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The Takeaways

• Ohio State takes on the Nittany Lions in what will be the game to watch this weekend. Can the Lions stay undefeated against a talented Ohio State? Vegas has PSU at +3.5.
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Burt’s Rapid Fire Takeaways from Week 9

Oregon flexes on ‘em.

Dillon Gabriel and the Ducks absolutely demolished a stingy Illinois team as Dan Lanning’s crew looks primed for a playoff run. The Flying V are at Michigan this weekend—maybe Michigan’s lawyer-filled D can keep it close into the second half.

Texas (narrowly) avoids Pavia’s Music City trap.

Vandy defended their bachelorette party-themed turf admirably (“Hawk tuah, consult on that thang!”), but in the end, the Longhorns avoided the disaster that befell Alabama just a few weeks ago. The ‘Horns are on bye this week before entering the Southwest Conference portion of their schedule in November, traveling to both Fayetteville and College Station in pivotal rivalry games.

Notre Dame mauls some undersized sailors.

I turned to a buddy 10 minutes into this game and said “These dudes aren’t big enough.” Yes, the Midshipmen turned it over four times, but they just weren’t equipped physically to hang with Notre Dame. Too bad Badger Bill didn’t listen to me in the staff meeting…

Is this a vintage Pitt team?

We love a good Pat Narduzzi team, and it looks like the old Yinzer has this thing back on a good (or perhaps a great) heading after it appeared his program may have been taking on water the past couple seasons. The Panthers are now 7-0 as they head into a sneaky sexy (and sneaky big) road tilt at ACC newcomer SMU this weekend.

All Cigs does is win…

Curt Cignetti—another hardass Pittsburgh Italian—and the Indiana Hoosiers remain undefeated and are likely the biggest surprise package of the season. They’ll get a somewhat reeling Michigan squad next week ahead of a potentially massive showdown with Ohio State toward the end of November.

Week 10’s Big Ole Booty

#4 Ohio State at #3 Penn State

Noon ET, FOX, Ohio State -3.5

By Billy Lowry

It feels a bit absurd to suggest that the head coach of a 7-0 team ranked #3 in the polls would need a win over #4. And that the coach of said 4th-ranked team, standing 6-1 with a 2-point loss at #1, would need a win on the road against #3. But for James Franklin and Ryan Day, perception is reality, and this weekend in Happy Valley is a big scoop of Cold Stone… Gotta Have It.

For the Nittany Lions, Saturday is all about exorcizing demons. Since taking over in 2014, Franklin’s program has clearly been the third best in the Big Ten. But against the two top dogs, he’s just 4-16. That includes 1-9 vs. Ohio State, and 0-5 against Ryan Day. They have lost 11 straight games to top-6 opponents. Not since James A. Beaver took his fourth wound during the Civil War and lost his leg has a proud Pennsylvanian took such a consistent beating. Beaver, of course, would go on to become Governor of the Commonwealth and later President of the University. Can’t keep a good man down. Some decades later they would name the football stadium after him… and no, it has nothing to do with hungry coeds. 

If this Penn State team wants to prove they’re not just another spoke in the wheel, this is the game. They looked primed to do it. The defense is flatout awesome, and despite doubts about QB Drew Allar’s health, backup Beau Pribula (why does every Penn St. QB look exactly the fucking same?) stepped in brilliantly last week, providing a little extra with his legs that Wisconsin could not slow down. With a win this weekend, the Nittany Lions put themselves in the driver’s seat for the Big Ten Championship Game, and at worst, hosting an opener in the College Football Playoff. But a loss, even if they finish 11-1, feels like another unsatisfying year, and they will be a popular bet to bounce out early of the postseason.

A win for Ryan Day may ultimately be less fulfilling, but it’s another week fending off the wolves in Columbus. Nobody in America is having less fun than the Buckeye faithful, where sky high expectations and a $20 million dollar roster has made for an uptight fanbase with tighter sphincters. The Oregon loss might be forgivable. A Penn State loss would create a crisis. Dropping a deuce in only 8 games is unheard of at Ohio State, and hasn’t happened since before Urban Meyer arrived. They’ve only lost more than two games twice in 20 years. Now here they stand at disaster’s door. These are the matchups that Ohio State wins. Can this group rise to the occasion like so many Buckeye teams before them, or will they be remembered as the first great failure of the NIL era?

Badger Bill’s Pick: Ghosts of the past are hard to shake, and Franklin is already fussin’ over the kickoff time… To be fair, he’s not wrong. Why the hell are we still doing this, Fox?... I think the Buckeyes got caught looking ahead last week, while the Nittany Lions had to pour their hearts out in Madison. I know Ohio State is going to score. I don’t believe Penn State can keep up. Buckeyes 31-24

Badger Bill’s B1G Lock of the Week

The oddsmakers have completely overblown Illinois’ loss at Oregon. That was always a losing situation. Bielema is 10-0 vs. Minnesota. 3-0 against Fleck. And still getting points. I appreciate it. Back the Illini at +3

Illinois +3

BoxSlayer’s Weekly Spot

What an absolutely unpatriotic beatdown by the Irish last week. Boxslayer is running on

Jameson and his daughters’ Kit Kats right now, but is going to give the people what they want…Locks. Here’s his Lock of the Week.

5-Unit Lock of the Week

Texas A&M -3

You may be telling yourself, “Boxslayer, how could you go against the Gamecocks in Columbia??” Well, you can and you should here. Texas A&M is ELITE. Hard to say that, but it’s true. They have gritty wins against good teams and should continue that pace against the Cocks. South Carolina has been successful getting pressure on the quarterback, but A&M’s line will probably be the best they’ve seen this year and either Reed or Weigman should have time to make the plays they need to cover the field goal spread. Gig’ Em Aggies.

Boxslayer’s Trademark 5-game, 1-unit parlay:

Duke +20

Miami keeps playing (and winning) close games. Duke has to come down to Miami, but they should keep it within three touchdowns.

Georgia -14.5

The ‘Dawgs are finally looking the part of a national champion contender. Add in the fact that this is their fiercest rivalry—and that Kirby absolutely hates the Gators—and you may see the ‘Dawgs look to run it up in the second half. The Gators are still battling for embattled coach Billy Napier, but they don’t have the horses to hang in this one as they get blown out in the World’s Largest Cocktail Party.

Buffalo -1

Got to include some MACtion here. I like the Bills on the road here.

Oregon -14.5

Michigan stinks. Oregon should be getting more but nobody wants to offend the fragile Wolverine fans. Ducks roll in Ann Arbor.

Indiana -8

Kurtis Rourke is back baby. He’s the heartbeat of this team and will have his troops firing on all cylinders. Hoosiers smack the Spartans.