PIGSKIN PICK 'EMS

Even though the Cats have a bye week, the Exponents Pig Skin Pick’Ems rolls on. This weekly series offers a dive into some of the biggest games of college football around the country. Follow along as the Exponent ‘experts’ offer our analysis of the upcoming weekend’s slate of games, featuring some of the most storied NCAA football programs alongside the weekly Cats’ game. Don’t be afraid to pull up in the comments and tell us when we drop the ball, we don’t bite.

Record: 

Thomas: 14-7 (2-1)

Meredith: 17-4 (3-0)

Jaxson: 15-6 (2-1)

Liam 5-1 (2-1)

#6 Michigan (7-0) @ #8 Michigan State (7-0)

Saturday, Oct. 30, @ 10 a.m. on FOX

Thomas 

The home stretch of the NCAA football season is fast approaching and Meredith is running away with the Pick ‘Em title. With so much on the line, it’s time for me to start taking risks before I’m left behind for good. Picking Michigan to win an important game makes about as much sense as adopting the raccoon that lives under my porch, but these are the moves I’m forced to make if I am to close the gap. Score: Michigan 24 - Michigan State 23

Meredith 

It’s time for an ultimate matchup, Michigan vs. Michigan State. Both ranked in the top 10 this year, both teams have a good opportunity to be crowned. While Michigan State had outscored Michigan when playing Rutgers, Michigan State looks like a good winner. However, Michigan has seemingly had a tougher schedule. Plus they beat Wisconsin. Michigan 21-17

Jaxson 

So far this season the Michigan Wolverines have flexed their strength on both sides of the ball and are undefeated and a top 10 team entering week nine. That being said, this is the biggest test of the season so far as they travel to East Lansing to take on the Michigan State Spartans. Realistically, this game is a coin toss for me. I see home field advantage being a key factor in this Big 10 heavy weight clash. Spartans win a close one, 28-24.

Liam

​​It is always a good game when the Spartans and the Wolverines battle for Michigan supremacy. In the past six years, both teams have won three times, and last year the Michigan State Spartans only won by three points. Both these teams like to run the ball, and I predict this will be a low-scoring game. Michigan State defeats Michigan 24-21.

#20 Penn State (5-2) @ #5 Ohio State (6-1) on ABC

Saturday Oct. 30 @ 5:30 p.m. 

Thomas

Penn State’s glorious slow-motion-absolute-train-wreck-of-a-trick-play in triple overtime last weekend just about sealed their fate. All they can do now is try to unload some of their own misery on to the Buckeyes. Ohio State looks like the Big 10’s best shot at a national title, and they’ll force their way into the top four after crushing the Nittany Lions by a score of 45-17.

Meredith 

It pains me to say this, but Ohio State is the clear pick here. Penn state had a glorious start to their season, however they’ve slowly but surely fallen. Oops. Ohio state has outscored Penn State significantly and has little to no chance of losing. Be happy Dad and Opa, this is the only time you’ll hear me say anything good about Ohio State. O-H anywhere or anytime. Ohio State 35 - Penn State 24

Jaxson

Ohio State football has been and remains the definition of Big 10 dominance. Every year they make it into the Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State Invitational for a chance to win the natty. I don’t see that changing this week as the Nittany Lions come to town. Sean Clifford may be 100% healthy when he enters the Horse Shoe but he and the Penn State offense will be suffocated by the Buckeye defense. Ohio State wins convincingly, 35-14.

Liam 

Ohio State suffered an early-season loss against Oregon, but recently they have been playing great, leading the country in total offense. This season they average 49 points and almost 560 yards per game. With Penn State's quarterback Sean Cliffords health in question, I believe this will be a blowout game for the Buckeyes. Buckeyes dominate 42-21.

Fresno State (6-2) @ #21 San Diego State (7-0)

Saturday, Oct. 30 @ 8:30 p.m. on CBSSN

Thomas

Ok, fine. You got me. I don’t know anything about either of these teams and I don’t intend to learn. This is going to come down to an old-fashioned March Madness-esque pick based on mascots, vibes, and traumatizing childhood experiences I may or may not have had in each squad’s hometown. Fresno State 35 - San Diego State 14

Meredith 

San Diego remains undefeated. Fresno State has played significantly well despite their two loses. Let me make this clear though, Fresno State has had six interceptions in eight games, and San Diego has had one. If they rely on the passing game it will surely be a San Diego win. San Diego 28 - Fresno State 14

Jaxson 

I love these types of games. Two great football teams coming from an often overlooked conference, the Mountain West. San Diego State has put a pretty impressive resume so far this season, beating two Pac-12 teams in Arizona and Utah. That being said, Fresno State beat UCLA in a week two matchup. But, the Bulldogs have been pretty inconsistent, barely beating a terrible UNLV team and falling to Hawaii. So, with that said, San Diego State is going to come out on top and remain undefeated. Aztecs win the Mountain West showdown, 27-10.

Liam 

San Diego State is having one of their best seasons in a long time. Even though Fresno State has two losses, they are Aztec’s biggest competition right now. Fresno State has the 22nd most scoring offense in the nation, but San Diego has the seventh-ranked defense. This will be an interesting match-up. San Diego State maintains a perfect record, winning 21 – 14.