Griffiths: Big Ten Picks, Week 4
By DOUG GRIFFITHS
ISL Assistant Editor
What do you say we get this party started?
The 2013 Big Ten season officially kicks off this weekend. No, the Purdue-Wisconsin game won’t be close, but it does signal more meaningful games are just around the corner.
Three weeks into the season, the Big Ten’s Legends Division is flexing its muscle, showing their brethren in the Leaders Division that it is the better half. All six Legends teams have winning records, including four that are unbeaten.
By comparison, only Ohio State in the Leaders is unbeaten. There are four one-loss teams, plus there’s two-loss Purdue.
Last week, Nebraska and Wisconsin fell from the ranks of the unbeaten.
Week 2 was the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge, if you will, as four Big Ten teams scored off against teams from the West. The Big Ten lost three of those tilts, In addition to the Huskers losing at home to UCLA and Wisconsin getting robbed at Arizona State, Washington defeated Illinois in Chicago. Ohio State saved the Big Ten from being completing embarrassing with its convincing 52-34 win at Cal.
The Big Ten struggled against the Pac-12, arguably the second-best conference in America, but I did anything but struggle.
I posted a big bounce back week, going 10-2 picking winners in Big Ten contests and was a perfect 5-0 in national games.
As a result, my overall record improved to 39-8 on the season (83 percent).
With that said, lets turn the page and tackle the task at hand.
Following is a 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
• Michigan State (3-0) @ #22 Notre Dame (2-1)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
NBC
South Bend, Ind. (Notre Dame Stadium 80,795)
The Fighting Irish need to greatly improve their play this week after a very lackluster performance at Purdue. Michigan State, ranked 24th by the coaches, boasts the nation’s No. 1 defense and found some offense last week thanks to QB Connor Cook. With games against Oklahoma and Arizona State looming, Notre Dame can ill-afford to fall to 2-2. This game is always ultra-physical and usually very, very close. This year will be no different. ND in a squeaker, 17-14.
May Be Worth A Look-see
• Missouri (2-0) vs. Indiana (2-1)
Saturday
8 p.m.
BTN
Bloomington, Ind. (Memorial Stadium 52,929)
Media members covering IU football are saying the program is in need of a signature win, which this game could provide if Kevin Wilson’s team can find a way to come out on top. The Tigers aren’t ranked, but they bring in clout that IU’s nonconference opponents usually don’t … they’re a member of the SEC. Don’t be fooled, Missouri isn’t your typical SEC team filled with talent across the board. The Tigers will try and slow down a Hoosier offense that is averaging 50 points per game and 571.3 yards per game (339 via the pass). With that said, IU is surrendering 237 yards rushing per outing thanks to allowing 444 vs. Navy. This will be a high-scoring affair, but Missouri will prevail because its defense is better. Tigers, 41-35.
Big-Time Blowouts
• Purdue (1-2) @ #24 Wisconsin (2-1)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
ABC/ESPN2
Madison, Wis. (Camp Randall Stadium 80,321)
Game 1 of the Big Ten season should be over by halftime. The Boilermakers gave a valiant effort against Notre Dame last week so it’s very doubtful they can repeat that performance. Had it not been for a very poor officiating crew, Wisconsin would be 3-0 entering this game. Instead the Boilermakers will face an angry bunch of Badgers, and that’s not good for the men in Gold and Black. Wisconsin has dominated this series as of late, winning the last four games by 21 points or more. Purdue’s last two trips to Madison have resulted in losses by a combined 99-17. Have the remote ready. This one will be over quickly. On Wisconsin, 35-3.
• Western Michigan (0-3) @ Iowa (2-1)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
Iowa City, Iowa (Kinnick Stadium 70,585)
If you’re looking for the worst 3-1 team in American Saturday night, look no further than Iowa. That’s what the Hawkeyes’ record will improve to when they dispose of hapless WMU. The Broncos, who will be facing their third Big Ten team this season, have more turnovers (eight) than touchdowns (seven). Get ready for a steady dose of running back Mark Weisman, who leads the country with 85 carries and is third with 425 rushing yards. Hawks, 37-11.
• #15 Michigan (3-0) @ Connecticut (0-2)
Saturday
8 p.m.
ABC
Storrs, Conn. (Rentschler Field 40,000)
OK, Michigan forgot to show up last week in the Big House against lowly Akron, and its players apologized for their dismal performance. Don’t expect a repeat performance this week. The Huskies aren’t a good team, having lost to Towson by 15 points and Maryland also by double digits. The Wolverines get their act together as RB Fitz Toussaint runs wild. All Maize and Blue in primetime, 44-7.
• San Jose State (1-1) @ Minnesota (3-0)
Saturday
Noon
ESPN2
Minneapolis, Minn. (TCF Bank Stadium 50,805)
Ground and pound is how the Golden Gophers like to get it done and considering QB Philip Nelson is hampered with a hamstring, it’s safe to say you’ll see Minnesota to continue to run the ball 75 percent of the time. RBs Rodrick Williams and David Cobb are averaging better than 7 yards per carry, while spelling Donnell Kirkwood, who hasn’t played since the opener (ankle). This is easily the best team the Gophers have played this season. Minnesota will have its hands full with San Jose State QB David Fales, a future NFL pick, but the Gophers survive a scare, 23-20.
• South Dakota State (3-0) @ Nebraska (2-1)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
BTN
Lincoln, Neb. (Memorial Stadium 87,000)
Uh oh … could the FCS Jackrabbits actually go to Lincoln and upset the Huskers? Yes. SDSU is ranked 6th in the FCS polls, while we all know Nebraska is reeling after last week’s home collapse against UCLA. If that wasn’t enough, the audio tape of Bo Pelini going off on Husker fans was made public, plus Pelini didn’t help his cause criticizing Nebraska legend Tommie Frazier. Huskers better put what happened last week both on and off the field behind them because this is one of the best FCS teams. Nebraska gets back on winning track, 35-13.
• Maine (3-0) @ #18 Northwestern (3-0)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
BTN
Evanston, Ill. (Ryan Field 47,130)
Will Northwestern be looking ahead to its huge Big Ten opener against Ohio State in a couple weeks? No. Pat Fitzgerald’s team is filled with veterans and too focused on the task at hand, plus the ‘Cats’ offense averages 43.3 points and 520 yards per game. Maine is a solid FCS team that can also light up the scoreboard (27 points per game). ‘Cats will remain unbeaten to set up gigantic game Oct. 5 in Evanston. NU, 42-9.
• Kent State (1-2) @ Penn State 2-1)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
BTN
University Park, Pa. (Beaver Stadium 106,572)
Darrell Hazell bolted for Purdue just in time. The Kent State program he left has endured back-to-back routs to LSU (no shame there) and to Bowling Green (a team that was blown out by IU, ouch!). This is a Flashes’ team that features a freshman QB and a rebuilt offensive line. Translation: A very long afternoon in Happy Valley. Penn State 33-7.
• Florida A&M (1-2) @ #4 Ohio State (3-0)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
Columbus, Ohio (Ohio Stadium 102,329)
Ohio State is a 50-point favorite against the Rattlers. Nothing more needs to be said. Take the points though. Buckeyes won’t cover. OSU, 49-0.
Country Classics?
#23 Arizona State (2-0) @ #5 Stanford (2-0) (7 p.m. FOX): Stanford faces its first true test this season against as fortunate a team as there is in the country. The Cardinal pass with flying colors. Stanford, 30-10.
Auburn (3-0) @ #7 LSU (3-0) (7:45 p.m. ESPN): Auburn has been impressive to start the season, posting three solid wins. Playing in Baton Rouge, however, is a whole different animal. LSU is playing like it has a chip on its shoulder, not being happy about being overlooked in the SEC. LSU QB Zach Mettenberger (9 passing TDs & no interceptions) continues to light it up. LSU, 31-17.
Tennessee (2-1) @ #18 Florida (1-1) (3:30 p.m. CBS): The Volunteers got pounded last week at Oregon and could very well get blown out again in the Swamp. The Gators have had a week off to think about all their miscues that cost them dearly in a loss at Miami (Fla.). UF gets its act together, 27-9.
Utah (2-1) @ BYU (1-1) (10:15 p.m. ESPN2): It doesn’t get any better than this in the state of Utah. The Utes have had bragging rights in the “Holy War” series, winning three straight, but must put an overtime loss to Oregon State behind them. Go with the Cougars, especially since they’ve had a couple weeks to prepare. BYU, 40-33.
Kansas State (2-1) @ Texas (1-2) (8 p.m. ABC): Texas can’t lose three in a row can it? If it does, Mack Brown better turn his resignation in Sunday. It’s hard to fathom why such a talented Longhorn program is playing so poorly, but it should get by the Wildcats, a team that lost to a FCS team earlier this season. Horns, 24-21.
(All times ET)
