Big Ten Preview Week 2

Week one was like Big Ten's version of the NFL's preseason.   I am still in favor of each Big Ten team playing a preseason game against a D1A or a team not on the schedule so they can work the bugs out and give some guys some game experience (for example freshman wouldn't lose thier redshirt if they played).  Charge everyone $5 to get in and enjoy the show.   It would be great for revenue and maybe the first game of the year wouldn't be so bad if the kids got a chance to play a preseason game. 

Now on to the show................

GAME OF THE WEEK

Alabama at Penn State:  This was a miss match last year and I still think it's pretty close to one.  Bama has some young QB's but they still have a very strong defense and running game (even with Dee Hart out with an ACL).  Bama is ranked #3 in the county and Penn State is ranked #23.  JoPa's team is better then they were last year but Bama's defense is just way too strong and will be the difference in the game.   Bama is favored by 10.  Sabin 24 Jopa 10

The Rest of the games...........

Florida Atlantic at MSU:  Sparty plays FAU at home even when they play them on the road (last years game was at Ford Field).   Sparty struggled in this game last year for some reason.  Vegas doesn't expect them to this year making them a 32 point favorite.  With MSU struggling with YSU last week, I would take the points and see what happens.  MSU 31 FAU 14

Toledo at Ohio State:  Bucky does a great job helping the Ohio economy by playing other MAC schools in the state.  It's just a way to give back instead of rigging raffles I guess.  This will be another bad game before OSU heads to Miami (no not Miami of Ohio but I see what you were thinking!) to play a real game.   If you watched the Akron game last week, just change the color of the jersey for the visitor and there you go.   Bucky is a 19 point favorite, which means Toledo can play a little bit.  OSU 28 Toledo 7

Iowa at Iowa State:  This is the annual game for that Corn Trophy that everyone hated.   So you got that going for you.  Iowa State is probably more concerned if they will be in Conference USA next year.   This is a road game for the Hawkeyes and this game is usually close even though ISU isn't that great most years.  Iowa is a 7 point favorite on the road.   Iowa 21 ISU 20

Oregon State at Wisconsin:  I have to give Wisky credit for scheduling a PAC 12 opponent on Saturday.  Most years this would be a really good game but OSU lost to a team that I didn't even know had a football team last week.  I always think a team is dangerous the week after an upset.  I would give OSU a better chance if Wisconsin had to travel across country, they don't and I don't think this one will be close.  Wisconsin is a 20.5 favorite.   Wisc 40 OSU 17

Fresno State at Nebraska:  Usually Fresno State has a pretty good team, I guess that is not the case this year as Nebraska is 28 point favorite.  I haven't seen either team this year but there is no way Fresno is going to be able to stop the running game of Taylor Martinez.  Neb 42 FSU 10

South Dakota State at Illinois:  I guess South Dakota was already booked for this Saturday.  This game is embarrassing to the Big Ten.  Are you kidding me?  Only one service has a line on this game and Zook is a 20.5 favorite.   Someone needs to give Zook the number to a few MAC schools.   Ill 45 SDS 3

Virgina at Indiana:  Neither team is very good but I have to credit IU for playing the ACC.  Back in the day this would be a good basketball match up but after IU lost to Ball State last weekend, I think the new coaches will install a countdown clock until Gunner Kiel is on campus.  Virgina is a 7 point favorite on the road.  IU 10 Virgina 7


Eastern Illinois at Northwestern:  The Wildcats had a nice win at BC last week without their starting QB.  I think Persa is still questionable and probably shouldn't play since Northwestern is a 30 point favorite and  Tony Romo isn't showing up for Eastern Illinois (he played there right?). NW 40 EIU 13

New Mexico State at Minnesota:  The Gophers played well at USC last week and almost left LA with an upset.  Jerry Kill is getting some good buzz as the Gophers look to be improved this year.    New Mexico has been a very bad program for the past few years.   Minn is favored by 20 points and it shouldn't be that close.  Minn 51 NMS 2

Purdue at Rice:  This game caught me off guard, I didn't expect that the Boilermakers were going on the road to play Sam McGuffie and Rice.   Sam only had one rush for 4 yards in the Texas game last week and is questionable this week with a leg injury.    Purdue struggled to beat Middle Tennessee State as they blocked a field goal to save the win.  This game has the smallest line of the week with Purdue favored by 1.   I think Rice at home will be tough to beat for Purdue.  I also expect that Texas might be 210 degrees.  Rice 24 Purdue 14

 
There are a lot of noon games this week, so pick the better match ups to watch.  I will pick the ND - Michigan game on Friday.