By: Joe Cumberland (@punterjoe)
Trojans Win Conference, 3 Teams Alive For Final 2 Spots
The top-ranked, and defending National Champion, USC Trojans have won their second Big10 championship in school history. In doing so, they locked down one of the three playoff spots available to conference teams. With two spots left to fill, we find ourselves with 3 teams still in contention to make the playoffs. Michigan can take care of business and get in. Michigan State and Ohio State are both still alive as well. Who needs what to happen in the final week of the regular season to advance? Let’s jump in and find out.
Wolverines Beat In-State Rival To Inch Closer To Postseason
Both Michigan and Michigan State came into their Week 7 matchup ranked and looking to get closer to the playoffs. The #5 Spartans were hoping a trip to Ann Arbor would end with them locking up a postseason bid. The trip didn’t go as planned as #13 Michigan would win 37-24 and keep both teams waiting another week for playoff confirmation.
Michigan star Windham Carter didn’t put up the numbers he has of late, but still led his team to victory. The senior went 33 for 44 with 326 yards and three touchdowns. The Wolverine signal caller leads the CFSL with 24 touchdown tosses on the year, he is also 4th in both yards (2,847) and yards per game. Collin MacElroy managed just 60 yards on 16 carries against a stingy Spartan rush defense. Michigan wide receiver CJ Jones is tied for the most touchdowns in the league (9). He added two of those versus the in-state rival to go along with 106 yards on 6 catches. Richard Powers hauled in 5 passes for 87 yards and a score, while tight end Ace Elder caught 8 passes for 56 yards. The Wolverines offense combined for 424 total yards.
Michigan’s defense was the bright spot of the night. The 4 turnovers forced led to the big victory and has the Wolverines one win away from a playoff spot. Senior leader Ryan Downie came away with 2 interceptions to go along with 4 tackles. Frankie Ragland and Tyshon James each had interceptions from their corner spots. Linebacker Spike Hall led the team with 8 tackles, while Clayton Cobb added 7 and a sack, and star corner Amarion Xander Martel also had 7.
Michigan State will be pulling for their in-state foe in Week 8. A Wolverine victory gets both Michigan teams into the playoffs. The “maize and blue” travel to Ohio State on Tuesday night to battle the Buckeyes. Catch that action on Twitch. Michigan State will end the regular season by traveling to Penn State in a contest on Wednesday night.
Trojans Win Big10 Title In Blowout
The easy money of the week may have been on USC. The #1 ranked Trojans faced a winless Penn State team. The 48-14 win locked up the Big10 championship, the second in school history and first since season 10. USC racked up 590 total yards, 166 on the ground, and 424 through the air. The Trojans now sit at 6-1 on the season and 4-0 in conference play.
QB Jamesyn Golde had a Player of the Week type night. He finished 33 of 40 for 424 yards and 4 touchdown passes. On the ground, Golde rushed 21 times for 129 yards and 2 more scores. He was responsible in some way for 553 yards of the 590 the Trojans racked up. Jamarcus Simpson III leads the CFSL with his 9 touchdown grabs. The talented wideout caught 5 passes for 95 yards and 2 scores. Wide receiver Cory Smith went over the century mark. He caught 9 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown. The other touchdown was hauled in by Aniyah Late.
USC boasts a strong defense and that continued against the Nittany Lions. Penn State only managed 282 yards of offense. Derrick Davis, who is 2nd in the league in tackles (64) led the way again with 10 stops, 2 for a loss, and a sack. Cornerback Jordan Haack had 8 tackles, and while not logging a pick in the game, is still tied for 3rd in the league with teammate Morgan Winters in that category. Safety Payson Parker made 7 stops and a pair of tackles for loss, while defensive tackle Bobby Biggs charted 5 tackles, all for a loss, and a sack.
The Big10 champs will end the regular season on Wednesday night at home versus Oregon. Penn State will host Michigan State the same night, hoping to get a lone win on the season.
Buckeyes Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
Despite having one of the best records in the league, Ohio State finds themselves scraping and clawing to keep their postseason chances alive. Facing a much improved Oregon team, the #11-ranked Buckeyes kept themselves in the mix. A much-needed 40-31 victory sets up an important matchup in the season’s final week of regular season play. The Buckeyes managed 551 total yards with 495 coming through the air.
QB Jaylen Tyree showed why he’s a star with a strong performance. The Buckeye leader went 46 of 52 for 495 yards and threw three touchdowns. He sits at 2nd in the CFSL in yards with 3,037 and is 3rd in touchdown passes with 22. Emily Davis didn’t have the best night on the ground, just 27 yards on 8 carries, but her touchdown was big, She also added 51 yards receiving on 8 catches. Eden Ballard caught 2 touchdown passes to go with 82 yards on 5 snags. Wide receiver Smokey Woods had 9 catches for 153 yards, and Korbin Hardin made 6 catches for 71 yards.
A pair of safeties led the way for Ohio State. Benjamin Carter and Mark Griffin both had 11 tackles in the game. Linebacker Vladimir Antkowiak had a big night with 9 tackles, 2 for a loss, and an interception. Jeremy Schultz also added 9 tackles and an interception.
Ohio State will finish the regular season with an important matchup with Michigan on Tuesday night. It’s do or die for the 5-2 Buckeyes. Oregon will see their season come to an end as they travel to conference champ USC on Wednesday night.
Big10 Week 7 Results
USC defeats Penn State 48-14
Ohio State defeats Oregon 40-31
Michigan defeats Michigan State 37-24
Big10 Week 8 Schedule
Tuesday
Michigan @ Ohio State 6:30 on Twitch
Wednesday
Oregon @ USC 8:30 on Twitch
Michigan State @ Penn State 8:30 on YouTube
Big10 Game of the Week
All eyes will be on Columbus come Tuesday night as Ohio State hosts Michigan. The playoff race in the Big10 has come down to the final week and this game has major implications. Ohio State must win to have a chance at the playoffs. A Michigan win means the Wolverines and in-state rival Michigan State get the two remaining spots for the conference. This should be one of the best Big10 games of the season, and the QB battle will be fun to watch!
