CFB - Week 13 Schedule - Which game(s) will you watch / follow?
The final weekend of the regular season is upon us. Two (2) games pair Top 25 ranked teams The Game and the Civil War.
Both “Big Noon Kickoff” and “Game Day” will be in Ann Arbor. Big Noon's setting up at Pioneer, Game Day’s at Ferry Field – while we’ll be tailgating in our usual spot.
Hoping you and yours have a very Happy Thanksgiving – and, if you’re in Ann Arbor for The Game – stop by our tailgate.
Several B1G teams are on the verge of being bowl eligible. The games that are of interest to me with the team’s AP ranking noted in parentheses are:
Friday:
- Iowa (20) at Nebraska (NR) – noon, CBS – Nebraska is bowl eligible with a win
- Penn State (11) at Michigan State (NR) – Ford Field, 7:30 pm, NBC
- Oregon State (15) at Oregon (6) – 8:30 pm, Fox
Saturday:
- Ohio State (2) at Michigan (3) – it’s The Game. Noon, Fox
- Alabama (8) at Auburn (NR) - 3:30 pm, CBS – Auburn just lost to New Mexico State
- Washington State (NR) at Washington (4) – 4:00 pm, Fox
- Florida State (5) at Florida (NR) – 7:00 pm, ESPN
- Georgia (1) at Georgia Tech (NR) – 7:30 pm, ABC
Other B1G games:
- Indiana (NR) at Purdue (NR) – noon, BTN – the Old Oaken Bucket is all that’s at stake
- Northwestern (NR) at Illinois (NR) – 3:30 pm, BTN – Illinois is bowl eligible with a win
- Wisconsin (NR) at Minnesota (NR) – 3:30 pm, FS1 – Minny is bowl eligible with a win
- Maryland (NR) at Rutgers (NR) – 3:30 pm, BTN
Slippery Rock plays at Tiffin University in the D2 Playoffs which kicks off at noon.
Meteor Game: I would be perfectly fine if a meteor landed in Atlanta this Saturday evening.
What games besides The Game are you interest in - or will follow / watch.
Go Blue!
November 21st, 2023 at 9:55 AM ^
That first one on Saturday seems like a big deal
November 21st, 2023 at 10:21 AM ^
I don’t feel like starting a new thread and risking the ire of the masses.
Who has any fun superstitions they’d like to share?
Since the advent of legal gambling in FL in 2021 (despite the hiatus in 2022 through last month) I’ve been placing money on Ohio State for the emotional hedge. This year I’ve got a little over $100 on them, some straight up, and some with points. It’s worked every year so far…
November 21st, 2023 at 10:26 AM ^
Mine is not watching. I posted this yesterday. More plans to watch (or not) than superstitions.
https://mgoblog.com/mgoboard/traditions-game-what-are-yours
November 21st, 2023 at 10:35 AM ^
Guess it’s a good thing I went with my gut and didn’t create a new post
November 21st, 2023 at 9:58 AM ^
FSU at Florida is interesting to me. Noles fan so I'm hoping that they can escape the Swamp with their backup QB and keep their shot at the CoFoPof alive.
The funniest nugget from that slate of games is Penn State and Sparty playing AT Ford Field. Who the hell thought that was a good idea?
November 21st, 2023 at 9:58 AM ^
I'll actually be attending the game at Ford Field on Friday for my MIL's birthday. My wife converted to a Michigan fan before our wedding but I'm still working on her parents.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
Someone who thought MSU had a football team
November 21st, 2023 at 12:36 PM ^
When this was announced late summer/early fall, the thought was a night game in EL outside late November may drive away the few fans that would attend - at least in Ford Field, there's comfortable accommodations and a lot of PSU fans will travel on a holiday weekend for an inside 'neutral' game.
I recall Valenti (yeah I know he's an asshat but enjoy when he's irate) being pissed MSU acquiesced to giving up a home game with 'significant ramifications,' and remember thinking 'why? Sparty isn't going to be bowl-eligible anyway - at least let SOME fans enjoy not being miserable in your 30-degree outside East Landfill concrete jungle'
November 21st, 2023 at 9:59 AM ^
Only one game I care about.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:00 AM ^
It's sort of crazy that Oregon-Oregon St. is playing on Friday, but it's a treat for football fans.
Also, woof with MSU-PSU playing at Ford Field seemingly because MSU wanted to actually have fans show up for their game.
In terms of maybe the loser of the Game backing into the playoffs, keep an eye on that FSU game. Florida isn't "good" but FSU without Jordan Travis might also not be that good. And FSU losing basically any game going forward knocks them down the pecking order of 1-loss teams.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
There is no realistic scenario where the loser of our game gets in
November 21st, 2023 at 10:10 AM ^
There is no realistic scenario where Michigan gets in with a loss. They cannot keep an undefeated Michigan out but if we have a loss they will make sure we don't get in. Ohio State on the other hand would need help but it wouldn't be that onerous. They would need a FSU loss (even in conference title game), and a Georgia win against Bama and it would be a coin flip. In that scenario, they would definitely go over FSU and their only loss would be to Michigan, who would be sitting at 2. Close call but I like OSU getting over Oregon there. A Washington loss it would still be possible but less likely.
Scenario 1 - Michigan beats OSU. FSU loses to Florida and Bama loses to UG. 1. UG, 2. Michigan 3. Wash. 4. Ohio
Scenario 2 Michigan beats OSU. Washington loses to WSU and Bama loses to UG. 1. UG, 2. Michigan, 3. FSU, 4. Wash/Oregon (possible but unlikely chance for Ohio.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
Scenario 1 Texas is in at 4. (btw you misspelled Oregon at 3)
OSU needed one upset to get in last year (Utah over USC) but will need multiple upsets to make it in this year (at least two of FSU, Texas, and the Wash/Oregon winner losing to their rival on Saturday).
November 21st, 2023 at 10:30 AM ^
I don't get the Oregon misspelling thing. I can't find that.
I did forget about Texas, though, but you like Texas in with a loss to Oklahoma over a one-loss OSU (with loss against number 2 team)? I think that is a close call. But I guess a conference winning Texas gets in there.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:52 AM ^
I absolutely believe Texas gets in over the loser of The Game if they win out, and I don't think it's even a difficult choice. Texas would have a championship and a win @ Bama under their belts, with their only loss being a nail biter on neutral ground to Oklahoma. CFB playoff has repeatedly stated they value conference championships and high level wins over quality of loss.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
Agree. Took me a minute to process. Forgot about them.
November 21st, 2023 at 1:01 PM ^
I don't get the Oregon misspelling thing.
Was joking that you misspelled Oregon by typing "Wash" because I think Oregon wins the rematch.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
They really only need 2 games to go sideways for them to sneak in. Georgia beats Alabama and Texas takes a loss and I think they get in over 1-loss Washington (and definitely over 2-loss Oregon and Alabama). And Texas hasn't looked all that consistent for weeks now; they tried to give the game back to TCU and KSU, and Texas Tech can absolutely give them trouble to say nothing of whomever they meet in the Big 12 title game (likely Okie St.).
I don't think it's likely but they're the team that would be the first in line to back into a playoff spot IMO outside of Georgia.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:36 PM ^
Agree, if both UW and Oregon win this weekend, the winner of the pac-12 championship game is in. That leaves Georgia (probably in even if they lose to Alabama, winner of UM/OSU, and whomever does better between FSU/Texas over the next two weeks. It's hard to see both FSU and Texas lose, but it could happen.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:32 AM ^
I can easily see OSU getting in with a loss. They are on the road, other upsets will happen and the world loves OSU right now because they hate us.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
OSU absolutely could back into the playoff spot like they did last year with some dumb luck. Michigan is out with a loss but that's been known all year. But if OSU loses on the road to the #1/2 team in the country then their resume is 11-1 with a road win against a top-15 ND team and pretty dominant play everywhere else.
I'm going to assume no other losses for any of the teams below before the championship game round. Obviously is UW or Oregon eat a loss before then that'll shake things up.
So you've got an undefeated/1-loss B1G champion, an undefeated/1-loss SEC champion, and an undefeated/1-loss Pac-12 champion. Texas is a 1-loss or else the Big 12 is out. The only other 1-loss teams are Louisville and Alabama, and I don't think the Cardinals get in even with a win over FSU because their loss (by 17 to a bad Pitt team) is rough. And their big signature win over FSU would be marred by the injury.
At that point OSU would at least have an argument given their ND win to sneak back in like they did last year. I'm not saying it's likely but the fewer undefeated teams out there the more likely chaos reigns.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:03 AM ^
Well, after one particular game at noon I will either be drinking heavily in bliss, or in despair. Either way, the emotional roller coaster prevents me from caring about any other games.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:04 AM ^
Aside from The Game, will probably watch the Civil War between Oregon and Oregon state Friday night. Was impressed with the Beavers last week who lost to U Washington on a bad snap/safety, 22-20 at home. This one is in Oregon.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
I will watch every college football game until The Game. Then if Michigan wins I will watch every football game after it and if they lose I won't have college football on until bowl season.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
Lol. Exactly. I'm not as dramatic as some of these people on here, but I won't have any interest in college ball if Michigan loses. Does save me a month's YTTV expense though.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
Michigan over the Bucks will be a legendary war and a bloodbath.
The rest of those are just childish games - may as well just watch Curling on CBC for the remainder of Saturday....
November 21st, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
outside of The Game, kind of a bad slate. The only other ranked v ranked is Friday night Oregon St vs Oregon. I will watch the Washington and FSU games though.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
If Michigan loses on Saturday, I can’t imagine I’m watching too much more football of any kind this season, much less immediately afterwards.
That said, if Michigan wins then the Iron Bowl, Apple Cup and UF-FSU games all look really intriguing.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:15 AM ^
We aint losin on Saturday - I've determined that such an outcome is unacceptable. Period. Settle into couch and prepare for your Iron Bowl and Apple Whatever...
November 21st, 2023 at 10:14 AM ^
If lose on Saturday, I won't watch any of them.
If we win on Saturday, I'll watch whatever, once I dry off from the celebratory pool jump.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
Nothing really past The Game. No other games really impact UM this weekend. We know it’s Iowa if UM wins, otherwise it’s a NY6 game outside the cfp.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:18 AM ^
If I didn't live in Detroit, I'd prefer for the meteor to land at Ford Field Friday night.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
A loss Saturday will cause me to foregoing college football till next season … this whole fiasco has really made me pissed off … I can take losses on the field but resorting to dark alley investigations and collusion at the highest levels to sabotage a superior program well ………..
November 21st, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^
One thing that is completely nuts about all of this is that OSU(!) fans are hanging on every word and action of the NCAA in a nearly romantic way. These are people that detested the NCAA with every fiber of their being one month ago and would not dare essentially rely on them to try to prevent Michigan from winning The Game.
November 21st, 2023 at 11:06 AM ^
Here's an article from USA Today with Charlie Baker - the new NCAA President. It touches on helmet communications. This seems to be a topic of interest - and, I wonder what will be decided the next time the NCAA rules committee meets.
My view is - bring the NFL helmet communication system / approach / rules - to the Power 5 conference level, and see if it can be rolled out throughout Division 1. The cost issue should not be prohibitive.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:34 AM ^
I'll watch everything except for the Other B1G Games and Georgia/GT.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:39 AM ^
Meteor Game: I would be perfectly fine if a meteor landed in Atlanta this Saturday evening.
Why am I supposed to hate Georgia Tech again?
November 21st, 2023 at 10:44 AM ^
Because of their wish-bone flirtation and because they beat Michigan 99-68 in the 2004 BIG/ACC challenge.
I'm not sure what else you need.
November 21st, 2023 at 11:31 AM ^
Yeah, as an Atlanta-area resident and father of a GT student, I'm really hoping that a meteor doesn't strike that particular game.
And while I do hate Georgia, GT in its current incarnation is a likeable team. They are very inconsistent, but play hard and have won some big games. Plus the win over Miami was epic for a lot of reasons. And their night game atmosphere in downtown Atlanta is a lot of fun. All that said, they still are going to get killed this weekend.
November 21st, 2023 at 12:09 PM ^
If I may - as the OP - explain my rationale.
First - Georgia Tech - fantastic school. Nothing against them at all. My son was offered admission, but - decided to attend Michigan instead.
Second - Georgia - is the real target. I have much respect for that team. It's interesting that many of the "off the field" issues that occurred in / near Athens over the past few seasons are essentially - swept under the rug. I recall the Atlanta Journal Constitution article that was basically recanted after it was published. That's how much Georgia football means to the people of the state.
The outcome - unfortunately, I don't think Georgia Tech has a reasonable chance in this one.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
Pretty excited to watch that Oregon/Oregon State game. The Ducks have been on a mission since their loss and I'd like to see them get into the playoff and see how they matchup against Georgia and Michigan.
Anything after the Michigan/OSU game will just depend on which games are close and worth the attention.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:45 AM ^
Auburn didn't just lose to NMState. They lost 31-10 at home. They got out gained 414-213. It's New Mexico State, people. I think Bama has a chance to do what we did to Staee this week.
November 21st, 2023 at 10:58 AM ^
I'm less shocked since learning that NMSt. is 9-3; Jerry Kill (forgot he was there) is doing a hell of a job. But that's still a horrendous loss.
But then again, Nick Saban lost to 6-6 UL Monroe in his first season at Bama, and we all know how that turned out. Auburn is on the verge of greatness!
November 21st, 2023 at 11:15 AM ^
I'll watch every second of The Game.
As per tradition, if we win, I'll watch the best games the rest of the day (UF v FSU is of particular interest) and if we lose, I will probably be done with football for the rest of the day, pour a hearty glass of scotch, and play mind-numbing video games.
November 21st, 2023 at 1:22 PM ^
This is exactly what I do. After the TCU game I took a glass of bourbon to the hot tub and didn't watch any of the osu/uga game. Osucks didn't deserve to be there after Michigan kicked their ass and if they were going to go to the NC game I didn't want to see it.
November 21st, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
Hello. Which streaming service has Fox to watch the game? Sling Blue? Thanks
November 21st, 2023 at 1:19 PM ^
As always if Michigan wins I'll watch the rest of the games that day while celebrating. If they lose I'll check in on scores on DK and FD but wont watch any more that day.
Michigan is bound to lose to osu at some point, I just hope its not this year. I think they'll be fine though. Harbaugh or no Harbaugh they'll be ready, and home field advantage will be the difference.
November 21st, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
Some of these games are better than others, but I'm personally going for a quadruple-header this holiday weekend (games I'll actually BE at - I flew into DTW on a red-eye this morning):
- Thursday: Lions game at Ford Field.
- Friday: The other Lions (Nittany Lions) game at Ford Field.
- Saturday: Driving to Cincinnati, Kansas @ Cincinnati at Nippert.
- Sunday: Steelers @ Bengals from Cinci.
Anyway, I admit that's a bit of a "LOOK AT ME" post, but I am excited.