-Originally published 10/26/21-
Under Further Review – Week 7
#7 Penn State, #8 Oklahoma State, #14 Coastal Carolina, #18 NC State, and #25 Purdue went down in rather unexciting action. The biggest surprise was Penn State’s 20-18 defeat in a record 9OTs. The new OT rule went into effect in the 3rd OT with each team getting one play from the three yard line to make a 2-point conversion. Not to be confused with the previous rule of being forced to attempt a 2-point conversion after scoring a touchdown, each team has ONE PLAY worth two points to score. The game went to OT tied 10-10 and both teams traded field goals in the first and second OT leaving the score at 16-16 heading in the 3rd “shootout” OT. Both teams failed to covert in OTs 3-7 and both converted in OT 8, forcing OT 9. Illinois converted first and intercepted Penn State in OT 9 ending a strange game 20-18.
I’m not a fan of the new OT. Put into place to avoid the 7OT game between Texas A&M and LSU in 2019 with player safety and time constraints being two of the reasons stated for the change. It still takes a tremendous amount of time. Furthermore, regular OT already eliminates normal elements of football like the ability to drive the field and special teams with both teams starting at the 25 yard line. With both teams moving to the 3 yard line with one play to win the new rules essentially throw up our hands and flip a coin to see who wins further stripping important football elements out of a close game. We’ll see if any changes occur to the rule.
Anyways, it was a game Penn State had no business losing and eliminates them from the Big 10 East Race with key matchups starting this week to determine the division. OSU was an underdog on the road to Iowa State and rightfully so and the Cowboys crumbled 24-21 for their first loss of the season. CC also took loss number one to Appalachan State. Miami has gone through hell this season with half the guys that started opened day different than the guys that will start the rest of the season. NC State croaked 31-30 in a big loss for the ACC leaving Wake Forest undefeated after a crazy 70-56 shootout against Army and Pittsburg with one loss after a 27-17 win over Clemson that saw QB DJ Uiagalelei, a preseason Heisman candidate, getting pulled. WF and Pitt are the only squads left with fewer than two losses in the ACC. Oregon held onto the Pac-12’s last hope for the playoffs surviving at UCLA 34-31 but both conferences playoff hopes are on life support.
No-Pulp’s Week 9 Top-25
1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma
4. Cincinnati
5. Michigan
6. Ohio State
7. Pittsburg
8. Ole Miss
9. Michigan State
10. Wake Forest
11. Notre Dame
12. Baylor
13. Texas A&M
14. Iowa
15. SMU
16. Oklahoma State
17. Kentucky
18. Oregon
19. Auburn
20. Penn State
21. UTSA
22. Arizona State
23. Coastal Carolina
24. Iowa State
25. San Diego State
Top Watches
Must Watch: Noon – #6 Michigan (7-0) @ #8 Michigan State (7-0) – FOX
The schedule is loaded but a battle between two undefeated squads with Big 10 and Playoff hopes should be top of the docket.
Audible: 7:00pm – #12 Kentucky (6-1) @ Mississippi St (4-3) – SECN
Kentucky won’t make the SEC Championship game if Georgia doesn’t lose but they can still win out and finish 11-1 with a favorable schedule after Mississippi State and Tennessee the next two weeks. The Bulldogs and Mike Leach won’t go quietly.
Check In: 7:30pm – North Carolina (4-3) @ #11 Notre Dame (6-1) – NBC
Outside of Kentucky/Mississippi St the greatest chance for a Top 15 upset is right here. UNC’s defense is as trustworthy as shit rolling sideways and trusting ND to pull away cleanly is like spitting in the wind.
Underrated: Noon – Miami (3-4) @ #17 Pittsburgh (6-1) – ACCN
Pitt is awesome and Miami is in the toilet but “Those who remain will be Champi-“ umm better next season hopefully. Clemson/Florida State is also a candidate (in scouting next season’s roster as both teams make changes) but could be a dumpster fire. Arizona State/Washington State is also a candidate.
Small Screen: 10:30pm – Fresno State (6-2) @ #21 San Diego State (7-0) – CBSSN
The late night slate is loaded again but the top two squads in the Mountain West are doing battle so you better check it out. One of the better contests of the week.
Late Night Snack: 10:15pm – Virginia (6-2) @ #25 BYU (6-2) – ESPN2
Several great late-night games so I suggest taking an afternoon nap and flipping between Fresno/SDS and BYU/Virginia’s strong-armed QB Brennan Strong.
Thursday, Oct. 28th
7:30pm – Troy (4-3) @ #24 Costal Carolina (6-1) – ESPN2
7:30pm – South Florida (2-5) @ East Carolina (3-4) – ESPN
Friday, Oct. 29th
7:30pm – Navy (1-6) @ Tulsa (3-4) – ESPN2
10:00pm – UNLV (0-7) @ Nevada (5-2) – CBSSN
CC is still a top watch even if they’re no long an undefeated squad. Nevada is coming off a brutal defeat at Fresno State. Down 8 with less than four minutes remaining the Wolfpack scored with two seconds left on the clock. Carson Strong found Romeo Dobbs for a leaping grab on what would have been his 20th catch of the day on the 2-point conversion but the corner had leverage underneath Romeo and threw him out of bounds making the catch no good. Nevada actually recovered the onside kick but it caused time to expire. The Wolfpack recovered around the 30-yard line, within long field goal distance without having to run another play. They lost 34-32. UNLV, close to victory themselves last week after San Jose State rallied to win 27-20, will face Nevada’s frustration. Last week ECU played a 6-1 Houston team close losing 31-24, Navy hung with Cincinnati losing 27-20, and Tulsa has won two in a row with three losses coming to major programs Oklahoma State, Ohio State, and Houston a combined 18-3 so the fight isn’t gone from all these squads despite some ugly records.
All Hollow’s Eve – Noon Slate
Fresh Squeezed
Noon – #6 Michigan (7-0) @ #8 Michigan State (7-0) – FOX
Massacre in the Mitten! Michigan is converting 46% of 3rd downs and leans heavy on the run game and backs Black Corum (729 yds, 6.3 Avg, 10 Tds) and Hank Haskins (602 yds, 4.9 Avg, 10 Tds). MSU is balanced (68 rushing 1st downs, 64 passing) but riding Heisman contender Kenneth Walker (997 yds, 6.6 Avg, 9). Michigan currently fields a top-20 passing and rushing defense, good for the 11th overall defense at 299 yards allowed per game and 2nd in points allowed at 14.3 (ahead of Clemson, Cincinnati, Iowa, Penn State). UM is rightfully criticized for its lack of passing game offensively (outside of the top 100) but they’re playing at a Championship level at every other spot. MSU is balance but the defense isn’t at the same level.
Pick: Michigan
Noon – #9 Iowa (6-1) @ Wisconsin (4-3) – ESPN
Another defensive battle in the Big 10. The Badgers have won three straight (Illinois, Army, Purdue) behind the top defense but the passing game is still so limited that Graham Mertz was 5/8 for 52 yards last week against Purdue. If the Boilermakers hadn’t committed 5 turnovers it may have been a different game. Iowa is coming off a bye but isn’t efficient at all offensively. Both squads love to force turnovers but that might not matter if neither team can move the ball. The Hawkeyes ability to win almost exclusively by slowing Wisconsin’s run game gives them the advantage.
Pick: Iowa
Noon – Texas (4-3) @ #16 Baylor (6-1) – ABC
Baylor has notched wins over West Virginia and BYU since losing to Oklahoma State. They average 38.3ppg and the defense is allowing less than 200 yards passing and 18.7ppg. Texas still fields a top offense that’s top-10 in ppg and runs up over 450 ypg. The Horns defense is still a massive question mark. This should be one of the more interesting matchups of the afternoon and the winner will be whichever team can make better adjustments. Texas has a dangerous offense that continues to improve but Baylor’s defense will keep them in a position to exploit the Texas secondary.
Pick: Baylor
Lower Grove
Noon – Miami (3-4) @ #17 Pittsburgh (6-1) – ACCN
Noon – #2 Cincinnati (7-0) @ Tulane (1-6) – ESPN2
Noon – Virginia Tech (3-4) @ Georgia Tech (3-4) – ESPN3
Noon – Indiana (2-5) @ Maryland (4-3) – TBD
Pittsburgh is heavily favored to continue their run behind Kenny Pickett and the high-flying offense. They’ll have to be careful against the Hurricanes that knocked off NC State last week. Half the opening day starters have been replaced and Danny Diaz is fighting for his job. Outside of that game the noon slate is pretty shallow. The Bearcats nearly fell asleep at the wheel last week allowing one-win Navy to hang around. They’ll be trying to make up for the close call by crushing every opponent left on the schedule. Rebuilding GT will take on VT in ACC play and Maryland/Indiana is a battle between two reeling Big 10 teams not nearly as bad as their records but playing in a loaded conference.
Afternoon Slate
Fresh Squeezed
3:30pm – #1 Georgia (7-0) @ Florida (4-3) – CBS
The Gators are coming off a bye week and should be playing QB Anthony Richardson. Emory Jones has been a solid quarterback but true freshman Richardson is the future and provides another dimension to the offense. Perhaps with him under center the offense will be more of a threat to the Bulldogs lockdown defense.
Pick: Georgia
3:30pm – Texas Tech (5-3) @ #4 Oklahoma (8-0) – ABC
The Sooners had to rally to defeat Kansas 35-23 with the help of a questionable 4th down conversion call that allowed OU to score the clinching touchdown. With the worst team in the conference out of the way the hard part begins. Oklahoma can’t overlook Texas Tech (5-3) before heading into a bye then they finish with #16 Baylor (6-1), #22 Iowa State (5-2), and #15 Oklahoma State (6-1). TT is not quite the offensive powerhouse as previous seasons and giving up almost as many yards and points as it is putting up. That being said, the Red Raiders offense will be a threat to push the Sooners around. This should be a shootout.
Pick: Oklahoma
Lower Grove
2:00pm – #22 Iowa State (5-2) @ West Virginia (3-4) – Big 12/ESPN+
3:00pm – Washington State (4-4) @ Arizona State (5-2) – FS1
3:00pm – Hawaii (4-4) @ Utah State (5-2) – TBD
3:30pm – Colorado (2-5) @ #7 Oregon (6-1) – FOX
3:30pm – Florida State (3-4) @ Clemson (4-3) – ESPN
3:30pm – Minnesota (5-2) @ Northwestern (3-4) – BTN
4:00pm – Duke (3-4) @ #13 Wake Forest (7-0) – ACCN
ISU is back in the rankings after its first real win of the season, over Oklahoma State no-less. Still one of the best teams in the Pac-12, Arizona State is coming off a bye week and taking on an overachieving WSU team at this point. The Cougars were predicted to finish at the bottom of the league with Cal and Arizona. That still could happen but a .500 record with no head coach and playing solid football right now is a tremendous accomplishment. Staying in the Pac-12, Oregon is another top team that looks like they can lose to anyone. They nearly lost at home to a miserable California team a couple weeks ago and another rough team is visiting. Had UCLA not lost QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson during the potential game-winning drive in the final minute, the Bruins may have completed the come-back upset against the Ducks last week. Utah State and Hawaii battle the Mountain West as the Aggies stay in the hunt for the conference time and Hawaii stays frisky. Minnesota has been banged up, embarrassed, and left for dead early in the year. The Gophers are rallying to turn the season around. Wake Forest looks to stay undefeated. Florida State has won three in a row after a 0-4 start and will take on Clemson in a game that was penciled in as import in the preseason and erased two weeks in.
Evening Slate
Fresh Squeezed
7:00pm – #10 Ole Miss (6-1) @ #18 Auburn (5-2) – ESPN
An underrated afternoon matchup. Matt Carroll played against LSU after being questionable the entire week and the Rebels won 31-17. Don’t lose focus on the point that if Alabama stumbles again and Ole Miss wins out they’ll be in the SEC Championship with a shot at the playoffs. With an elite offense and a defense that’s been pretty good theirs’s a good chance of that happening. Auburn is coming off a bye and Bo Nix has looked better at QB but the last three games has seen five point road wins against LSU and Arkansas with a blowout loss to Georgia in-between. The Tigers are always playing it close.
Pick: Ole Miss
7:00pm – #19 SMU (7-0) @ Houston (6-1) – ESPN2
Cincinnati is fighting for a playoff spot but they aren’t quite out of the AAC yet. SMU’s offense has scored 31+ in every game and has coach Sonny Dykes in the running for bigger head coaching jobs. Houston’s lone loss is the 38-21 opener to Texas Tech but they haven’t beaten a team with a winning record and their opponents are a combined 14-28. The Mustangs have to be the favorite in Houston.
Pick: SMU
7:30pm – #20 Penn State (5-2) @ #5 Ohio State (6-1) – ABC
PSU’s putrid offense was on full display in two regular overtimes and 7 “one-play” OTs with the new rules where the Nittany Lions only scored once. Illinois isn’t a good team and even a banged up Sean Clifford returning for the game wasn’t a good excuse. OSU torched Indiana 54-7 but hasn’t beaten an opponent in the Top 25 this season. This Hoosiers were the only squad they’ve defeated that was in the Top 25 at any point this season and that was before they played a game. This will be a test for the Buckeyes but CJ Shroud is looking better and PSU can’t move the ball. A trend for many Big 10 teams this season.
Pick: Ohio State
Lower Grove
6:00pm – UTEP (6-1) @ Florida Atlantic (4-3) – ESPN+
7:00pm – #12 Kentucky (6-1) @ Mississippi St (4-3) – SECN
7:00pm – Kansas (1-6) @ #15 Oklahoma State – (6-1) – FS1
7:00pm – Oregon State (5-2) @ California (2-5) – Pac 12
7:00pm – Arizona (0-7) @ USC (3-4) – ESPNU
7:30pm – North Carolina (4-3) @ #11 Notre Dame (6-1) – NBC
7:30pm – Louisville (4-3) @ NC State (5-2) – ACCN
UTEP is on a collision course with undefeated UTSA November 6th for Conference USA. Both teams play in the West division but they’re easily the top in the Conference. The winner of their matchup will play in the C-USA Championship and be heavily favored over whoever comes out of the East. Kentucky and Mississippi St battle in an excellent game between two squads that have really found their way. The Wildcats could still win out the rest of the regular season and Mike Leach has a dangerous Bulldog team in the toughest division in the country, the SEC West. With losses to Memphis and LSU by a combined 5 points the 49-9 thumping to Alabama was the only game they were truly outmatched. UNC is coming off a bye to take on Notre Dame in a matchup that is actually just as promising as two months ago. The stakes aren’t as high but ND has more weaknesses than its record indicates and UNC has massive defensive issues but can put up points. The game should still be very competitive. NC State suffered a tough road loss to Miami and will be challenged again by the Cardinals. Three other games wouldn’t be on this slate but have interesting storylines. Oklahoma State will be heavily favored against Kansas but they Jayhawks had a great play mapped against the Sooners last week and could play with the Cowboys for a while. The Oregon State Beavers hope to keep their PAC 12 run going against Cal who won their first game against a FBS team this season. Arizona has been close a few times this season but come up short. More importantly, freshman QB Jaxson Dart at USC might take the field. He’s the future for the Trojans.
Late Night Slate
10:00pm – UCLA (5-3) @ Utah (4-3) – ESPN
10:15pm – Virginia (6-2) @ #25 BYU (6-2) – ESPN2
10:30pm – Fresno State (6-2) @ #21 San Diego State (7-0) – CBSSN
10:30pm – Washington (3-4) @ Stanford (3-4) – FS1
With Fresno State surviving Nevada last week, this matchup with SDS is a battle between the top two squads in the Mountain West. It should be a defensive battle. The Pac-12 takes the stage with UCLA and Utah both in the running for the Pac-12 South and both exciting to watch. Washington/Stanford will possibly decide who makes a bowl game. Virginia’s QB Brennan Armstrong is starting to gain traction in NFL circles and will gain traction win or lose if the Cavaliers put together a good performance against BYU.