Big Ten Preview Week 3

Let's just say last weekend was not a successful one for the Big Ten conference.   We will just leave it at that.  Does this weekend have the opportunity to change perceptions?  Maybe. 

Lets take a look at the match-ups:


Big Ten Game of the Week:

ND at Michigan State (MSU -5.5):  This is always a fun game.  Two years ago, MSU faked a field goal in OT for the win.  Last year was a strange game with an ND 31-13 win at home.  ND will be playing back to back night games:  this weeks game at MSU and next week at home against Michigan.   In this game, MSU has the better defense and that might just shut down ND's offense.   MSU offense is still trying to find it's footing in the passing game, so they will run a ton.  I think MSU gets points off their defense and gets the win.   MSU 24  ND 10


Western Michigan at Minnesota (-2.5):  I thought WMU would give Illinois a good game two weeks ago but didn't.  The Gophers are still pretty poor but still will win easy.  Minnesota 28 WMU 7


Arkansas State at Nebraska: (Neb -24.5) The Black Shirts just lost a starting DT and after they gave up 600+ yards against UCLA they still have a ton to figure out on that side of the ball.  Arkansas State is a good medicine for a week.   Nebraska 31 Arkansas State 3

California at Ohio State (OSU -17):  I have to give OSU a little credit.  When they scheduled this game, CAL was a decent football team.   That is no longer true as CAL has already lost to Nevada and beat Southern Utah.  They play OSU and USC in back to back weeks.   CAL 14  OSU 31

Eastern Michigan at Purdue (Pur -24):  EMU is a program on the rise but not this year.  Purdue hopes to get out of the game with out any ACL injuries.   EMU 17  Purdue 41

Boston College at Northwestern: (NW -3.5)  I like the Wildcats schedule this year so far.  They have played Syracuse, Vandy and now BC.  Those are good match-ups for the Wildcats and all the teams are from BCS leagues.   BC 24 NW 28

Charleston Southern at Illinois (No line):  Who is Illinois playing again?  CS 10 Illinois 48

Navy at Penn State (PSU -6):  It's time for Penn State to get it's first win.  They will struggle against the triple option but will figure it out.  PSU 31 Navy 21

Northern Iowa at Iowa: (No line)  The Hawkeyes lost to Iowa State last week and now they host a pretty good Northern Iowa team.  Yikes!  Iowa 10 Northern Iowa 9

Utah State at Wisconsin  (Wis -13):   Utah State beat a pretty good Utah team last week and now they travel to Madison after the Badgers had 35 yards rushing against the Beavers.  Be careful here Wisky, very careful.   This line is too high.   Utah State 21 Wisconsin 23

Ball State at IU (IU-2.5):  I have no idea who is the best team here.  Ball State 17 IU 14