Big Ten Picks and Predictions Week 12

Well, this is it folks, the last week of the Big Ten Football season. It just seemed like a few weeks ago we started the 2009 season and now it's over before Thanksgiving.

The big hopes we had of a Michigan turnaround, Illinois re-gaining it's form, MSU playing Big Ten spoiler and Penn State dominance didn't really come to pass. Ohio State again is the Big Ten Champion with steady play and a dominating defense. Iowa stepped up for awhile but we all sort of knew it wouldn't last. The good thing is the Big Ten won't be in the National Championship game this year.

The good news is The Big Ten probably has the best basketball conference this year. Sorry ACC it's true!

Now on to the Picks.................

The Big Ten Game of the Week (will be previewed on Friday)


Minnesota at Iowa: Iowa played very well last week in the Shoe but came up a couple of plays short it overtime. Minnesota is a team that plays well at home put not so good on the road. Iowa is a little mad since they were on the doorsteps of the Rose Bowl and will now find themselves in Orlando for the Capital One. They are going to take their frustrations out on the Gophers. Iowa is favored by 10. Iowa 31 Minn 13

Wisconsin at Northwestern: Both teams are playing well right now and both teams will be enjoying a bowl game this year. I think Wisconsin is just too physical for the Wildcats. If Tolizen continues to find open tight ends they are going to be tough to beat. Wisconsin is favored by just over a touchdown 7.5. Wisconsin 28 Northwestern 17

Penn State at Michigan State: I just don't get Penn State this year. At times they look like a top 10 team. At other times, they look below average. This has been a very strange year for JoPa who had Pasadena plans. State on the other hand has also under preformed this year. One of the pre-season picks to make some noise in the Big Ten really hasn't ever got on track and just qualified for a bowl game last week. JoPa is favored by 3 in this one. It won't be that close. Penn State 32 MSU 21

Purdue at Indiana: Neither team is going to a bowl game and both teams are stuck with 4-7 records this year. So this is their Bowl Game, let's call it: The Drive for 5! wins that is. Both teams have looked good and terrible this year. One team lost to Michigan in a close game and one team beat Michigan in a close game. Purdue is favored by 3. This game is for the State of Indiana bragging rights. IU 21 Purdue 20.

Poor Illinois has the week off, so they can face Cincinnati next week.