Big Ten Picks Week 3

Picking most of the Big Ten's non-conference schedule is similar to shooting fish in a barrel. This week is no exception but there are a couple of high profile games, maybe you have heard of them? Yes, it's Minnesota vs Montana State and Illinois vs Louisiana-Lafayette.

Ok, funny guy get to your picks.........

Montana State at Minn: Another Big Ten Network classic! Maybe these games should be kept off TV? Minnesota is 2-0 coming off a nice road win just south of Toledo at Bowling Green. I have no idea what Montana State has done this year. Minnesota 34 MS 10

Florida Atlantic at MSU: This is my upset special of the week. FAU is 1-1 with a blowout loss thanks to Texas but a win at home last week to UAB. This is a trap game for MSU with ND coming to East Lansing next week. The Spartans need to very careful of FAU offense lead by QB Rusty Smith. FAU is getting 16.5 points. Look for a ton of scoring in this one. FAU 32 MSU 28

Louisiana-Lafayette at Illinois: I am not sold on Illinois defense at all. But they will play well enough to get a win in this one even though they will give up a couple of TD's. Juice 44 -LLSU 17

Southern Illionis vs Northwestern: Another inter-state rivalry where friends and even family members don't speak to each other the week of the game. Ok, maybe not. Northwestern has been quietly playing some decent football this year. I think they get this one at home.

NW 21 SIU 14

Penn State at Syracuse: JoPa vs Syracuse. Which long standing American football tradition will call it quits first? Will JoPa leave coaching or will Syracuse give up football and focus on basketball? Those are the real questions, because this game won't be competitive at all. Syracuse's program has fallen of the face of the earth and JoPa is still running down the side lines in his little rascal. PSU 55 Syracuse 0 (maybe they will both meet in the middle of the field at half time and walk off together hand in hand, JoPA and the Big Orange Mascot)

Iowa State at Iowa: Here is the first real inter-state rivalry we have had this year. This game pits two teams that used to be pretty good, but now are just mediocre. Which doesn't matter when you are talking about this rivalry which many fans rank as the best non-conference rivalry in the Big Ten. Iowa is giving 12.5 points at home in this one, but I expect it to be closer. Iowa 17 ISU 14

Now to the Big Games..............................

Oregon at Purdue: Purdue is getting 8 points at home but Oregon is by the far the better team. Purdue is Purdon't when it comes to playing against ranked teams. This one won't be competitive after the 1st quarter and it will encourage Joe Tiller to look for his snake oil.

Ducks 31 Snake Oil 13

Wisconsin at Fresno State:

Things I know for sure:

1)Fresno doesn't get too many teams to play them on their home field

2)The Big Ten doesn't travel well to the West Coast

Doesn't sound too good for The Badgers that went down 14-0 to Marshall last weekend before running off 51 straight points. I watched Fresno's first game against Rutgers and it wasn't pretty, I look for Wisconsin to struggle in the first half but to play much better in the second. Wisc 24 Fresno State 20

Game of the year (so far):

OSU vists USC: #1 vs #5: The vest says Beanie will play, but I get all my football advice from Lou Holtz who says that foot injuries always feel like they will be better the next day, but after 6 weeks the guy still can't play. I think Beanie will get some snaps but then the big question is, "Who is better? Beanie at 70% or the other OSU backs at 100%?" I can't answer that, but I do know you better be on your game against the Trojans.

With the showing against Ohio U last week, most folks are going to say that OSU will get run out of Compton. They also said the same thing against Miami of Florida in a BCS title game 5 years back. So what's going to happen? I think OSU will surprise us early, but Boekman gets in trouble when he is pressured and USC will put on ton of heat on him that will force him to make some bad reads and throw a couple of picks. OSU can't turn the ball over and think they will win. The key to this game is OSU weak offensive line vs USC pressure rush. That equals a long day for the Bucks. Pryor won't be a factor in this one. USC 28 OSU 10

*side note if OSU is not competitive in this game and only loses to USC all year, they will not get invited back to the BCS Championship game for the third straight year. If they lose a close one, they could get an invite.