Griffiths: Week 3 Big Ten picks
By DOUG GRIFFITHS
ISL Assistant Editor
Finally, the college football season starts to really heat up this week as there are plenty of good games on tap to satisfy your craving for what should be some really hotly contested games.
The best matchup in the Big Ten will be in Lincoln, where a pair of top-25 teams will battle as Nebraska hosts UCLA.
By far, No. 20 Wisconsin gets its toughest test to date with a trip to the desert to face a good Arizona State team.
Illinois will look to post its second consecutive upset in as many weeks when it plays No. 19 Washington in Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Meanwhile, Purdue host instate rival Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish head to West Lafayette sporting a 1-1 record, ranked 21st, and are a three touchdown road favorite against the Boilermakers.
Nationally, the game of the season will take place in the Lone Star State as defending national champion Alabama goes to No. 6 Texas A&M.
Back to the Big Ten, the conference had a near-perfect week, last week going 11-1 with the only blemish being IU’s upset home loss to Navy.
A total of nine Big Ten teams are unbeaten with the other three teams having 1-1 records.
As for me, I look to rebound from what I’ll call an off week last week.
In Week #2, I limped to an 11-5 record, missing the Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, BYU and Miami (Fla.) games.
As a result, my overall record now stands at 24-6, including 18-3 (Big Ten games only)
So here’s a look at Saturday’s Big Ten matchups as IndySportsLegends helps you decide which conference contests you’ll want to keep an eye on and which ones aren’t DVR worthy.
We also give you a handful of games around the country you’ll want to closely follow.
Big Ten Game-Of-The-Week
• #16 UCLA (1-0) @ #23 Nebraska (2-0)
Saturday
Noon
ABC
Lincoln, Neb. (Memorial Stadium 87,000)
If you like offensive football, you’ll love this one. This game features two really good quarterbacks in Taylor Martinez and Brett Hundley and some special skill players. Can you say offensive shootout? We will definitely find out how improved Nebraska’s D is facing an outfit that threw for more than 300 yards and rushed for better than 300 in its season opener against Nevada. I’ve gone back and forth with this prediction. I like the Big Red in Lincoln and its offense, but its defense really worries me. UCLA pulls off the upset, 38-35.
Must-See TV
• No. 20 Wisconsin (2-0) @ Arizona State (1-0)
Saturday
6 p.m.
BTN
University Park, Pa. (Beaver Stadium 106,572)
Something to consider: Arizona State has never lost to a Big Ten team at home. Without question this is a huge step up in competition for the Badgers, who have pitched back-to-back shutouts to open the season. Wisconsin will have its hands full with QB Taylor Kelly, who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 29 TDs a year ago. Look for the Sun Devils’ speed to give the Badgers problems, too, and DT stud Will Sutton along with the desert heat. ASU, 33-24.
May Be Worth A Look-see
• #19 Washington (1-0) vs. Illinois (2-0)
Saturday
6 p.m.
BTN
Chicago, Ill. (Soldier Field 61,500)
Illini coach Tim Beckman is feeling a lot more relieved after winning back-to-back games and for the time being at least silencing the critics. Is Illinois for real? We will find out this week against a Washington team that crushed Boise State in its opener. If the Illini are to knock off the Huskies, they’ll need another big performance from QB Nathan Scheelhaase, who has six passing TDs this season which is more than 102 of 123 FBS teams. However, take a more talented Washington team in the Windy City, 30-16.
• Youngstown State (2-0) @ Michigan State (2-0)
Saturday
2 p.m.
BTN
East Lansing, Mich. (Spartan Stadium 75,005)
Don’t be surprised if the Penguins give the Spartans all they can handle. This doesn’t appear to be one of those FBS vs. FCS mismatches. Michigan State is just so offensively challenged right now and Youngstown State is a pretty good FCS team. The Spartan D is too good for the Green and White to get upset at home against YSU, but it will probably need to score like it has in the first two games. MSU 17-6.
• Central Florida (2-0) @ Penn State (2-0)
Saturday
6 p.m.
BTN
University Park, Pa. (Beaver Stadium 106,572)
This game features the man who gave Nittany Lion coach Bill O’Brien his coaching start in Central Florida’s George O’Leary. This game won’t really tell us just how real Penn State is, but it will be a test from the standpoint that UCF has a roster full of good athletes, a quarterback headed to the pros and some dangerous receivers. Neither team has been tested as of yet. The Golden Knights struggle getting pressure on opposing QBs, while the Nittany Lions young cornerbacks will face their biggest challenge to date. Penn State survives, 28-24.
• #4 Ohio State (2-0) @ California (1-1)
Saturday
7 p.m.
FOX
Berkeley, Calif. (Memorial Stadium 63,186)
Cal gave Northwestern a pretty good game a couple weeks ago, but can it hang with one of the nation’s perceived elite? Maybe. We still don’t know the status of Buckeye QB Braxton Miller (sprained left knee), but backup Kenny Guiton proved he’s very capable of leading the offense (235 offensive yards and 3 TDs vs. San Diego State a week ago). OSU shouldn’t have much problem scoring against a Golden Bears team that has allowed 74 points in two games. OSU’s defense will be tested facing frosh QB Jared Goff, who leads the nation in passing (935 yards). Buckeyes though win their 15th straight, 36-16.
• Bowling Green (2-0) vs. Indiana (1-1)
Saturday
Noon
ESPNU
Bloomington, Ind. (Memorial Stadium 52,929)
If IU doesn’t get its defense figured out in a hurry, it will have a second straight loss that it can ill-afford to suffer, especially if it is to be bowl eligible this season. This is a must game for the Hoosiers after last week’s debacle against Navy, which IU’s defense had absolutely no answer for. IU will score, but can it stop Bowling Green enough to squeak out a victory? I think … barely. Hoosiers, 35-28.
• Iowa (1-1) vs. Iowa State (0-1)
Saturday
6 p.m.
Fox Sports 1
Ames, Iowa (Jack Trice Stadium 56,000)
You are probably wondering why in the world would I want to tune into this. Probably because if Kirk Ferentz’s Hawkeyes lose this one, the heat will really be on for the dean of Big Ten coaches. The Hawkeyes were less than impressive in a two-touchdown home win over FCS Missouri State last week after they fell to Northern Illinois the week earlier. Lose at Iowa State this week and the Hawkeye faithful will really be calling for Ferentz’s head. The heat is on. ISU, 21-10.
Big-Time Blowouts
• #21 Notre Dame (1-1) @ Purdue (1-1)
Saturday
8 p.m.
ABC
West Lafayette, Ind. (Ross-Ade Stadium 62,500)
Notre Dame has dominated Purdue recently, winning the last five meetings between the two schools. Six straight seems like a certainty as there are mismatches galore in this one. Purdue’s offense struggled putting points on the board against lowly Indiana State, an FCS school. Image what the Boilermakers’ anemic attack will do against Notre Dame. Irish put Michigan loss behind them and blow the Boilermakers out in primetime. ND 40-7.
• Western Michigan (0-2) @ #17 Northwestern (2-0)
Saturday
9 p.m.
BTN
Evanston, Ill. (Ryan Field 47,130)
By beating California and Syracuse in back-to-back weeks Northwestern is really starting to prove it’s for real. Not that those two program are juggernauts, but the ‘Cats are taking care of business while showcasing they have some talented players in Evanston. The Broncos are really struggling losing by 13 points at offensively challenging Michigan State and then falling to powerhouse Nicholls, 27-23, at home. All ‘Cats, 44-3.
• Akron (1-1) @ #11 Michigan (2-0)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
Ann Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Stadium 109,901)
Michigan has won 16 straight home games, the longest active streak among BCS conference schools. Akron, who began playing Division I-A football in 1987, has never beaten a ranked team in the Associated Press poll and has lost to ranked teams by double digits 13 straight times, losing those contests by an average of 31 points. All Maize and Blue, 55-10.
• Western Illinois (2-0) @ Minnesota (2-0)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
Minneapolis, Minn. (TCF Bank Stadium 50,805)
Don’t let Western Illinois’ 2-0 record fool you, it has beaten no one – Quincy and Hampton. Expect more big plays for Jerry Kill’s team as his Golden Gophers should dominated the Leathernecks physically on both sides of the ball. Watch Minnesota pound WIU consistently with his running game en route to an easy 37-12 win.
Country Classics?
#1 Alabama (1-0) @ #6 Texas A&M (2-0) (3:30 p.m. CBS): The game so many people have been looking forward to has arrived. College Station will be rocking and Bama will be jacked for this one after A&M handed it its only loss in 2012. Defensive guru Nick Saban will devise a scheme to make sure Johnny Manziel is held in check. Roll Tide, 33-23.
Tennessee (2-0) @ #2 Oregon (2-0) (3:30 p.m. ABC): Expect the Ducks to administer a beat down to the Vols, who have played Austin Peay and Western Kentucky to date. Oregon scores in bunches, having lit up the scoreboard for 125 points in two games already. All Ducks 47-16.
Vanderbilt (1-1) @ #14 South Carolina (1-1) (7 p.m. ESPN): The Commodores are hoping to avoid an 0-2 start in the SEC, while Steve Spurrier’s club is looking to rebound from last week’s disappointing defeat at Georgia. USC needs a much better defensive showing after allowing 530 yards last week. Gamecocks prevail, 27-17.
#25 Ole Miss (2-0) @ Texas (1-1) (8 p.m. Longhorn Network): The Longhorns were humiliated last week at BYU. As a result, their defensive coordinator was sent packing. Don’t expect the defense, which gave up a staggering 550 yards rushing against the Cougars, to improve much in a week. Rebels will hand UT second straight loss as Mack Brown’s job is in serious jeopardy. Ole Miss, 21-20.
Nevada (1-1) @ #9 Florida State (1-0) (3:30 p.m. ESPN): By no means is this a classic in the making, but it’s worthy watching to see what Seminole QB Jameis Winston does for an encore. Winston has another big day, helping FSU win big, 42-14.
(All times ET)
