Michigan Vs. Ohio State: The Best Rivalry?

Tomorrow at Noon Eastern, 11:00 AM central time, Ohio State travels to Michigan for another edition of this classic rivalry.  Is it the best rivalry in all of sports?

I am a big Michigan fan.  I root for Bama first and foremost, Georgia second, but after that, its probably Michigan.  But after reading this great EDSBS article, I may have to be a Buckeye for a day!  Which would make my roommate happy.  He is an Ohio State fan!  Jerk!



And then there is this:



The game may not mean much nationally this year, but it has in recent memory:



Now, I am not one to want to rank the rivalries.  I think they are so subjective and mean so much to each fan base that there is NOTHING you can say to change someone's opinion.  Michigan/Ohio State?  Alabama/Auburn?  Amherst/Williams?  PissAnt State/Nowhere Tech?  To the people involved, their rivalry is always the biggest.

But this one ALMOST always has some big national implications.  Just no this year.  The only story line here is that Michigan needs the win to become bowl eligible.  If Ohio State wins they go to the Rose Bowl.  If they lose...........they go to the Rose Bowl.  So this game means NOTHING to Ohio State other than keeping their hated rivals out of a bowl game.  Which, is probably enough motivation anyways.

Week 12 Games of the Week: Rivalry Week Part 1

Well its that time of year, the beginning of rivalry week.  Well, its more like a rivalry two weeks now, but still.  Not too much going on with the national landscape this week.  The top teams are all playing unranked opponents with Texas vs. Kansas being the only game that looks like it might even be close.  With that in mind, here are my top five games of the week.

5.  Kentucky @ Georgia 6:45 Central ESPN2

See, I told you it was a slow week didn't I? 

Georgia is favored by 8.5 in this game, and on paper should probably win this game by about 35 points.  But this is a weird season.  The scores in alot of Kentucky's games haven't looked great, but they have been in almost every game other than the Florida game.  Georgia will be missing safety Bacarri Rambo because of this jarring hit against Auburn last weekend

and will also be missing A.J. Green after injuring himself in that same game.  And this UGA offense pretty much runs through Green.  A.J. has 751 receiving yards - 284 is the next highest.  Green has 47 catches - 21 is next.  Thankfully Washaun Ealey has been stepping up nicely in the running game with Richard Samuel and Caleb King being at best moderately productive.  I see a Georgia cover in this game with the running game being able to gas holes in the Kentucky defense - but not by much.  24-14.

4.  Penn State @ Michigan State

The battle for the Land Grant Trophy.  Side note:  does every Big 10 game have a trophy attached to it?

Anyways, back to the game.  I haven't really paid much attention to either team this year because, well, its the Big 10 and who cares anyways.  Both teams are bowl eligible so its more for seeding than anything else.  Although, Penn State does still have an outside shot at getting a BCS bid.  Michigan State never really got a leading running back this season, and that's not good for the Big 10.  Kirk Cousins at quarterback has been more than serviceable, but still not great.  Penn State has a top level quarterback in Daryl Clark, and a top level running back in Evan Royster.  Royster didn't end up with Heisman like numbers that he could have had earlier in the season, but nevertheless he is a great back.  Penn State is favored by 3, and they should really blow that out of the water without a problem.  35-13.

3.  Cal @ Stanford 6:30 (no network listed on ESPN, but i suspect this will be on Vs.)

The Game!  We couldn't possibly talk about Cal Stanford without talking about, THE PLAY:

Or, if you are looking for a more fun version of the play, here you go:

Not much has changed from the preseason with this game.  I would have called for a blowout then, and I will do the same now.  Only difference is I would have told you Cal was get the blowout then, now I think Stanford will be the ones on top.  Stanford has a dark horse Heisman candidate in Toby Gerhart at running back, and budding super star quarterback in Andrew Luck.  Whalen and Owusu are top level receivers to compliment those two.  For Cal, an injured Jhavid Best pretty much seals the fate of this one.  Stanford favored by 7, not enough.  42-24.

2.  LSU @ Ole Miss 3:30 CBS

The SEC Game of the Week will almost always make my top five list.  Not that I'm biased or anything.  I don't imagine this game will live up to the 1959 classic battle of top five teams and Heisman Winner Billy Cannon's punt return, but we can always dream

LSU is sitting right now pretty much where Ole Miss was predicted to be in the preseason.  Ole Miss has not really lived up to all the hype, but last week they did demolish Tennessee.  Although that team was facing some pretty heavy distractions with the whole armed robbery thing.  LSU as been hit with the injury bug, but Jordon Jefferson should be ready to go.  Same can't be said for Charles Scott who's injury is a little more serious.  Ole Miss is just such a random team this year.  Will you get the team that got dominated by Auburn, or the one that dominated Tennessee?  The one that dominated Arkansas, or the one that somehow lost to South Carolina?  Ole Miss is actually favored in this game surprisingly enough.  Lot of stock being put into the team after last weekend.  I don't see lightening sticking twice however.  LSU 20-13.

1.  Ohio State @ Michigan

Hate week at its best!  I don't care if both of these teams are 0-11 heading in, this is must see TV.

Ohio State's post season trip is booked already.  They know they are going to the Rose Bowl no matter what happens in the Michigan game.  Do you think they will rest their starters?  In a word, no.  Pryor and Company want nothing more than to STOMP the Wolverines.  Michigan comes in with a four game losing streak, also losing 6 of 7 after starting 4-0.  So if you can do the math, you know that Michigan needs a win Saturday to become bowl eligible.  This kinda has that feel that the Alabama vs. Auburn game had last year.  Alabama had the SEC title game looming, and Auburn needed a win to go bowling.  Alabama won that game 36-0.  I don't see a score like that in the future, but I do see a convincing Ohio State victory.  My initial thought was Buckeyes by about 13 - and Vegas put this one at a 12.5 point spread.  So its gonna be a tough one to pick.  On one hand, once the game is in hand the Buckeyes will probably put some starters on the bench.  But its not like they have a game to get ready for.  Its only November and the Rose Bowl isn't until New Years.  I don't pick this with a terrible amount of confidence, but I do see Ohio State with a close cover 24-10.

It might not be a week for nationally relevant games, but it is nearing the end of the season, and rivalries are THE BEST this time of year.  Anything can happen in a game like Ohio State/Michigan or Cal/Stanford.  Stay tuned, its gonna be a great weekend ahead.

Week 5 Games of the Week

With 3 games between top 25 opponents, this week will have some very entertaining viewing options.  Still not the week that really begins to seperate the conference races, that will come next weekend at least in the SEC, but this week offers some very interesting matchups.  Of course for some reason ESPN College Gameday is going to Florida State @ Boston College?!?!?!?!  Neither team is even ranked!  Oh well, I guess they don't get to go up to Chestnut Hill very often.

Last Week:  2-3  Season:  6-4

5.  Auburn @ Tennessee:  6:45 PM CDT ESPN

Earlier this decade, this could likely have been a match up of two top ten teams.  Now, its a battle of unranked SEC teams figured to finish 3rd or worse in their respective divisions.  As an Alabama fan, this is an IMPOSSIBLE game to actually watch.  I can never figure out who I hate more.  In theory, I hate Tennessee more, at least Auburn is an in state school so there is some Alabama pride there.  But when I actually see Auburn on the field, a deep rooted hatred comes out.  Really I can't root FOR any of these teams, I just have to decide which one I'm rooting AGAINST.  But that's not the issue this morning, the actual match up is the issue.  At quarterback, the advantage certainly goes to Todd.  He has seemed to command this offense with amazing precision with an 11/1 TD/INT ratio.  Only a 59% completion percentage, but a nearly 10 Yards Per Attempt average makes up for that.  Jonathan Crompton for UT just plain sucks.  Nearly the same completion percentage as Todd, but only a 6 yard YPA and a negative TD/INT (7/8) ratio is killer.  Auburn's running game seems to have an advantage as well as a group, but Tennessee's Bryce Brown has probably the biggest upside for either team.  He is only a true freshman however.  Auburn's Kodi Burns runs a very effective wildcat for the Tigers with 4 touchdowns on the ground already this season.  Auburn's Darvin Adams is developing into a true #1 receiver with 334 yards and 5 TDs on the season.  No one so far for Tennessee has stepped up in that role.  Neither team has shined on defense, but Auburn giving up 30 to Ball State raises some major red flags.  Vegas is giving Auburn 2.5 points in this game, probably because it is in Knoxville, but I'm picking Auburn to outlast Tennessee 35-24.

4.  #22 Michigan @ Michigan State 11:00 AM Big 10 Network


Michigan is a surprising 4-0 at his point in the season already eclipsing their win total for last year.  Michigan State is a surprising 1-3 to this point.  Throw the records out though in a rivalry type game.  The Spartans probably should be 3-1 with close losses to Central Michigan and Notre Dame -- although they should have blown out Central Michigan anyways.  Michigan feshman Tate Forcier is a budding superstar in the league and SR RB Carlos Brown has been more than efficient in totting the rock for the Wolverines.  Spartan Sophomore QB Kirk Cousins has been more than just efficient this season as well.  Based on records, Michigan should demolish State.  But these records could just as easily be flipped .  Vegas is giving the Spartans 2.5 again in this one, I'm gonna take another underdog and go for the Wolverines 27-21.

3.  #8 Oklahoma @ #17 Miami PM 7:00 ABC

In the preseason, this game looked like an interesting non-conference match up, but not much else.  Now, its a measuring stick game.  The loser is out of the national title picture.  Miami is likely already done with a BAD ACC loss, but Oklahoma's loss was early and the injury to QB Sam Bradford gives the Sooners a slight mulligan.  Miami QB Jacory Harris looked spectacular in the first two games, and just downright scared last weekend up in Blacksburg.  The weather played a role, but 9/25 for 150 yards isn't good in any weather conditions.  I would like to say that the outcome of this game hinges on the return of Bradford, but Landry Jones has filled in very well in his absence.  But, those games were against Idaho State and Tulsa to be fair.  Bob Stoops has been very quiet on whether Bradford will return or not saying he is not sure yet, but you have to assume if he isn't sure now, even if he does play, he won't be at 100%.  Oklahoma is a 7 point road favorite, but once again I like the underdog back at home especially if Bradford does not play in a 28-24 victory.  If Bradford is totally healthy by game time, I reserve the right to change this pick however.

2.  #4 LSU @ #18 Georgia 2:30 CBS

The battle for what is likely second place in both the SEC West and SEC East.  LSU has not looked like a top five team, especially last weekend needing a goal line stand to beat Mississippi State.  Georgia hasn't looked all that great either losing badly opening weekend and then merely surviving since.  Georgia QB Joe Cox is beginning to come into his own, he has the best receiver in the nation in A.J. Green to throw to, and with a very talented stable of running backs behind him, the Dawgs should win this game.  But LSU recruits very well.  LSU has more speed, and more raw talent in this game, but most of them are very young - either sophomores or freshmen.  Sanford stadium can be a very hostile place to play, but lets face it, LSU will be used to that.  They are the most hostile fans in the nation by ALOT.  LSU gets 3 points from Vegas, but I like the DAWGS to hold serve at home and finally get a complete game 24-17.


1.  #7 USC @ #24 Cal 7:00 PM ABC

Admittedly, this game looked alot better in the preseason.  Both team should have been undefeated, but neither are.  USC had their yearly hiccup against Washington, and Cal got owned against Oregon last weekend.  This game will still go a long way in determining the Pac-10 champion and likely Rose Bowl berth.  USC @ Oregon on Halloween will also be the other big one.  But back to this game:  USC will be playing inspired football with the thoughts of Senior RB Stafon Johnson on their minds.  You do have to wonder if this might have affected their practice this week though.  Even if it did, who could blame them?  Even without Johnson, USC has quite the stable of running backs to choose from.  But the best back on the field will be Jahvid Best of Cal.  He had a rough game last week that really hurt his Heisman chances, but I think that was just an aberration, not a trend.  QB Matt Barkley should be fully healed by now and ready to go and is definitely a better QB than Kevin Riley.  USC is getting 4.5 from Vegas, they should cover that just fine with a 38-27 victory.