Penn State at Northwestern: HAPPENING NOW AS A TYPE
I will say, this one is definitely kinda shocking. Right now as I type, the Northwestern Wildcats who are 2-1 are crushing the Nittany Lions 24-7 in the third quarter on FOX. PSU had an upset loss to Wisconsin last week and since losing a 17-0 lead in that game, they have looked very feeble. It is Northwestern’s first new game at the New Ryan Field and honestly, this place looks much better than the old Ryan Field.
Michigan at Minnesota (11 am C.T. FOX)
The game for the Little Brown Jug trophy will once again be FOX’ Big Noon Saturday game. And this one like its counterpart in 2024 has a lot of implications on it. Minnesota might have found something with a big win at Washington last week where the Wolverines fell to Iowa at home on a last second touchdown. If the Wolverines lose the Jug now too, things could really go south for the Wolverines as there is an argument that they should be 2-3 with a loss. New coach Kyle Wittingham could really use a quality win on the road like this in his first year with the Wolverines. For Minnesota, you know that 27-24 loss in 2024, where a controversially called offsides on an onside kick thwarted a potential comeback in is on their minds. Head coach P.J. Fleck could also afford a win vs the Wolverines as it would be the Gophers first vs them since 2014, and maybe his biggest win since the upset over No. 4 Penn State in 2019.
No. 7 Alabama at No. 16 Mississippi State (11 am C.T. ABC)
Is this Mississippi State team and QB Kamario Taylor truly different? They will get their first true SEC test this week. The Bulldogs are 0-16 in the last 16 vs the Tide and Kalen DeBoer’s squad right now is 4-0. Alabama has had some slow starts to begin this year and this will definitely be the best team they face as of now. So DeBoer’s team cannot afford another slow start because if the Tide get off to another one, this Bulldogs team can make it a long day for Alabama.
Michigan State at Wisconsin (11:30 am C.T. BTN)
Luke Fickell finally got his signature win, a 27-23 comeback at No. 13 Penn State. Now comes the next challenge, can he get his team ready for lowly Michigan State at home. This is a spot where Wisconsin teams in the past have stumbled after big wins, if Fickell’s team can take care of business they might truly be different.
No. 5 Ohio State at No. 14 Iowa (2:30 pm C.T. CBS)
This is the first time the Buckeyes will travel to Kinnick since the 55-24 upset loss in 2017. Unlike that game, Ohio State won’t be coming into Iowa off an emotional win over a ranked team. The Hawkeyes this time are actually that team, as they are coming off the last second win at No. 18 Michigan. OSU, the preseason No. 1 team already lost its first test at Texas and has Iowa now with plenty of more tough opponents down the road. If Ohio State gets tripped up for the second straight time at Kinnick, boy Columbus will be a very ugly place. This is one the Buckeyes really need and if Iowa can get the upset, wins over both Michigan and Ohio State might prove this Hawkeye team is something.
No. 8 Florida at No. 25 Missouri (2:30 pm C.T. ABC)
Big win over top 10 opponent followed by a road game vs bottom ranked top 25 team. That is the same script that the Gators opponent last week in Ole Miss had going into their game. Now the Gators are in the same spot, big win over the No. 4 Ole Miss Rebels followed by a road game at No. 25 Missou. Florida needs to be careful because this is the same spot that Ole Miss was in last week.
No. 4 Miami at Clemson (6:30 pm C.T. ABC)
The ACC favorite in the Hurricanes travel to Death Valley to play the former kings of the ACC in Clemson. The Tigers absolutely need to be at least competitive in this one and maybe win, because after the week 1 disaster at LSU. Coach Dabo Swinney’s seat might be getting hotter and hotter. The winner of this one also retains first place in the ACC. Miami hasn’t been great against Clemson in the past, so even with both teams current state this would be a big monkey off the backs for the Canes.
No. 12 Texas Tech at Colorado (6:30 pm C.T. FOX)
Joey McGwire’s Texas Tech Red Raiders have a road test at Colorado vs Deon Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. Colorado still has not won a ranked game under Deon since the 2023 opener vs No. 17 TCU, so pulling off the upset vs one of the powerhouses in the Big 12 would be a huge win. The Red Raiders on the other hand could stay in the fight to defend their Big 12 title while putting the Buffaloes in a whole at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12.
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