Oct 12: A College Football Fans Dream
There are days for a college football fan like myself that are bigger than others. That day is fast approaching.
October 12, 2024 which is in just a few days is one of those days. With college football realignment the possibility of great matchups was greatly increased. Whether or not you are a fan of all the shuffling around in college football you have to admit that this upcoming Saturday is appointment television.
Let’s go through these matchups.
Oregon vs Ohio State
This is THE game that most college football fans and observers have had circled on their calendars since the Big Ten schedule came out.
No.2 Ohio State is set to take on No.3 Oregon on Saturday.
This game is at Oregon inside the infamous Autzen Stadium. For people who have never been to Autzen it is an experience. From the Ducks being lead out on the field by The Duck on a Harley Davidson, the playing of the song “Coming Home” which means something special to Oregonians, and finally the playing of the song “Shout”. There’s always something going on inside the stadium.
Back to the actual game.
Being one of the most anticipated games of the season it comes with a ton on the line. Whoever wins this game will be considered in the driver’s seat for the Big Ten Conference championship game because both teams came into the year as favorites to get to that game.
Both teams also enter the game undefeated which also ups the stakes of the game on Saturday afternoon.
The Buckeyes enter the game a 3.5 point favorite because of the high powered offense that former Oregon head coach and current Buckeye OC, Chip Kelly, has engineered for Ohio State.
Ohio State has been dominant early on in 2024 by averaging 46 points per game. The Buckeyes have also averaged 222 rushing yards per game as well. Buckeye running backs TreyVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins lead the attack for the Buckeyes.
Judkins has run for 468 yards and five touchdowns so far this season. Henderson is averaging 8 yards a carry. This duo of backs will be a test for that Oregon defense because this is a diversified offense that Chip Kelly runs.
Ohio States receiver corp is also considered one of the best in the nation. The receiver room in Columbus is lead by true freshman, Jeremiah Smith. Smith is averaging 19.7 yards per catch and has scored six touchdowns.
Ohio State quarterback, Will Howard, has also found a good amount of success so far this year. Howard has thrown for 1,248 yards, 12 touchdowns, and has a video game 75% completion rate.
The Duck defense is going to have to step up in a major way, so the Oregon offense can do what it wants to do.
Oregon’s offense is lead by transfer, Dillon Gabriel, who in his last game against Michigan State, threw for 254 yards. Many of those throws were thrown at his wide-receiver, Tez Johnson, who had 10 catches for 84 yards, and a touchdown.
We can’t forget about Oregon’s running attack which is led by Jordan James. Jordan has run for 552 yards on 88 carries and five touchdowns.
There is a balance to Oregon’s offense that Ohio State is going to have to contend with.
The Ducks are looking to win their 12th straight game at home in front of a raucous Autzen Stadium crowd.
“Have you ever been to Autzen Stadium when those people get turnt? . . . I’m taking the Ducks,” said CBS college football analyst Rick Neuheisel when asked who he thinks would come out with the win on Saturday.
Prediction: Oregon 34 Ohio State 31
Oklahoma vs #1Texas
This 2024 Week 7 version of the Red River Rivalry is the first meeting between these two stories programs as members of the SEC. Both schools will be coming off of bye weeks as well, so every one should be rested and ready to go for this huge game.
Oklahoma is coming off of a nice 27-21 road win at Auburn. Heading into this game the Sooners will be lead by freshman quarterback, Michael Hawkins Jr who replaced Jackson Arnold who struggled in the games that he has started.
Texas who is currently ranked number one in the country is possibly getting back starter, Quinn Ewers, who suffered an oblique injury in the September 14th game against UTSA. If Ewers can’t go, the Longhorns will play backup Arch Manning who has performed admirably in his two starts. Manning has kept the undefeated streak alive for Texas by winning games against UL-Monroe and Mississippi State in the last two weeks.
Texas Head Coach, Steve Sarkisian, has not mentioned who will be starting at quarterback just yet.
The Sooner offense is in a bit of reconstruction at the moment. There are many injuries to the offense, so the output for Oklahoma has been poor. However, the defense is still in pretty good shape and should be able to hold the high powered Texas offense in check a little bit and keep the game relatively close.
In the end, Texas will get the victory at the Cotton Bowl.
Prediction: Texas 38 Oklahoma 24
Arizona State vs Utah
Who would have thought that this game at Mountain America Stadium on Friday night would include two 4-1 teams? Not many.
If you would have said to any Arizona State fan that the Sun Devils would be 4-1 going into the Utah game that fan may have looked at you a bit weird. However, here we are.
For Utah it’s been a season of “When is Cam Rising coming back?” and that is still the question going into the ASU game. Rising has been out since injuring his throwing hand against Baylor.
For the Utes, it’s been Isaac Wilson’s time to show what he can do for Utah. Wilson has struggled a bit and it’s safe to say that he’s no Cam Rising, but he’s what the Utes have at the moment. I’m not saying that Isaac Wilson can’t do the job, but Cam Rising is a veteran for Utah. Rising has experience in two Rose Bowl games, Pac-12 Championship games, and numerous other big games for the Utes.
For Arizona State it’s Sam Leavitt’s time to shine in the desert. He helped engineer a game winning drive last week against Kansas. The Sun Devils beat the Jayhawks 35-31 in the first Big 12 home game for ASU.
Leavitt is gaining confidence and trust from Coach Dillingham every week. This is probably the biggest game in Leavitt’s young career at Arizona State. Utah will try and disguise defensive looks to confuse Leavitt. They will also bring plenty of pressure from all angles as well. If Utah’s defense line can their hands on ASU’s quarterback then it will be a long Friday night for Sam Leavitt.
We shall see if the offensive line for the Sun Devils is up to the task. It’s a big task for sure. Utah plays very physical and likes to impose their will defensively.
Cam Skattebo is the straw that stirs the drink for the Sun Devils. Skattebo has 615 yards on 111 carries, six touchdowns, and a very healthy 5.5 yards per carry. Skattebo is one of those players that will do what it takes to win a game.
“It’s his attention to detail and preparation that sets him apart from other guys.” Head Coach Kenny Dillingham said during his Monday press conference.
Utah is coming off of a bye week in which they had to hear about their home loss to Arizona. The Utes will be coming into Tempe on a mission. It’ll be a search and destroy mission for Utah.
Prediction: Utah 24 Arizona State 21
#4Penn State vs USC:
Just a few weeks ago this game looked like a must see game. In the interim, the Trojans have dropped out of the Top 25. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions have been ascending in the polls and are currently sitting at #4 in Top 25.
This new-look Big Ten matchup in the Coliseum will have the Trojans trying to turn around their season.
USC beat LSU in Las Vegas to open up the season, but have lost two straight including a surprising loss at Minnesota last weekend. The Trojan offense needs to get going because the Nittany Lion defense boasts one of the nations best front seven units.
Penn State’s defense ranks 8th nationally, the Nittany Lions are only giving up 11 points per game, and are giving up 4.01 yards per play.
The question will be can USC’s defense, which has improved from previous years, keep the vertical game of the Nittany Lions from going absolutely nuts. However, Penn State can run the ball better. The Trojan defense is going to have to play mistake free defense, so they don’t get torched on the scoreboard.
The defense for Penn State will coming after Trojan quarterback, Miller Moss. Will the USC offensive line be able to keep their quarterback, Miller Moss off of his back long enough so he can fine the Trojan weapons at wide receiver?
I don’t see that happening. The saying goes, “Good defenses travel.” Fortunately, for Penn State they have the defense to shut down teams. Nittany Lions win this game.
Prediction: Penn State 34 USC 24