LAST WEEK…Minnesota and Indiana were the only Big 10 teams to lose last week. Both teams are in difficult situations. The Hoosiers are waiting for their prized prospect of 2012, #1 quarterback recruit in the country and the health of Minnesota’s coach Jerry Kill has his team reeling. For the rest of the conference however, all is well. Last week all the big boys won, and won big…besides #24 Illinois. The Fighting Illini received a scare from Western Michigan, before finally pulling off the three point win. The #6 Badgers rolled over South Dakota State 59-10 from Madison, but somehow Wisconsin dropped in the AP rankings to #7 this week. #9 Nebraska toppled over Wyoming, 38-14, after a slow start in the first half. #22 Michigan remained undefeated after blowing past (3-0) San Diego State. Michigan State crushed Central Michigan 45-7 from East Lansing, as Sparty tries to get back in the top 25 ranks. Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa all cruised to wins as well, on the eve of conference play. The Big 10 tune-ups are over, now it’s time for the real thing.
THIS WEEK…The game everyone has been waiting for is finally upon us when #8 Nebraska (4-0) visits #7 Wisconsin (4-0) at Camp Randall on Saturday. The game will be under the lights for a 7:00 p.m. central standard time nationally broadcast kick-off from Madison, Wisc. Both teams will be extremely hyped for the game, with the winner having the slight advantage for the Big 10 Conference Championship at the end of the season. I believe the winner of this game will play for the BCS National Championship. I have the Badgers winning the National Title, so it’s pretty obvious who I am picking to win this barnburner…Sconnie! After a bye week, Purdue (2-1) is back to action and will get some stiff competition in the form of Notre Dame (2-2). The Irish are starting to put it together after winning their last two games, so it will be a real challenge for the Boilermakers at home and under the lights on ESPN on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. I have Notre Dame winning this one by a landslide. Penn State (3-1) visits Indiana (1-3), but it shouldn’t matter much as I see PSU rolling over an undersized Hoosier squad. The upset of the weekend in the Big 10 is going to be Northwestern (2-1) beating #24 Illinois (4-0) in Evanston, Ill. The undefeated Illini always struggle against the spread offense of Northwestern, alongside Dan Persa. It is always an interesting match-up between these two Illinois programs. Usually, this game is played at the end of the season, but with the new realignment I see the Cats sneaking past an unprepared ranked Illinois team. #19 Michigan (4-0) hosts an undermanned Minnesota (1-3) team in Ann Arbor. Rest assure the Wolverines will give a nice scare to their fans every once in a while, but I don’t think this will be the week they blow it. The sleeper game of the week in the conference is Michigan State (3-1) visiting Ohio State (3-1) at the horseshoe. This may be the second most intriguing game of the week in college football, as both teams fight for their conference title lives. Michigan State boasts the #1 defense in the nation and Ohio State is starting a freshman at quarterback. The loser of this game may as well throw away any ideas of venturing to the Big 10 Conference Championship. Therefore, I see both teams slugging it out at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, but the Spartans will come out on top. Kirk Cousins will be conservative enough to win his team the game in a hostile environment. Iowa is on their bye week.
PLAYERS TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND…
1) Russell Wilson, QB Wisconsin: This is the reason he transferred from NC State. His first true test at Wisconsin. The national spotlight is upon him. How will he react? The Badgers national title hopes rest on his shoulders. Wilson can also make a stand for the Heisman with an enthralling win over the Huskers.
2) Taylor Martinez, QB Nebraska: Taylor is in the same boat as Russell Wilson. The winner of the Nebraska/Wisonsin game will have all the momentum at their backs for the rest of the season.
3) Dan Persa, QB Northwestern: Here is his opportunity to make up for a lost 2010 season, by upsetting arch rival #24 ranked in-state rival, Illinois. If he plays turnover free for Pat Fitzgerald, I see the Cats coming out on top in this one.
4) Le’Veon Bell, RB Michigan State: The Spartans running back is having a fine season, but how good can he really be? The nation will see on Saturday after he faces a gritty Ohio State defense in their backyard. B.J Cunningham must take some of the pressure off Bell in the passing game.
5) Braxton Miller, QB Ohio State: Hello Sir, welcome to the fire. Proclaimed as the next “Tyrelle Pryor,” the freshman is set to start his first collegiate game against the Michigan State Spartans and their #1 nationally ranked defense….Good Luck. It is going to be interesting to see how the youngster reacts.
I agree that Illinois will have a tougher time against Northwestern. But the deciding factor will be the Illini rush game. Against Army, Northwestern got beat on the ground. Last year at Wrigley Field, Illinois beat the Wildcats and made a Mikel Leshoure highlight reel at the same time. I agree this will be a close one. But Illinois defense will help when this game just like they did against Arizona State and Western Michigan. Arizona State went on to beat USC the following week. I’m glad Dan Persa’s back, and I’m a true believer in Pat Fitzgerald, but the Illini option offense and their rejuvenated defense should be expection a 5-0 start.
Thanks so much for your opinion dustincraigo. I appreciate it. You’re very right about the Wildcats being unable to slow down the Illini and Leshoure last season. However, the Illini running back this year, Jason Ford, does not have the same skill set as Leshoure did. After a bye week, the Wildcats always come out more prepared and ready to play. In this rivalry, what happened last year doesn’t matter this year. I feel with the Illini being on the road, and with the Wildcats extra week of prep, they will slow down Illinois just enough. Persa has the ability to win this game by himself if he protects the ball. I don’t believe the Illini offense is as good as they were last year, but the defense is better. It will be a low scoring game, uncharacteristically, with NU slipping past Zook’s boys. Ron may be a great recruiter, but he is one of the worst game managers in college football. he always is exploited a few times each fall. I believe this is one of those Zook floundering weeks. I also believe Fitzgerald will have his troops fired up after their loss last year. I dont like doubting or going against Pat two years in a row. He is a prideful man. I do respect that Illinois beat a tough ASU squad. The Sun Devils defense is beyond impressive. Maybe the best front seven in college alongside the best linebacker in the NCAA’s in Vontaze Burfict. Regardless, it is a different week and I have seen Ron Zook go from looking great one week to “oh my, what is on his face?” in less then seven days before. I trust it will happen again this weekend. Thanks dustincraigo
I absolutely agree. I wish the best for Dan Persa. An Achilles tendon tear is very difficult to come back from. Dan Persa’s throwing ability will definitely help the Wildcat offense that started off slow this year. So Illinois’ secondary will need to wake up. Especially after the rough game against Western Michigan, this one should be just as difficult for the Illini. I’ll be at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois for this game. Should be a great game. No matter who wins, I’m guessing it’s going to be by a slim margin.
On another note, I’m a Boilermaker (pity me), but let’s all pray that if, and when, Purdue loses, that they at least put up a fight. Ahahahaha.
hahahaha, i do pity that Boliermaker fandom, haha. I totally agree. I’m pulling for Purdue to pull an upset off against the Irish for you! We were both right on this one dustincraigo. The Illini exemplified why their are an upset qualifier each and every week. Persa played magnificent this afternoon and if it wasnt for his injury, who knows? The Wildcat defense is what let them down in Champaign. They were just :13 seconds from upsetting a highly overrated bunch in Illinois. Always watch out for those teams who have an extra week to prepare for an opponent coming off a bye week. NU’s defense is embarrassing, but the Persa led offense could do some things, when healthy. Illinois will be upended sooner rather then later. Thanks dustincraigo. Good luck today