The Big Red Throwdown:
Nebraska will be bowl eligible if they win against Iowa. People are happy to hear that. Why are people happy to hear that we even have the opportunity on the LAST GAME of the year? Just goes to show how shitty of a season Nebraska has had this year. Going from a projected worst-case 7-win team, to "holy crap we need to scrap together 3 straight wins, 2 of which against undefeated teams, just to pull up to .500". And Nebraska has actually delivered, which is great, I like a team with some spunk. Which is also good news for Mike Riley, because right now he only has one double digit loss (albeit to Purdue...) and is currently undefeated against ranked teams (Top 10 even for that matter). That sentence is probably the only thing that's renewing my faith in Riley as Nebraska looks into next year, but they got to get through the current task at hand and that is beating Iowa.
(Side Note: According to my data that's finally up to date, Nebraska is listed as the best team with a losing record based on competitiveness and how they played their schedule, including beating out some winning teams with cupcake schedules. So Mike Riley has that going for him too.)
Wait, you mean Nebraska needs to actually try against Iowa? Who would have ever thought that Iowa would be relevant this late in the season? The Huskers have certainly circled their calendars for this day since Iowa was 7-0, but this is absurd. Nebraska can stop TWO undefeated seasons from happening (someone fact check the last time that happened please). It is already satisfying to see that 1 behind Michigan State's record, especially after they knocked off Ohio State this past week, it would be great if Nebraska can do it to Iowa now too (would make up for seeing that 1 in front of Purdue's record right?)
And by all means, Nebraska has the power to pull this "upset" off. Iowa is a very similar team to Michigan State, decent QB play, a punishing run game, and a stiff defense (I'd say Iowa is better in those last two categories). But that's where Nebraska doesn't slouch; against teams with good running and decent defenses, they've proven themselves to be competitive in those games (Northwestern, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan State sorta kinda). So while Iowa might be taking pride in the fact that they can plug in the next RB in the depth chart when one gets hurt, I'd say they better have been working on their air game if they want to win.
Nebraska O vs Iowa D: Edge Nebraska. Armstrong needs his A+ game, because any silly mistake, Iowa will capitalize on in an instant
Nebraska D vs Iowa O: Edge Nebraska. Bring on that run game Iowa, Nebraska can take it.
Special Teams: RIP Demornay, I'll probably give this one to Iowa unless they start using Stanely Morgan to return punts
Nebraska 27, Iowa 20
P.S It's going to be cold as balls at the game so bundle up!
The Rest of the Week in College Football:
Playoff Top 25:
1) Clemson
2) Alabama
3) Oklahoma
4) Iowa
5) Michigan State
6) Notre Dame
7) Baylor
8) Ohio State
9) Stanford
10) Michigan
11) Oklahoma State
12) Florida
13) Florida State
14) North Carolina
15) Navy
16) Northwestern
17) Oregon
18) Ole Miss
19) TCU
20) Washington State
21) Mississippi State
22) UCLA
23) Utah
24) Toledo
25) Temple
MY FINALLY UP TO DATE TOP 25:
1) Alabama
2) Florida
3) Notre Dame
4) Clemson
5) Ohio State
6) Iowa
7) Michigan State
8) Oklahoma
9) Stanford
10) Michigan
11) Baylor
12) Northwestern
13) North Carolina
14) Oklahoma State
15) Utah
16) UCLA
17) TCU
18) Texas A&M
19) LSU
20) Ole Miss
21) Temple
22) Western Kentucky
23) Georgia
24) Toledo
25) Wisconsin
So what does all of that mean for my opinions? Well in terms of the Top 4...(barring unforeseen losses)
-Clemson is in (barring a loss to South Carolina or North Carolina (ACC Champ game))
-SEC Champ is in, and there will ONLY BE ONE (Unless the SEC Champ has 2 losses, in which case there will be 0 SEC reps)
-Big 10 Champ is in (Sooo...Michigan State)
-Then it leaves the mess of Big 12 vs Notre Dame. If Oklahoma beats State (which it will), then Oklahoma steals it from Notre Dame no matter how deserving Notre Dame may be (because humans). In which case Notre Dame fans better be Florida State or Auburn fans and hope that they beat Florida or Alabama respectively giving the SEC champ 2 losses and have no SEC team in the playoffs (boy that'd be a sweet sight)
But it's also rivalry week so there are plenty of loaded games with implications to predict; so let's get to it!
Last Time: 3-2, Overall: 37-25
Baylor @ TCU - TCU 42, Baylor 34
TCU is healthy again while Baylor is not. Not much else to say here besides I'm sure TCU is upset at what happened last year that cost them a whole lot...
Ohio State @ Michigan - Ohio State 34, Michigan 27
I still can't believe the Buckeyes lost to a team that played two backup QBs...at home...against a team Nebraska beat haha. Anyway, I like what Harbaugh has done with Michigan, and via long shot technicalities, Michigan can still get into the Big Ten Championship game, but they need to win this one first, which well, sorry Harbaugh. Maybe next year.
Ole Miss @ Mississippi State - Miss 30, State 24
Second year in a row that this game will be a good one, not quite as good as last year, but still good enough to watch. Watch for Chad Kelly to keep airing it out over the not-so-great pass defense of the Bulldogs on their way to a Rebel victory
Florida State @ Florida - Not State 27, State 21
Florida hasn't been the same since it's star QB got caught doping, but they're still a solid team as a whole. Much more respectable than the Seminoles anyway.
Notre Dame @ Stanford - Notre Dame 38, Stanford 27
Remember when I said Cardinals were overrated? Yup.
(Not the bird though, the actual bird is adorable as heck)
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State - Not State 41, State 35
Couple weeks ago I had my money on State...eh not so much anymore. The Cowboys have shown vulnerability against Iowa State and eventually losing to Baylor. The Sooners have the ability to blow open those vulnerabilities.
