NDL Forum

#13 Wisconsin Badgers 2-0 (1-0 B1G) plasma1896
#4 Ohio State Buckeyes 2-0 (0-0 B1G) Talented3
The team that represents the Leaders Division in the Big Ten Championship may very well be decided in the outcome of this game. Neither the Badgers nor the Buckeyes have really been tested this season as their opponents have a combined current record of 0-8. Talented left West Virginia after 8 impressive winning seasons and is already off to a great start in Columbus. Plasma is off to a great start as well in Madison after bouncing around different teams for several seasons.
WHAT TO WATCH The Badger defense is fierce this season, allowing just 10 points so far through two games (although against Rutgers and Purdue). Between forcing 3 turnovers a game and controlling the tempo on offense, the Badgers lead the league in time of possession, holding onto the ball over 70% of the time. RB James White will get the handoff the majority of that time while QB Tanner McEvoy continues to struggle in the passing game. That is in stark contrast to Ohio State's Braxton Miller, who's already thrown for 6 touchdowns and nearly 600 yards this season (as well as completing over 80% of his passes). The Buckeyes will come out with a more balanced offense as HB Carlos Hyde will get just as many rushes as Miller gets passes. At nearly 6 yards per rush, the Badger defense had better keep an eye out for Hyde.
THE UNTOUCHABLE PREDICTION This game has the ability to go either way and be really close. But playing in Columbus, I think Ohio State pulls away sometime in the 3rd quarter and McEvoy throws 2 or 3 picks en route to trying to get his team back in the game.

#11 Southern California Trojans 2-0 (1-0 Pac-12) dealer4014
#20 Arizona State Sun Devils 3-0 (1-0 Pac-12) anderlin83
Just how far can this Arizona State team go? After knocking off a ranked Stanford team in double overtime this week, that is the question the critics are asking. We've seen this sophomore coach find success with Buffalo, going 12-2 last season with a MAC conference title. If the Sun Devils can get past the Trojans, they've got a schedule of opponents who's current combined record is 6-7. And just like the game above, this game could dictate who represents the South in the Pac-12 title game.
WHAT TO WATCH The biggest reason Arizona State has been so successful this season is that they're averaging a whopping 44 points per game which is good for 2nd in the NDL. Their 464 yards per game also ranks 2nd in the league. QB Michael Eubank accounts for the majority of those yards, emerging as a dual-threat quarterback that defenses just aren't prepared for. Eubank has found the endzone 6 times through the air and 3 times on the ground. HB Marion Grice has added 7 more on the ground so the Trojan defense has to be very disciplined covering that option read. USC hasn't quite found a ground game yet as they're averaging only 55 rush yards per game. Expect Max Wittek to throw the ball often as he is completing 75% of his passes. And most of that time, Wittek will be targeting WR Marqise Lee.
THE UNTOUCHABLE PREDICTION I think Trojans are too one-dimensional to keep up with the high-powered offense of the Sun Devils. If Eubank can limit the turnovers, Arizona State takes this game easily.


OTHER TOP 25 MATCHUPS
#22 Ole Miss Rebels 2-2 (1-0 SEC) I_S33M_THAB33T_U
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide 2-0 (0-0 SEC) BFiVL
-- The Rebels have slipped up lately but can they stun the home crowd in Tuscaloosa?

#16 Texas A&M Aggies 1-0 (0-0 SEC) sinacol6
#6 Arkansas Razorbacks 3-0 (0-0 SEC) Twistanutz22
-- Another huge SEC divisional matchup that could have postseason implications.

#17 Texas Longhorns 1-0 (0-0 Big 12) xLiQx
#23 Baylor Bears 3-0 (0-0 Big 12) bearass
-- Bearass hates the Longhorns with a passion so don't let green hide his hatred on the sidelines.

#10 LSU Tigers 2-1 (0-0 SEC) Block M
#8 Georgia Bulldgos 3-0 (1-0 SEC) ChampDizzle
-- LSU dropped one to a struggling Stanford and was demolished by Wake Forest in the Cup but look to shake things up on the road against Georgia.

Sic 'em Bears!

Solid B1G matchup!

Nice write up UT, hope your prediction for our game is wrong!

Nice

So many good matchups between ranked teams.

Great work! I'm really looking forward to our game, sin!