The cupcakes are gone and everyone is happy and fat for the regular Big Ten season. Well, not everyone. The Wolverines are 1-2 the Buckeyes are 2-1 but still hurting from the trip to L.A..
So it's time to see who the real Big Ten teams are as conference play begins. There are some interesting match-ups in week one. Including Purdue vs (Big Ten want-to-be or should be) Notre Dame.
Let's get to the games:
Minnesota at #14 OSU: The golden gophers are 4-0, yes the Gophers are 4-0 and not the Buckeyes. Which seems to be a surprise but really it isn't. Minnesota's toughest non-conference game was also in the state of Ohio against a pretty good Bowling Green team. (I will be driving by BGSU on Friday does anyone want a T-shirt or a starbucks?) Well, OSU isn't BGSU and "little Beanie" seems to back for this game. So expect a lot of this from the radio announcer: "Pryor hands off to Beanie, Beanie scrambles for 7 yards". This game should be re-named the Glen Mason Bowl (OSU want is wrong with you? He should be your head coach right now!) Is Minnesota for real this year? Vegas doesn't think so and is making OSU an 18 favorite. Still, TP is 3 throws away from an upset. Minn 14 OSU 28 (is it me or does the Big Ten Network have OSU on just about every week? - Glen Mason and the BTN that is, another Glen tie in!)
Northwestern at Iowa: As I have been saying in this blog, I think the Northwestern program will make strides this year at becoming a solid football program. I think Iowa is heading in the other direction with all their off the field problems. Coach Ferentz was cleared of any wrong doing in one of those crimes this past week. These are two teams with similar skill levels so the advantage has to go to the home team. Vegas likes Iowa at home as an 8.5 favorite. I tend to think this game will be low scoring and close. NW 10 Iowa 14
Michigan State and Indiana: MSU is coming off a big win against another Indiana team from South Bend, IU just got beat by another Indiana team Ball State. Lot's of football in Indiana! MSU is the better team but sometimes doesn't show up for road games. Ringer will run wild against the IU defense. I expect him to have a 200 yard day. MSU 24 IU 9 (IU is getting 8.5 at home)
Purdue at ND: Did I mention something about football in Indiana? Here it is again. It must be some type of rule you have to play at least 2 teams from this state every season. ND had a nice win over Michigan, then got beat by MSU. Purdue had a tough loss to Oregon and then followed it up with a win over new rival Central Michigan at home. Purdue gets to play ND, PSU, and OSU in a row. How Fun! If Purdue doesn't go "Michigan" and turn the ball over a 100 times, they should win this game. Purdue 31 ND 21 (Purdue is a 3 pt favorite)
Big Ten Game of the Week:
#22 Illinois at #12 Penn State: Who is for real in this one? Penn State has played St. Judy for the Blind in all their non-conference games and Illinois has played a tough Mizzu team. Penn State as a lot of momentum going in to this game and it's ABC Saturday Night game of the week, so expect some type of "White Out" for this one. Illinois hasn't impressed me and feel they are way over rated. Penn State has been impressive against terrible opponents. Vegas has PSU a two touchdown favorite and I agree with them. Zook's 13 JoPa's 28
The Michigan - Wisconsin game preview will be on this same bat station on Friday.
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