Conference realignment has taken away much from college sports, including rivalries and tradition, but its benefits have also emerged.
This led to Texas' first visit to the Big House, Tennessee's visits to Oklahoma and Michigan, and USC's first meeting outside of the Rose Bowl in 65 years.
Next week, No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Georgia will battle for control of the SEC. This week, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 3 Oregon will battle for the Big Ten spot.
The Buckeyes are performing as advertised, possessing the nation's second-highest scoring offense and top-ranked defense, and holding the nation's largest average point differential (39.2).
The Ducks pass the eye test intermittently, but have largely struggled to live up to expectations this season, coming off near-upset upsets by Boise State and Idaho State.
Oregon State can't retain talent against the rare team with even more talent. Dillon Gabriel's decision-making against the pressure of the nation's best pass rush, a sixth-year quarterback who makes rookie-like mistakes that result in him ranking 90th in Oregon's red zone offense. cannot be trusted. They can't rely on a defense that has been battered by the only elite offense they've faced this season (Boise State), giving up nearly 40 points per game in three games against coach Dan Lanning's national title contenders.
Since Ryan Day took over in 2019, Ohio State has only lost once before the final game of the regular season. That was against Oregon in 2021.
Ohio State University (-3.5) He'll give back to a team that shouldn't be in the Big Ten.
Arizona State (+6.5) vs. Utah
It's another in-game decision for Cam Rising, but his coach said it's “possible” the quarterback will return. It's also possible that Lloyd Christmas could put a briefcase full of loans to good use.
Lagers (-2.5) vs. Wisconsin
The Scarlet Knights made several game-changing mistakes against Nebraska. Jersey will do well to break out while finding lanes against a Wisconsin defense that ranks 75th against the run.
South Carolina (+21.5) vs. Alabama
Nick Saban may have taken the defenseman with him. In the past 51 minutes of play, the Crimson Tide has allowed 67 points.
Clemson (-20.5) vs. Wake Forest
Clemson has won consecutive games by one point, so a big loss is likely in this series. Wake's defense, ranked No. 126, will be troubled by an offense that averages 48.5 points against non-Georgia opponents.
Washington (+2.5) vs. Iowa
The Hawkeyes finished with seven points, but another matchup against a top-10 defense will bring back flashbacks to the Brian Ferentz era. Washington's Will Rogers will have no problem moving the chains against a defense that ranks 109th in opponent success rate.
Oklahoma (+14.5) vs. Texas
That's far too many points — even with Quinn Ewers back to lead the nation's top-ranked team — in a rivalry game that has been decided by one point in nine of the past 11 years.
USC (+5.5) vs. Penn State
James Franklin has not earned our trust. The Nittany Lions are 5-0 for the sixth time since 2017. They have only gone undefeated into November once, but each time they suffered their first loss of the season on the road. After traveling 2,575 miles for their first road game in six weeks, history could repeat itself against their toughest opponent yet.
Notre Dame (-23.5) vs. Stanford
The Irish have had two weeks to prepare for a team that ranks 125th in the nation in yards per play. Notre Dame's past four wins over Stanford have been by an average margin of 26.5 points.
Arizona (+5.5) vs. BYU
The Wildcats have grown in this role over the past 12 months, winning six of seven games as an underdog. Arizona State's Noah Fifita leads the nation's No. 5 passing offense, losing one of his 14 games by a touchdown or more as a starting QB, but against a defense with a weak pass rush and an untested secondary. There will be plenty of time to devise a strategy.
Mississippi State (+33.5) vs. Georgia
It doesn't help Georgia that there's a heavyweight fight coming up (in Texas). It also doesn't help if the head coach picks a fight with the fans. “Honestly, this is probably the first time we've ever been disappointed in our fans,” Kirby Smart said after Georgia's recent home game. “I thought we were missing something that really impacts the game in terms of crowd noise, passion and energy. … To play here you have to be tough on other teams, but that hasn't been the case in the past. is not the same as
Tennessee State (-15.5) vs. Florida
Buy the Vols cheap after the crushing loss at Arkansas. Tennessee is 9-2 after the loss under coach Josh Heupel, but still boasts the nation's second-best defense and an offense that averages over 40 points per game. After last year's upset, there will be no mercy for the Gators' defense, ranked 109th.
LSU (+3.5) vs. Ole Miss
The Rebels haven't won in Death Valley since 2008 and haven't had a road win against an SEC-ranked opponent since 2017. Ole Miss' questionable pass defense faces its first true aerial threat in No. 5 nationally ranked Garrett Nussmeier. gained passing yards and completed nearly 70 percent of his attempts. Brian Kelly is 10-2 in his last 12 games including byes.
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Iowa State (-3) vs. West Virginia
This has the nature of a trap game, but sometimes a square pick is the correct pick. The undefeated Cyclones deserve more respect, bringing the nation's No. 7 defense to Morgantown, and the Mountaineers scored 12 points against Penn State's No. 6 unit.
Kansas State (-4) vs. Colorado State
How will the Wildcats contain Travis Hunter? By making him a bystander on both ends. If the Wildcats' No. 5 ground game outruns the defense and allows more than 155 rushing yards per game, it will be difficult for a Heisman candidate to get noticed. Deion Sanders has lost five straight against ranked opponents.
Best bet: Ohio, Washington, Mississippi.
season: 45-44-1(6-11-1).
2013-23 record: 1,272-1,206-30.
