No. 2 Ohio State (11-0) at No. 3 Michigan (11-0).
The stakes are as high as they go for any game played during Rivalry Week, both nationally and regionally. The victor will be awarded the Big Ten East Division title and move on to the league championship game in Indianapolis the following week, where it will play Iowa with a significant lead. Defeating them would guarantee a position in the College Football Playoffs.
Due to schedule strength, a defeat would probably eliminate Michigan from the CFP picture and put Ohio State outside of the top four.
Ohio State wins if: TreVeyon Henderson relieves pressure on Kyle McCord as the defense applies the harsh lessons learned from the previous campaign. In terms of opponent points per possession and yards per play allowed, Ohio State tops the FBS thanks to the excellent work of veteran defensive coordinator Jim Knowles in Year 2.
Knowles reminded me, “You have to accept responsibility,” alluding to the defeat from the previous year. “If change is warranted, then you change, because it’s really all about the players, it’s not about me.” Since his injury comeback, Henderson has performed admirably, rushing for 499 yards and five touchdowns in his last four games.
Michigan wins if: Henderson and Marvin Harrison Jr. are restrained by the defense, and quarterback J.J. McCarthy completes crucial downfield passes. Michigan struggled last week and hadn’t faced a receiving group as talented as Maryland’s. Harrison leads Ohio State’s wideouts, who are much more skilled. Last season, McCarthy’s big throw plays harmed the Buckeyes.
Even if he isn’t frequently required to throw deep balls, he needs to step up when it counts since in the last two games, he has only completed two passes that were longer than 19 yards. McCarthy said of Ohio State, “They definitely keep a lot more in front of them.” “They try to make you earn it, each and every drive.”
The stakes: Even with a road loss to the Yellow Jackets, two-time defending national champion Georgia might make the College Football Playoffs if it wins over Alabama in the SEC title game. However, why take a chance? Georgia is trying to make history by being the first FBS team to win three national championships in a row since Minnesota did so from 1934 to 1936.
The Bulldogs are also attempting to make history by being the first FBS club to win their first two seasons without a loss since Nebraska in 1994–95. Georgia Tech will advance in the ACC’s postseason standings, end the regular season with a winning record, and maintain momentum under first-year coach Brent Key if they upset the Bulldogs.
Georgia wins if: The Bulldogs should continue their recent dominance of the Yellow Jackets they’ve won 18 of the past 21 games in thve victories against Tech, winning by an average of 33.6 points. Georgia’s defense has been better at forcing turnovers lately, and Tech is prone to turning the ball over. The Yellow Jackets had 12 miscues in their five losses, while forcing only three.