Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) runs back to the line of scrimmage for a two point conversion attempt after scoring a touchdown during the NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 31, 2026. Ohio State lost 30-18. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co Brett Ludwiczak · SB Nation Thu, November 5, 2026 at 6:31 PM UTC · 9 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week ATS: 6-11 (4-4 National, 2-7 B1G) Season ATS: 87-82 (35-35 National, 52-47 B1G) Last week my performance was a lot like Ohio State's. Uninspired, confusing, frustrating, and anything else you felt while watching the Buckeyes lose to USC.
The last few weeks have been rough, as all of the gains we made earlier in the season pretty much erased.
This week is a great week to get back on track. Not only are we in a new month, there are a ton of great games on the schedule this Saturday. Hopefully we can kick off November strong and pile up the wins all month long!
No. 9 BYU v. No. 3 Utah (-4.5) – 12:00 p.m. ET – ABC
At first I thought such a high-profile game being played at noon was going to be a FOX broadcast.
Not exactly sure why a game of this magnitude is being played at 10 a.m. in Salt Lake City but I guess they had to put it somewhere on a Saturday that is loaded with great games. Maybe ABC/ESPN is trying to punish Utah after they were apparently mean to Pat McAfee a couple weeks ago.
Last week looked like a prime letdown spot for Utah after beating Houston. The Utes had no problem with Cincinnati, beating the Bearcats 49-25. Utah was incredibly balanced last week, throwing for 266 yards and rushing for 268 yards in the blowout.
If the Utes can replicate that performance each week, in combination with a tough defense, they'll be a hard out in the College Football Playoff.
I'm wondering if BYU might have already peaked this season. The high point was obviously the win over Notre Dame in Provo, but since then the Cougars have lost in overtime at UCF, followed by an unimpressive win over Arizona State.
While BYU is a good team, I don't think they are quite at the level of Utah.
No. 2 Georgia (-3.5) v. No. 10 Ole Miss – 7:30 p.m. ET – ABC
Georgia will have revenge on their minds when they travel to Oxford on Saturday night.
Ole Miss ended the Bulldogs' season last year, beating them in the Sugar Bowl in the CFP. Kirby Smart's team enters this game coming off a dominant performance against Florida, only allowing the Gators to score eight points.
After getting after Florida's backup quarterback last week, the Bulldogs will have a tougher task on Saturday night, as they'll have to try and slow down Trinidad Chambliss.
The Rebels had no problem last week with Auburn, beating the Tigers by 30 points. Even without running back Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss still ran for 224 yards. This week will be a lot tougher sledding for the Rebels since they'll be trying to solve a tough Georgia defense.
If the running game can't get going it will put even more pressure on Chambliss, who will be trying to replicate his magic from the Sugar Bowl.
Obviously Georgia is one of the best teams in the country, I'm just not convinced they are a true title contender. Gunner Stockton was pretty pedestrian last week against the Gators, and I'm wondering if the Bulldogs have enough firepower to keep up with Ole Miss if this ends up being a higher scoring game.
I'll ride with the Rebels to spring an upset and add to the chaos in college football this year.
No. 1 Miami (FL) v. No. 11 Notre Dame (-5.5) – 7:30 p.m. ET – NBC
There have been a lot of questions about how good Miami is since they have played nobody so far this season, but do we really know how good Notre Dame is?
The best win of the season for the Fighting Irish came in the opener against Wisconsin. The one time Notre Dame played a team with a pulse, they lost on the road at BYU. A second loss this season would all but end the playoff hopes for Marcus Freeman's team.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA OCTOBER 17: Darian Mensah #10 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates with fans after teammate Malachi Toney scores a touchdown against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium on October 17, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Pimentel/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images Miami has had some close calls over the last few weeks, but that could work in their favor in this one. Even though their opponents haven't been very good, the Hurricanes at least have had some experience playing in tight games.
If Darian Mensah wants to win the Heisman Trophy this year, Saturday night is the perfect time for him to stake his claim to the award, as a win on the road in South Bend under the lights would be huge.
I like the points in this one since I think Miami is the better team. Malachi Toney is going to end up being the difference since he is absolutely electric when he has the football in his hands.
Even if Notre Dame ends up winning here, I'm not convinced they do it by at least six points.
No. 8 UCLA (-5.5) v. Minnesota – 12:00 p.m. ET – FOX
UCLA is now just four wins away from an undefeated regular season in Bob Chesney's first season as head coach. Despite the Bruins losing starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava for the season in the Oregon game, they are still the only team in the Big Ten without a loss.
It helps the Bruins haven't had too tough of a schedule, with games against Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Nevada following the win over the Ducks.
BLOOMINGTON, IN - OCTOBER 31: Minnesota Golden Gophers QB Drake Lindsey (5) throws a pass during a college football game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and Indiana Hoosiers on October 31, 2026 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Imagine where Minnesota would be at right now if they had even the slightest bit of consistency. It feels like immediately after the Golden Gophers look like they could be a threat then they end up losing. Last week is a perfect example. Following a win over Iowa, Minnesota has Indiana on the ropes but loses to the Hoosiers in overtime.
I do like this spot for Minnesota. Getting a west coast team for an early kickoff in Minneapolis. The Golden Gophers have a stout defense that I think could cause some problems for UCLA and their running game.
One thing is for sure — if Minnesota wins this week, then it's probably a lock they lose next week to Penn State.
No. 19 Iowa v. Northwestern – 7:30 p.m. ET – FOX
Oh what could have been for Northwestern. The Wildcats held a 20-6 lead on Oregon in Eugene in the first half before letting the Ducks off the hook in the second half.
Had Northwestern won last week then it would have been time to start talking about the Wildcats possibly being a part of the College Football Playoff. The offense actually did their part against Oregon, it was the defense that let them down.
Iowa looked great last week in a 30-0 shutout of Wisconsin. Quarterback Hank Brown was nearly flawless, only missing on four of his passing attempts, finishing with 222 yards and two scores. The Hawkeyes controlled the clock against the Badgers, holding onto the football for 36 minutes in the victory. When Iowa is playing like that then they are nearly impossible to beat.
If Iowa does win the rest of their games in the regular season then they would have a strong case to make the CFP, only losing to Ohio State and Minnesota. The remaining schedule for the Hawkeyes isn't too terribly difficult, so winning out is a definite possibility.
Northwestern could have a rough month of November with the Hawkeyes this week, followed by Ohio State next week.
No. 23 Oregon v. No. 12 Ohio State (-7.5) – 3:30 p.m. ET – CBS
Luke Fahey's first collegiate start didn't go exactly as planned.
There definitely was a lot of anger being thrown around by Buckeye Nation on Saturday night but Fahey wasn't the main target. The true freshman wasn't great but he also wasn't terrible. The bigger issues were with the coaching staff and the defense.
At times it looked like the Ohio State defense had forgotten how to tackle.
Oregon also have had to deal with the loss of their starting quarterback, as Dante Moore is out for the season after suffering a concussion against USC. Former Ohio State commit and Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola has taken over behind center for the Ducks.
Last week Raiola engineered a comeback win against Northwestern, finishing with 336 yards passing and three touchdowns.
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 31: Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Luke Fahey (13) points for a block during a college football game between the Ohio State and the USC Trojans on October 31, 2026, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Ohio State will have to put the ugly performance against USC behind them, since the Ducks do have some weapons on offense that could challenge them. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, Oregon has momentum coming into this week after their win last week, while Ohio State is searching for answers.
Fahey should be more comfortable at quarterback in his second start since it will come at home. No matter what Fahey does, it won't matter if the coaching staff doesn't take a deep look at themselves and how they prepare for the game.
Oregon has gotten the best of Ohio State in the last two regular season meetings. While the Ducks won't win this one, they'll be in the game until the end.
No. 7 Texas (-2.5) v. No. 18 Missouri – 12:00 p.m. ET – ESPN
No. 5 Alabama v. No. 14 LSU (-5.5) – 3:30 p.m. ET – ABC
No. 6 Kentucky v. No. 13 Tennessee (-6.5) – 6:15 p.m. ET – ESPN
West Virginia v. No. 15 Texas Tech (-16.5) – 9:30 p.m. ET – ESPN
Nebraska (-4.5) v. Illinois – Friday 8:00 p.m. ET – FOX
Maryland v. Purdue (-6.5) – 12:30 p.m. ET – BTN
Penn State v. Washington (-1.5) – 3:30 p.m. ET – FS1
Rutgers v. Wisconsin (-17.5) – 4:15 p.m. ET – BTN
Michigan State v. Michigan (-13.5) – 7:30 p.m. ET – Peacock
Source: Sports
0 Comments