By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
This incredible week of action comes to a close, but it feels like the Big10 has more questions than answers. We will try to answer a few of these questions today.
How Likely Is the Repeat Possible?
The USC Trojans started the season 2-0 after a thrilling overtime win over Kentucky. This was a key win over a supremely talented program. This should help come playoff time (Yes, we are always thinking about seeding, even in Week 2). But more importantly, this made a statement to the rest of the league. USC is back, they are just as good as last season, and you are going to have to play your best to beat them.
USC QB Jamesyn Golde is off to an even hotter start than last season. The turnover troubles are gone (he has 5 touchdowns and only 1 interception) and the new wrinkle of his running ability has made the offense even more deadly. His HB, Messiah Bishop, is on pace for his best season yet. And the pass catchers are putting up numbers as well. WR Alexander Tolbert recently became the most prolific wideout in school history.
The defense has been just as impressive. They have allowed 21.5 points per game (3rd best in the league), 349 total yards (3rd), and have forced 5 turnovers (3rd). Three of those turnovers have come from Sophomore linebacker Derrick Davis. Davis has forced two turnovers and snagged a pick, as well. Two of those happened in the game against Kentucky.
It is easy to see that USC has earned its #1 ranking. The Trojans have been on fire to start the season. They will host Notre Dame next week to close out out-of-conference play. They should be heavy favorites in that one. That means it will be up to the rest of the conference to try to knock off these Goliaths. All I can say is good luck. You will likely need it.
Are the Buckeyes Back?
Ohio State has an impressive tradition in the CFSL. They have been in the league from the start, have won their conference three times, and took home a National Championship in Season 10. However, it has been a while since we have seen Columbus produce a contender.
That last conference title came in Season 6 (was the forward pass even invented yet?) The Buckeyes haven’t finished above .500 since Season 16 and haven’t won a playoff game since their National Championship run.
However, The Scarlet and Gray have won back-to-back games and have looked impressive doing it. They started with a 21-point comeback over Colorado last week. This week they dominated Georgia on the way to a 56-17 victory. In the last six quarters of action, Ohio State has scored 94 points and took down two solid teams.
The Buckeyes have the best-scoring offense in the league, are second in passing yards per game, and have given up the least amount of first downs. QB Jaylen Tyree captured the top spot in this week’s JTR. They are one of two teams still unbeaten in the conference. All signs are pointing to Ohio State being a contender in the Big10.
Much like USC, we will likely have to wait until conference play to truly answer this question. Next week they will host Virginia Tech, who have looked impressive but should be underdogs to Ohio State at home. Either way, this was a great start that could factor heavily into the playoff seeding.
The Ann Arbor Blues
Ask anyone in the league who has two brain cells and they will tell you, Michigan has a good team. The Wolverines have the eighth-best scoring defense in the league with an offense that averages 23 first downs a game (5th most). They have moved the ball and prevented scoring. However, they still find themselves sitting at 0-2.
Michigan lost the opening week to Auburn by only 3 points. The game was even closer this week. LSU beat Michigan 33-31. Turnovers have been a big reason why. Michigan’s six turnovers are tied for the second most in the CFSL right now. Conversely, the Michigan defense has only forced two turnovers. This is a big reason why they have still put up yards and first downs but haven’t exactly lit up the scoreboard.
Now, the positives are, that they can still win their conference by going undefeated after Week 3. They have a great program with plenty of talent that is capable of playing with anyone. However, they need to clean some things up. But they don’t have long to do it. On Tuesday night, Michigan will host Miami. This is the same Miami team that gave Michigan its only regular season loss last season. While starting 0-3 isn’t a death sentence, it is not where the Wolverines want to find themselves heading into conference play.
With all this said, I still think Michigan is a contender. Aaron Ike has proven to be a sound game planner and he has the talent to make this team stand out. He just has to pull it all together before conference play begins.
The Other Big10 Results
Texas 52, Penn State 27
Despite forcing five turnovers, the Nittany Lions could keep up with Texas. The Longhorns outscored Penn State 42-7 in the second half to give them their first loss on the season.
Alabama 42, Oregon 26
The Ducks fall to 0-2 after a bad trip to Tuscaloosa. Oregon had no answer for Alabama’s passing attack and failed to get their own jump-started.
Michigan State 55, Tennessee 6
This was very close to being a feature story this week. The Spartans bounced back from a bad showing in the opening week in a massive way. QB Cole Mantell threw for 516 yards and 3 touchdowns in a breakout performance.
Big10 Week 3 Schedule
Monday
Penn State hosts Florida State (8:30 PM CST on Twitch)
Tuesday
Michigan hosts Miami (6:30 PM CST on Twitch)
Oregon hosts North Carolina (8:30 PM CST on Twitch)
Wednesday
Ohio State hosts Virginia Tech (8:30 PM CST on Twitch)
Thursday
Michigan State travels to Clemson (6:30 PM CST on Twitch)
USC hosts Notre Dame (8:30 PM CST on YouTube)
Potential Big10 Game of the Week
Two games stand out in the Big10 this week. The first is the late game on Monday. Penn State and Florida State are both coming off shocking losses in Week Two. Both want to right the ship and carry some momentum heading into conference play. This should be a great battle between two of the best game planners in the CFSL. Can TJ Smith delay Tom Pence’s record-breaking win one more week?
The second is the game between Michigan and Miami. The Wolverines do not want to start their season 0-3, but they will have a tough test with the Hurricanes. Miami is the only team to notch a regular-season win over Michigan a year ago. Can Michigan get their revenge and get back on track?
