Week 2 Big Ten Picks

First off, let's recap how I did last week.

10-1 with the only wrong prediction being the Syracuse - Minnesota game that went into overtime. Yea, I know the PSU vs Akron game isn't the hardest game in the world to pick.

Now on to week two where the schedule gets much harder for the Big Ten:

Top Game of the week:

USC at OSU: USC is taking a true freshman QB to C-BUS that looks like he just surfed off the beach and took time out of shooting "Saved By the Bell" to play QB at USC. He has never been in front of 100,000 fans that would rather shower him with beer then beat their beloved buckeyes. What is lost in this national story is that OSU has it's own young QB trying to find his throwing rhythm after a near meltdown against Navy. If OSU was going to beat USC this would be the year. They are playing at home and the true freshman could throw 3-5 picks and the Buckeyes could be in business. Ohio State is getting a touchdown at home. (I wonder when the last time that happened?). The national media is predicting a blow out again. I really see a closer game, with the OSU faithful holding their breath that they don't get embarrassed again by a top 5 team. USC will run the ball and we will see if the OSU offensive line can stop the USC rushers.
USC 31 OSU 27


The rest of the Big Ten:

Central Michigan at MSU: Poor Chips, they have a good team but have to play Arizona and Michigan State back to back. Central will give MSU a run for their money and will test MSU's defense. I think MSU will try to wear out Central's D with a power running game. CMU is getting 14.5 points in East Lansing. I look for this one to be closer then that. MSU 21 CMU 17


Western Michigan at IU: Western lost to Michigan last week and IU comes to the Big House in a couple of weeks. IU beat a directional school last week on Friday night and gets another one at home this Saturday. WMU didn't look very good against the maize and blue last week but did start to find a few things in the second half. Western is getting 1.5 on the road. WMU 24 IU 14


Syracuse at Penn State: Sure Greg Paulus looked decent last week but playing in Happy Valley will be a different story. PSU is much better then Syracuse even though Greg will make a play or two. Syracuse is getting 28.5 points on the road. PSU 40 Syracuse 10


Fresno State at Wisconsin: This is a difficult match up for Wisconsin if the Bulldogs have their offense flowing. The Badgers also had the Flu sweep through the team this week, so hopefully they are getting enough fluids. Fresno is getting 8.5 on the road and I think they can hang with Wisconsin most of the day but fall just short off a upset. Swine Flu 24 Bulldogs 21


Iowa at Iowa State: It seems Iowa is doing it's part for the Iowa economy by playing a bunch of teams in the great state of Iowa. Last week, Northern this week State. I'm not sold on the Hawkeyes after they had to block two field goals to save the game last week at home. Iowa is still favored in this one by 6.5. Iowa State 14 Iowa 10

Illinois State at Illinois: Zook and the boys were embarrassed last week by Mizzu. This week they take it out on State. There isn't a line on this game. Zook 48 ISU 14

Purdue at Oregon: Do the Ducks have a fighting chance in this one? The answer is yes! Purdue won last week and Oregon lost but Purdue is in trouble in this one. Big Ten teams don't play well when the travel West. Purdue is getting 12 points on the road. The Ducks 31 Purdue 7

Eastern Michigan at Northwestern: Ron English will get EMU turned around but it won't happen this year. Northwestern gets another easy one. EMU is getting 20 points. NW: 28 EMU 9

Air Force at Minnesota: The Gophers are opening their new "open air" stadium which will be rocking after an overtime win at Syracuse. They should have picked a better opponent to open the new stadium. The Air Force is for real and will give the Gophers all they can handle. Minnesota is giving 3 points. This could be a bad week for the Big Ten. AF 28 Minnesota 21.

Michigan - ND will be previewed on Friday. Go Blue!