ESPN Staff November 9, 2023, 7:00 a.m. ET12 minutes read
Finebaum: The Big Ten needs to be careful before punishing Michigan
Paul Finebaum explains why the Big Ten needs to exercise caution in handling the allegations against Jim Harbaugh and Michigan.
Week 11 is here and with it a ranked opponent for Michigan. The Wolverines put their perfect season — on the field, anyway — in jeopardy with a loss at Penn State.
The game is also significant for Penn State and coach James Franklin, who is just 3-16 against top-10 opponents. Another season of losses to Michigan and Ohio State will raise bigger questions about Penn State’s direction.
Other important games on Saturday include Ole Miss at Georgia, Miami at Florida State, Utah at Washington and USC at Oregon.
Our writers provide three keys to each of these games and explain how Week 11 can help Heisman candidates develop their cases and quotes from the week.
Week 11: Three keys to key games
JJ McCarthy and Michigan face their biggest test yet Saturday at Penn State.AP Photo/Al Goldis
(Noon ET, Fox)
After another week of off-the-field drama, Michigan will face its biggest test on the field at Penn State, which has won seven straight at home and boasts the nation’s best defense against the run.
Distractions in Michigan: Michigan is still awaiting possible disciplinary action from the Big Ten, which sources say is considering a multi-game suspension for coach Jim Harbaugh. The distractions are there, but Michigan has handled them incredibly well, long before the NCAA investigation. The Wolverines played their first three games without Harbaugh, using the controversy and criticism surrounding their program as a motivating factor.
Penn State’s run defense: For Penn State to beat Michigan, the Lions will have to sustain their elite run defense (just 60.3 yards per game) much better than they did in 2022, when Donovan Edwards and Blake Corum led a Wolverines rushing attack that racked up 418 yards and four touchdowns. Franklin told me that the team’s defensive depth is significantly better and the group can get Chop Robinson and Amin Vanover back from injury.
Michigan’s QB: Penn State’s run defense is a priority, but it also needs to be aware of Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy, who could ignite his Heisman Trophy candidacy with a big performance. Franklin praised McCarthy’s athleticism and his ability to keep Michigan’s offense “on schedule” to prevent “exotic pressure on obvious pass losses.” – Adam Rittenberg
(7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
Georgia has a chance to win the SEC East again if it can defeat the No. 9 Rebels at home. The No. 2 Bulldogs can win the division if No. 14 Missouri beats No. 13 Tennessee earlier in the day. Regardless of what happens in the final game, Georgia wins the SEC East with another win over the Rebels. Georgia has won 10 of the last 11 games in the series; Ole Miss won the last meeting in 2016 in Oxford, Mississippi, 45-14. Of note, the Rebels are traveling to Sanford Stadium for the first time since a 37-10 loss in 2012.
Slow Down the Running Game: The Bulldogs are tied for second in the SEC in run defense with 100 yards per game. But in last week’s 30-21 win over Missouri, Georgia was surprisingly porous, allowing Cody Schrader to rush for 112 yards with a score and 22 carries. Tigers quarterback Brady Cook added another 39 yards on the ground. The Bulldogs will face a similar two-way threat: Rebels tailback Quinshon Judkins, who is fifth in the league with 88.1 yards per game, and quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has 334 rushing yards with seven scores.
Pin the middle: Georgia will likely be without junior linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson, who broke his left forearm against Missouri. The All-American wore a cast and a sling after the game. Georgia coach Kirby Smart said earlier this week that Dumas-Johnson was looking for “innovative ways” to keep playing, but it would be surprising to see him on the field against the Rebels. Sophomores Jalon Walker and Xavian Sorey Jr. and freshman CJ Allen will likely be in the inside linebacker rotation more often in Dumas-Johnson’s absence.
Protect this house: The Rebels will head to Kentucky on Saturday to somehow upset Alabama and stay in the SEC West race. It will be a tall order for them to beat Georgia at home. The Bulldogs set a school record by winning 24 straight home games. They have won 12 straight at Sanford Stadium against teams ranked in the AP Poll. – Mark Schlabach
(3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
The Seminoles’ remaining schedule suggests they will remain undefeated heading into the ACC Championship game. Miami is next.
Miami quarterback: Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal was tight-lipped this week when asked if Tyler Van Dyke would start at Florida State, saying personnel decisions like this stay in-house. The fact that Cristobal raised some doubts is telling, apart from the fact that game spirit is needed before a big rivalry game. Van Dyke has thrown 10 interceptions in his last four games. Since missing the Clemson game with an undisclosed injury, he has struggled even more, with no touchdown passes, five interceptions and QB ratings below 36. Freshman Emory Williams led the Hurricanes to victory over the Tigers and could be with Van Dyke still struggles with injuries to be a better option.
Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson: Florida State coach Mike Norvell also remained tight-lipped about the status of the Seminoles’ top two receivers, both of whom were sidelined with injuries last week against Pitt. The same went for backup players Hykeem Williams and Deuce Spann. Without them, Ja’Khi Douglas added a 100-yard game, but the Seminoles had a difficult time pushing the ball down the field with their receivers. Norvell said: “I see us in a much better situation.”
The trenches: Miami has improved significantly in its offense and defense compared to last year, and the way these matchups turn out could set the tone. The Hurricanes average more yards rushing (176.5 to 164.4 per game) and more yards per rush (5.2 to 5.0) than Florida State. Given the uncertainty surrounding quarterbacks, the Hurricanes could opt to pass the ball to a Florida State defense that has allowed many big plays this season. Of course, Florida State will most likely pressure Miami to hand the game to the quarterback. –Andrea Adelson
(3:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
Utah travels to Seattle needing a win if it wants to keep its hopes of a third straight Pac-12 title alive as the Huskies look to maintain their undefeated record.
Set the tone: As Utah showed against Oregon – when it fell 35-6 – it is not a team built to play from behind. When the Ducks started quickly, the game was all but over. They can get involved and succeed in passing, but if they’re forced to become one-dimensional, it just won’t work. That’s why it’s important for the Utes to either stay close or build an early lead and stay in their comfort zone.
Heisman moment: As we’ll address below, Heisman voters will be watching. If Michael Penix Jr. is Heisman worthy, that means great accomplishments in games like this. All eyes will be on him to see what he can do against this stout Utah defense.
Felony in Utah: Utah’s defense is as reliable as it gets. The offensive? Not as much. This is where the game is won or lost: when Utah has the ball. A 55-3 win over ASU last week showed the potential is there, but trading points with this UW offense at Husky Stadium is a whole different task. –Kyle Bonagura
(10:30 p.m. ET, Fox)
Oregon hosts a struggling USC team that is now without defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, who was fired after Washington’s 52-42 win over the Trojans. Both teams have a lot to offer technically (USC needs to win to have a chance at the Pac-12 title game), but it’s the Ducks who are hoping for a CFP berth.
Keep up with Caleb Williams: While it wasn’t exactly the Heisman-winning season many expected for Williams, he’s still good enough to overcome many of USC’s weaknesses (not to mention leading the country in touchdowns). ). The Ducks defense has to stop Williams when he crawls out of the pocket. As Dan Lanning said this week, no quarterback holds the ball longer than Williams, and limiting him will be the key to victory.
The Bucky Irving Factor: The Ducks running back has been a force this season, running for 821 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging nearly 7 yards per carry. USC’s run defense is now one of the worst in the country, allowing 186 rushing yards per game. And while the Trojans will try to find a spark after Grinch’s shot, Irving could be their worst nightmare.
Fight for survival: USC, which has lost three of its last four games, somehow has no chance of making it to the Pac-12 title game. Despite the game’s location – the always difficult Autzen Stadium – and the fact that the Ducks are the favorites, the Trojans should play with a “nothing to lose” mentality that makes them a dangerous game against a team could have greater ambitions. — Paolo Uggetti
Heisman hopeful spotlight
Jordan Travis throws TD pass to Markeston Douglas
Jordan Travis hits Markeston Douglas for the touchdown, extending Florida State’s lead over Pittsburgh to 17-7.
Jordan Travis, Florida State: The fact that Travis threw for 360 yards in a 24-7 win over Pitt last week without his top two receivers probably didn’t get the attention he deserved. Maybe that’s because everyone expects him to deliver a top-notch performance every time he steps on the field, and that’s most likely part of the problem when it comes to getting more Heisman attention. The same goes for the fact that the Seminoles have playmakers all over the field, and the balance they have on offense has meant he doesn’t put up the same eye-popping numbers as other quarterbacks. But make no mistake, Florida State is nowhere near the CFP discussion without Travis. — Adelson
Jayden Daniels, LSU: Alabama didn’t have much luck stopping Daniels last week until he was ejected from the game early in the fourth quarter when Dallas Turner hit him and received a personal foul penalty. Daniels is listed as a daily participant in the Florida game (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network) after being placed in the concussion protocol. Missing a game probably wouldn’t derail Daniels’ Heisman candidacy, especially considering how well he played against Alabama, but he would need a strong finish to the season. Daniels was one of the more dynamic players in the country. He leads the nation in total offense (3,476 yards) and second in touchdown touchdowns (33). Even in the Tigers’ three losses, Daniels gave it his all. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where he isn’t at least one of the finalists. –Chris Low
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State: The receiver, who is ranked ninth nationally and leads the Big Ten with 914 receiving yards, has been on a roll lately with 100-yard games in four of Ohio State’s last five games. He enters Saturday night’s game against Michigan State (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC) having scored at least one touchdown in five straight games – including two apiece in the last two weeks against Wisconsin and Rutgers. The Spartans’ pass defense ranks 10th in the conference (222.3 YPG) and Harrison retired in this game a year ago in East Lansing (seven receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns). –Blake Baumgartner
Bo Nix, Oregon: It’s a nice comeuppance for Nix that the super-senior will face the reigning Heisman winner in Williams this weekend as his Heisman case gains momentum. Nix has been on top of his game this year, completing at least 70% of his passes in every game so far. He has 25 touchdowns and just two interceptions while on the verge of surpassing the 3,000-yard threshold. In other words, if Nix continues to build on his efficient numbers against Williams this weekend and the Ducks continue to win, his Heisman chances will only improve. — Uggetti
Michael Penix Jr., Washington: Against Utah and the best defense the Huskies will see in the regular season, Penix has a great chance to make a statement. Since the win over Oregon, Penix’s Heisman campaign has mostly stalled – including last week’s 52-point outburst against USC, in which the Huskies rode running back Dillon Johnson (256 yards rushing). Still, Penix leads the nation in passing by a wide margin (3,201 yards in nine games), is third in touchdown passes (26) and, perhaps just as importantly, is on an undefeated team. Some people don’t believe this should be the case, but the reality is that the Heisman Trophy really depends on team success. When there’s no obvious candidate, team success is a deciding factor – so the Huskies have to keep winning. — Bonagura
Quotes of the week
“I am a clean person, but I am not a cleaner. Vacuum cleaners are not my thing. I don’t know anything about that.” – Michigan running back Blake Corum, and denied any knowledge that his name appears on an LLC for a company run by former football employee Connor Stalions. Stallions, who was at the center of sign-stealing allegations in Michigan, was reportedly sued by his homeowners association for running a vacuum cleaner renovation business out of his home.
“I’m so determined, and we’re all so determined, to play great defense here, and whatever it takes to get that done, that’s what we’re going to do.” – USC coach Lincoln Riley about the firing of defensive coordinator Alex Grinch this week following USC’s 52-42 loss to Washington.
“There aren’t many answers as to how to beat these guys in Athens. … They have elite players, an elite staff, and we’re playing them on the road. What’s the hardest thing to do?” That’s it.” – Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffinabout the game against Georgia this week.
“Well, I like whiskey.” – Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundyafter saying he goes home and watches games with a notebook and a Diet Coke when asked about his favorite flavor of Diet Coke.