Week 6: Big Ten Match Up and Picks

Wow, what a week 5. Michigan had the biggest 2nd half of their season along with their biggest win of the season. OSU took care of business in the Glen Mason Bowl, PSU "Protected Happy Valley", and Northwestern finds itself in first place.

So what should we expect this week? Lot's of changes, with just 5 games on the schedule.

#6 Penn State at Purdue: Purdue is on the same track they always are. They look good for about five minutes and fall apart against better teams. I didn't watch the ND game, but I expected more from the Boilermakers. This game should be a challenge for Penn State, but it won't, Purdue under Tiller just doesn't play well against ranked teams no mater where the game is played. Purdue is getting +13 points at home. Penn State 31 Purdue 14

Iowa at Michigan State: Someone Ring the Bell, because MSU loves to run Javon Ringer all day. I expect him to have 30-40 carries in this game and beat the Hawkeyes single handily. Iowa just can't match-up with MSU, who I believe lost in Iowa City last year. So MSU has the revenge and the talent edge in this one. Vegas has MSU as an 8 point favorite. It won't be that close: MSU 21 Iowa 7

Indiana at Minnesota: This is a tale of two teams. Both very similar, both hoping to be better down the road in the Big Ten. Talent level is a push, Schedule favors the Golden Gophers (IU lost to a good Ball State Team and MSU, Minnesota lost to OSU). I think Minnesota is the better team and Vegas agrees making them a 7.5 favorite at home. Minn 20 IU 17

Big Ten Game of the Week: 8:00 Kickoff on ABC

#14 OSU at #18 Wisconsin: ESPN Gameday was on it's way to Madision but Wisconsin lost to Michigan. So they will end up at Vandy. Yes, Vandy got GameDay over Wisconsin! Yikes, not a good sign for the Big Ten. Weather looks clear but cold with the low around 45 on Saturday. OSU is 0-1 in Prime Time games this year, but this is the Big Ten where they dominate. Wisconsin is still patching its wounds from their Big House loss by sticking up for their conditioning by saying they weren't tired in the 4th quarter. OSU hasn't traveled to Wisconsin since 2003 ( a 17-10 loss) and Bret Bielema hasn't lost a home game in Camp Randell yet.

So do you want to play a game against a team coming off a win or off a devastating loss? A national TV game like this is excatley what Wisconsin needs, they know if they don't win this game (they have PSU at home next weekend), they will be out of the BCS and Rose Bowl hunt. I think the biggest question in this game will be: will anyone throw the ball? Beanie and TP vs Hill. I'm pretty sure you don't want to throw a "Nut" at an injured "Badger" in his own hole. Wisconsin 27 OSU 23 (OSU is getting +2.5 on the road)

Coming on Friday: Illinois at Michigan Preview.