Yes, the Tip Sheet is arguably the most important piece of weekly written word in sports, but this week it takes a back seat to the Michigan game. While there are plenty of things going on around the country this weekend, the only thing that should matter to Buckeye and Wolverine fans right now is The Game.
If you are worried about the Oklahoma – West Virginia game, you need to recalibrate your life and just worry about the Michigan game.
There is nothing more important than what is going to happen in Ohio Stadium on Saturday. That is where your energy should be.
There will be plenty of time for rooting for things when that game is over.
Friday November 23
Teams: Nebraska (4-7, 3-5) at Iowa (7-4, 4-4)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (FOX)
Interest: 25.5
Cheer For: Nebraska
You are going to watch this game because you appreciate what these schools stand for, which is exporting cereal, I think. I believe Nebraska may still have a shot at a bowl game if there aren’t enough 6-6 teams this year to fill out the bowl slate and the Huskers have a high enough APR. Unless, of course, that is no longer a thing and the only piece of joy to play for in this game is to ruin Iowa’s chances at an 8-win season. Talk about depressing. Holding the Hawkeyes to seven wins isn’t even an accomplishment. Kirk Ferentz has been doing it for two decades.
Iowa 27 – Nebraska 24
Teams: #9 UCF (10-0, 7-0) at South Florida (7-4, 3-4)
Time (TV): 4:15 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 2.5
Cheer For: South Florida
You are a USF fan this week, which means you won’t watch the game or even be aware that it is being played. As a Buckeye fan, you don’t need to worry about UCF staying in front of Ohio State. A win over Michigan this weekend will grease OSU’s skids. Not enough to make the playoffs, but enough to legitimately complain about not making the playoffs.
UCF 48 – USF 20
Teams: #6 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1) at #13 West Virginia (8-2, 6-2)
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 4.5
Cheer For: West Virginia
You are rooting for West Virginia because Oklahoma is one of Ohio State’s road blocks. If Oklahoma wins, then they could end up facing Texas or maybe even Iowa State next week in the Big XII Championship Game. I’d look at the tie breaker, but there’s no point in doing that yet. Plus, I’m lazy. Oklahoma is a 3-point favorite and quarterback Kyler Murray is the current favorite to finish second in the Heisman Trophy race. This will be a shootout. The over/under has both teams scoring in the 40s. This could even end up being a Blanche Devereaux game, which is when both teams score well into the 60s.
Oklahoma 55 – West Virginia 42
Teams: #16 Washington (8-3, 6-2) at #8 Washington State (10-1, 7-1)
Time (TV): 8:30 pm (FOX)
Interest: 4.5
Cheer For: Washington
We usually get to about this part of the season when the stakes become too large for Mike Leach’s best teams and they begin to collapse in on themselves. The Cougars are only favored by 2.5 points, which gives you a pretty good idea that Vegas isn’t exactly sold. You’ll be rooting against them, of course, because they are yet another road block in the Buckeyes’ way. I was gonna make a joke about a road block full of cougars, but I have already made one Golden Girls joke in this Tip Sheet and I’m not sure a second would be tolerated.
Washington State 27 – Washington 24
Saturday November 24
Teams: #4 Michigan (10-1, 8-0) at #10 Ohio State (10-1, 7-1)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (FOX)
Interest: 5
Cheer For: Ohio State
If Dwayne Haskins has time to throw, OSU can win. If Shea Patterson turns the ball over, OSU can win. The best offensive line is going to win this game. Right now it feels like Ohio State needs more “ifs” than Michigan. The only thing keeping the Wolverines from beating Urban Meyer the last few years has been a difference maker at quarterback. They have that now. Could Ohio State put everything together? Absolutely. Is it likely? Not exactly. Michigan doesn’t need to play its best game to win, but the Buckeyes do.
Michigan 34 – Ohio State 27
Teams: Georgia Tech (4-7) at #5 Georgia (10-1)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (SECN)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Georgia Tech
Any time Georgia Tech takes the field they are a threat to overwhelm an opposing defense and win a game. Many times, however, we forget that Tech also has to play defense, which is where things get a little messy. The Bulldogs come into this game as 17-point favorites, and they will be able to move the ball against the Jacket defense. UGA has given up some yards on the ground this season, however, so may this one will need to be watched a bit. You don’t have to put two eyes on it, but if you have a spare cousin in the house this week, put them in a room with that game on and tell them to alert you should anything go awry for the SEC. Just remember, however, that you don’t come from the best people, so don’t send your cousin to the bedroom where you keep your jewelry.
Georgia 38 – Georgia Tech 20
Teams: #11 Florida (8-3) at Florida State (5-6)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ABC)
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Florida State
Nobody cares about this game, but that doesn’t mean a Florida State win wouldn’t be hilarious.
Florida State 21 – Florida 20
Teams: Purdue (5-6, 4-4) at Indiana (5-6, 2-6)
Time (TV): 12:00 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 3.5
Cheer For: Purdue
You’re cheering for Purdue because you want Ohio State’s loss to at least be to a bowl team, and the winner of this game is bowl bound. The fact that both teams come in looking for that sixth win makes this a rare important battle for the Old Oaken Bucket. The only question if Purdue wins is who will be coaching them in a bowl game. The Boilers are a 3.5-point favorite. Indiana is coming off of a tough loss to Michigan last week, so they’ll have to be careful not to let last week impact them this week. The Hoosier offense should be able to move the ball pretty well and keep up for a while, if not the entire game. It’s too bad nobody is going to see it.
Indiana 48 – Purdue 44
Teams: Auburn (7-4, 3-4) at #1 Alabama (11-0, 7-0)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (CBS)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Auburn
You are cheering for Auburn, but you also realize that there is no chance for Alabama to lose this game. They say you’re supposed to throw the records out the window in rivalry games, but there is no room because the yard is already full of crap.
Alabama 38 – Auburn 10
Teams: Maryland (5-6, 3-5) at #12 Penn State (8-3, 5-3)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ABC)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Penn State
You are rooting for Penn State because a Top 10 road win for the Buckeyes would be huge in terms of the playoff rankings. (It also wouldn’t be bad if Penn State had to score a lot of points to get the win.) There are rumors abounding that James Franklin will be leaving for USC after this game, which could then begin a massive push of dominoes that ends up with Urban Meyer in Happy Valley, Jim Harbaugh in Columbus, and Mark Dantonio at Penn State. Brady Hoke would then be welcomed back to Ann Arbor.
Penn State 31 – Maryland 21
Teams: Illinois (4-7, 2-6) at #19 Northwestern (7-4, 7-1)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (BTN)
Interest: 2
Cheer For: Northwestern
You are a Northwestern fan this weekend, which means that you better hide your lunch money. You are rooting for the Wildcats because you want them looking as good as possible in the pollsters eyes when the Buckeyes beat them 59-0 next week.
Northwestern 37 – Illinois 24
Teams: Minnesota (5-6, 2-6) at Wisconsin (7-4, 5-3)
Time (TV): 3:30 pm (ESPN2)
Interest: 1.5
Cheer For: Minnesota
You will be rowing the boat for Minnesota this week because you’d like to see the Gophers go to a bowl game. The swag may only be a pair of socks and some bluetooth headphones, but it’s better than being stuck in Minnesota in late December. Wisconsin is limping to the end of the line, having alternated wins and losses the last six weeks. They are scheduled to lose this week, but I just don’t see it happening.
Wisconsin 31 – Minnesota 17
Teams: Rutgers (1-10, 0-8) at Michigan State (6-5, 4-4)
Time (TV): 4:00 pm (FOX)
Interest: 1
Cheer For: Michigan State
An entire nation is cheering for Michigan State because I am starting their defense in the championship game of my fantasy league. There is no money on the line, only bragging rights with people on the internet whom I’ve never met. As you might imagine, this is probably the most important thing going on in my life this weekend.
Michigan State 30 – Rutgers 10
Teams: South Carolina (6-4) at #2 Clemson (11-0)
Time (TV): 7:00 pm (ESPN)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: South Carolina
In the state of South Carolina, this game is a rivalry. Outside of the state of South Carolina, it’s Clemson continuing Chickenbleep Saturday for a second-consecutive week. The Tigers haven’t lost this game since 2013, which is about the last time Clemsoning was still a thing.
Clemson 38 – South Carolina 20
Teams: #7 LSU (9-2, 5-2) at #22 Texas A&M (7-4, 4-3)
Time (TV): 7:30 pm (SECN)
Interest: 3
Cheer For: Texas A&M
You’re rooting for Texas A&M because we all know it’s ridiculous that LSU is where they are. With a win, the Buckeyes will pass them by, at least in theory. A loss would drop LSU into third place in the SEC West and probably to about 10th in the CFP poll. Jimbo Fisher’s signature win so far at Texas A&M is Kentucky, which is like calling yourself a spelunker when the only cave you’ve ever been in is your basement.
Texas A&M 33 – LSU 27
Teams: #3 Notre Dame (11-0) at USC (5-6)
Time (TV): 8:00 pm (ABC)
Interest: 4
Cheer For: USC
Because Notre Dame does not fully belong to a conference, if they win on Saturday, they will be punching their ticket to the College Football Playoffs. An entire nation will be rooting against them, but USC is so indifferent that they may end up rooting for the Irish too. Or maybe — just maybe — the Trojan players will want to keep head coach Clay Helton around and they’ll win once again when their coach’s future is in doubt. I just don’t see it happening.
Notre Dame 38 – USC 26