Before the season, the Odyssey circled October 8 as a marquee day in college football. After the off-season, NIL “War of Words” between Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher, who could not salivate over Texas A&M’s visit to Tuscaloosa? The only salivation is coming from the Alabama defense at the prospect of entertaining a hapless A&M offense.
In Fisher’s 5th year at AM, Jimbo was looking to topple the GOAT, Nick Saban, for the 2nd straight year. A&M’s recruiting machine hit a new height this year as their incoming class was lauded as the best ever. Was the GOAT going to get a message from the Aggies that his best days were in the rear view mirror?
As if A&M needed more momentum, Alabama’s Heisman winner, Bryce Young, has a shoulder issue which makes him doubtful. If you had been told 6 weeks ago that Young was a likely no-go this Saturday, you could not fathom that A&M would be a 24-point dog. Beset by major issues at both the offensive line and at QB, nobody thinks the Aggies have a prayer against a potentially vengeful Saban.
The second marquee game rated to be Ohio State at Michigan State. OOPS! The Buckeyes have more than lived up to their end of the bargain. No Jackson Smith-Njigba? No TreVeyan Henderson? No Problem!! Henderson is expected to reemerge in East Lansing but does it really matter when his backup, Miyan Williams, goes off for 5 touchdowns last Saturday and is averaging 7.8 yards per carry? OSU’s soft defense of recent years appears to have been repaired by new DC Jim Knowles. All systems GO for a national championship.
To say that Michigan State has not lived up to their end of the bargain is as big an understatement as saying that the Auburn donors are not entirely happy with Bryan Harsin. The 2-3 Spartans looked dreadful against Washington and Minnesota. Last Saturday’s loss at Maryland showed slight improvement but hardly satisfying given the $95 million dollars that was bequeathed to Mel Tucker. With inflation, we observe that $95 million does not seem to buy nearly what it used to. The Buckeyes are a 26-point favorite to administer the 4th straight defeat to Sparty. The Odyssey will be in attendance and fully expect to see MSU’s pass defense torched again. We will be surprised if the Buckeyes do not get to 50. MSU’s shocking 11-2 record last year makes one reflect as to just how valuable Kenneth Walker III was.
Last, it is hard to tarnish the fantastic Red River Rivalry at the Texas State Fair. However, Oklahoma and Texas are certainly trying. Is Brett Venables really a defensive coach? After Kansas State and TCU torched the Sooners for 96 points and 1,100+ yards the past two Saturdays, one has to wonder. Texas has had quite a pulse but still sports two heartbreaking losses. How many times do these two powers come into this game with 4 combined losses? The Odyssey guesses almost never.
Is all lost for Saturday? HARDLY!! Gameday makes its maiden voyage to Lawrence, Kansas for a matchup of highly improbable unbeatens as TCU visits. Who is not in love with the Cinderella story of KU?