The warm up is over and Saturday, the season starts for real. I don’t care what anybody says, I think the Big Ten is looking good. I think when you stack up the leagues, the Buckeyes are easily the second best league and I only say that because I am blinded by the SEC hype that pervades every waking moment of college football coverage.
But now for the important stuff. The Buckeye Blog’s Big Ten predictions:
Let’s start with the game of the week–Penn State at Michigan (Penn -3)
At first look, I would say this game is a blowout for Penn State. However, I am having a hard time committing to Penn State. While they look good both on the field and on paper, we just don’t know. Believe it or not, this is one series that LLLLLLoyd Carr does own. Penn State hasn’t beat Michigan in the last 11 years and they play Michigan in the Big House.
Michigan still has everything to play for. For them, the season starts tomorrow. If they can run the Big Ten (which they won’t), they can still get to a BCS game and although it won’t be the BCS Championship, it might be enough to get Chad Henne to come out of the locker room.
While Michigan wants this game, Penn State wants it more. If Penn State can hit hard and hit early, all the memories of the first two games will come flooding back into both the players and the fans. Michigan fans may not even find the will to shake their keys and we all know that nobody on the Michigan team can rally them mentally.
The three point spread keeps pulling me back but Penn State beats the spread with ease.
Northwestern at Ohio State (OSU -22)
The Buckeye defense should have no problem against Northwestern. The Buckeye D has shown steady improvement and even with the Northwestern spread, chaos, whatever it is that they play, won’t be much challenge for the Bucks.
The Ohio State offense finally woke up during the second half against Washington. Now that they have a little confidence under their belt, this could turn into a blowout.
If they were playing in Evanston, I would play the spread and take NW but at home, the fans won’t be happy unless the Buckeyes win and win big. I’m taking the Bucks even with the 22 points.
Michigan State at Notre Dame (MSU -13.5)
Notre Dame is going up against a reborn Michigan State team and doesn’t stand a chance. The Michigan State defense leads the nation in sacks with 17 and has made 31 touchdowns for a loss so far this year. Put that up against an offensive line that would struggle in a 115lb. Pop Warner division and Notre Dame will need both quarterbacks on Saturday. Oh wait, they don’t have two quarterbacks anymore. I wouldn’t wish the position on anybody.
If Notre Dame can find the end zone this weekend, call it a victory. I think they’ll be lucky to get into field goal range. Take Michigan State with the spread.
Iowa at Wisconsin (Wisconsin -7.5)
While they have been reluctant to show it, I still believe that Wisconsin has a good team in there somewhere just waiting to wake up. The smell of Hawkeyes in their home stadium might be just what they need to get things rolling. Iowa sure hasn’t impressed anyone yet this year and unlike the Badgers, I don’t think they have anything sitting in the reserves.
100,000 marshmallow armed cheesheads wacked out on Old Milwaukee and brats is just what the Badgers need to get this season underway. The defense will step up and we should see the rushing game we’ve been hearing about.
Take Wisconsin with the spread.
Purdue at Minnesota
One thing Minnesota can’t do is defend against the pass. Curtis Painter, quarterback for Purdue, yeah…he can pass. He’s throwing something like 70% for almost a thousand yards so far this year and he hasn’t thrown an interception yet. Put that up against that stellar Minnesota pass defense, and we’re going to see some points on the board.
But wait, don’t forget that the Gophers can score also and Purdue’s defense is pretty much keeping them from being a contender in the Big Ten this year. This score could look more like a basketball game by the time it’s all over.
Purdue will win without too much trouble but I don’t know about the spread. the over/under is 71 and I’m thinking the over isn’t such a bad bet.
That leaves Illinois at Indiana (Illinois -3).
This is definitely the curiosity game of the Big Ten weekend. Both teams are in the best situation they’ve seen in a long time with Indiana looking at a 4-0 opening season and the Illini facing their first three game win streak in years. Indiana can make force the turnovers and the Illini defensive line looks good.
Personally, don’t bet on this one but if you must, go with Illinois. No reason here other than I have to pick someone.
That should get you started. The Big Ten is here baby…bring on some real football.
