ATS L)

Northern Illinois at Central Michigan (+3)
Pick -- Northern Illinois 31-20; Score -- Central Michigan 31-24 (SU/ATS L)

Navy at Houston (-4.5)
Pick -- Houston 34-28; Score -- Houston 24-14 (SU/ATS W)

(2) Miami at Pittsburgh (+13.5)
Pick -- Miami 34-26; Score -- Pittsburgh 24-14 (SU L/ATS W)

Missouri at Arkansas (+9.5) 
Pick -- Missouri 40-28; Score -- Missouri 48-45 (SU W/ATS L)

Iowa at Nebraska (+3.5)
Pick -- Iowa 28-16; Score -- Iowa 56-14 (SU/ATS W)

Western Kentucky at Florida International (+2.5)
Pick -- FIU 33-31; Score -- FIU 41-17 (SU/ATS W)

(25) Virginia Tech at Virginia (+7.5)
Pick -- Virginia 24-21; Score -- Virginia Tech 10-0 (SU/ATS L)

Texas Tech at Texas (-9.5)
Pick -- Texas 34-29; Score -- Texas Tech 27-23 (SU L/ATS W)

2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- Week 6-4, Season 226-84 (72.9%); ATS -- Week 5-5, Season 160-144-6(52.6%)

By The Numbers -- Nov. 24

Thanksgiving means not only leftover turkey, but leftover football! Three straight days of the stuff, including some interesting games on Friday. None will really shape the landscape the way Saturday's action will, but a few of importance.

TOP GAME
USF at (15) UCF
Line -- UCF -9.5; Pick  -- UCF 37-27

OTHER GAMES
Western Michigan at Toledo
Line -- Toledo -13.5; Pick -- Toledo 38-31

Northern Illinois at Central Michigan
Line -- Northern Illinois -3; Pick -- Northern Illinois 31-20

Navy at Houston
Line -- Houston -4.5; Pick -- Houston 34-28

(2) Miami at Pittsburgh
Line -- Miami -13.5; Pick -- Miami 34-26

Missouri at Arkansas
Line -- Missouri -9.5; Pick -- Missouri 40-28

Iowa at Nebraska
Line -- Iowa -3.5; Pick -- Iowa 28-16

Western Kentucky at Florida International
Line -- Western Kentucky -2.5; Pick -- FIU 33-31

(25) Virginia Tech at Virginia
Line -- Virginia Tech -7.5; Pick -- Virginia 24-21

Texas Tech at Texas
Line -- Texas -9.5; Pick -- Texas 34-29

2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- Week 0-1, Season 220-80 (73.1%); ATS -- Week 1-0, Season 155-139-6 (52.8%)

There Is Nothing Quite Like Rivalry Week

Whether in Ann Arbor or Columbus, tensions always run high prior to the Ohio State-Michigan game. (Guardian Liberty Voice)

One of the beautiful things about college football is that it's national yet regional at the same time.

Fans love following the bowl games and the chase for the national title, but inside all of that is the rabid passion of fans who love their teams. No better example of that is on display than this weekend, when most of the really important rivalry games take place.

There's The Egg Bowl. The Apple Cup. The Iron Bowl. The Battle Line Rivalry. The Civil War. The Iron Bowl. The Game. The Palmetto Bowl. The Old Oaken Bucket. Clean, Old Fashioned Hate. The Commonwealth Cup. And on and on and on.

Most of the games feature teams within the same state, so battle lines are drawn either. You're either Auburn or Alabama. Virginia or Virginia Tech. Washington or Washington State. Mississippi or Mississippi State. Clemson or South Carolina.

Sometimes you are next door neighbors -- Ohio State and Michigan. Missouri and Arkansas.

You need not have attended any of the schools, just gained a rooting interest in some fashion. You hate anything to do with the "other team", and sometimes won't even say its name. You laugh in condescension whenever a series becomes one-sided, or feign pity and tell them "you'll get one soon." Then you walk away laughing, maniacally.

Some of us have grown up with it -- Ohio State in my case. While I am not one of those who won't say the word "Michigan," I do loathe (yet respect) the Maize and Blue. I grew to like Bo Schembechler after he left the rivalry, and felt the sting of the John Cooper years and the rebirth of the Jim Tressel years. With Urban Meyer it's been more of the same, and it never really gets old. Do I feel sorry that Michigan has been spinning its wheels for the better part of the last 15 years or so? Of course not. I am from the school that says you can never beat your rival by enough points. So, were I of age, I would have loved Woody Hayes going for two, leading 48-14 in the fourth quarter, in 1968 "because they wouldn't let us go for three."

I have seen enough dream seasons wrecked -- most of the 90s come to mind -- that each OSU victory brings just a bit more joy. And with Jim Harbaugh and his antics, it's even sweeter. I respected Lloyd Carr, even though he whined a lot, because he seemed like a good man and a pretty good coach. I laughed at Brady Hoke, and am currently laughing at Harbaugh and his act, which has to be wearing thin in Ann Arbor, right?

There will come a day -- maybe Saturday -- where Michigan gets a victory and invigorates the rivalry once again. But right now, most Ohio State fans feel the way Michigan fans felt when Cooper was driving the Buckeyes train. But, unlike their northern neighbors, Buckeyes fans will never lie about who their biggest rival is.

As many thrillers as I have witnessed -- in person and on television -- it never loses appeal. The old traditions, superstitions, whatever you want to call them, they take place all week.

It may sound arrogant -- and I won't take shame in that -- in calling this the best rivalry in all of college football, but that points to the regionalism in the sport.

Sensing a pattern here? (Sidez.net)

In the South, nothing holds a candle to the Iron Bowl. Those two HATE each other, and with so much on the line this year you can bet things will be at a fever pitch in Jordan-Hare. I would love to witness this one live, as an outsider, with zero rooting interest. Bo and Bear, Cam and Calvin, all of the big moments. Yeah, it would certainly be something to see.

The Southwest has the Red River Rivalry, one of the few really good ones not played at the end of the season. Knowing quite a few Texas fans, I can tell you that it bothers them more to lose to Oklahoma than does the fact that they are having a .500 season.

It may not get the publicity of the other, but the Apple Cup has always struck me as a cool rivalry. Almost 300 miles separate the teams, yet each fan base loves nothing more than sticking it to the other. I remember Mark Rypien leading the Cougars to victory in 1985 on a frigid day, as well as Mike Leach's first game as coach of WSU, a 31-28 overtime victory after a huge comeback. I also remember watching in 2003, when Washington -- a team I admired due to Don James' presence on the sidelines -- was bad, yet somehow managed to knock off a top 10 WSU team behind the arm of Cody Pickett.

Whether your team is fighting for a spot in the playoff, or having a down year, ending the regular season with a win over your hated foe makes everything better. It can take the sting out of a so-so campaign, especially when you know that they will be stewing about if for 365 days.

And that once-a-year thing, another reason why college football is so much better than the professional variety.

Sure, there are some big-time rivalries in the NFL -- Oakland-Kansas City, Pittsburgh-Cleveland, Dallas-Washington -- but they play twice. So how special can it really be?

You get one shot per season at your rival in college ball, and the build up to the contest is half of the fun.The only bad thing about it? It means the season is nearing its end.

Every fan base believes their rivalry is the best, which is noble. Wrong, but noble.

OSU-Michigan is best, and you can't convince me otherwise.

Of course, if you have tickets and lodging and food and drink at your game, I can become a huge fan for a day. I'll admit that I can be bought.

But there isn't enough money in the world for a fan of their team to go over to the other side, and that's what makes this weekend of college football so great.

Glenn Was Ohio State's True Difference Maker

Terry Glenn died today.

Those were not words I expected to be typing, today, tomorrow or any day in the immediate future.

Glenn perished in a single-car accident just outside of Dallas, and leaves behind three children, a fiancee and a truckload of memories from Ohio State fans. Though he started just one season -- 1995 -- he put together one of the best single seasons in school history -- 64 catches, 1,411 yards (22 yards per catch average) and 17 touchdowns, winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best at his position. He was the most electric presence I had the pleasure to witness in my time covering the Buckeyes, and he absolutely helped break the sound barrier after taking a simple curl pass from Bobby Hoying and sprinting 82 yards for a score in OSU's victory over Notre Dame.

Don't believe me? You will after watching this.

Terry Glenn Runs Away From Notre Dame

I first noticed Glenn at an OSU practice in 1993. He was working against cornerback Shawn Springs, who would go on to become an All-America selection and top five NFL draft pick. Glenn burst off the line, did a hard fake toward the sideline, spun Springs around and got to his inside then took off, waiting for the football to settle in his arms. It did, and he sprinted all the way to the end zone. I recall Springs yelling playfully, "you got me that time, T", and I didn't think much of it after that.

Glenn barely played in 1993 or 1994, but announced himself in that 1995 season by setting a then school record by grabbing nine passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns in a 54-14 blasting of Pittsburgh.

That 1995 team was the first time in John Cooper's tenure that he really had a team that could win the national title. The Buckeyes had finished 10-1-1 in 1993, but that group wasn't nearly as talented as the 1995 bunch.

I've already mentioned Springs. Add in Eddie George, Bobby Hoying, Orlando Pace, Rickey Dudley, Mike Vrabel, Luke Fickell, among others, and it was easily the first scary collection of talent amassed by Cooper. George won the Heisman, Pace was hailed as one of the best offensive linemen in college history -- and Glenn was what made the team really go.

Glenn didn't wow you as being "track fast" the way Joey Galloway did, but he had football speed. Put him in shoulder pads and have him catch a football and it was guaranteed no one was catching him. Did you notice how he got to top speed in about two steps in that Notre Dame clip? He could take the top off of a defense at any time, and simply loved being on the football field.

If you knew what he had to overcome, you'd know why.

Glenn's mother was murdered when he was only 13 years old, and had little idea what would happen to him and his sister. After bouncing around from home to home as a foster child, best friend June Henley, who went on to star at running back for Kansas, took him in. Eventually, Henley's family adopted the Glenns. While it was a family, it wasn't exactly his family, and he still wasn't sure of himself throughout high school.

Reclusive by nature, and guarded except around people he knew, Glenn put his heart and soul into athletics. Even with gaudy prep numbers, Glenn didn't receive scholarship offers. Feeling most comfortable close to home, he chose to walk-on at Ohio State. That's right, he was a walk on. He eventually earned a scholarship, becoming one of the most dangerous receivers in college football.

I won't pretend that I knew Terry Glenn, other than our interactions after practices and games. But he was always jovial, occasionally funny and always passionate about football. He had big dreams, and an empty spot in his heart for his mother. Though I never heard him say it, it wouldn't be any kind of surprise if he used her death as motivation for excellence.

Glenn went on to be the seventh pick of the 1996 NFL Draft, selected by New England. He set a then-rookie record of 90 catches, but never duplicated that -- largely due to the departure of coach Bill Parcells. Glenn had some off-the-field issues and personal battles, but had a career resurgence when he was traded from Green Bay to Dallas in 2003. The Cowboys coach at that time was Parcells, and Glenn amassed 63 catches for 1,136 yards and seven scores in 2005.

Glenn is a footnote in NFL history, catching the first-ever touchdown pass from an up and coming New England quarterback named Tom Brady.

Glenn had gotten his life together, and even established the 83 Kids Foundation, founded "to establish a caring and loving environment by educating current and potential foster care parents, generate awareness of the challenges facing foster care children, and expand the generosity of charitable organizations nationwide.”

His quiet demeanor belied a consummate competitor, and he strove for greatness. He reached it at Ohio State, belonging in any discussion of the greatest receivers in school history. He was, by all accounts, a great teammate, and reveled in the time he spent on the gridiron. He appeared to be on the path to greatness as a citizen, as well.

It's a shame that we won't get to see the next chapter.

Sunday Morning Tally -- Nov. 19

TOP GAME
(24) Michigan at (5) Wisconsin (-7.5)
Pick -- Wisconsin 20-14; Score -- Wisconsin 24-10 (SU W/ATS L)

OTHER GAMES
(15) UCF at Temple (+14)
Pick -- UCF 37-17; Score -- UCF 45-19 (SU/ATS W)

SMU at (21) Memphis (-12.5)
Pick -- Memphis 45-35; Score -- Memphis 66-45 (SU W/ATS L)

Texas at West Virginia (-3)
Pick -- West Virginia 34-28; Score -- Texas 28-14 (SU/ATS L)

(12) TCU at Texas Tech (+7)
Pick -- TCU 36-33; Score -- TCU 27-3 (SU W/ATS L)

Minnesota at (23) Northwestern (-7.5)
Pick -- Northwestern 30-21; Score -- Northwestern 39-0 (SU/ATS W)

Virginia at (3) Miami (Fla.) (-19.5)
Pick -- Miami 38-24; Score -- Miami 44-28 (SU/ATS W)

Fresno State at Wyoming (+1.5)
Pick -- Fresno State 27-23; Score -- Fresno State 13-7 (SU/ATS W)

Navy at (8) Notre Dame (-18)
Pick -- Notre Dame 38-27; Score -- Notre Dame 24-17 (SU/ATS W)

Kansas State at (13) Oklahoma State (-20)
Pick -- Oklahoma State 45-31; Score -- Kansas State 45-40 (SU L/ATS W)

Kentucky at (7) Georgia (-21.5)
Pick -- Georgia 40-24; Score -- Georgia 42-13 (SU W/ATS L)

Army at North Texas (-2.5)
Pick -- Army 30-28; Score -- North Texas 52-49 (SU/ATS L)

Arizona at Oregon (-2)
Pick -- Arizona 39-34; Score -- Oregon 48-28 (SU/ATS L)

Texas A&M at Ole Miss (-2.5)
Pick -- Texas A&M 31-26; Score -- Texas A&M 31-24 (SU/ATS W)

Marshall at UTSA (-1)
Pick -- UTSA 27-21; Score -- UTSA 9-7 (SU/ATS W)

Florida International at Florida Atlantic (-14.5)
Pick -- FAU 42-24; Score -- FAU 52-24 (SU/ATS W)

(19) NC State at Wake Forest (-1.5)
Pick --Wake Forest 32-28; Score -- Wake Forest 30-24 (SU/ATS W)

Cal at (22) Stanford (-16)
Pick -- Stanford 41-31; Score -- Stanford 17-14 (SU/ATS W)

UCLA at (11) USC (-16)
Pick -- USC 45-27; Score -- USC 28-23 (SU W/ATS L)

Utah at (18) Washington (-18)
Pick -- Washington 41-21; Score -- Washington 33-30 (SU W/ATS L)

2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- Week 15-5, Season 220-79 (73.6%); ATS -- Week 11-9, Season 154-139-6 (52.6%)

By The Numbers -- Nov. 18

It isn't quite Rivaly Week, though there are a couple of contests that fit the bill (UCLA-USC, Cal-Stanford). But the big time rivalry action heats up next week. As for this weekend, well -- you know how there's always that one piece of bread at the front of the package that you want to throw away? This is that weekend in college football -- one "heel" of a weekend.

TOP GAME
(24) Michigan at (5) Wisconsin
Line -- Wisconsin -7.5; Pick -- Wisconsin 20-14

OTHER GAMES
(15) UCF at Temple
Line -- UCF -14; Pick -- UCF 37-17

SMU at (21) Memphis
Line -- Memphis -12.5; Pick -- Memphis 45-35

Texas at West Virginia 
Line -- West Virginia -3; Pick -- West Virginia 34-28

(12) TCU at Texas Tech
Line -- TCU -7; Pick -- TCU 36-33

Minnesota at (23) Northwestern 
Line -- Northwestern -7.5; Pick -- Northwestern 30-21

Virginia at (3) Miami (Fla.)
Line -- Miami -19.5; Pick -- Miami 38-24

Fresno State at Wyoming
Line -- Fresno State -1.5; Pick -- Fresno State 27-23

Navy at (8) Notre Dame
Line -- Notre Dame -18; Pick -- Notre Dame 38-27

Kansas State at (13) Oklahoma State
Line -- Oklahoma State -20; Pick -- Oklahoma State 45-31

Kentucky at (7) Georgia
Line -- Georgia -21.5; Pick -- Georgia 40-24

Army at North Texas
Line -- North Texas -2.5; Pick -- Army 30-28

Arizona at Oregon 
Line -- Oregon -2; Pick -- Arizona 39-34

Texas A&M at Ole Miss
Line -- Ole Miss -2.5; Pick -- Texas A&M 31-26

Marshall at UTSA
Line -- UTSA -1; Pick -- UTSA 27-21

Florida International at Florida Atlantic
Line -- Florida Atlantic -14.5; Pick -- FAU 42-24

(19) NC State at Wake Forest
Line -- Wake Forest -1.5; Pick --Wake Forest 32-28

Cal at (22) Stanford
Line -- Stanford -16; Pick -- Stanford 41-31

UCLA at (11) USC
Line -- USC -16; Pick -- USC 45-27

Utah at (18) Washington
Line -- Washington -18; Pick -- Washington 41-21

2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- 205-74 (73.4%); ATS -- 143-130-6 (52.4%)

Defense Takes Center Stage In Big Ten Showdown

Saturday's Big Ten battle between No. 24 Michigan and fifth-ranked Wisconsin isn't only a showcase for two of the best defenses in college football, but also a chance at legitimacy for both sides.

The Wolverines (8-2, 5-2) haven't been bad this season, losing only to ranked foes Penn State and Michigan State, but they have fallen short of the league's Eastern Division crown for the third time in three years of leadership from Jim Harbaugh. A win over the Badgers could change the perception of Michigan from that of a good team to a legitimate up and coming force, and could also make next weekend's rivalry showdown with Ohio State bigger than it already is.

Michigan LB Devin Bush is a leader for one of the top defenses in America (Detroit Free Press)

Michigan is ranked third in the nation against the pass and third in total defense, with athletes at every level of the stop unit. It will need to bring those athletes if it wants to knock off a physical Wisconsin squad that loves to run the football. Freshman tailback Jonathan Taylor is fourth in the country in rushing at 152.5 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns. Stopping him will be the main task for Michigan, but that could be easier said than done.

Active linebackers Devin Bush, who leads the team with 82 stops, and Mike McCray Jr., with 60 tackles, will fill the gaps and go after Taylor, who has fumbled four times this season and is occasionally loose with the football. It will be a clash of wills as physical meets physical.

"Very physical team," Harbaugh said. "Very, very physical on offense. Very good quarterback, very good running back. Really good in the lines on both sides, and skill positions as well. Talented players and very tough schemes to prepare for.”

Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook has been solid, ranking 12th nationally in efficiency and completing 64.1 percent of his passes -- most of them to talented tight end Troy Fumagalli, who has a team high 33 catches and three touchdowns. He is a security blanket for Hornibrook, who has a tendency to make poor decisions. His 12 interceptions are the most of any top 50 quarterback, and hasn't helped the Badgers turnover issues. Wisconsin ranks 105th in turnovers lost, something coach Paul Chryst knows could be a real issue against Michigan. Wisconsin will be without top receiver Quintez Cephus, who is out for the year with a leg injury, and could rely even more than usual on Fumagalli.

"You try to make sure someone isn't trying to do too much," Chryst said. "There are times when it's good and you pull the trigger and there are times when you've just got to move off of it. I just think it's trying to make things more simple for him."

Penetrating Wisconsin's top-ranked defense, which allows just 247 yards per contest, could be a major chore for the Wolverines, who rank 94th in total offense. The change to redshirt freshman Brandon Peters has given the offense a boost in recent weeks, however, averaging over 400 yards of offense and scoring at least 33 points in each of the last three games.

"They're strong," Chryst said. "There are really good players and it's a really good scheme. They're executing and playing fast."

Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor paces the Badgers physical offense (USAToday)

Peters has a nice arm, but Harbaugh would still prefer he manage the game more than take it over. The Wolverines have been able to lean on a reliable ground attack, led by Karan Higdon, who has 854 yards and 10 trips to the end zone. He sprained an ankle last week against Maryland and is questionable against the Badgers, and if he is able to go it would bring a real power component to the table. Wisconsin simply does not give up points, allowing 14 touchdowns all season and holding all but one opponent to 17 points or fewer. If Higdon is out, the rushing chores would fall to Chris Evans, who has 569 yards and six touchdowns.

Michigan's ground game has amassed 865 yards the last three weeks, scoring 11 touchdowns and averaging 6.9 yards per carry. That could be difficult to replicate against a Wisconsin defense that is fundamentally sound and more athletic than people think. Four players have over 40 tackles, with linebacker Ryan Connelly leading the way with 55. Fellow linebacker Garrett Dooley paces the squad with 9.5 tackles for loss and also is tops in sacks, with 6.5. It is a real team effort in Madison, which is why Michigan could be up against it offensively.

The Wolverines have become productive since moving away from zone blocking and to more of a power attack up front. That success has Harbaugh optimistic.

"I feel like our execution has been improving," Harbaugh said during the Big Ten teleconference on Tuesday. "I feel like our effort has been improving and the way we finish has also been improving."

 Wisconsin had four turnovers last week against Iowa, including two interceptions returned for scores, and has had multiple giveaways in three of the last five contests. If Michigan hopes to find the end zone, it might be wise to force a few turnovers.

"You've got to know what you're doing and understand the different ways that they defend you," Chryst said. "You've got to be on, and the smallest details matter."

Wisconsin (10-0, 7-0) is looking to polish up a resume that at the moment is devoid of a signature victory. The Badgers are ranked fifth by the College Football Playoff committee, but have only one win against a top 25 team and sport a strength of schedule of 67. No team with a SOS lower than 55 has ever made the playoff field, so notching an impressive pelt such as Michigan would help the cause.

The visitor has won just once in the last eight meetings, and Michigan hasn't tasted victory in Madison since 2001. Michigan won 14-7 in Ann Arbor last season, the first meeting with Wisconsin since 2010.

Don't Look Now, But Ohio State Is In The CFP Hunt

Could Urban Meyer and Ohio State once again make it to the College Football Playoff? (chroniclet.com)

It's amazing a difference a year makes -- or, in this case, most of a football season.

The latest unveiling of the College Football Playoff rankings set social media abuzz, with fans outraged that their team was too low, or that another team was too high -- never mind that NONE of this counts until December. And never mind that the committee got the four teams right. If people want to quibble about the order, that's fine. But it isn't like the committee butchered things.

Well, not mostly, anyway.

To hear some fans tell it, one team in the top 10 has no business being there, or anywhere near the upper half of the rankings. This school is wildly overrated, gets all kinds of breaks and is simply chosen because it's a brand name. This school is the Ohio State Buckeyes, and for myriad reasons they have become one of, if not the, most hated schools in college sports. You would have though Urban Meyer kicked puppies and drowned babies the way some fans carry on.

Fans from around the country not only voiced their displeasure with the pecking order of the top four, but were livid that there appears to be a chance that Ohio State -- yes, the same Ohio State that lost 55-24 to a mediocre Iowa squad earlier this month -- has a shot at crashing the party. A remote shot, but a shot nonetheless.

The committee did appear to make a clear path for the Buckeyes, should they win out. OSU came in at No. 9 in the CFP rankings, just behind Notre Dame. The Irish do not have a championship game while the Buckeyes could have one last shot to pretty up their resume in the Big Ten championship game against No. 5 Wisconsin. So the Irish will almost certainly be passed.

Georgia stumbled in at No. 7, fresh off a beatdown at the hands of No. 6 Auburn, which still must play No. 1 Alabama -- with the winner of that game taking on the Bulldogs. Auburn already has two losses and has no margin for error. A loss and it's bye-bye. Another loss for Georgia and it's likely curtains for the Dawgs, even with a road win over Notre Dame padding the resume. Alabama is in the driver's seat, but even the Tide are not a lead pipe cinch to make it with one loss. Alabama has a current Strength of Schedule of 38, which will go down after this weekend's monumental tussle with Mercer, an FCS school that is mediocre even by that level's standards. It will come back up after the Auburn game, but could still be in the low 30s. A loss to Georgia would put it somewhere in the high 30s or low 20s, but only unbeatens or conference champions have gotten in with such a low SOS. Washington got in last year with a 55, while Ohio State as an at large got in with an SOS of 29. So the Tide would likely get in, though it isn't a guarantee.

Wisconsin currently sits at No. 5, and should the Buckeyes beat the Badgers for the B1G crown, they will rocket past Bucky. So OSU is on the precipice, and Clemson and Miami, ranked 2 and 3 respectively, still have to play in the ACC title game. The loser is likely out, though the Hurricanes could sneak in with one loss if the final outcome is close. Miami right now has a SOS of 21 and the No. 1 Strength of Record, but isn't highly thought of by some analytics. If Ohio State has a league crown and a similar SOS, wouldn't it be wrong to take a one-loss Miami, without a conference title, over a two-loss Ohio State with a title?

No? Hmm, that's funny, because fans were screaming bloody murder last year when the one-loss, no conference title Buckeyes got in over a two-loss, conference champion Penn State.

See how that works? You can't have it both ways just because you hate the Buckeyes. If it was all right for a two-loss conference champ to be in last year over a one-loss non-champ, then it must be all right for the same scenario to happen this year, right? Or is it because it's Ohio State that the shouts of "no way" echo throughout the halls of college football? And yes, I realize college football doesn't really have halls to echo down.

This likely dates all the way back to the days of yesteryear, to the first College Football Playoff, all the way back in 2014. The Buckeyes were on the outside looking in in the penultimate CFP ranking, coming in fifth, behind No. 4 Baylor and No. 3 TCU. A 59-0 annihilation of Wisconsin in the B1G championship game impressed the committee, enough to move Ohio State up to No. 3 in the final poll.

The cries of foul from Texas were heard all over the nation, with many accusing the committee of bias and playing to ratings, among other things. Many believe the Buckeyes got in undeservedly -- and that is incorrect.

TCU griped about falling from 3 to 6 without losing, and on the surface that has merit. The resumes for OSU and TCU were virtually identical, in SOS and SOR and Game Control. The Buckeyes had one more win over a top 25 team, but that's splitting hairs. What isn't splitting hairs is that Ohio State was a definitive champion, whereas TCU was not. In his infinite wisdom, Big 12 commish Bob Bowlsby never declared a single champion for the committee to look at, deciding that Baylor and TCU were co-champions. And by the letter of the rule book, they were. But without one champion, the committee could not look at them as single entities, which is a big reason the Horned Frogs didn't make it. Oh, and the fact it lost head to head to Baylor during the season. So if anyone really had a case, it was the Bears, but with a SOS of 57 and just two "good" wins, they weren't going to be in the field. So it was actually a pretty easy case for Ohio State to be selected.

Last year was also filled with turmoil at the end, but was also a pretty easy choice.

The Buckeyes had the advantage over Penn State in just about every metric -- SOS, SOR and especially Game Control (5 to 37). Analytics loved the Buckeyes, too, ranking them in the top five, while Penn State was in the teens. Yes, Penn State won head to head and beat Wisconsin for the league title. But it also lost to Pittsburgh and was battered 49-10 by Michigan, and that ultimately was a big reason for the Nittany Lions playing in the Rose Bowl instead of the playoff. Oh, let us not forget that OSU had three top 10 wins on the resume, the most of any of the CFP participants.

Has the committee cleared a path for the Buckeyes in 2017? Maybe, though there is nothing sinister behind it. Despite the protestations of the fans, teams are not selected because they are brand names or ratings draws, they are selected because the committee feels they are the four best teams.

Do I think Ohio State is one of the four best teams in America? Probably, especially when it is focused and knows what it is. The Buckeyes are a physical, athletic team that loves to get opponents back on their heels, and when they stick to that gameplan they are close to unstoppable. Ask Michigan State. It's when the coaching staff gets cute and tries to make OSU into something it isn't -- a pass-heavy team -- that trouble ensues. 

Do I think Ohio State is deserving? Probably not. If the loss to Iowa was earlier in the season it might be more forgivable, but to have it in November, and to rally from that? It seems a pretty big stretch. Ohio State's early loss to Oklahoma wasn't a blowout, but the Buckeyes were outplayed at home by the Sooners. That one could be given a bit more slack because it was very early, and the Buckeyes have changed radically since that contest. If OSU wins out, there won't be another two loss team with a markedly better dossier, and since this is all subjective it wouldn't, on its face, be "wrong."

If Ohio State makes it -- and it ain't impossible, people -- there are going to be a ton of upset fans. And I get that. But the committee has gotten it right all three years -- even if there were some bumps in the road.

This year seems to be more testing than ever, given all of the late season showdowns and looming head to head comparisons of a bunch of two loss teams. Though the committee will do its best to get it right, there will be some inconsistencies.

But that's no big deal -- hell, just look at the fans. When making an argument for their team -- and especially against Ohio State -- consistency be damned.

Sunday Morning Tally -- Nov. 12

TOP GAMES
(3) Notre Dame at (7) Miami (+3.5)
Pick -- Miami 33-31; Score -- Miami 41-8 (SU/ATS W)

(6) TCU at (5) Oklahoma (-6.5)
Pick -- Oklahoma 38-35; Score -- Oklahoma 38-20 (SU W/ATS L)

(1) Georgia at (10) Auburn (+2)
Pick -- Georgia 35-31; Score -- Auburn 40-17 (SU/ATS L)

OTHER GAMES
(12) Michigan State at (13) Ohio State (-17)
Pick -- Ohio State 31-24; Score -- Ohio State 48-3 (SU W/ATS L)

(15) Oklahoma State at (21) Iowa State (+6.5)
Pick -- Oklahoma State 35-21; Score -- Oklahoma State 49-42 (SU/ATS W)

Florida at South Carolina (-5.5)
Pick -- South Carolina 27-14; Score -- South Carolina 28-20 (SU/ATS W)

(23) NC State at Boston College (+3)
Pick -- NC State 34-27; Score -- NC State 17-14 (SU W/ATS L)

Duke at Army (+3)
Pick -- Army 26-23; Score -- Army 21-16 (SU/ATS W)

(17) Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech (+3)
Pick -- Virginia Tech 33-24; Score -- Georgia Tech 28-22 (SU/ATS L)

Virginia at Louisville (-12)
Pick -- Louisville 35-26; Score -- Louisville 38-21 (SU W/ATS L)

(20) Iowa at (8) Wisconsin (-12)
Pick -- Wisconsin 38-20; Score -- Wisconsin 38-14 (SU/ATS W)

Florida State at (4) Clemson (-15.5)
Pick -- Clemson 34-16; Score -- Clemson 31-14 (SU/ATS W)

West Virginia at Kansas State (-1.5)
Pick -- Kansas State 35-31; Score -- West Virginia 28-23 (SU/ATS L)

SMU at Navy (-3.5)
Pick -- SMU 38-35; Score -- Navy 43-40 (SU L/ATS W)

(11) USC at Colorado (+14)
Pick -- USC 41-26; Score -- USC 38-24 (SU W/ATS P)

Kentucky at Vanderbilt (-2)
Pick -- Kentucky 30-27; Score -- Kentucky 44-21 (SU/ATS W)

(19) Washington State at Utah (+1)
Pick -- Utah 34-30; Score -- Washington State 33-25 (SU/ATS L)

Purdue at (25) Northwestern (-3.5)
Pick -- Northwestern 27-21; Score -- Northwestern 23-13 (SU/ATS W)

(2) Alabama at (16) Mississippi State (+13.5)
Pick -- Alabama 28-16; Score -- Alabama 31-24 (SU/ATS W)

Arizona State at UCLA (-3)
Pick -- Arizona State 37-35; Score -- UCLA 44-37 (SU/ATS L)

Wyoming at Air Force (-3)
Pick -- Wyoming 28-27; Score -- Wyoming 28-14 (SU/ATS W)

Boise State at Colorado State (+6)
Pick -- Boise State 32-28; Score -- Boise State 59-52 (SU W/ATS L)

2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- Week 16-6, Season 205-73 (73.7%); ATS -- Week 11-10-1, Season 143-129-6 (52.6%

By The Numbers -- Nov. 11

November is when contenders make their move, and there will be ample chances for that today with seven games pitting ranked teams against each other -- including three top 10 showdowns. We will definitely have a better handle on how the championship chase is shaping up once games end early Sunday morning.

In honor of Veterans' Day, we will be picking all three games involving FBS military schools.

TOP GAMES
(3) Notre Dame at (7) Miami
Line -- Notre Dame -3.5; Pick -- Miami 33-31

(6) TCU at (5) Oklahoma
Line -- Oklahoma -6.5; Pick -- Oklahoma 38-35

(1) Georgia at (10) Auburn 
Line -- Georgia -2; Pick -- Georgia 35-31

OTHER GAMES
(12) Michigan State at (13) Ohio State
Line -- Ohio State -17; Pick -- Ohio State 31-24

(15) Oklahoma State at (21) Iowa State
Line -- Oklahoma State -6.5; Pick -- Oklahoma State 35-21

Florida at South Carolina
Line -- South Carolina -5.5; Pick -- South Carolina 27-14

(23) NC State at Boston College
Line -- NC State -3; Pick -- NC State 34-27

Duke at Army 
Line -- Duke -3; Pick -- Army 26-23

(17) Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech
Line -- Virginia Tech -3; Pick -- Virginia Tech 33-24

Virginia at Louisville
Line -- Louisville -12; Pick -- Louisville 35-26

(20) Iowa at (8) Wisconsin
Line -- Wisconsin -12; Pick -- Wisconsin 38-20

Florida State at (4) Clemson
Line -- Clemson -15.5; Pick -- Clemson 34-16

West Virginia at Kansas State
Line -- Kansas State -1.5; Pick -- Kansas State 35-31

SMU at Navy 
Line -- Navy -3.5; Pick -- SMU 38-35

(11) USC at Colorado 
Line -- USC -14; Pick -- USC 41-26

Kentucky at Vanderbilt
Line -- Vanderbilt -2; Pick -- Kentucky 30-27

(19) Washington State at Utah 
Line -- Washington State -1; Pick -- Utah 34-30

Purdue at (25) Northwestern
Line -- Northwestern -3.5; Pick -- Northwestern 27-21

(2) Alabama at (16) Mississippi State
Line -- Alabama -13.5; Pick -- Alabama 28-16

Arizona State at UCLA
Line -- UCLA -3; Pick -- Arizona State 37-35

Wyoming at Air Force
Line -- Air Force -3; Pick -- Wyoming 28-27

Boise State at Colorado State
Line -- Boise State -6; Pick -- Boise State 32-28

2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- Week 0-2, Season 189-67; Against The Spread -- Week 0-2, Season 132-119-5

Top-ranked Bulldogs To Be Tested At No. 10 Auburn

November in the SEC is a showcase, and there's nothing bigger this weekend than No. 1 Georgia heading to The Plains to take on 10th-ranked Auburn.

The Bulldogs (9-0, 6-0) have already clinched the SEC East, its first divisional title since 2012, while Auburn (7-2, 5-1) has a chance to take the SEC West crown and, maybe, nab a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Tigers have Alabama in a few weeks, and a win there and then a win in the SEC title game against Georgia could make Auburn the first ever two-loss team in the playoffs.

But Auburn cannot get ahead of itself.

Auburn's Kerryon Johnson is one of America's best running backs (Gridiron Now)

"I think you have to embrace the fact that you are playing the No. 1 or No. 2 team in the country on your home field," Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said. "Our goal is to win the SEC championship, and it has been since day one. This is the next step. It is a great opportunity for us, so it is a big game. We are not looking any farther ahead than Saturday, but this is a game we have been looking forward to, and it is here. There is a lot on the line. It is a good one."

Georgia, which is top five nationally in total defense and scoring defense, faces its biggest challenge to date -- a victory at Notre Dame notwithstanding. The Bulldogs more than doubled Auburn's yardage in last year's contest, but won just 13-7 and failed to score an offensive touchdown.

Auburn has lost two of the last three meetings at home, but Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart doesn't think that will make any difference at all.

"It's the same challenge it is at most SEC place, just a little bit louder. They have a good team," Smart said. "The better the team is, the tougher the place to play is. their fans get loud, get rowdy -- they are there pregame until the end and there have been some really loud moments playing in that stadium. I would not expect it to be any different on Saturday."

Auburn's only losses to date are to Clemson and LSU, the latter seeing the Tigers blow a 20-0 lead before falling 27-23. Since that game Auburn has exploded offensively, putting up 94 points and over 1,000 yards in wins over Arkansas and Texas A&M.

The Tigers want to get it done on the ground, with Kerryon Johnson the chief weapon. The junior has nearly 900 yards and has scored 15 touchdowns in seven games, and provides a bullish yet surprisingly nimble weapon in the backfield. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham has also improved his play, completing 72 percent of his throws in the last two contests.

Smart believes that if the Bulldogs can stop Johnson, they are in good position to win the game.

"At the end of the day he can go where he wants to with the ball," Smart said of Kerryon Johnson. "He has great speed. He gets a lot out of his runs. Last year against us he bounced out, he broke out and does a good job doing that. They know the defenses we are going to play. Gus has seen them for seven or eight years, it seems. we know the plays they are going to run. They are not going to reinvent the wheel. We have to go out there and play blocks, tackle the man with the ball and not give up big plays."

Georgia has been good in that aspect all season, allowing just 3.06 yards per rush and four touchdowns on the ground and just 21 runs of 10-19 yards in 2017 in 262 rush attempts.

Auburn has athletes, but thinking you can make plays and actually doing it, especially against a defense as lethal as Georgia's has been this year, is another story.

"You have to figure out ways to do it (big plays)," Malzahn said. "that's the challenge. When they can stop the run and still play two safeties, it's tough. You have to be balanced. The more talented a defensive team is, the more important it is to be balanced."

Like Auburn, Georgia will want to control the clock with its ground game. The Bulldogs are eighth in the country running the ball, and though Nick Chubb and Sony Michel get the headlines, Georgia is four deep in the backfield.

Georgia QB Jake Fromm has been steady as a freshman (Online Athens)

Auburn is nearly as grudging on the ground defensively as Georgia, allowing 3.34 yards per carry, so Georgia may need to pass a little more than it is accustomed to. That means more of the onus is on freshman quarterback Jake Fromm, who thus far has been superb, but hasn't been asked to win a game.

Fromm has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes in Georgia's last three games, with five touchdowns and just two interceptions. He's third in the country in passing efficiency and doesn't mind taking shots downfield, averaging 9.7 yards per attempt.

The last two times Auburn defeated Georgia -- 2010 and 2013 -- it played for the national championship. The last three seasons have seen no more than eight victories, so this game could prove to be redemptive for the Tigers. 

 Malzahn recalls how close his team was last year, and would love to replace that memory.

"Last year was an extremely tough loss -- the fact they won the game and didn't score an offensive touchdown," Malzahn said. "This is one we have been waiting on. I know our players and coaches are excited about it because we are playing one of the best teams on our home field."

This is just the fourth road contest of the season for Georgia, and first since an early October pasting of Vanderbilt.

The victory over Notre Dame was great, but also happened before we knew what the Irish really was.

This one will prove if the Bulldogs are for real.

"They get loud in there and do a really good job of creating an environment," Smart said. "They feed off of that. So the challenges are in front of us. We will find out a lot about this team playing on the road."

Can Sooners O Top Horned Frogs D?

It's a classic case of the irresistible force against the immovable object, and something has to give.

In a game that is basically a warm up for the Big 12 title game, No. 6 TCU travels to Norman to take on No. 5 Oklahoma. All that's on the line is the top seed in the conference's first ever championship game, as well as staying alive in the race for a College Football Playoff berth.

Oklahoma (8-1, 5-1) leads the nation in total offense, the only team in America averaging over 600 yards per contest. The Sooners are fueled by quarterback Baker Mayfield, the country's leading passer and favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

Kenny Hill (7) is one of the top dual threat QBs in America (KVUE.com)

TCU (8-1, 5-1) sports the nation's fifth leading defense, allowing just 4.4 yards per play and holding foes to just 26.7 percent on third down conversions.

"Obviously one of the best football teams in the country right now," Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said. "In my opinion, probably the most complete team we've played to this point. They're really tremendous."

The Horned Frogs lead the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 70 yards per contest. While Mayfield and the passing game have gotten the headlines, it's the Sooners running game that has made a lot of the offensive production possible. Oklahoma has scored three rushing touchdowns in each of the last three games, and averaged over 6.0 yards per carry in those contests.

Rodney Anderson has been the standout, averaging over six yards per carry and scoring five touchdowns, while freshman Trey Sermon has come on to become the team's leading rusher with 568 yards and four scores.

TCU plays a unique 4-2-5 set, which has been a staple of Gary Patterson coached teams through the years.

It has proven effective, and Riley knows his team will need to be firing on all cylinders.

"They're unique," he said. "You don't play a lot of people like them. I don't know that I'd compare it to playing the wishbone, but you just don't see something like them every week. So that makes it a little more difficult to prepare for."

TCU isn't nearly as prolific with the football as Oklahoma is, but the Horned Frogs have been able to put up points -- eclipsing 40 four times this season -- due in large part to an efficient ground game and a matured Kenny Hill at quarterback. After tossing 13 interceptions a year ago, Hill has just five this year. He also has 15 touchdown passes, though has gone without one in three of the last four games.

Darius Anderson does most the damage running the ball for TCU, amassing 726 yards and scoring seven touchdowns. Sewo Olonilua has added six scores and Kyle Hicks also gets his share of carries. The Horned Frogs will look to make plays against an Oklahoma defense ranked 87th nationally, and which has allowed over 200 rushing yards three times this season -- twice in the last three games.

TCU has victories against three top 10 offenses, holding each well below its season total, and have shown people that defense isn't a dirty word in Big 12 circles.

The Sooners aren't totally devoid of star power on defense, thanks to Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and his eight sacks. TCU counters with Ben Banogu, who has 6.5 sacks on the season. Both teams have been good protecting their quarterbacks, TCU allowing just 11 sacks and Oklahoma allowing 18.

Patterson knows that this challenge could be his team's toughest, and it will have to have laser-focus to stop the Sooners diverse attack.

"You can't let Oklahoma big-play you, and that's hard to do because they have a lot of people," Patterson said. "You've got to be able to give them different looks and you've got to have a group smart enough to do that and still play within the structure of the defense. Because any time you put the quarterback in play, it makes it harder."

Baker Mayfield has proven nearly impossible to stop in 2017 (SB Nation)

There is some history with "the quarterback" and Patterson, as Mayfield -- a Texas native -- claims TCU slow-played him in recruiting before deciding against taking him. He wasn't happy about it, and his father had harsh words for Patterson's program in a later magazine interview.

But the two have mended fences, with Mayfield saying of Patterson, "he's one of the best defensive minds in the game."

Patterson has reciprocated respect, saying what many non-Sooners fans feel.

"Baker's really done a great job," Patterson said. "He's one of those guys, if you're playing against him you probably don't like him. ... If you love competitors, you've got to admire the things he's been able to do. He keeps plays alive. He's tough to tackle."

Oklahoma won a 52-46 shootout last year in Fort Worth, and has taken five of the last six meetings.

As far as being a an appetizer for a Big 12 championship game main course, neither coach is thinking that far ahead.

"We've got a lot of work to do," Patterson said.

Riley, the youngest head coach in the FBS, knows that looking ahead could prove lethal to his team.

"We'll worry about it when we get there," he said. "It'll take all we've got to play well and give ourselves a chance to beat these guys. We'll throw everything we can at 'em, and I'm sure coach Patterson would probably tell you the same thing."

Irish And Hurricanes Each Look To Contine Winning Ways

It may not quite be to the level of "Catholics vs Convicts," but Saturday's battle between Notre Dame and Miami is generating plenty of buzz.

Both teams have crashed the top 10 after beginning the season standing on the fringes, with fairly mild expectations. But that has changed as the Irish are ranked third and the Hurricanes No. 7 heading into the showdown.

They get it done differently, but both teams boast powerful offenses and a host of playmakers.

Josh Adams makes Notre Dame's ground game go (Bleacher Report)

The Irish (8-1) are beasts on the ground, ranking fifth nationally in rushing yards per game (324.8) and scoring 34 touchdowns. Heisman candidate Josh Adams has been special, rambling for nearly 1200 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. His 8.7 yards per carry is sixth in the country, and a testament to just how Notre Dame is up front. 

"Their offensive line, probably the best in America," Miami coach Mark Richt said. "I don't think very many people would argue that. ... Very experienced but very, very talented. They're paving the way, over 300 yards per game rushing and this isn't triple-option football. This is just line up and physically move people off the ball, a kick-your-tail type offensive line and great runners."

Quarterback Brandon Wimbush is also a running threat, rolling up 639 yards and 13 touchdowns with his legs. He showed a new dimension in last week's 48-37 win over Wake Forest -- the deep ball. Wimbush connected on just 50 percent of his 30 passes, but amassed nearly 300 yards and averaged 9.3 yards per attempt. While still a work in progress, the Irish passing attack is becoming something that needs to be accounted for.

Joe Jackson and R.J. McIntosh anchor a defensive front that will be tested by the Irish, and the Hurricanes may just be up to the challenge. Miami is 10th in the country in tackles for loss and 11th in sacks, and it all starts up front. The energy of the Hurricanes defensive line gets the rest of the team going, and though the numbers aren't eye-popping, the fact that they have allowed just four rushing touchdowns all season certainly is.

"It's an outstanding front four," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. "The linebackers run and tackle as well as any group that we've played. ... They can play a number of different coverages by keeping three linebackers on the field and that's pretty hard to do today in college football. A unique skill-set in that group."

Notre Dame will be challenged defensively by Miami quarterback Malik Rosier Jr, who is gaining his footing in his first year as a starter.  Rosier has thrown 19 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, but has been kept under wraps the last two weeks with subpar games against North Carolina and Virginia Tech. Rosier can also hoof it, picking up double digits carries in five of the last six contests and finding the end zone three times via the rush.

Travis Homer has been more than an able replacement at running back for injured Mark Walton, picking up over 600 yards and rushing for six touchdowns. He is also a safety net for Rosier in the passing game, which ranks 23rd in the nation.

Braxton Berrios (8) is a dangerous weapon in Miami's air attack (Palm Beach Post)

Braxton Berrios leads Miami in receiving with 36 catches and seven touchdowns, and is a real thorn in the side for opposing defenses. Whenever the Hurricanes need a big pass play they look to Berrios, who has 23 grabs for first downs this season.

The Irish will need to disrupt Miami's passing game if it wants to keep the Hurricanes offense off of the field.

Notre Dame doesn't have a true standout up front, though Jerry Tillery -- three sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble -- comes close.

While the Irish defense has been up and down for much of the season, the offense has been a machine.

"I think when we broke through with over 500 yards rushing against Boston College, I think that that was really where everything started to kind of show itself, that this is who we were going to be," Kelly said. "And then it's certainly taken shape from there."

Last year's 4-8 fiasco seems like ages ago, and the Irish are once again in the forefront of college football relevancy.

“Playing great. Super hot team. Beating people by big margins, one of the best defensive teams in the country, one of the best offensive teams in the country," Richt said.

They say that November is when championships are won, and both teams have plenty on the line.

Notre Dame is squarely in the hunt for a berth in the College Football Playoff, its one loss coming at home to No. 1 Georgia.

Miami is unbeaten after a pasting of Virginia Tech last week, its first real opposition of the season. The Hurricanes dominated in nearly every aspect, and have the look of a true national contender. Whether or not the burden of expectation is too much remains to be seen, but the big stage is there and waiting -- GameDay will host its show from Miami, and the game will have millions of eyes watching as the ABC national contest.

Notre Dame has won five of the last six matchups, including last year's 30-27 thriller in South Bend. The Hurricanes won 27-10 in 1989, the last time the teams played in the Sunshine State, but have just seven wins in the series.

Richt knows first hand about the Irish magic, as he was on the losing end of a 16-14 heartbreaker in 1982 as a member of the Hurricanes.

 “That’s a long time ago, when I was a player," he recounted. "I got my heart broken in South Bend one time. … One time, I went there and got knocked out and another time I went there and got my heart broke when, I think, Blair Kiel was the quarterback and had a last-minute drive to set them up in field goal range to beat us. I don’t remember exactly what it was. … lost that one, but had a chance to win it. … It’s a cool place to go to, for sure. The tradition has been going on there, for obviously, over 100 years.”

Tuesday Thoughts -- Nov. 7

No, I'm not late due to the end of Daylight Saving Time. I remembered to set my clock back, that has nothing to do with it. I usually present my thoughts on the week that was on Mondays, but yesterday was my lovely wife's birthday, so I was doing all of the nice husbandly things one would expect to be done on a lady's birthday.

Fret not, oh good people, as I am still here.

With just hours before the release of the second set of College Football Playoff rankings, a couple of things are becoming abundantly clear -- there is definitely one, and possibly two, Power 5 conferences in danger of missing the party. We've thought for awhile that the Pac-12 had the smallest margin for error, due to Washington's atrocious non-conference schedule and USC's unexpected inconsistency. No other team in the conference has been good enough to deserve consideration, and if the Huskies don't win out from here it's highly likely that the West Coast will be shut out from the CFP.

While that one was fairly evident, the B1G missing out was less so. Just two weeks ago it looked like both Penn State and Ohio State would fight to the end to secure the conference's invitation -- then it all fell apart. The Nittany Lions lost two straight, to the Buckeyes and Michigan State, and OSU followed up its stirring comeback victory over PSU with a comedown loss to Iowa. The Buckeyes couldn't do anything right defensively, gave up on the run too early and had too many turnovers on offense, and turned in a real clunker. It was their second loss of the season, which means that they, PSU and MSU all have two losses and are likely on the outside looking in.

It doesn't get much better should Wisconsin win the conference title because the Badgers have a SOS of 73, and precious few opportunities to improve it. Even if Wisconsin runs the table, its win in the league title game would likely be over a two (turned to three) loss East Division champ, so there won't be much of a bump. I don't believe the committee would take Wisconsin over a one-loss Oklahoma, Clemson, Notre Dame or Georgia -- even if the Bulldogs don't have a championship on their resume -- so it will need to be complete chaos (meaning a bunch of two-loss teams) for the Badgers to have a real shot.

The Big 12 needs to be careful, too, as it has a pair of teams -- Oklahoma and TCU -- with one loss, and they face off this weekend in Norman. The worst scenario would be for the loser of this game to make the league title game and then knock off this week's winner. That would be yet another conference with a two-loss champ, which means the committee could have its toughest decision ever.

There's even a scenario where a one-loss Alabama doesn't make it. Hard as it is to believe, if the Crimson Tide loses to Georgia in the SEC championship game, it does not have the resume to get in ahead of other one loss teams. What is Alabama's best win to date? Well, if you go by the CFP rankings, it's probably Mississippi State. The Bulldogs were ranked 18th last week and are the only ranked team Alabama has beaten, giving Nick Saban's crew an uphill climb should it lose. It would be in better shape if it lost to Auburn in the Iron Bowl yet still won the SEC title, but still not a given. And no, it won't get in "just because it's Alabama."

That's my favorite part about this whole thing, the conspiracy theories presented by fans.

They think the committee is sitting there, twirling their mustaches and letting out devious laughs, all the while formulating what will do best for ratings. They WANT good games, sure, but they aren't CREATING good games. They are selecting the four teams ranked "on the members evaluation of the teams' performance on the field, using conference championships won, strength of schedule, head-to-head results and comparison of results against common opponents to decide among teams that are comparable." That's straight off of the CFP website, so there is no grand plan to elevate one team over another just to get better ratings. If they were really into that, they would have taken a two-loss Penn State or Oklahoma over Washington last season. People can believe what they want, they just need to know that they are wrong.

For what it's worth, I believe the top 10 will look like this --

1.  Georgia
2.  Alabama
3.  Clemson
4.  Notre Dame
5.  Oklahoma
6.  Miami
7.  TCU
8.  Washington
9.  Wisconsin
10.  Michigan State

Fans will still be upset if their team is passed over, but it's really all about what you believe the committee is looking for. Are they looking for the best teams, or the most worthy? Because those aren't the same things. A team could check all of the boxes when you watch it play, but if you compare its resume to another team with the same record it might not hold up nearly as well.

With a plethora of marquee games still remaining, this stuff will all work itself out.

Playing With The Big Boys
If you haven't had a chance to, you should really check out the UCF Knights. Not only are they the best Group of Five team around -- and most likely choice to crash the New Years Six soiree -- they are also the most exciting.

The Knights are that rare team that thinks run-first, yet has enough big plays to keep fans on the edge of their seats. It's run based, with a lot of contributors, and shows option principles with a lot of straight ahead running, relying heavily on the dive play. A lot of players touch the football, which is why UCF is so difficult to defend.

Scott Frost is the head coach who makes it all go, and who likely will be coaching a Power 5 team next season. The former Nebraska star has pushed all of the right buttons this season and UCF has bought into his all-in, no one is more important than anyone else philosophy. 

It starts with quarterback McKenzie Milton, who has been shuffled to the back behind Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph and others despite having comparable statistics. The sophomore is second nationally in passer rating and second in yards per attempt, at a hefty 11.1. He isn't afraid to push the ball down the field, usually to Tre'Quan Smith (19.4 ypc, 9 TDs) but often to Dredrick Snelson (16 YPC) and Jordan Akins (15.9 YPC). This isn't a dink and dunk offense, it's a run, run, big play, touchdown offense. Milton is an able runner (second leading rusher on the team), and lead back Adrian Killins Jr averages over 8.5 yards per carry and has seven touchdowns. It's pick your poison with this bunch, and it's usually the wrong choice because the Knights can do just about everything well.

UCF is top 10 in opponent adjusted efficiency, explosiveness and drive finishing, have victories over the two best teams in the AAC (Memphis and Navy) and a victory over Maryland.

And UCF isn't just a one-trick pony, either. It can play defense.

The Knights are 22nd nationally in defensive efficiency, have 11 interceptions (21st in the country) and have generated 18 turnovers overall. They don't attack a ton, but play sound, fundamental football, led by linebacker Pat Jasinki's 63 stops and ball hawking corner Mike Hughes' 11 passes defended and 28 stops. The stop unit isn't the biggest or baddest around, but its good enough to keep opponents from going wild.

It would be really interesting to see the Knights play an Auburn or an Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl, a matchup that many might yawn at, but one that real college football fans would understand is a big-time showdown.

UCF hasn't quite gotten there yet, as there is work yet to be done. The Knights will almost certainly have to finish undefeated, which isn't out of the question. The finale against South Florida will be its toughest game of the season, but there is a better than 50 percent chance the Knights win out.

That would put them squarely in the spotlight, and it would be great if America could see what only a few people know about.

Sunday Morning Tally -- Nov. 5

TOP GAMES
(7) Penn State at (24) Michigan State (+9)
Pick -- Penn State 34-21; Score -- Michigan State 27-24 (SU/ATS L)

(4) Clemson at (20) North Carolina State (+7.5)
Pick -- Clemson 30-21; Score -- Clemson 38-31 (SU W/ATS L)

(21) Stanford at (25) Washington State (-2)
Pick -- Washington State 34-30; Score -- Washington State 24-21 (SU/ATS W)

(5) Oklahoma at (11) Oklahoma State (-2.5)
Pick -- Oklahoma State 41-37; Score -- Oklahoma 62-52 (SU/ATS L)

(13) Virginia Tech at (10) Miami, Fla. (+2.5)
Pick -- Virginia Tech 37-24; Score -- Miami 28-10 (SU/ATS L)

(19) LSU at (2) Alabama (-21.5)
Pick -- Alabama 27-14; Score -- Alabama 24-10 (SU/ATS W)

(22) Arizona at (17) USC (-7.5)
Pick -- Arizona 33-30; Score -- USC 49-35 (SU/ATS L)

OTHER GAMES
(14) Auburn at Texas A&M (+15)
Pick -- Auburn 40-31; Score -- Auburn 42-27 (SU W/ATS P)

Georgia Tech at Virginia (+10)
Pick -- Virginia 27-26; Score -- Virginia 40-36 (SU/ATS W)

(15) Iowa State at West Virginia (-2.5)
Pick -- Iowa State 27-24; Score -- West Virginia 20-16 (SU/ATS L)

Northwestern at Nebraska (-1)
Pick -- Northwestern 25-21; Score -- Northwestern 31-24 (SU/ATS W)

(6) Ohio State at Iowa (+17.5)
Pick -- Ohio State 41-17; Score -- Iowa 55-24 (SU/ATS L)

South Carolina at (1) Georgia (-23.5)
Pick -- Georgia 36-24; Score -- Georgia 24-10 (SU/ATS W)

Wake Forest at (3) Notre Dame (-14)
Pick -- Notre Dame 45-21; Score -- Notre Dame (SU W/ATS L)

Colorado State at Wyoming (+3)
Pick -- Wyoming 28-24; Score -- Wyoming 16-13 (SU/ATS W)

UTSA at Florida International (+4.5)
Pick -- UTSA 31-21; Score -- Florida International 14-7 (SU/ATS L)

Texas at (8) TCU (-7)
Pick -- TCU 38-21; Score -- TCU 24-7 (SU/ATS W)

(18) UCF at SMU (+14.5)
Pick -- UCF 48-28; Score -- UCF 31-24 (SU W/ATS L)

Minnesota at Michigan (-15.5)
Pick -- Michigan 24-17; Score -- Michigan 33-10 (SU W/ATS L)

Oregon at (12) Washington (-17.5)
Pick -- Washington 41-21; Score -- Washington 38-3 (SU/ATS W)

2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- Week 13-7, Season 189-65 (74.4%); Against The Spread -- Week 8-11-1, 132-117-5 (53.0%)

By The Numbers -- Nov. 4

We've had a few things going on this week, which is why we didn't do any full game previews. But rest assured, we will be back at it next week -- and you can decide whether that is a good or a bad thing.

Due to all of this, there won't be any analysis this week, only picks. We usually post early Saturday morning, but because of no game previews, we are going a day early. So everyone out there is a winner!

TOP GAMES
(7) Penn State at (24) Michigan State
Line -- Penn State -9; Pick -- Penn State 34-21

(4) Clemson at (20) North Carolina State
Line -- Clemson -7.5; Pick -- Clemson 30-21

(21) Stanford at (25) Washington State
Line -- Washington State -2; Pick -- Washington State 34-30

(5) Oklahoma at (11) Oklahoma State
Line -- Oklahoma State -2.5; Pick -- Oklahoma State 41-37

(13) Virginia Tech at (10) Miami, Fla.
Line -- Virginia Tech -2.5; Pick -- Virginia Tech 37-24

(19) LSU at (2) Alabama
Line -- Alabama -21.5; Pick -- Alabama 27-14

(22) Arizona at (17) USC
Line -- USC -7.5; Pick -- Arizona 33-30

OTHER GAMES
(14) Auburn at Texas A&M
Line -- Auburn -15; Pick -- Auburn 40-31

Georgia Tech at Virginia
Line -- Georgia Tech -10; Pick -- Virginia 27-26

(15) Iowa State at West Virginia
Line -- West Virginia -2.5; Pick -- Iowa State 27-24

Northwestern at Nebraska
Line -- Nebraska -1; Pick -- Northwestern 25-21

(6) Ohio State at Iowa 
Line -- Ohio State -17.5; Pick -- Ohio State 41-17

South Carolina at (1) Georgia
Line -- Georgia -23.5; Pick -- Georgia 36-24

Wake Forest at (3) Notre Dame
Line -- Notre Dame -14; Pick -- Notre Dame 45-21

Colorado State at Wyoming
Line -- Colorado State -3; Pick -- Wyoming 28-24

UTSA at Florida International
Line -- UTSA -4.5; Pick -- UTSA 31-21

Texas at (8) TCU 
Line -- TCU -7; Pick -- TCU 38-21

(18) UCF at SMU
Line -- UCF -14.5; Pick -- UCF 48-28

Minnesota at Michigan
Line -- Michigan -15.5; Pick -- Michigan 24-17

Oregon at (12) Washington
Line -- Washington -17.5; Pick -- Washington 41-21

2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- Season 176-58 (74.2%); Against The Spread -- 124-106-4 (53.1%)