Big Ten Week 3 Preview

I have to admit I was a little concerned for the Big Ten last Saturday.  Ohio was struggling with Toledo and both Iowa & Purdue lost games.  (Side note: Rich Rod did the Rice - Purdue game.  I was thinking how awkward was that? Purdue hates him while their former head coach dropped the "Snake Oil Salesman" on him and current coach Danny Hope introduced him to his player he got suspended when RR sent video to the Big Ten office.  Then of course on the other side of the ball was one of RR's most famous recruits that he was barley able to keep from Lloyd Carr's class, Sam McGuffie and then transferred) 

Penn State wasn't really competitive against Alabama and the rest of the games were just yawners.

So how does this week look?

Big Ten Games of the Week: (we have 2 this week)

MSU at ND:  Poor MSU they are in the worst possible situation this week.  They are 2-0 and ND is 0-2 and everyone is taking how good they are and that they just need to cut out the turnovers.   I actually see ND winning this game and winning this game big.  I think the chances of ND going 0-3 is pretty low compared to MSU going 2-1.  Vegas agrees that ND will win and has made them a 4.5 favorite.  ND 31 MSU 17

OSU at Miami:  OSU played terrible last week and Miami didn't play at all after a loss to Maryland the week before.  I think Ohio will play better then they did against Toledo but how well will Miami play?   The big joke in this game is that they won't be any referees on the field during the game because neither team plays by the rules.  Give an edge to the Hurricanes if they don't have a 100 turnovers.  Vegas has Miami as a 2.5 favorite.  Miami 28 Ohio 21

The Rest of the Big Ten:

Penn State at Temple:  That's right JoPa is taking his show on the road to a MAC school.  Last year this was my upset special of the week, it didn't happen but Golden turned a good season into the Miami job (many thought he would replace JoPa at PSU in 10 years or so).   I really think this could be another upset with Penn State still having their head down from last week.  Vegas has Penn State favored by 7.5 points.  I have no idea what Temple has this year but what the heck;  Temple 21 PSU 20

Pitt at Iowa is an interesting game.  Iowa lost an overtime game last week to Iowa State and Pitt is 2-0 but struggled with Maine last weekend.   Pitt has a new coaching staff including a bunch of former RR/Michigan assistants.  Neither team is playing well but the edge has to go to Iowa since they are at home and mad after last week performance.  Vegas has Iowa -3.  Iowa 24 Pitt 14

Arizona State at Illinois is another game worth watching.  ASU is Threet-less this year and has QB that is 6-9 throwing around the yard.   I have no idea what Zook has this year but we know their QB is very mobile.   Zook could use a win over a ranked team but does he have the players to do it?   Vegas agrees with me on this game and has Illinois -1.   This game is a toss up. Zook 31 ASU 27

Wisconsin vs Northern Illinois in Chicago = pain for the Huskies.  Wisky is only favored by 16.5 points.  It won't be that close.  Wisconsin 31 NI 10

Northwestern at Army:  Northwestern is the better team by don't sleep on Army, they are getting better.  NW is -7.5.   NW 17 Army 14

Washington at Nebraska:  I wish this was a better match up but Nebraska is much too physical for these Huskies. Black Shirts -16.5   Nebraska 34 Wash 7

Miami (OH) at Minnesota:  I'm not sure the Gophers coach Jerry Kill will be available for the game and there seems to have been a big letdown after the USC game.  Miami of Ohio isn't too bad either. 
Miami 28 Minn 24

South Carolina State at IU:  Indiana is favored by -15.5 and will get its first win of the season.  IU 28 SCS 12

You know the deal about the Michigan game but there are some interesting Big Ten games this week.  Ohio, MSU, PSU, Northwestern and Wisconsin are all on the road (or at neutral sites).  There are also 5 BCS school match ups, which is nice to see.