The wrap up portion of the blog will be in Italics for ease of recognition. 5-3 for the week, .625%
My apologies for starting this pick-em blog in week eight but circumstances transpired beyond my control, allowing me to honor a previously made promise to the original author of the SEC and the Next Best Three blog, returning it to BruceS1g in good shape. Since I enjoyed the borrowed blog so much, the decision was made to continue with my new found hobby, tackling the Big Ten scene + three. I expect my four readers to be ecstatic. Same rule as before; only one compliment per blog.
Purdue Boilermakers (2-5) at home OVER Illinois Fighting Illini (1-5) After losing to perennial door mat Indiana last week, it's hard to imagine any fight left in the Fighting Illini. Their sole victory is over Ill. St., an FCS team. Illinois has got to be the biggest disappointment in the nation. Other than the huge upset victory against Ohio St. last week, Purdue doesn't have much to hang their hat on either; however, four out of their five losses have been by a touchdown or less.
Purdue was in command of this game, winning convincingly 24 - 14. Purdue had no turnovers.
Northwestern Wildcats (4-3) at home OVER Indiana Hoosiers (4-3) Indiana, already with one more win than their total of last year need this game desperately if they hope to entertain any real hopes for a bowl game. The rest of their schedule is not favorable. Ironically, the Wildcats with their identical win-loss record of the Hoosiers will be the underdog in three of their final four games as well, putting the loser of this game at an extreme long shot to win six games.
Indiana was up 28-3 before finally losing 29-28.
Ohio State Buckeyes (5-2) at home OVER Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-3) The Buckeyes are looking to regroup after the stunner upset last week at Purdue. The Buckeyes could likely lose two more games this year but a loss at home to the Gophers after the debacle of last week would be a bona fide disaster.
Flirting with disaster with only a 7-0 lead at the half, tOSU opened it up in the second half for a 38-7 win.
Pennsylvania State Nittany Lions (6-1) on the road OVER Michigan Wolverines (5-2) Penn St. is the more even keeled team with the better defense as well. These things matter more on the road. Still, the Michigan QB, true freshman Tate Forcier is a natural. He's been taking some lumps but that kid is impressive in that he is hell bent in his winning ways.
Penn St. won easier than expected, 35-10. Michigan had four turnovers.
Michigan State Spartans (4-3) at home OVER Iowa Hawkeyes (7-0) Bottom line, the Spartans are better than advertised at 4-3 and the Hawkeyes will be in for a real battle. If Iowa can leave Spartan Stadium unscathed, they have a decent shot at going 12-0 with three home games they will be favored in and their biggest obstacle being a road game at tOSU.
Classic Big Ten game. Iowa pulls it out 15-13 with a last second touchdown.
... and the NB3
South Florida Bulls (5-1) on the road OVER Pittsburgh Panthers (6-1) This game is huge for the Big East with possible BCS bowl implications on the line. A win by Pitt and they are still unbeaten in conference with their final two games at WV and at home against Cincinnati. The Bulls are a capable team and if they can keep the mistakes and penalties to a minimum, an upset victory isn't that much of a stretch, especially against a historically Jekyll and Hyde-ish Pitt team.
Pitt thrashes USF 41-14. The Big East race just got more exciting!
Louisiana State Tigers (5-1) at home OVER Auburn Tigers (5-2) Still waiting for LSU to turn the jets on. Will it be this week? Probably not, the D of Auburn won't allow it but the War Eagles also won't be able to avoid the loss as LSU wins ugly again.
LSU finally wins in relative comfort, 31-10.
Brigham Young Cougars (6-1) at home OVER Texas Christian Horned Frogs (6-0) BYU can put up some points but TCU has a much stingier defense. Tough call but it's the wholesome home cooking Mormon style in this one.
TCU already with impressive road wins at Va. and Clemson added another one, 38-7 .
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Comments (28) Add A Comment
Nicely done! a couple I would have done differently ;) I like Iowa over MSU and TCU over BYU. The beauty of it is we get to see who was right this Saturday.
BruceS1G
Pelham , AL
Total Comments (5613)
I think that the Maize and Blue will come up big at home. UM hasn't scored fewer than 26 points all year. PSU only managed 20 against Minny, 10 against Iowa, and 28 vs. Syracuse (the 3 best teams they've played so far).
osumountie
Bedrock, WV
Total Comments (1701)
Why pick on Iowa? :( I have heard it so many times but I think people just don't like Iowa as a major school.
Iowa is amazing
Omaha , NE
Total Comments (90)
yes
Iowa is amazing
Omaha , NE
Total Comments (90)
only ten against Iowa-IN THE FIRST QUARTER!
Iowa is amazing
Omaha , NE
Total Comments (90)
Thanks Bru. A lot of tough calls, I fee like I may have picked too many upsets.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
Total Comments (4108)
Could very well be... another Penn St. loss would give the conf. a much less of a top heavy feel. Not that it had much of one to begin with.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
Total Comments (4108)
No offense to my SEC friends, but I savored every last minute of the Hawkeyes dominating bowl win over South Carolina. I do like Iowa, but I think they will be in a real tough fight in East Lansing this Saturday.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
Total Comments (4108)
Norka Rocks! Great job!
tHogg
Total Comments (2132)
I do think TCU will be able to overcome the homefield advantage and dominate BYU
tHogg
Total Comments (2132)
I am clueless on Big 10 FB but here goes:
Purdue
Indiana
OSU
PSU
Iowa
USF
LSU
TCU
Next week NB3: Texas v OKie State, USC v Oregon, and Finally UF v UGA
BloodSweat&Beers
One Particular Harbor, FL
Total Comments (1377)
Dang it!
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
Total Comments (4108)
Nope, you're not clueless BSB, far from it. BSB, as you noted, the cool thing about the NB3 is now I can use an SEC game when it's warranted. Thanks for the suggestions!
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
Total Comments (4108)
Southern boy ventures into Big 10 territory to check out Norka's blog.
I like the Mich St. pick. I'm on the fence on it(as are the bettors since it's a pick em) but the emotional aspects favor the Spartans. At home and Iowa coming off two difficult games and this one being the second in a row on the road.
I think TCU is too strong for BYU and like your faith in my USF Bulls, but I don't share it. I hope you are right though.
josephplumber
Tampa , FL
Total Comments (1406)
Not entirely clueless. I'm ready to dub thee "Subject Matter Expert"
PSUinHolidaySpirit
Total Comments (11025)
MSU pick, huh?
I agree MSU is far better than their record (they had a heartbreaking losing streak of 3 games) but I have them grouped with tSUN and Wisconsin fighting for 4th, 5th, and 6th in the conference. I am thinking Iowa with a comfortable (but by no means blow out) margin.
You are dead on about Indiana
they need to beat NW and Purdue
or upset Iowa, Wisc, or PSU to be bowl eligible.
Same for NW - swap Purdue with Illinois and they have the same teams remaining on their schedule.
Prove It
Frellin Cold In, AK
Total Comments (6831)
tOSU may have their hands full with Minnesota. tOSU needs to start strong so Pryor can get his confidence back.
I'm picking the other school from Michigan to pull the upset at home this week. I think Forcier can make some plays and regain his early season magic. Also, Sagarin has these two teams almost equal (within 2.5 points on a neutral field)
I am finally on the Iowa bandwagon, which may be their downfall.
I also see LSU winning at home in a slugfest. An Auburn upset would not surprise me; this game should go down to the wire.
I believe there is a typo in your first NB3 game. It should be the UB Bulls
The mighty UB Bulls (3-4) on the road OVER the Western Michigan Junior High Broncos (3-4).
Naaman Roosevelt follows up last week's 12 reception, 100 yard 2 TD performance with another big game.
OK, not really. UB's rushing game has fallen off a cliff this year with James Starks out for the season with a shoulder injury. Roosevelt is a MAC version of Golden Tate, but he can't do it alone.
tUBa Santa
West Buffalo, CA
Total Comments (2233)
Thanks JP, we'll see how things shape up Saturday night.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
Total Comments (4108)
Why not? It feels right.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
Total Comments (4108)
UB, I beg to differ, Western Michigan is a better team than Akron, who the Bulls struggled with at home. Broncos win big.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
Total Comments (4108)
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