Last week 5-4, for the year 10-7, .588%
Wrap up in Italics, last week 9-6, for the year 19-13, .594%
Iowa Hawkeyes (9-0) at home OVER Northwestern Wildcats (5-4) After the near melt down last week against Indiana and some fortuitous officiating, the Eyes escaped unscathed and should remain so another week. Iowa's luck ran out, in addition to losing the game, they also lost QB Stanzi to an ankle injury. The injury did not appear serious as he was able to walk off unassisted but he did not return. Northwestern, 17-10.
Illinois Fighting Illini (2-6) on the road OVER Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-4) Illinois, getting their first conference win in a big way last week did what they were capable of doing all season. With no chance of a bowl game and nothing left to lose except Ron Zook, watch out for the Illini! The Illini had a big lead before letting Minnesota get close at the end. Illinois, 35-32.
Michigan Wolverines (5-4) at home OVER Purdue Boilermakers (3-6) Both teams coming off stinging losses, it will be interesting to see if either defense is capable of forcing more than the occasional three and out. After a promising start of 4-0 the Wolverines have dropped to 5-5 and will be hard pressed for that sixth win and bowl berth with their last two games at Wisky and at home against tOSU. Purdue, 38-36.
Michigan State Spartans (4-5) at home OVER Western Michigan Broncos (4-5) Sparty can't catch a break until this week. This game is almost a must win for the Spartans to become bowl eligible as their last game is against Penn St. No surprise here. Michigan St., 49-14.
Wisconsin Badgers (6-2) on the road OVER Indiana Hoosiers (4-5) The Clay train is in town, All Aboard! John Clay has been the steady go to guy all season and the sophomore has not disappointed. Last week against Purdue he had 123 yards. More of the same is in order. John Clay was set to have a career game, his 134 yards coming in the first half . A minor concussion kept him sidelined for the second half. The Badgers will be favored in their final three games. Wisconsin, 31-28.
Pennsylvania Nittany Lions (8-1) at home OVER Ohio State Buckeyes (7-2) The two best defensive units in the Big Ten should keep this a low scoring contest, but Penn St. with the superior offense will be the difference maker. The tandem of QB Darryll Clark and RB Evan Royster will be very difficult to keep in check for the whole game. Penn St. couldn't get anything going against an incredibly impressive tOSU defense. Even the Lions lone TD was of dubious nature, forced to go for it on fourth and goal, it appeared the mighty D of tOSU kept the ball from crossing the goal line. The Buckeyes forced seven three and outs. Ohio St., 24-7.
... and the NB3
Louisiana State Tigers (7-1) on the road OVER Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0) LSU seems to be turning it up at the same time Bama seems to be sputtering on offense. For LSU to gain a re-match with the Gators, they must win. A tough loss for LSU but let's give credit to Bama. The Tide's defense ruled the day playing in typical bruising fashion, and their offense mixed things up nicely with both RB Ingram and QB McElroy putting up big numbers. Alabama, 21-15.
Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-3) at home OVER Oklahoma Sooners (5-3) The Big XII north is still up for grabs and the Huskers need this win to keep pace. This was a most aggravating loss for the Sooners, holding the Huskers to a mere 180 yards total offense while racking up 325 of their own, add five interceptions to the mix and there you have it. If Bradford was playing, Sooners may have won easily. Nebraska, 10-3.
Oregon Ducks (7-1) on the road OVER Stanford Cardinal (5-3) The Cardinal, perfect at home so far, should see that streak end. Stanford is bowl eligible! Still unbeaten at home, the Cardinal have their final two games at home after travelling to USC next week. Stanford, 52-41.
+3
Virginia Technical Hokies (5-3) on the road OVER East Carolina Pirates (5-3) Last year the Pirates won this game, this year they won't. Thursday night game. This game was a real struggle for the Hokies, with multiple chances to put the game away only to be held to another field goal. In such a low scoring game, one or two big plays by the Pirates and they're right back in it, of course the VT D was having none of that! Virginia Tech, 16-3.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-2) at home OVER Navy Midshipmen (6-3) Another win by Dame and their BCS stock continues to rise. Another loss by Dame and now their BCS stock is non existent. Navy, 23-21.
Fresno State Bulldogs (5-3) on the road OVER Idaho Vandals (7-2) We know Fresno is a good team with a couple close losses at Wisconsin and Cincinnati. This should be a good chance to see just how good the surprising Vandals are. After racing out to a first half lead of 24-0, the Vandals kept the final score respectable in this contest that was never in doubt. Fresno St., 31-21.
+3 more
Air Force Falcons (5-4) at home OVER Army Black Knights (3-5) Air Force is better than Army and should beat them handily. Air Force ran away with it in the last half after going into the break tied at seven. Air Force, 35-7.
Houston Cougars (7-1) on the road OVER Tulsa Golden Hurricane (4-4) With Case Keenum at the controls, the Cougars can score quick and often. Cougars in a rout. Sure the Cougs can score a lot of points but for only having one loss, they sure give up plenty of points. Don't discount another tough game for the Cougars next week at UCF. Houston, 46-45.
Akron Zips (1-7) at home OVER Kent State Golden Flashes (5-4) Most are probably not aware but these two campuses are separated only by about twelve miles. The Zips have been a huge disappointment this year, underachieving in a large way. I liken the Zips in the MAC to the Illini in the Big Ten. Both squads had a lot of returning starters on offense and both squads were projected for an improved 09 campaign and both squads may be looking for new head coaches. Akron, 28-21.
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I appreciate the love for my Cardinal... although I know it was more about the Ducks.
OM= Andrew Luck
San Jose, CA
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no way gophers will beat the illini the only way i see them beating us is if there two mobile QB's are able to run all over us, but we have contained QBs well this year
Billy Goat-G.O.T.W.…
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illini will beat the gophers is what i mean
Billy Goat-G.O.T.W.…
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Picking LSU over Bama - tough call, that one - haven't the visitors been winning this one alot lately? I'm not sold on LSU this year, but that ol' gambler Le Smiles could be pulling out a few tricks he's been hiding in his bag. I still believe Bama will get Ingram grinding down a tired LSU D in the 4th and play keep away, at least enough to sneak out the win.
Good coverage of a nice variety of games, well done, Norka!
GatorRobster
Houston, TX
Total Comments (3628)
Once again well done Norka! I hate to say it, but I sure hope you are wrong on the LSU-UA game.
Interesting that we both seem to have the same take on the OSU-PSU game.
Also interesting in calling the upset by the Illini.
BruceS1G
Pelham , AL
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Om Joe, thanks for the comment. Stanford has been putting up some impressive offensive numbers, this game is no 'gimme' but the Ducks have been putting up even more impressive numbers with a stingier D to boot...
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
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I agree Bill.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
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Agreement accepted.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
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I don't see any upsets in the Big 10 but your pick of Illinois is interesting with good reasons. I think I would go that way if they had about any coach but the Zookster.
Bama over LSU and Oklahoma over Nebraska
Much like last week with Minn over Mich St, I will say there is a much stronger than normal chance of an upset in the Oregon/Stanford match up. Never has a team been higher than Oregon after beating USC last week and it is difficult to sustain that. Stanford is a good team and somewhat underappreciated. An upset would not shock me here. This game reminds me a little of Oregon St beating USC last year and then traveling to play a then underappreciated Utah the next week.
No comment on your Akron pick.
josephplumber
Tampa , FL
Total Comments (1389)
1. Correct. Home field is no advantage in this series. The road team is 27-11 since 1970.
2. I think LSU turned a corner, in their last four games they have only given up an average of nine points and at the same time the offense has finally ignited.
3. The conservative play calling of Bama reminds me of the classic Big Ten 'three yards and a cloud of dust'. So far it has been effective but eventually they may need to open it up against a swarming D bent on stopping the run.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
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Hey Bru! I have to admit, I added a bunch of extra games for two reasons.
1. My meager 10-7 record needs all the help it can get and...
2. Since you had several easy calls this week, I thought I would join you!
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
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1. I will be calling the Illini's number from here on out. Winning three of their last four would not surprise me.
2. I know, probably going against Vegas in both of these games. I'll be satisfied if I get one of them right.
3. JP, you always give interesting and unique analysis for your picks. Nicely done Professor, I really appreciate your comments, not just here but on the boards as well. Thank you!
4. Why I oughta... compliment REJECTED!
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
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I think I agree with all your picks save the Vandal game. Idaho believes this year, kudos to coach Ackey, and the game is in the noisy comfy confines of the KibbieDome. Vandals 36-24
tHogg
Total Comments (2103)
The KibbieDome? Really?
There's GOTTA be a story behind that one...
GatorRobster
Houston, TX
Total Comments (3628)
Its the smallest stadium for any FBS school, at 17,000 cap.
tHogg
Total Comments (2103)
I agree with most of your picks except ....
LSU over 'Bama. I'm not sure if LSU has the QB play necessary to beat 'Bama's defense. I know I know they should just hand the ball off to the big guy and let him pound it but the OC hasn't shown a willingness to stick with a consistent strategy like this. Spreading the ball around too much and doing cute things to get Russell Shephard involved will NOT beat 'Bama.
PSU over tOSU -well OK I agree with you here but I think it will be interesting to see how T. Pryor plays vs. PSU's defense. He's been a bit of a disappointment so far but beating PSU would earn him some redemption. NOT likely to happen. A rag arm attached to a flashy set of over-priced wheels ain't 'gonna beat PSU (Russell Shephard take notes here).
Nebraska Cornholers vs. OU Swooners - The Swooners will be wiping the stadium floor with cornhilio's jersey by halftime.
Air Force vs. Army - You said "Air Force is better than Army" What kind of analysis is this? My kid's Air Force recruiter had better lines than this!
Dr. B-f-G
Bubbaville, TX
Total Comments (2747)
Illini over Minnesota
Oh no, you aren't getting me back on the Illini bandwagon, and...
da Gophers don't suk!
PSU over tOSU
Boo!
Kent State is 5-4?
I wasn't even playing attention.
Prove It
Frellin Cold In, AK
Total Comments (6772)
Are you sure that isn't their basketball arena?
J/K.
Prove It
Frellin Cold In, AK
Total Comments (6772)
Maybe it does double duty? Efficiency at it's finest.
GatorRobster
Houston, TX
Total Comments (3628)
LSU/Bama and OK/Neb, can't help it, I felt compelled to pick the underdog in both games.
norka
Bubba Spot, GA
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