By: Ryan Moreland (@ryanmoreland)
Back in the Limelight
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the Season 21 Big10 Champions! This past week they had an impressive 45-38 win over USC that gave them the conference title. This was an incredible season for the Buckeyes and a return to former glory.
Ohio State hasn’t won a conference title since Season 6. It is their first winning season since Season 16. Now Ohio State is one of the two remaining unbeaten teams. They have to beat 1-6 Michigan to cap off a perfect season, something they have only done once ever.
However, the road doesn’t end in Week 8. Ohio State hasn’t won a playoff game since Season 10. That season the Buckeyes won their only National Championship. This season the Buckeyes are looking to make a deep run (and look like a team well prepared to do it).
For right now, the Ohio State faithful are happy. Their team is back, ranked #2 in the nation, and has won the Big10. The Buckeyes are back.
The Comeback That Never Was
This week Penn State and Michigan met at the Big House to do battle. This game had a lot on the line. The winner would keep their automatic bid hopes alive. The loser would be eliminated from automatic bid contention.
Penn State stormed out to an early lead. JK Matthews kept finding WR Bo Davis and TE Lephonso Wick for big first downs. Both pass catchers would end the game with 123 receiving yards. They accounted for nearly 65% of Matthew’s 381 passing yards. The Nittany Lion defense stood strong, not allowing Michigan to build drives or momentum.
At the end of the first half, the score was 24-7 with Penn State in the lead.
Michigan began to gain some momentum in the 3rd quarter, getting three field goals in the quarter. However, Penn State scored a touchdown and a field goal that same quarter. Heading into the final quarter of play, the lead had swelled to 34-16.
Michigan threw all they had at Penn State in the fourth. They held the Nittany Lions to a scoreless quarter. They also added 11 points of their own. However, they would ultimately fall short. HB Chase McDougal was able to run the clock out, giving Penn State a 34-27 win.
Penn State needs some help, but they are still alive in the automatic playoff bid race. Even if they don’t get it, they are a strong contender for a vote-in spot.
Michigan needs to beat Ohio State this week to have a realistic chance of a vote-in. If they fail to get that vote-in, it will be the first time Michigan failed to make the playoffs since Season 13.
Which State is the Best State?
Speaking of Penn State, the Nittany Lions will head to Michigan State to take on the Spartans. This game has major playoff implications.
If Michigan State wins this game, they finish 2nd in the conference and move into the playoffs with a top 8 seed. If they lose, they could fall as far as 4th.
Penn State could jump as high as 2nd with a win and fall to 4th with a loss.
This game will be must must-watch. Penn State has been up and down this season, but there is no doubting their talent. Michigan State has one hell of a team but has struggled with teams that many believed they should have beaten by a lot. This rivalry game will be decisive. Be sure to tune it.
Big10 Week 7 Results
Ohio State 45, USC 38
Penn State 34, Michigan 27
Michigan State 38, Oregon 24
Big10 Week 8 Schedule
Tuesday
Ohio State at Michigan 8:30 PM on Twitch
Wednesday
USC at Oregon 8:30 PM on YouTube
Thursday
Penn State at Michigan State 6:30 PM on Twitch
Potential Big10 Game of the Week
The Game is always a must-watch (and normally full of upsets), but this week I am going with Penn State at Michigan State. This game will be huge for playoff seeding and who gets the automatic bid. Who wants it more?
