Week 9 Picks
October 24, 2019
AP Top 25 Week 10
October 29, 2019
Week 9 Takeaways
Think you know college sports? Brag House gives players a FREE chance to test their sports acumen to win cash and prizes. To get ready for each week, our in house expert Shea Freeman analyzes each AP Top 25 team and what to expect for the weekend; gives you his predictions on the upcoming games of the week; and follows up with takeaways to help you make sense of the crazy things that happened on Saturday. Make sure you subscribe now for Brag House launch details and to get on the right side of the week!
1. LSU survives Auburn’s upset bid
In what was dubbed the game of the week by yours truly, both Tiger teams did not disappoint in terms of the excitement. Facing their toughest opponent all year, the #2 LSU Tigers beat the #9 Auburn Tigers 23-20, in a game that was close all game until the fourth quarter. LSU QB Joe Burrow didn’t have the greatest outing against a very good Auburn defense — he threw just his fourth interception on the year — but he did manage to find the end zone twice to keep their season, and his Heisman hopes, alive. Auburn gave them a hell of a time out there, but in the end LSU’s defense stepped up when it mattered most and shut down QB Bo Nix and holding the freshman to only 150 passing yards. We all know what waits for LSU next time the play: top ranked Alabama. If this game was any indication of what that game could be, then we are in for another all-time great SEC matchup on November 9.
2. Ohio State destroys Wisconsin
Ohio state really is this good, and Wisconsin had no chance Saturday during the Buckeyes 38-7 victory over the Badgers. OSU DE Chase Young (4 sacks, 2 FF) was a flat-out monster, and is probably the best player in college football at any position. This dude should be a top pick in next years draft as he was all over the Badgers and helped hold stud RB Jonathon Taylor to only 52 yards rushing. On the Buckeyes offense, RB JK Dobbins had himself a nice game, totaling 163 yards and two scores, while QB Justin Fields remains in the Heisman mix after another three score game. This team has loads of talent, but Young is the best player on the best team in the country in my opinion. If I had to pick who I have winning it all, I’d take Ohio State 80% of the time.
3. Kansas State upsets Oklahoma
Another week, another huge upset with playoff implications on the line. This time it was #5 Oklahoma losing on the road 48-41 against unranked Kansas State. Costly turnovers and blown defensive assignments were what hurt the Sooners, including one interception off a trick play thrown by WR Nick Basquine that I’m sure Lincoln Riley would like to take back. Wildcats QB Skylar Thomson had 4 rushing scores on the day and Kansas State dominated them for the majority of the game. Sooners QB Jalen Hurts had 3 TDs and made big push in the fourth quarter to keep them in it, but it proved to be a little too late. Baylor is now in first in the Big 12, but OU can still win out and have a shot at the conference title against the Bears. The playoffs? Well... that road just got a whole lot harder, however they got some help from an unlikely source...
4. Notre Dame’s playoff hopes in jeopardy after Michigan blowout
WIth Oklahoma losing earlier in the day, Notre Dame was sitting in an interesting place. They have one loss (to Georgia) and they’ve played a relatively tough schedule. In comparison to other one-loss teams, they were looking like they had a legitimate shot at the playoffs. Those dreams were crushed a few hours later once they stepped on the field in Ann Arbor as Michigan throttled the Irish 45-14. It was a huge win for Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, the second time in his tenure that his Wolverines team beat a top ten team and the first big win of the season. This loss actually helps teams like Oklahoma and Georgia, but Notre Dame had their foot in the door but had it closed shut just as quickly as they got it there.
5. Oregon, Utah keep their playoff hopes alive with big wins
The PAC-12 continues to show why it’s no longer a joke of a conference, with the two marquee teams coming up with big wins this weekend and keeping their playoff hopes alive. Oregon had to kick a game winning field goal against a high flying Washington State team that tested this Ducks defense the same way Washington did last week. Meanwhile, Utah shut out Cal 35-0 as RB Zack Moss rushed for 115 yards and two scores, which moved him to the top of the Utes’ all-time rushing TD list (he broke the school’s rushing yards record last week). Right now, these two teams are neck and neck for the conference title — although probably needs a USC loss to solidify their spot — and both are still in the hunt for the playoffs thanks to OU and Notre Dame going down in the same day. The West is definitely getting wilder by the week.
Other News and Notes
The Big 10 might be the best conference in football as they currently boast three undefeated teams — #3 Ohio State, #6 Penn State and #17 Minnesota. Many thought the sixth ranked Nittany Lions were on upset alert against Michigan State, but they handled their business against the Spartans in a 28-7 win. The Golden Gophers, on the other hand, destroyed Maryland to the tune of 52-10 and have surprisingly jumped into the Big 10 Title discussion. The two teams will face off this upcoming weekend in what is a huge game for both teams. A win would solidify Minnesota’s spot in the Big 10 Championship even with games against Iowa and Wisconsin still left to play, while Penn State needs a win to stay in the race against Ohio State, with whom they share a division. People love to tout the SEC, and for good reason, but the Big 10 is giving them a run for their money.
It seems like every week we talk about how disappointing Clemson has been but this week the 4th ranked Tigers looked like their old selves as they obliterated Boston College 59-7 to keep their unbeaten streak alive. RB Travis Etienne — doing his best to get into the Heisman discussion — rushed for 3 touchdowns wile QB Trevor Lawrence and WR Diondre Overton connected for three scores on their own. The defense was once again dominant, holding the Eagles to 177 total yards of offense and keeping star RB AJ Dillon in check on the ground. Despite all the knocks they’ve had on their season, this is a very, very good team that will undoubtedly be in the CFB Playoffs for the fifth straight year.
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