College football enthusiasts are set for an exciting matchup as Indiana takes on Ohio State in what promises to be a pivotal game for both teams.
The question on everyone’s minds is just how strong these unbeaten Hoosiers truly are, and this Saturday’s game will provide answers.
Back in August, few would have anticipated that Indiana, currently ranked No. 5 in the AP poll and No. 5 in the CFP rankings, would find itself amidst one of the season’s most anticipated showdowns.
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, the team has managed to achieve its first-ever 10-win season and is eager to continue their impressive run.
However, critics point to Indiana’s schedule as one of the weaker ones nationally.
The clash against the second-ranked Buckeyes will be a critical test of their legitimacy as contenders in college football.
Meanwhile, No. 18 Army also faces a significant challenge this week as they go head-to-head with No. 6 Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium.
This matchup marks their first meeting with both teams ranked since 1958.
In a historical context, Army’s last win over Notre Dame occurred when they were coached by College Football Hall of Famer Red Blaik, who led the team to victory in 1958 with a score of 14-2 in South Bend.
Since then, Army has faced a daunting challenge and has lost every single one of their last 15 meetings with the Irish.
In the Big 12, leaders BYU and Colorado face tough matchups against formidable opponents.
The No. 14 Cougars had their undefeated streak snapped last week following a loss to Kansas and will now take on a No. 21 Arizona State team that has found its stride, winning three consecutive games.
The No. 16 Buffaloes will travel to Arrowhead Stadium for a showdown with Kansas, a team that has surprisingly knocked off two ranked opponents in its last outings.
In the ACC, if No. 13 SMU emerges victorious over Virginia, they will secure a spot in the conference championship game.
The SEC also boasts several thrilling games this week, including No. 7 Alabama visiting Oklahoma, No. 9 Mississippi taking on Florida, and No. 15 Texas A&M matching up against Auburn.
Highlighting the weekend is the highly anticipated clash between No. 5 Indiana (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten) and No. 2 Ohio State (9-1, 6-1).
This game, scheduled for noon ET on Saturday, will be aired on Fox, providing a stage for skeptics to assess whether Indiana deserves its elite status.
The Hoosiers will face their first ranked opponent, a game that stands as their last major hurdle before potentially reaching the Big Ten championship game.
If Ohio State wins decisively, it could severely diminish Indiana’s aspirations for the College Football Playoff.
While Indiana is known for its defensive prowess, it’s the offense that often steals the spotlight, with the team averaging an impressive 44 points per game, only falling short of 31 points once this season.
Ohio State’s defense, on the other hand, has been stellar, allowing only two touchdowns in the past four games (excluding a defensive touchdown from a pick-six against Penn State).
The Buckeyes enter the game as 12.5-point favorites according to various bookmakers.
Turning to the Heisman Trophy race, Travis Hunter from Colorado is currently viewed as the frontrunner, and he will have a chance to showcase his talents while competing against Kansas.
In the previous week’s match against Utah, Hunter played a remarkable 132 snaps, recording five catches for 55 yards and a rushing touchdown, making him the first player in the past 24 years, in either the NFL or FBS, to achieve 50 receiving yards, a rushing touchdown, and an interception in the same game.
Key statistics to note include Marquez Cooper, who has managed to rush for 1,000 yards with three different teams: San Diego State this year, Ball State last year, and previously at Kent State in 2021 and 2022.
Oregon State has recorded six sacks this season, a significant drop of 30 from their total in the first ten games of 2023.
Texas has forced a turnover in 18 consecutive games, while Florida State’s point total of 133 marks the lowest for any FBS team through ten games in a non-pandemic season since Akron recorded 106 points in 2019.
Jaxson Dart from Mississippi is closing in on the school’s career passing record, needing just 373 yards to surpass Eli Manning’s 10,119.
The game between Colorado State and Fresno State scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 p.m. ET could fly under the radar, but it’s noteworthy.
Despite minimal attention beyond the Mountain West region, Coach Jay Norvell’s Rams (7-3, 5-0 Mountain West) are aiming to secure their first winning season and bowl bid since 2017.
With aspirations of clinching their first conference championship since 2002, a win against Fresno—along with victory over Utah State—would see them contend for a spot in the Mountain West title game, likely facing Boise State.
If the Rams manage to split their remaining games, they’ll need assistance from UNLV, as they did not face Boise State or UNLV earlier in the regular season.
In the realm of coaching, Neal Brown’s position at West Virginia remains precarious.
After a previous season full of challenges, he ended the year with a solid 9-4 record, though his Mountaineers are currently sitting at 5-5 following a loss to Baylor at home.
With crucial games against UCF at home and Texas Tech away on the horizon, Brown’s future could be greatly impacted.
Despite signing a one-year contract extension that included a $400,000 pay cut, his coaching position remains under scrutiny heading into the season’s conclusion.