B1G Predictions: Week 10

Michigan 31, Minnesota 13:  The Gophers go back to scoring 13 points in B1G games against the best defense they have faced all year.  The weather forecast is supposed to be wet and cold on Saturday afternoon, which will play into the favor of Denard Robinson’s legs.  If Robinson had a leg injury I would be tempted to pick a closer score and maybe even predict the Gophers to pull off an upset, but since it’s a hand injury the Wolverines should win comfortably.  Robinson won’t have to throw it much in this game.  Minnesota’s defensive weakness is their run defense and their strength is their pass defense.  Look for a heavy dosage of Robinson on the ground and a comfortable win for the Wolverines. 

Ohio State 55, Illinois 17: If the Illini can’t stop IU or Arizona State just imagine the problems they will have with Braxton Miller and company.  This game will be over by halftime.  Illinois has no idea what they are doing or even what they want to do offensively.  The lack of identity on offense has to be a real concern to Illinois fans.  A lack of identity on that side of the ball indicates a coach who is unsure of himself (see Tim Brewster).  I don’t think the Tim Beckman era is going to end well at Illinois, that’s just a hunch.

Penn State 28, Purdue 23:  I think the Boilermakers will show up and play inspired football for their coach Danny Hope.  If they don’t I think he’s gone after this week.  Hope is on life support right now.   Purdue’s secondary absolutely sucks!  They got torched by Minnesota true freshman quarterback Philip Nelson last week, who was making only his second start.  Nelson threw for nearly 250 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half and at one point completed 11 consecutive passes.  Matt McGloin will do equal damage this week, but I expect the Purdue offense to come to life a bit under Robert Marve making this an interesting game. 

Michigan State 24, Nebraska 20: I have gone back and forth on this game all week.  Do I pick the hot team coming off an emotional win at home or do I pick the team that has lost a ton of close games coming off an emotional win on the road?  I am going with Sparty because the Huskers have been a bad road team the last few years and I think Michigan State is better than their record indicates.  LeVeon Bell continues to churn out yards and Andrew Maxwell building off the confidence he gained last week in Madison connects on several key third down throws, meanwhile the Spartans D completely shuts down the Huskers passing game forcing them to become a one dimensional offense.  A Dan Conroy field goal at the buzzer wins it for Sparty keeping the Legends Division race really interesting.  Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Northwestern all have a chance to go to Indy after week 10. 

Indiana 28, Iowa 27:  I can’t figure out Iowa.  They lose to Central Michigan, then smash Minnesota, then beat Michigan State on the road, and follow that up with back to back embarrassing losses to Penn State and Northwestern.   Yep, that seems to make perfect sense!  The Hawkeyes could win a close one in Bloomington, blow out the Hoosiers, lose a close one or get blown out, nothing would surprise me.  I like the direction IU is headed under Kevin Wilson, and I hate the direction Iowa is headed, so I will go with the Hoosiers.  I also don’t like the way the Iowa defense matches up with IU’s offense.  I think this is a real bad matchup for Iowa.  It should be noted that my confidence level in picking this game on a scale of 1-10 (1 being low and 10 being high) is about a .05.  

Last Week: 4-2, Overall: 59-15 (.797)

B1G Predictions: Week 9

Purdue 24, Minnesota 17: The Gophers continue to give up big plays in the run game and Saturday against the Boilermakers will be no different. Akeem Shavers rips off two long touchdown runs and Caleb TerBush adds a touchdown pass in the 4^th quarter to seal the win for the Boilermakers. Minnesota true freshman Philip Nelson, making his second career start and first at home will put up 250 yards of offense on his own, but he won’t get any help from his tailback committee and the Purdue defense will completely shut him down in the 4^th quarter.

 

Northwestern 28, Iowa 21: Mark Weismann reaffirms himself as a threat for the Iowa offense and the Hawkeyes will enjoy their most offensive success since the Minnesota game. Northwestern meanwhile will dink and dunk Iowa to death before Venric Mark catches the Hawkeyes asleep and rips off a long touchdown run in the 4^th quarter to ice the game for the Cats.

 

Indiana 38, Illinois 27: I think this is a real bad matchup for Illinois, not that any matchup is real good for the Illini at the present time. Indiana is real close to not only winning their first Big Ten game under Kevin Wilson, but putting a real whopping on someone and the Illini seem like the perfect first victim.

 

Wisconsin 27, Michigan State 13: Before the season started I thought the Spartans were overrated considering all the weapons they lost on offense and with the way the Badgers have been playing lately the Spartans chances of keeping up with Bucky in Madison seem hopeless. The Badgers will win this one comfortably. The Spartans are absolutely dreadful offensively.

 

Ohio State 34, Penn State 28: The Nittany Lions couldn’t even beat Ohio U at home, do you really think they are going to beat Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes, especially after TOSU is coming off a lackadaisical game against Purdue? No chance! Braxton Miller is healthy and against a Penn State defense that has major depth issues the Lions will be completely out of breath in the 4^th quarter and that is when Miller and the Buckeyes will clinch the game.

 

Nebraska 35, Michigan 31: The location of this one is the difference. The Huskers will ride the home field advantage to victory. The Huskers don’t match up particularly well with the Wolverines, but I think the crowd wills them to victory. The winner of this game will represent the Legends Division in Indianapolis the first week of December.

 

 Last Week: 5-1, Overall: 55-13 (.809)

 

B1G Predictions: Week 8

Wisconsin 38, Minnesota 13: Two days ago I was certain that the Gophers were going to at least make Bucky sweat in this one and had a real shot at pulling off the upset, and now I have come to my senses. Minnesota’s run defense is bad and Montee Ball, Melvin Gordon, and the Badger offensive line have no trouble picking up first downs at ease on their way to 300+ yards rushing. Meanwhile, Max Shortell will continue to struggle in B1G play missing open receivers with regularity and throw two crucial 1^st half interceptions that will be cashed into points by the Badgers. This one will be over by halftime and I will be on the golf course, weather cooperating that is.

 

 

Michigan 24, Michigan State 13: This won't be a nail biter.  Michigan will win this game somewhat comfortably.  Michigan State lost way too many pieces offensively last year and were overrated to start the year.  They are being exposed.  An angry Michigan team will come out swinging right away looking to avenge back to back losses to the Spartans.

 

 

Nebraska 34, Northwestern 31: A Brett Maher FG with time expiring is the difference in this one.  Both offenses will trade punches, but the Nebraska defense is just a little better and will come up with a key second half stop.

 

 

Ohio State 41, Purdue 27: I think the Boilermakers will make this a closer game than most think.  However, for every Purdue score Braxton Miller will match it in spades.

 

Penn State 23, Iowa 16: The Penn State train continues as Matt McGloin torches the Iowa secondary for 300 yards and a pair of scores in Iowa City.  

 

 

Indiana 44, Navy 30: The Hoosiers get off to a huge lead at half time and are able to hang on to the victory against a bad Navy team.

 

Last Week: 4-1, Overall 50-12 (.807)

B1G Predictions: Week 7

Northwestern 34, Minnesota 24: I just can’t get the Gophers embarrassing offensive performance against Iowa two weeks ago out of my head. Against a leaky Northwestern defense Max Shortell or MarQueis Gray should be able to move the chains, but they won’t be able to keep up with a Northwestern offense that is significantly better in my opinion. Minnesota’s defense is good enough to keep things reasonably interesting, but a timely turnover by the Gopher offense in the 3rd quarter keeps them from gaining momentum. Venric Mark and Kain Colter gash the Gophers on the ground in the 4^th quarter to put the game away.
 

Michigan State 21, Iowa 17: This will be a really good, fundamentally sound, well coached game. Expect some hard hitting, few penalties, and a few momentum swings. Le’Veon Bell and the Spartan ground game is the difference as they pound away on a TD drive late in the 4^th quarter. William Gholston comes up with a huge sack of James Vandenberg on 4^th and 7 from the Spartan 25 yard line with under a minute to play to ice the game.
 

Ohio State 45, Indiana 17: The Hoosiers will get whiplash as Braxton Miller will run by, through, over, and around them. IU gets it’s points in garbage time this week as the Buckeyes will have a 35-0 lead at halftime before calling off the dogs in Bloomington.
 

Wisconsin 24, Purdue 16: The Boilermakers have gotten absolutely crushed by Wisconsin the last few years. They will keep this one much closer against a pedestrian Badger team, but the Boilermakers don’t have a good enough quarterback to make a clutch play late in the game. The Badgers will be begging to be beaten but the sorry collection of Rob Henry, Robert Marve, and Caleb Terbush will look like the three stooges.
 

Michigan 48, Illinois 7: The Wolverines will continue their annialation of subpar teams. The overrated Illini defense will be exposed once again as a complete fraud.
 

Last Week: 5-0, Overall: 46-11 (.807)

B1G Predictions: Week 6

Michigan 31, Purdue 23: The Boilermakers feel like Illinois last year.  People are over hyping them badly and they will be exposed as a mediocre team at best by seasons end.  DRob and the Maize and Blue are ticked about having lost two games already.  Zero chance they lose to the overrated Boilermakers.

Wisconsin 41, Illinois 17: Is there a better elixir for an ailing team than a pushover like Illinois?  I think not.  Joel Stave, Montee Ball, and company roll...

Ohio State 28, Nebraska 23: Similar talent on the field, but the edge in coaching and home field advantage go to Ohio State.  Edge Buckeyes.

Penn State 24, Northwestern 20: The Wildcats aren't nearly as good as their 5-0 record indicates because they haven't beaten anyone.  This Northwestern team is no better than any Pat Fitzgerald led team from the past 5 years.  Plus PSU is on a roll.  I like the Nitts at home.

Michigan State 38, Indiana 17: Le'Veon Bell and company are too much for the Hoosiers to handle.  IU scores two garbage touchdowns late to make a blowout look closer than it was.

Last Week 6-0, Overall 41-11 (.788)

B1G Power Rankings Caddyshack style

Ohio State - Ty Webb

The most talented golfer on the course. Webb has the money and resources to be not only the best golfer at Bushwood, but one of the best golfers in the country. Very witty and well liked throughout the club, the only person that seems to have an issue with him is Judge Smails mainly because he feels threatened by Webb’s presence in the club.

 

Michigan - Judge Smails

The club president who feels an overwhelming sense of entitlement. Most feel his best days are behind him, which he is too stubborn to admit. Seems set in his way. Judge Smails is insecure despite his lofty standing and uncomfortable with change in the club. He feels threatened by up and comers and progressive people within the club. Will look for every advantage he can to remain the top dog.

Northwestern - Al Czervik 

He’s wacky and different. Some see him as a laughing stock, while others think he is the type of fun personality that can transform Bushwood into a cool and hip club. Is the opposite of Judge Smails. He doesn’t care what others think of him and will do things differently. Some like Judge Smails feel threatened by his surprising success given his background and want to put him back in his place.

 

Nebraska – Sandy McFiddish 

Sandy is the Head Greens keeper at Bushwood CC and believes his role in the club is more important than others do. Sandy was hired from another club two years ago. Sandy did good, but not great things with his former club. His skills as a Greens keeper have eroded over the last 15 years. Has a very strenuous relationship with his subordinate Carl Spackler.

Iowa – Carl Spackler 

Most people turn their nose at Spackler due to his bad hygiene and lack of intelligence. However, he is craftier than he looks and has managed to stay employed within the club for many years. Some think that his days may be numbered at Bushwood CC.

Michigan State - Danny Noonan 

An up and coming young caddy with a beautiful golf swing. Most of the members have noticed his talent and are keeping an eye on him. Doesn’t have the country club name brand as his family has very little money, but has earned the respect of others in the club through hard work. Has been banging Smails niece for the last couple years, which makes his relationship with the Judge awkward and uneasy.

 

Wisconsin - Tony D’Annunzio 

Seems more impressed by himself than others do. Has an inflated ego, despite having won nothing substantial. Has an ugly, unorthodox golf swing. Tries getting into confrontations with others due to his low self-esteem.

 

Minnesota – The Gopher 

The Gopher has infuriated and terrorized Carl Spackler the last two years, but Spackler got his revenge by taking a stick of dynamite to his hole. However, the Gopher will rise to terrorize Spackler and the rest of the club once again. Is seen as a nuisance by most members of the club and has rarely risen from his hole since the 1960’s.

Penn State – Lacey Underall 

Many have laid the wood to her. She has been bent over backwards and donkey punched. Her sexiness and vulnerability will make her a very attractive play for many years. Comes from a family of wealth with seemingly unlimited funds. Her family will come to her financial rescue in these dire times.

Purdue – Lou Loomis 

Has the sweetest mustache in the club. That is all.

Illinois – Maggie O’Hooligan 

Like Underall she has been drilled by just about everyone in the club.  Few respect her however, with the exception of her boyfriend Danny Noonan.

Indiana – Spaulding Smails  

Picks his nose and throws up a lot. Is an ugly, snotty, un-athletic d-bag. Everyone makes fun of him.