Let’s continue rivalry week with two B1G matchups, one of which has serious playoff implications. In our first matchup we see Michigan traveling to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes of Ohio State. In our nightcap, we get a great rivalry game as the Irish of Notre Dame travel to sunny southern California to take on the USC Trojans. Let’s break down these two games.
Michigan vs Ohio State
The Wolverines are fighting for their playoff lives in this one as they have to beat Ohio State for a chance to make the playoffs, but that will not be an easy task as the Buckeyes lead the Big Ten. Michigan is relatively hot coming in to this one, having won their last two games. The one concern is that their wins have come against opponents with a combined 4-17 on the season. They have struggled against good teams and the Buckeyes are the best of the best.
The Wolverines have an exciting passing attack led by quarterback Dewey Ainge, who may be playing his last CFSL game. The problem is that Michigan tends to become one-dimensional with no real rushing threat. The Sharks that is the Ohio State defense is too versatile and talented in the secondary to get one dimensional against. Michigan has to mix it up and get creative if they want any chance to win this game and sneak into the playoff for the second season in a row. Ohio State is led by their workhorse running back Frost Carlson, who leads the CFSL in rushing and showing no signs of slowing down. This is a talented Buckeye’s team and they match up great against Michigan. Look for the Buckeyes to temper the Wolverine air raid and head into the playoff as the number one seed in the Big Ten and a first round bye.
Final: Michigan 30, Ohio State 42
Notre Dame vs USC
This has not been a good year for the Irish and their storied program as they find themselves out of the playoff picture before this one even kicks off. USC however has got off to an incredible start to their program in their expansion season having already secured the Big Ten’s number two seed in the CFSL playoff. Notre Dame has struggled mightily, but they do have a win against the possible top seed in the SEC in the Texas Longhorns. USC has been nothing short of impressive this season. After a string of close wins to start the year, the Trojans are rolling with two blowout wins in their last three games and seem to be clicking on all cylinders.
Notre Dame is young on offense, we get it. The Irish have struggled all season getting any offense established with sophomore signal-caller Leo Asiata and freshman tailback Vidar Lund. The Irish have leaned on Lund and teams have adjusted accordingly, daring Asiata to beat them with his arm. The Irish defense is talented but have spent so much time on the field that they have seem at times not as great. USC presents a true dual threat offense with quarterback Kingston Fox and halfback Cain Robinson leading the way for the Trojans and keeping opposing defenses on their heels. Fox has proven doubters wrong by showing that he can sling it if necessary and that has been a huge reason for the Trojans success. The Trojan defense has to be the top young defense in the CFSL. Mostly filled with freshman and sophomores the Trojan defense has stifled some of the best offenses in the CFSL and shouldn’t have a problem with this struggling Irish offense. These are the games that Notre Dame seems to surprise people but let USC’s magical season continue as they send Notre Dame into the offseason with the program’s worst record in 6 seasons.
Final: Notre Dame 27, USC 31
