CFB: Key Storylines to follow in Week 13
The race for the playoffs is well and truly on. This weekend will go a long way to clearing the picture up. It kicks off with a blockbuster battle in the Big 10, as Indiana seek to prove their worthiness of an at large berth. Then the Big 12 will take centre stage with several matchups that will affect the standings. All the while the SEC will be on the back burner, but that conference isn’t one to stay quiet all weekend! Here’s the key storylines to follow in week 13.
Can Indiana upset the 'big brands' in College Football?
The big question heading into this weekend, and likely the talking point come Sunday morning, will be where Indiana will stand after facing off against Ohio State. A win or close loss should be enough to keep them in the playoff hunt, but if the Buckeyes run roughshod, expect healthy debate between fans of the two real power conferences.
As much as the Hoosiers’ story has been great for the sport, I have to agree that their strength of schedule outside of OSU is questionable enough to take them out of playoff chatter should the result be lopsided. Let’s hope it’s not, and Curt Cignetti’s team’s hopes remain alive and well.
The week’s biggest news was the loss of Buckeye center Seth McLaughlin to a season-ending injury. Paired with the loss of tackle Josh Simmons, there’s enough change along the o-line to make fans feel a tinge of anxiety. The Hoosiers lead all of College Football in run defense and are tenth in sacks so going in undermanned in the trenches is less than ideal for Ohio State.
If Indiana can keep a lid on the running back duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins early on then there is a chance that Kurtis Rourke and co. can make things uncomfortable. Whoever you are rooting for, it’s quite the way to kick off Saturday’s action.
Who will sit atop the Big 12 after Saturday evening?
The meat in our College Football Saturday sandwich is two must-watch Big 12 games. If I had to back a team to emerge atop the standings, I would be all in on Colorado at this point. I hedged my bets last week, thinking Utah could keep things close, only for the Buffs to put in a thumping victory. It would be easy to repeat that foolhardiness with Kansas next up.
The Jayhawks came to life themselves, ending BYU’s unbeaten streak in a defensive struggle that ended 17-14. Kansas has only scored over 30 points twice in conference play so far, but I think they will need to do so to overcome Colorado in this.
The biggest game in the conference will be in Tempe, Arizona, where the Sun Devils need to extend BYU’s fresh losing streak to keep their Conference title hopes alive. ASU has quietly stalked its way to relevancy under the guidance of quarterback Sam Leavitt and will be looking to harness the home advantage and keep the dream alive across the state next week against Arizona.
For BYU, it’s time to rally. This team is still ranked 14th in the country, and as deflating as a close loss to Kansas was, they still hold their playoff destiny in their own hands. Five of their ten games this year have been one-score swings, and I expect this to be similar. In cases like that, I tend to lean towards the home side, particularly given the electric atmosphere we will see in the desert.
Will Ole Miss come unstuck in the sunshine state?
It’s not often that the SEC has to take a backseat on a Saturday afternoon, but the heavy-hitters aren’t pencilled in for much to set the pulse racing. The biggest game of the weekend in the conference is Ole Miss travelling into the Swamp to face Florida. The Rebels’ victory over Georgia proved they were worthy of National Championship consideration. The last thing they need to do here is stub their toe so close to the end of the season.
Florida has been resurgent since freshman DJ Lagway took hold of the reins and will be happy to spoil Lane Kiffin’s (former FAU head coach) return to the state. My biggest concern for Ole Miss will be protecting Jaxson Dart. The Gators obliterated LSU’s well-regarded offensive line, notching seven sacks between six different players.
The offensive line has been Ole Miss’s weakest area this season. PFF has the group graded at 65.1, even though they’ve only allowed 20 sacks. That also swings the other way, considering Ole Miss’s defensive line is chockful of elite talent. This one could come down to whoever can keep their quarterback the cleanest.
Where should we be looking for upsets?
Penn State @ Minnesota – Beware, Nittany Lions. You don’t have the strength of schedule to slip up against the Gophers. Another failure to topple Ohio State leaves James Franklin’s team exposed should they lose again. They have the talent to rack up the score, but we’ve yet to see them fully realise their potential.
Army vs. Notre Dame – This one has a neutral venue, as the teams head to Yankee Stadium. However, I don’t think that will be enough for Army, who, despite being unbeaten, haven’t faced an opposition in the same class as the Fighting Irish. The NIU loss does play on the mind, but Notre Dame’s running game has been so dominant that I can’t see Army causing a shock here.
Texas A&M @ Auburn – We’re all looking forward to the great Texas showdown next week, where A&M could potentially knock in-state rivals Texas out of playoff contention. However, in situations like this, wouldn’t it be so SEC for Auburn to sneak in and dampen things by winning this week? It’s only a 2.5-point spread, so stranger things have happened.
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.