Buckeye - Bulldog rematch coming up?

A lot has happened since the Buckeyes won in Ann Arbor.

The Indiana Hoosiers won the B1G for the first time since 1967 and are facing off against Alabama in Pasadena.

It was a crazy night in Indianapolis, as the very pro-Indiana crowd fueled the Hoosiers to victory over Ohio State for the first time since 1988.  

Sure I was furious at Ryan Day's late game decision making, not having a kicker, and the offensive line playing their worst game of the season, but I walked out of the building feeling more happy for the Indiana program than upset about the Buckeyes losing.  Maybe it's because the Buckeyes finally beat Michigan the week before or the fact that the game doesn't have any bearing on the national title chances.

I have not experienced fans that happy since maybe the Ohio State - Alabama Sugar Bowl.  We're so spoiled as Buckeye fans that it takes program-altering games to experience that much joy.  I saw many grown men sobbing and lots of close embraces.  Until this recent two year peak, Indiana was the losingest team in college football history. 

Michigan has fired a coach, the coach has been arrested, and they hired a 66-year old who had been at Utah for 30 years!  Making fun of Sherrone Moore ended up getting a little sad after a couple days, as he was stalking a former lover and threatening to kill himself with a butter knife.  After a laughable coaching search, they ended up hiring Utah legend Kyle Whittingham.  Unfortunately, he's not a "Michigan Man" and is exactly what they need to clean up the mess up north.  

Though, he did lie in his opening presser when he said that he remembered watchin the OSU-Michigan game when he was seven.  This issue there is that he was born November 21st, 1959 and in 1966 the game was on November 19th, so he was only six, and the 1967 game was on November 25th, so he was eight, thus there was never and OSU-Michigan game when he was seven.

We're on to the playoff quarterfinals.  Ohio State faces Miami in the Cotton Bowl.  Arlington is becoming a second home for the Buckeyes as it's their third Cotton Bowl in a row.  The Hurricanes struggled against Texas A&M, winning 10-3 in a clunker of a game.  Both teams moved the ball, but faltered near the endzones, with multiple missed kicks and turnovers.  

Oregon and Texas Tech square off in the Orange Bowl on New Year's Day.  This game is truly a toss up as two good defenses will battle it out.

Indiana can continue their magical season by beating Alabama in the Rose Bowl.  The weather forecast doesn't look great, as rain is expected much of the day.  Will is still be the "best day ever"?

Georgia faces off against a Lane Kiffin-less Ole Miss team in the Sugar Bowl.  Look for the Bulldogs to roll on to Arizona.

Go Bucks and Happy New Year from the DFW!

 

2025 B1G Power Rankings - Week 14

The Buckeyes finally got it done in Ann Arbor as they overcame a shaky start to smother Michigan.  The game was sealed on the 11:56 drive that started in the 3rd quarter and didn't end until 8 minutes left in the 4th.  The 20 play drive cemented a dominant win for the Buckeyes as they ran the ball 16 times, leading to the game sealing field goal.  

Now all eyes turn to Indianapolis as the #1 Buckeyes face #2 Indiana.  This will be the first time in the 15 years of the B1G championship that two undefeated teams will square off.  Some will say it doesn't matter, and in a national championship perspective it probably doesn't, but it's going to be an awesome matchup of the top two teams in the country.  The winner will be the clear #1 and head to Pasadena.  The loser should drop no further than #3 and may even stay at #2, setting up a possible rematch for the national title in Miami.  

Now for the power rankings:

1. Ohio State (12-0) -  The Bucks vanquished the enemy to finish the season 12-0 with Indiana on deck this weekend.

2. Indiana (12-0) - The Hoosiers had no trouble with Purdue and are excited to make their first trip to the B1G title game.

3. Oregon (11-1) - The Ducks beat Washington to finish the season with the lone loss to Indiana.  They get the weekend off to rest up for the playoff.  Their assured of a home game against an overmatched auto qualifier at worst and may even end up with a bye.  

4. USC (9-3) - The Trojans beat UCLA to end the season.  They had respectable losses to Notre Dame and Oregon, but an early season loss at Illinois cost them a potential playoff spot.

5. Michigan (9-3) - The Wolverines were brought back to reality after a Buckeye thumping.  The record probably ends up looking better than they were.  The quarterback was inconsistent all season and downright horrible in The Game.  They're young and should be better in 2026.

6. Iowa (8-4) - The Hawkeyes had no issues with a beat up Nebraska team as they finished the season strong.  They lost to the four best teams they played in Iowa State, Indiana, Oregon, and USC.  They'll get a chance to square off with an SEC in a Florida Bowl.

7. Washington (8-4) - The Huskies fell to Oregon.  They lost to the three best teams they played and an embarrassing loss to Wisconsin.  It was an improvement on 2024, but still disappointing in that they weren't really competitive in their three big losses.  They'll look to improve in 2026.  

8. Illinois (8-4) - It was a disappointing season for Illinois as they were beaten handily in their four losses, including a late season loss to Wisconsin.  

9. Minnesota (7-5) - The Gophers beat Wisconsin to end the season on a high note.  

10. Nebraska (7-5) - The depleted Huskers lost to Iowa to end another season with a whimper.  After starting the season 5-1, they lost 5 of 7.  Will Dylan Raiola be back in 2026?  

11. Northwestern (6-6) - The Wildcats fell to Illinois in the final game.  They certainly overachieved as six wins is great as they open new Ryan Field next season.

12. Penn State (6-6) - The Lions beat Rutgers to become bowl eligible.  It was a disappointing season on all accounts as they lost six in a row in the middle of the season, which included firing James Franklin after their third loss.  At this point in December they are still with out a coach and signed two recruits on NSD.  They seem destined for the bottom of the league for years to come.

13. Rutgers (5-7) - The Scarlet Knights fell to Penn State and miss out on a bowl game.  They started the season 3-0, before only winning two conference games, over hapless Purdue and Maryland.  Look for more of the same in 2026.

14. Wisconsin (4-8) - Things were looking pretty bleak for the Badgers until late season wins over Washington and Illinois.  They are bringing back Luke Fickell in 2026 and things maybe look a little better as the schedule isn't as brutal.

15. UCLA (3-9) - The Bruins went on a mid season surge, winning three in a row, before losing their last five games.  They are set to hire JMU coach Bob Chesney as they look forward to 2026.

16. Michigan State (4-8) -  The Spartans beat Maryland in the final week for their first conference win, but still fired head coach Jonathan Smith.  They made the hire of the cycle as former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald is coming to East Lansing.

17. Maryland (4-8) -  The Terrapins started 4-0, only to lose their last eight games.  It was a brutal season and head coach Mike Locksley is expected to return in 2026.

18. Purdue (2-10) - The Boilermakers were blasted by Indiana and finished with their second straight 0-9 B1G season, managing one more non-conference win this year.  Barry Odom