Indiana Hopes To Go Nuts Against The Acorns In This Week’s Top Game
By The Pigskin Prognosticator, PubClub.com College Football Blogger
In this year of the underdog and the unheard of, there is still some stability with the powerhouses.
While there is Liberty, Coastal Carolina, Cincinnati, Indiana and BYU, there is also Alabama, Ohio State Notre Dame, Clemson and Florida. With a Badger bucking for attention in Wisconsin, a Duck looking for respect in Oregon and a charmed Trojan in Los Angeles.
Yet there is also LSU, Michigan and Penn State, which are just looking for the end of their misery. While others, most notably the Cadets in State College, are anxious to play again rather than being sidelined with COVID issues.
Now onto this week’s games. All times Pacific because The Prognosticator lives in San Diego.
Indiana at Ohio State (9 a.m., FOX)
Normally, if the IU’ers were unbeaten and ranked ninth in the country, then a caravan would be coming with them across I-70 to Columbus. The fans would be going nuts with high hopes of crushing the Nuts. But this is not a normal year and instead, the Hoos-Your-Undeated-Team visitors are coming in quietly, hoping to leave making a lot of noise on the college football landscape. This team has more tenacity than a dinner-time telemarketer and will need every bit of it to withstand the offensive onslaught coming its way. In the end the visitors just won’t be able to hold back the Acorns. Winner: Ohio State
Clemson at Florida State (9 a.m., ABC)
When you first see these two schools on the schedule, you’re temped to break out your best Keith Jackson voice and remark, “oh this one should be a dandy!” However, the reality is that these two programs are so far apart you could put the Okefenokee Swamp between them. This is merely going to be a stretching exercise for the orange Cats and while the hosts may try and sling a few spears, they are not going to put a scratch on the visitors. Winner: Clemson
Wisconsin at Northwestern (12:30 p.m., ABC)
It’s been all quiet on the Midwestern front this season when it comes to the Blue Felines, who have not only yet to lose a game but whipped Maryland 43-3 to start the season. Since then, they have been hanging on by their dew claws so it is uncertain if they can make this a fair fight or if they will go scampering off to hide in the empty Ryan Field bleachers. When this one is over, it will be the Cats that got scratched the most. Winner: Wisconsin
UCLA at Oregon (12:30 p.m., ESPN2)
The Trampolines won with ease last week, which would seem to place them face down on the mat this week. But the Baby Bears tend to get up for bigger games on occasion and the Duckies tend to lack the necessary tenacity for an entire game under the Crystal-bol coach. He’s no Chip off the ‘ol Kelly, who will no doubt be feeling a bit nostalgic when he returns to Autzen Stadium. This time, he will be feeling green rather than wearing green. Winner: Oregon
Iowa at Penn State (12:30 p.m., BTN)
The heavily wounded Felines crawl out of the den to try and claw their way to the W column for the first time this year. So far it’s been like climbing a mountain during a mudslide. They keep going downhill. The visiting Hawks certainly don’t intend on coming to their rescue, tho at some point the blue-clad bluebloods are going to win a game. Winner: Penn State
Kentucky at Alabama (1 p.m., SEC Network)
The Pachyderms have been stomping in place for more than a week, their last game postponed, or possibly canceled, due to COVID conditions at LSU. So they are more than ready to trample a new opponent and all signs point to a Red Tide rolling over the overmatched Cats. While this will likely be the case it should be noted that the visiting Felines can put up a fight when backed into a corner, tho they hardly have the capability to match the offensive ferocity of the Tide. Winner: Alabama
Related Post: Why Everyone Should Root For Alabama To Win The National Championship
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (4:30 p.m., ABC)
When the winds come sweeping down the plain this year, the teams are going to be wrestling more for state pride than a conference or national title. Bedlam may be more like boredom to the rest of the college football world but in these parts it’s a hullabaloo that can be as wild as a cattle roundup. When the dust settles the outcome will be similar to most times in this 100-plus-year-old rivalry. Winner: Oklahoma
Michigan at Rutgers (4:30 p.m., BTN)
This game could be just what the Little Wolves need, a good shot at an elusive victory and a chance for the Khaki Coach to slip down the Hudson to chat with the Jets. The problem is, the Michigan Boys have not shown any ability to score with any consistency or keep the other guys from doing it. If they lose, then Harbaugh just might want to stay in Jersey and wait on the Jets to call. Winner: Michigan
USC at Utah (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
The 9 Lives Coach fell off the balcony last week, only to once again land on his feet. The guy spends more time living on the edge than a window washer. This week, he and the Roman Soldiers are facing an unknown opponent that has yet to take the field this season. They could come up against a fierce opponent not seen in the Snow State since Urban Meyer was on campus or a team that would struggle to win a sorority pillow fight. But with luck on their side, the Men of Troy will go marching home as victors. Winner: USC
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