CFB - Week 8 Schedule - Key Matchups - what will you watch / follow?
Week eight of the college football season is here and four games involve Top 25 opponents. The B1G has the most interesting game of the week with Penn State visiting Columbus – both Big Noon Kickoff and Game Day will be there. Michigan travels to East Lansing and faces the Spartans on Saturday evening.
The games that are of interest to me with the team’s ranking in parentheses are:
Saturday:
- Penn State (7) at Ohio State (3) - noon
- Tennessee (17) at Alabama (11) – 3:30 pm
- Washington State (NR) at Oregon (9) – 3:30 pm
- Michigan (2) at Michigan State (NR) – 7:30 pm
- Duke (16) at Florida State (4) – 7:30 pm
- Utah (14) at USC (18) – 8:00 pm
- Clemson (NR) at Miami (NR) – 8:00 pm
Other B1G games:
- Rutgers (NR) at Indiana (NR) - noon
- Minnesota (NR) at Iowa (24) – 3:30 pm
- Wisconsin (NR) at Illinois (NR) – 3:30 pm
- Northwestern (NR) at Nebraska (NR) – 3:30 pm
Slippery Rock hosts California (Pa) for their Homecoming which kicks off at 1:00 pm.
What will you be watching? Which games are of greatest interest to you?
October 16th, 2023 at 9:39 AM ^
Enjoy the early games with family and friends. Caravan to EL for the first ever away Maize Out. Ticket prices are starting to drop. Buy EL Maize Out Tickets
October 16th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
I am torn between the idea of a stadium takeover and punishing the Sparty slappies by making them eat their tickets.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:55 AM ^
Having your stadium taken over by the opponent feels much worse than having empty seats.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:02 AM ^
We should know, remember back in the Rich Rod days when Buckeye fans took over Michigan stadium. I still have bad dreams about that.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:53 AM ^
Tampa Bay knows. There are a lot of former Michiganders living in Florida but there are more Michigan fans living within driving distance of EL.
October 16th, 2023 at 12:45 PM ^
100%
Look at how many times osu fans have taken over the Big House over the past decade with O H chants at the corners of the stadium in the 4th quarter.
I dont expect nearly as much red this time since the people who previously sold theirs are back on the bandwagon after 21' and 22'.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^
I went to the M v MSU game in 2018 and was thoroughly impressed by how little the Spartans even paid attention to their team. From my vantage point, it looked like as many as half of their fans weren't even facing the game in the second half, just chatting away facing inward toward their groups of friends in the stands. I'd except a thin and unconcerned crowd, more similar to the Maryland stadium experience than ever before.
Sam Webb was talking this morning about the futility of trash talking this week because the Sparties aren't even paying attention. This is perhaps their strongest asset as a fanbase, and most annoying for their rivals: As thoroughly fair-weather as they come, whenever their team is bad they simply disengage and genuinely DGAF. Hopefully JH and co. can hold their face down in the poo, like a dog that shat upon your rug, and make them feel the shame. That rug really tied the room together, did it not?
October 16th, 2023 at 12:43 PM ^
What site is this? I refuse to buy tickets from sites that don’t display the all-in price until checkout but TicketIQ is the only one I know that does that. This looks like a different platform than TicketIQ though
October 16th, 2023 at 1:15 PM ^
That looks like SeatGeek to me. But all of the major re-sellers have options to display all-in prices. SeatGeek is my go-to for events, typically 10-15% cheaper than Stubhub or Vivid.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:20 PM ^
What site is this? I refuse to buy tickets from sites that don’t display the all-in price until checkout
Seat Geek, the 2023 Official Secondary Market Partner of the Michigan Athletic Department. Buy EL Maize Out Tickets
Seat Geek allows you to check "Include Fees" as shown in the image above. You're looking at the all-in price. Hail!
October 16th, 2023 at 9:40 AM ^
Damn, those Big Ten West games will have people quickly turning the channel.
October 16th, 2023 at 9:45 AM ^
I'll definitely watch parts of OSU/PSU. I'd love for Penn State to be revealed as a pretender. Already know OSU is darn good.
Duke - Florida State would be interesting too. Haven't seen FSU play to know whether they are real.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
The interesting thing about Duke is that if there is a 1-loss ACC champion, Duke would be the one with the best resume. None of the other three (FSU, NC, Louisville) play each other whereas Duke plays all three!
October 16th, 2023 at 10:21 AM ^
Duke currently about a 14 pt underdog which obviously means Vegas is assuming Leonard won’t play. His backup, Belin, was 4-12 against a decent NC State D in his first ever start…the game will be more interesting if Leonard can play. Either way though it could help us see if FSU is real
October 16th, 2023 at 1:47 PM ^
Duke is Wisconsin basically. Its amazing how Clemson and now FSU get to slide into the playoff by being in an entire conference of BigTen west teams.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:21 AM ^
interesting. I think I'd enjoy the chaos of Penn St stealing one from Ohio.
It seems like the PSU/OSU game could cost the loser their potential CFP ticket, if Michigan can run the table, then the Big Ten East runner up with one loss could get the other CFP berth.
although getting 2 in from the Big Ten this year may be a stretch with so many other candidates out there
October 16th, 2023 at 10:48 AM ^
Would be shocked if 2 big ten teams made the CFP this year (unless Washington, Oklahoma and FSU drop a game or 2 each)
October 16th, 2023 at 10:53 AM ^
I'm not a huge fan of the number of night games there, are in general, I like Big Noon, but dang OSU v. PSU feels like it should be a night game.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
Nah, I like that Fox made noon games important again. We had gotten to a point where noon games were just filler and all the good games were competing against each other in the next two timeslots. There is better balance now.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:10 AM ^
Like I said, I do not dislike Big Noon. But this feels like a primetime matchup. And the night slates have been pretty weak this year with the exception of one weekend.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:35 PM ^
If nothing else 3:30 would have been nice. A little beer and bbq after some earlier yard work. Either way we’ll see which team is for real. Penn states had no test and OSU uses each week to pound their chest while reverting back to ND.
October 16th, 2023 at 9:49 AM ^
PSU at OSU for sure. Probably WSU at Oregon. Michigan at MSU. Guessing many here have a similar dance card planned. Pretty good day of college football, particularly since we have a bye following week.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
Minnesota upsets Iowa 5-4 !!!
October 16th, 2023 at 10:17 AM ^
BC - What's your perspective of PSU at OSU this weekend?
October 16th, 2023 at 10:59 AM ^
I'm mentally approaching it as a toss-up.
Looking forward to seeing OSU tested on both sides of the ball; see how they respond, hopefully favorably.
If not for a blocked FG, PSU would be playing to avoid a 12th straight loss to OSU. So in that recent history, I have confidence. But history won't be playing on Saturday.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:08 AM ^
Thanks. Enjoy the game.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:20 AM ^
I'll be in Florida for my niece's wedding. The ceremony isn't until Sunday morning but I don't know what family plans look like for Saturday. So I hope to be able to enjoy watching the game, but will have to see.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:37 AM ^
Will enjoy fake TUFF! guy (unhinged, born on 3rd) Day vs. Frames Janklin (self Dong puncher)
October 16th, 2023 at 7:23 PM ^
The family plans are watching the game, duh.
Enjoy Florida
October 16th, 2023 at 3:38 PM ^
Which "blocked FG" are you talking about in that 2016 game? The one that OSU blocked themselves? Or maybe you're talking about the OSU FG that came off a muffed PSU punt? Or maybe you're talking about OSU's free 2 points when PSU snapped a ball 10 feet over the punter's head?
I get it --- Buckeye fans have their narrative about that game. But I have my narrative too: it was basically a statisically even game and PSU deserved to win, they were better.
October 17th, 2023 at 11:39 AM ^
You deserve a legitimate response, so here it is:
OSU played a very flawed game, left a lot of points on the field, it shouldn't have been as close as it was. And then the FG block & TD return happened in the final minutes when, without that blocked FG, OSU would have hung on to win and PSU would have a current 11-game losing streak against OSU.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:39 AM ^
How is Minny going to get 4? They have a better chance of getting two 2-poiint conversions than they do getting two safeties.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^
Iowa has four, Minny has five. The MN safety comes on a botched snap that a lineman boots through the endzone as he tries to scoop it up.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:08 AM ^
Not thrilled that we have to wait all day for Saturday Night again.
Will obviously watch OSU-PSU, which might look a lot like the OSU-ND game did. I'll be super interested to see if either team can run the ball effectively.
Minnesota-Iowa is a must watch, the O/U line is something ridiculously low like 31.5, I think that they can go under that. Way under. Like 6-3 Iowa.
I think Wisky bounces back by beating up the Berts and Nebraska handles Northwestern. If Rutgers beats Indiana that's win #6 and they're so close to the Quick Lane Bowl you can taste it. Tastes like chicken.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:11 AM ^
If Rutgers beats Indiana that's win #6 and they're so close to the Quick Lane Bowl you can taste it. Tastes like chicken.
Probably tastes like grease and oil. Mmm!!
October 16th, 2023 at 10:40 AM ^
Rutger might go 8-4 and make it into a better bowl.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:54 AM ^
Yeah I just mentioned it above, the combination of TV contracts has things upside down. Michigan at Michigan has noon written all over it and PSU/OSU is a night game if I have ever seen one.
October 16th, 2023 at 12:58 PM ^
Just took it at 32.5 on DK. I can't see it getting any higher than that.
October 16th, 2023 at 1:38 PM ^
Minnesota-Iowa is a must watch, the O/U line is something ridiculously low like 31.5, I think that they can go under that. Way under. Like 6-3 Iowa.
I recall seeing that Total (aka Over/Under) yesterday and doing a literal double take. That is one of the lowest Totals I can think of in recent memory and yet...it's really not that unreasonable. A true testament to how truly awful both of those teams offenses are. Unless those teams go into OT, it kinda, sorta feels like the Under is the smart play there. I'm thinking something like Iowa 13 Minnesota 6.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:19 AM ^
That PSU-OSU game is going to be really interesting. First time all year that PSU is going to really be tested, and we'll likely find out just how good Drew Allar actually is.
Given PSU's lack of explosiveness in running the ball thus far I don't know how well they're going to be able to do it here either, which means that Allar and that defense will likely need to be the ones that win it for them. So.....is Allar who Penn State thinks he is? Either way, its probably Penn State's best shot to win in Columbus in quite a while. Penn State's defense is for real and I could see them making life very difficult for McCord. I would not be surprised to see a 21-17 kind of game. Either way, in close games, tie usually goes to the home team.
---
I'll be curious to see how USC responds to getting a beating put on them like they did in South Bend. Are they coming home with their tail tucked between their legs? Either way, I don't expect them to beat Utah. Utah seems to be their kryptonite: a physically imposing team at the LOS that takes advantage of the things USC is specifically not good at or lacking in. Wouldn't be shocked to see USC lose by multiple scores, and if they do, is that where their season begins to truly unravel?
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For that MSU game.....just get in, win, and get out. Weather the storm of the first 10-15 minutes of the game or so where MSU is likely playing on little else but raw emotion. Get an early score or two, take the crowd out of it, let the defense pin its ears back, and snuff out any glimmer of hope they might have about a possible upset. Above all, stay healthy and don't do anything stupid. Don't get goaded into fights. Let them make the mistakes. Just get back to the huddle and let the scoreboard do the talking.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:27 AM ^
PSU will have a tough time because they are not running well. Allar in a hostile environment for the first time and OSU does have some pass rush. PSU OL has to play their best game if they want to win but I doubt they can. I will be interested to see how well OSU offense perform. They stunk it up against ND and PSU D seems to be better than NDs. However, I am not a fan of PSU's blitz heavy defense. If McCord get the ball out quickly to his amazing WR, then PSU will be in trouble. Very interesting matchup.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:09 AM ^
Couldn't agree more. In situations like this, where you have a (relatively) new QB coming into the first truly hostile environment he's ever played in as a starter, his best friend is a reliable running game to help take the pressure off so he can get settled in.
I haven't watched a ton of PSU this year, but from what I gather, it seems like the OL is still just.....okay? Average? That's good enough to beat Illinois on the road, but its usually not a recipe for winning on the road against a top-5 opponent, unless Allar just goes ham and wins this game for them.
I'm favoring OSU, but I'm still giving PSU a puncher's chance, at minimum, in this game. All due to their defense. Defense travels well, and their defense is one of maybe two in the whole conference that can stand up to OSU for four quarters.
I expect a 21-17 or even a 17-14 kind of game.
October 16th, 2023 at 11:23 AM ^
I'm becoming more excited about that OSU PSU game as I think about them more. Both teams are trying to do the same thing on offense. Have a running game respected enough defenses have to commit bodies to it and still get 3-5 yards most of the time. Once you have done that the passing game is pitch and catch.
Basically Michigan. How far have they come along in that process? Does it work against real defenses (ie, OSU/PSU). We shall see!
October 16th, 2023 at 10:21 AM ^
Other than the obvious ones, I am interested in Duke vs FSU. Does Duke have it in them to take down FSU? We will see. I wish it was at a different time.
October 16th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
I would like to see Utah dismember USC and slobber-knock the crap out of that soft trojan defense. I am looking forward to seeing Matt Leinert dressed up in full ND leprechaun gear for Saturday with his Brady Quinn bet.
Being the bye week for Notre Dame always hoping for a Mantai-Teo's like happening to them.
October 16th, 2023 at 12:09 PM ^
USC's schedule is going to get tougher - and, like you -would be quite please if the Utes are able to defeat the Trojans on Saturday.
October 16th, 2023 at 12:24 PM ^
That was about the weirdest story ever. How did we get to a point where Manti Teo's fake online girlfriend was national news?
October 16th, 2023 at 12:52 PM ^
NBC talking about it for two entire game broadcasts had something to do with it.
October 16th, 2023 at 12:37 PM ^
October 16th, 2023 at 10:24 AM ^
- Penn State (7) at Ohio State (3) - noon
Obviously this game is gonna tell us a lot. I think I might take OSU in this game, but I think it's a toss up. I think OSU has a better offense, but PSU has a better defense. How PSU is able to get pressure on McCord is going to be determining factor imo
- Utah (14) at USC (18) – 8:00 pm
This is going to be an interesting game if Rising is back. USC is a flawed team. No defense and Williams struggled against ND