First week of conference play and I'm sure happy not to have to predict 11 different games between Akron vs (write in your favorite Big Ten here).
This is an interesting opening week in the Big Ten. There are two games where the teams have recorded recent upsets along with a couple of even match ups.
Now on to the show..................
Big Ten Game of the Week: Meltdown Bowl? Desperation Bowl?
MSU at Wisconsin: Michigan State has lost two back to back heart breakers. It reminds "Sparty" fans of the wonderful John L. Smith days, when the Spartans would regularly melt down mid season. This years meltdown could be coming much earlier. Wisconsin on the other hand, had a meltdown of it's own last season after Michigan's last second win in Ann Arbor and games games against OSU and PSU. Wisconsin is off to a 3-0 start with a nice win over Fresno State. Kirk Cousins is the better QB in this match up and played pretty well last week until his last two throws. The Spartans are desperate for a win with in-state rival Michigan heading to East Lansing a week from Saturday. Wisconsin is favored by 3 points. I agree this game will be tight and very close until the end. Wisconsin 24 Sparty needing whisky 21 (can MSU really be 1-3?)
Rest of the League:
Illinois at Ohio State: Illinois isn't anything special this year. With Juice and Benn many thought they would compete for a Big Ten Championship but they haven't showed us anything special this year.. Ohio State was thought to compete for a National Championship but the only thing really good in Columbus these days is the defense. Illinois has this weird thing recently in Columbus were they win more then they lose. Ohio State is a two touchdown favorite in this one and should be. Illinois can't find the magic this year: OSU 28 Illinois 10
Iowa at Penn State: Many might argue this is the Big Ten game of the week, with Penn State going for revenge against an Iowa team that kept them out of the National Championship game last year. Let's all take a minute to thank Iowa for not letting the Big Ten get embarrassed in the NC game again last year. Well done Captain, Well Done!
So can Iowa do it again? Here's the deal, I'm still not sold on the Hawkeyes. I know they are 3-0 but that whole Northern Iowa game makes he wonder if they really are playing all phases of the game. They did beat a decent Arizona team last week at home but can they really win in Happy Valley? The flip side is Penn State has only been tested in practice this year. Their schedule the first three weeks has been terrible and they haven't seen a real opponent since the Rose Bowl. Penn State is favored by 10. PSU 21 Iowa 20
ND at Purdue: There are a ton of caveats in this game. Will Jimmy play? Who is Purdue? Will there be Big Ten officials? Will it come down to less then a minute with Purdue going in to score from the 10 yard line? Will good time charlie's belt hold?
Those are still big question marks. Purdue surprised me in week one by blowing out Toledo and then staying close with Oregon on the road in week 2. Week 3 they surprised me again by losing to Northern Illinois as soon as I started to believe they were not as bad as I thought. Purdue as gone to the power running game which ND will have a difficult time stopping. Jimmy is the key, if he plays ND wins. ND is favored by a touchdown. ND 31 Purdue 21 (Is ND in the Big Ten yet?)
Minnesota at Northwestern: Are these two teams the same or what? Both played Syracuse; Minnesota won in overtime and Northwestern lost to Paulus and gang. Both are 2-1 coming off losses last weekend. Both give up a ton of points on defense and like to score a bunch of points. The total in this game could be over a 100 points. The line is NW - 1.5 which is basically nothing. The home team gets the edge. Northwestern 51.5 Minnesota 50
As always the Michigan - IU game will be previewed here on Friday.
BTW: The #4 team in the nation plays tonight on ESPN.
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