Griffiths’ picks: Big Ten looks to rebound after tough week
By DOUG GRIFFITHS
ISL Correspondent
It’s time for Big Ten teams to regroup.
Last week, the conference posted a dismal 6-6 record, which included nationally ranked Nebraska and Wisconsin both falling on the road to unranked teams.
The Cornhuskers’ defense is a mess after allowing 653 yards to UCLA – the second-highest total permitted in school history – and the Badgers’ offense is downright pitiful, averaging a mere 16.5 points per game (102nd out of 120 FBS teams) and 297 total yards (105th).
Wisconsin and Nebraska both dropped out of the Top 25. Just three conference teams remain ranked.
In fact, things are so bad in Madison that the Badgers fired their offensive line coach. Despite his team’s struggles, however, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema isn’t too concerned.
Panic is for the outside world, Bielema, whose team managed just 35 yards rushing against Oregon State, said. Reality is what I live with.
Nebraska coach Bo Pelini isn’t in the best of moods these days either. Who can blame him? After all, his team fell to UCLA, 36-30 in the Rose Bowl and allowed 344 yards rushing to the Bruins.
I’ve been sick to my stomach since that game, Pelini said.
At No. 10, Michigan State is the only remaining undefeated team that is ranked and eligible for the post-season. Ohio State is ranked 12th, but it will be sitting home this bowl season due to NCAA sanctions.
Michigan is the only other ranked Big Ten team. The Wolverines rebounded after their loss to Alabama by surviving a 31-25 scare at home to Air Force.
We’ve got a long way to go, said Wolverine coach Brady Hoke, referring to his rebuilt defensive line, which has given up 522 yards rushing to the Crimson Tide and 290 to run-happy Air Force.
Purdue was in a position to pull off the Big Ten’s biggest win last Saturday. But its valiant effort against the Irish came up short and its agony of losing in Notre Dame Stadium continued.
Along with the Boilermakers, Ohio State and Wisconsin make up half of the Leaders Division and the other half leaves a lot to be desired.
Indiana is off to a 2-0 start (albeit against Indiana State and UMass), but it might have very few wins left on its schedule when you consider starting quarterback Tre Roberson is lost for the season after suffering a gruesome broken ankle injury at Massachusetts.
Illinois showed promise in Week One against Western Michigan, but came crashing down to Earth last week at Arizona State, losing by 31 points.
Then there’s Penn State. The Nittany Lions looked like they would even their mark at 1-1 with a win at Virginia only to lose their lead late and fall to 0-2. Now one is left wondering what the mindset is of Bill O’Brien’s team.
The Legends Division has three undefeated teams in it, including the Spartans.
Minnesota’s record should remain unblemished as it entertains Western Michigan, while Northwestern is expected to get by visiting Boston College.
Meanwhile, Iowa has problems scoring, and as stated earlier, Michigan and Nebraska have issues on defense.
Once again this week IndySportsLegends.com helps you decide which Big Ten contests you’ll want to keep an eye on and which ones aren’t DVR worthy.
(Like the Big Ten, I struggled with my picks in Week Two. After finishing the opening week 12-0, I managed an 8-4 mark as Wisconsin, Nebraska, Illinois and Iowa all let me down.)
(All times ET)
Game-Of-The-Week
– #20 Notre Dame (2-0) @ #10 Michigan State (2-0)
Saturday
8 p.m.
ABC
East Lansing, Mich. (Spartan Stadium 75,005)
Are we in store for another classic when the Irish and Spartans square off? It certainly was the last time these two teams met in East Lansing. Remember the fake field goal? This one could be just as thrilling. If you like defense, this is a game you won’t want to miss. The key in determining the winner will be Notre Dame’s running game vs. MSU’s front and vice versa. I like the Irish’s depth at running back and its front seven more than the Spartans’. ND, 24-21.
Must-See TV
– Utah State (2-0) @ Wisconsin (1-1)
Saturday
8 p.m.
BTN
Madison, Wis. (Camp Randall Stadium 80, 321)
Not sure this is worthy of Must-See distinction, but the Aggies are undefeated after beating rival Utah of the Pac-12. Meanwhile, the Badgers have looked awful this season. Will Montee Ball finally get going? If he doesn’t, Bret Bielema’s club could be looking at a 1-2 start. That’s sad for a team that was a preseason top-10 pick. Badgers have to win, right? UW, 24-14.
May Be Worth A Look-see
– Western Michigan (1-1) @ Minnesota (2-0)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
Minneapolis, Minn. (TCF Bank Stadium 50,805)
I have to admit I originally put this one in the Blowout City category, but after further review I think it could materialize into one worth watching. Minnesota was less than impressive needing triple overtime to survive UNLV. Plus, the Gophers haven’t faced a quarterback as good as Alex Carder (66.3%, 603 yds., 6 TDs) yet, so look for a close game. Minnesota goes to 3-0 though, 28-21.
– Navy (0-1) @ Penn State (0-2)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
ABC/ESPN2
University Park, Pa. (Beaver Stadium 107,282)
Could the Lions fall to 0-3 on the season? Yes, even though Navy was no match for Notre Dame in the opener. As long as Penn State’s defense can show some consistency in defending Navy’s triple option, it will win. Don’t tune in expecting a thing of beauty. Lions win, 21-13.
– Boston College (1-1) @ Northwestern (2-0)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
BTN
Evanston, Ill. (Ryan Field 47,130)
The Wildcats have started the season with a couple close wins – at Syracuse and against Vanderbilt – and now face a Boston College team that lost its opener to Miami (Fla.) 41-32. That’s the same Hurricane team that was destroyed last week at Kansas State, 52-13. BC was plagued by key turnovers in its loss and if that continues to be a trend, it will lose to the ˜Cats, who currently rank eighth in the country in turnover margin. NU, 35-28
– Northern Iowa (1-1) @ Iowa (1-1)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
BTN
Iowa City, Iowa (Kinnick Stadium 70,585)
UNI is ranked sixth in the FCS this week and gave Wisconsin all it could handle in Madison in Week One. This won’t be a cakewalk for the Hawkeyes by any means especially considering how much trouble they’re having scoring points. Iowa survives and is one of the worst 2-1 teams you’ll find. 20-17.
– Ball State (1-1) @ Indiana (2-0)
Saturday
8 p.m.
BTN
Bloomington, Ind. (Memorial Stadium 52,929)
Could Ball State beat the Hoosiers for the second year in a row? Without a doubt, especially since Roberson is hurt. The Cardinals can score points as they have a couple of good running backs and a veteran quarterback. The question is whether IU can keep up on the scoreboard. Say it isn’t so, two years in a row for the Cards, 35-28.
Blowout City
– Eastern Michigan (2-0) @ Purdue (1-1)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
West Lafayette, Ind. (Ross-Ade Stadium 62,500)
It’s been a tough week for the Boilermakers. They lost a heartbreaker at Notre Dame and lost QB Robert Marve with another torn ACL. Look for the Old Gold and Black to take out a lot of their frustration on hapless Eastern Michigan, which is winless on the season after losing to Ball State (37-26) and FCS opponent Illinois State (31-14). Purdue rolls, 49-10.
– California (1-1) @ #12 Ohio State (2-0)
Saturday
Noon
ABC
Columbus, Ohio (Ohio Stadium 102,329)
The Golden Bears haven’t proved they can stop anybody giving up 31 points to Nevada and 31 to Southern Utah. Braxton Miller is the best player Cal has faced this season. He’ll prove to be way too much to handle. All Bucks, 41-13.
– Arkansas State (1-1) @ Nebraska (1-1)
Saturday
Noon
ESPN2
Lincoln, Neb. (Memorial Stadium 81,067)
This game could have some entertainment value as it features to pretty good quarterbacks in Taylor Martinez and Ryan Aplin. The problem for ASU is its defense, which allowed Oregon 50 first-half points. The Cornhuskers get back on track, 31-10.
– Charleston Southern (0-2) @ Illinois (1-1)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
Champaign, Ill. (Memorial Stadium 60,670)
This one may be the most lopsided game the Big Ten has to offer this weekend. Consider this Charleston Southern has lost to juggernauts the Citadel by 35 and Jacksonville by 21. Hide the kids. Illini, 59-0.
– Massachusetts (0-2) @ #17 Michigan (1-1)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
BTN
Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium 109,901)
Did I just say the Illinois-Charleston Southern game would be one of the most lopsided? I think this one may trump it, especially when you consider UMass has been outscored 82-6 this season. Anyway you slice it, this one will be a massive blowout. It may not top Oklahoma State’s 84-0 trouncing of Savannah State, but it won’t be far behind. Big Blue, 63-0.
