With just a couple of weeks left in the regular season, teams around the country are making a final push to improve their standings not only in their conferences but for overall rankings. The push for the top four should be especially interesting as a few key matchups could have major implications for the College Football Playoffs.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the key stories and matchups for the week.
Ohio State and Michigan State Meet In Pivotal Matchup
In what should be a great weekend of football, one of the most important matchups of the weekend will pit No. 7 Michigan State (9-1) against the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes (9-1).
First, this matchup could decide the Big Ten East. Currently, the Buckeyes are 7-0 in the conference, but the Spartans are right behind them at 6-1. A win by Michigan State could propel them to the top spot in the conference.
Furthermore, there could be big ramifications for the College Football Playoffs if Ohio State loses. While the Buckeyes currently have the second-best odds of winning it all this season (+350), a loss here could spell the end of their National Championship hopes.
Heading into the weekend, the Buckeyes are the overwhelming favorites to win this matchup at -1400, while the Spartans’ moneyline sits at +760.
There are also major Heisman Trophy implications with this game as well. Currently, the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy is Buckeyes’ quarterback C.J. Stroud (+150). This season, he has thrown for 3,036 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just five interceptions.
He isn’t the only one in this game with a legitimate chance, though. Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III has had a phenomenal season and currently has the third-best odds of winning the prestigious award at +450.
On the year, Walker has rushed 227 times for 1,473 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and 17 touchdowns. He also has 12 receptions for 85 yards and another score.
Regardless, this week’s matchup is shaping up to be a lot of fun this weekend.
Michigan State Looks To Extend Coach
In other Spartans’ news, the university is looking to extend head coach Mel Tucker. In fact, according to the Detroit Free Press, they are looking to sign Tucker to a 10-year deal that could be worth just under $100 million.
If the extension becomes a reality, it would make Tucker the third-highest paid coach from an annual salary perspective.
Texas Loses Running Back
At 4-6 overall and 2-5 in the Big 12, it has been a miserable season for the Texas Longhorns. This week, they got even more bad news.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian disclosed earlier in the week that running back Bijan Robinson is out for the rest of the season with a dislocated elbow.
Prior to the injury, Robinson had rushed 195 times for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also had 26 receptions for 295 yards and another four scores.
With Robinson out, the next best option has been Roschon Johnson (50 carries, 313 yards, three touchdowns).
Despite the rough season, Texas’ athletic director Chris Del Conte seemingly threw his support behind coach Sarkisian. While he is in just his first year in Texas, most didn’t expect things would be this bad for Texas this year.
Still, it appears for the time being that Sarkisian will be back next year.
Fuente and Virginia Tech Part Ways
While Sarkisian might be returning to Texas, the same can’t be said for Justin Fuente and Virginia Tech.
On Tuesday, it was announced that the two sides had “mutually agreed” to separate. With a 43-31 record over six seasons, the school apparently felt it was in their best interest to move on from the coach.
This season, Virginia Tech is 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the ACC. That is good enough for fourth in the ACC Coastal.
