In Week Nine, collegefootballfan.com travels to State College, PA to see No. 2 Ohio State (7-0, 4-0) play the No. 13 Nittany Lions (6-1, 3-1). As much as we hope to see a competitive game, we think we would have to go with OSU giving the points. Having seen The Lions unprepared for Michigan, we see this as a James Franklin shortcoming. We believe he relies too much on the talent of the players he recruits. He doesn’t react or adapt during games to the schemes or strategies of his opponent. When it comes to playing other teams with strong recruiting capabilities, it comes down to coaching on the field to win.
Week nine frying pans become hotter seats
Entering Week Nine, we see significant challenges ahead for coaches on several programs we will see to continue with the current schools they coach. This Saturday, Scott Satterfield of Louisville (4-3) starts the first of five games against teams with a combined record of 29-7. No. 13 Wake Forest (6-1) with QB Sam Hartman comes to town. The following week, we will see the Cardinals host the Dukes of James Madison (5-2). Again, we will see Satterfield’s squad the next week when we head to No. 5 Clemson (7-0) for our first game there ever. NC State (5-2) calls on the Cards next looking to challenge for a top ACC spot. LU goes back on the road to finish with No. 19 Kentucky (5-2). Tough slate ahead for Satterfield.
Texas State (3-5) HC Jake Spavital needs some wins to build on his 12-32 career record in San Marcos. He probably needs a winning season to show things are turning around. His four games remaining include ULM (2-5), South Alabama (5-2), Arkansas State (2-5), and Louisiana (4-3) who we will see the Bobcats play on November 26. Some challenges ahead, but he’ll have to have his team prepped every week.
Even a favorite of ours
Navy HC Ken Niumatalolo’s Navy team (2-5) looks like it’s on a losing course. Temple (2-5) shows up at Navy’s Homecoming this Saturday which can help start to right that direction. The rest of the road ahead, however, goes through No. 20 Cincinnati, Notre Dame (4-3) in Baltimore, Central Florida (5-2), and the Mids’ key game in Philly against archrival Army (3-4) on December 10 which we will attend for the 13th year in a row. A loss to Army with any other loss(es) could seal the end of the great Head Coach’s 15-year career in Annapolis.
Of course, almost every week, Bruce Harsin rumors begin that he’s out at Auburn (3-4). Games with Arkansas (4-3), at Mississippi State (5-2), vs. A&M (3-4), vs. Western Kentucky (4-3), and at No. 6 Alabama loom ahead. Even an upset win over archrival Bama probably can’t save him at Auburn for the long -term. It might be a fond farewell if that happened, however.
Keep an eye out here
Believe it or not, despite a long-term contract, James Franklin at Penn State needs to start winning games against the better teams in the Big Ten and probably needs a bowl win to his long-term in Happy Valley. After No. 2 OSU, the Lions face Indiana, Maryland, Rutgers, and Michigan State. If they falter in any combo of the last four and don’t challenge the Buckeyes, his status will remain under a microscope heading into next season and beyond.
Week Eight and Week Nine: Teams in the Top 25 on our 2022 slate
No. 1 Georgia comes off its bye week to play their big rival, the Florida Gators (4-3) this week in Jacksonville. Talk going on ending the neutral site and going to a home and home rivalry. No.2 Ohio State walloped disappointing Iowa, 54-10, before coming to State College to meet No. 13 Penn State, winners over Minnesota, 45-17. No. 5 Clemson won a tough tilt with No. 16 Syracuse who led most of the game, 27-24. The Tigers are off in Week Nine before visiting Notre Dame (4-3). Bama (No. 6) defeated Mississippi State, 30-6, to knock them out of the Top 25. The Demon Deacons of WFU, ranked at No. 11, blasted Boston College at home, 43-15. No. 19 Kentucky and QB Will Levin had a week to heal before playing No. 3 Tennessee in Lexington. No. 25 South Carolina (5-2) hosts Missouri (3-4) in an SEC East clash.
Other Week Eight and Week Nine games amongst our schedule
Troy extended a five-game winning streak by defeating South Alabama, 10-6. Western Kentucky (4-3, 3-1) knocked off UAB, 20-17, at home to move up to second place in Conference USA. Army (3-4) mashed ULM, 48-24, while we watched Navy (2-5) fall to Houston (4-3) in Annapolis, 38-20. USNA has won 42 games we’ve attended now and lost 40. We will attend our 18th Army-Navy game on December 10. Ohio U, (5-3) defeated Norther Illinois 24-17 while Ball State (4-4) fell to Eastern Michigan, 20-16. We will attend the Ohio U at Ball State game on Tuesday, November 15. Long johns needed? UTSA (6-2, 4-0) defeated North Texas (4-4, 3-1) to maintain first place in C-USA while the Mean Green are now tied with WKU for second. James Madison (5-2) lost for the second week in a row, this time to Marshall 26-12.
Wisconsin (4-4) won their second game under new HC John Leonhard defeating Purdue (5-3), 35-24. Vandy (3-5, 0-4) maintained its doormat position in the SEC East falling to Mizzou, 17-14. Southern Miss beat Texas State, 20-14. Louisville surprised Pitt, 24-10, and Utah State (3-5) lost to Wyoming, 28-14.
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Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: from the fan who’s seen ‘em all! Please link on the Title or picture of our cover on the top right sidebar on this or any other page you may peruse to buy your copy and submit a review. Thanks!
