4 Games to Watch That Aren’t Penn State, but Could Help Them Get to the Rose Bowl

(#1)Ohio State at (#13)Michigan
Noon, FOX

I get it, you hate both teams. However, as a college football fan this game is required viewing. The Buckeyes are #1 for being the most well-rounded team in the nation thus far, and are loaded with talent. In any given year, Chase Young, J.K. Dobbins and Justin Fields are all high on the Heisman list. Michigan has been playing at a high level ever since falling behind 21-0 at Penn State. They will leave it all on the field in the hopes of finally getting past the Buckeyes. As much as I hate to say this, cheer for the guys in scarlet and gray to win going away. Two blowout victories by the Buckeyes would go a long ways towards the Nittany Lions heading to Pasadena.
Prediction: Ohio State-34, Michigan-26

(#12)Wisconsin at (#8)Minnesota
3:30 p.m., ABC

Unfortunately, this is on at the same time as Penn State-Rutgers, but worth keeping an eye on. This will determine the Big Ten West Division champ that goes on to play the Buckeyes in Indianapolis next week. The best-case scenario for Penn State is two uneventful games, with Wisconsin besting the Gophers by a wide margin, before then losing big to Ohio State. Minnesota would have the same record as Penn State, but would more than likely fall back based on their overall resume. Wisconsin could jump the Nittany Lions for a week, but then fall behind them with its third loss of the season next week.
Prediction: Wisconsin-31, Minnesota-27

Florida State at (#11)Florida
7:30 p.m., SEC Network

Remember when this used to be the game of the regular season, and the hottest rivalry in college football? Those days may be long gone, but Penn State could benefit by the Seminoles getting back to their old ways to make things interesting. The Gators are right on the heels of the Nittany Lions, and need a huge margin of victory to jump ahead. As unnatural as it may seem, cheer for the ‘Noles to get an upset or at least make things interesting to keep the Gators at bay.
Prediction:
Florida-27, Florida State-16

(#7)Oklahoma at (#21)Oklahoma State
8 p.m., FOX

For sheer entertainment value, this might be the best bet of the weekend. Expect a barnburner any time the teams meet, and things could get very interesting as these two are fairly evenly-matched this season. If you weren’t already, cheer for Mike Gundy and the Cowboys to pull off the upset at home so Penn State can move up a spot in the next rankings.
Prediction: Oklahoma State-48, Oklahoma-45