It seemed like just yesterday the Ohio State regular season was starting. Now, after just three games, the Buckeyes will have this weekend off before heading out to Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies next Saturday in the Big Ten opener for both teams. The bye week is the first of two during the regular season for Ohio State, who will also be able to relax the last weekend in October prior to hosting Penn State on Nov. 1. Even though the Buckeyes won’t be playing this weekend, there is still
an entertaining schedule of games this weekend around college football. Despite there being ranked battles between Texas Tech and Utah in the Big 12, along with Auburn and Oklahoma in the SEC, today, we are going to stay inside the Big Ten. We want to know which Big Ten game, or game involving a Big Ten team, you are most excited to watch this weekend. The highlight game of the weekend involving at least one Big Ten is Saturday night’s clash between Illinois and Indiana in Bloomington. Earlier in the afternoon, Michigan hits the road without head coach Sherrone Moore to take on Nebraska. Then to cap off the weekend, the sickos will be up late into the night to see how Michigan State and USC play out in Los Angeles. Saturday will also see former conference foes meet up when Oregon State and Oregon square off in the Civil War and Washington travels to Washington State for the Apple Cup. Unfortunately, those two games have lost some luster since Oregon State and Washington State are really struggling early in the season. While Purdue and Notre Dame aren’t former conference mates, they will be squaring off for bragging rights in Indiana, although the Fighting Irish will likely take out their frustrations on the Boilermakers.
Today’s question: Which Big Ten game are you watching while Ohio State is on a bye week?
We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.
Brett’s answer: Illinois v. Indiana
There are a couple of reasons why I’m interested in this game. Not only do I want to check out Illinois before they host the Buckeyes in a few weeks, but I also want to know if Indiana is for real. Also, I’m jealous because the Hoosiers get to host a night game that actually matters. If Ohio State were hosting a ranked Illinois or Indiana team, then you know it would be saddled with a noon kickoff.
Unless they both make it to the Big Ten Championship Game or the College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes and Hoosiers won’t play this season. Even though they aren’t scheduled to play, I’m intrigued in seeing what Curt Cignetti’s team can do against the first team they’ll be playing this season with a semblance of a pulse. Cal transfer Francisco Mendoza has put up some big numbers through three games, throwing for nine touchdowns. Last week in the shutout of Indiana State, wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. exploded for 207 yards receiving and four touchdowns.
Honestly, the two quarterbacks have eerily similar numbers through three games. Mendoza has completed 55 of 76 passes for 708 yards and nine touchdowns. Luke Altmyer of Illinois has gone 56 of 76 for 709 yards and eight passing touchdowns. The difference between the two teams is that Illinois actually has a win they can somewhat hang their hat on, as they went on the road and blew out Duke two weeks ago.
Saturday night’s game feels like it has the possibility of being a CFP eliminator. Illinois has a little easier schedule the rest of the way since its toughest games will be against USC and Ohio State, but both of those contests will be in Champaign. Indiana not only has to head out west to Oregon, but the Hoosiers also have to hit the road to take on Penn State. Seeing a game between these two programs with so much on the line is going to be strange, but I am definitely here for it.
Matt’s answer: The Apple Cup
If I’m being completely honest with you, I think I would agree with Brett on this one. Illinois is a legitimately good team, and might even be great, and playing a pretty game Indiana team should show us a lot about who they both are. But, since he picked first, I am going to head out west for a rivalry game that will likely be a blowout.
On Saturday evening, at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Washington Huskies will head to Pullman to take on their rival Washington State Cougars. Yes, I know that Wazzu is a bad football team, but I won’t be tuning in for them. Because of schedules (both personal and football) and sub-standard opponents, I haven’t yet watched a ton of Washington football this season. They’ve beaten Colorado State 38-21 and UC Davis 70-10, and will be coming off of a bye week heading into the Apple Cup.
So, I am excited to sit back and watch as much of that game as possible before the UW starters exit (if and when that happens). Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has put up pretty decent numbers this season, throwing for 480 yards on a nice 69.4% completion percentage while also rushing for 131 yards in two games. While the Huskies are not likely to use him in designed runs, he is an able scrambler and can scoot if the pocket breaks down. Now, I have come to believe that Arvell Reese is the ultimate running-quarterback eraser, so I have full confidence in the OSU linebacker being able to wrangle any QB who breaks contain, but I would like to see what Williams is working with both with his arm and legs.
The Huskies have also been pretty good against the run through two games, allowing only 80.5 yards on the ground per game, good for 19th nationally. This is an area that the Buckeyes have struggled so far this season, at least compared to other aspects of the team’s performance. So, I will be interested in seeing what exactly it is that UW does on the ground, to see if the running backs (hopefully led by Bo Jackson) are able to create some OSU advantages on the ground.
Ohio State’s games have not exactly been high-stress situations so far this year, but I am excited to sit back, relax, and just be able to enjoy a college football Saturday without having to be concerned about the hidden yardage given up by OSU’s special teams or if the fifth defensive tackle is ready to go if need be.
