Griffiths: Big Ten Picks, Week 10
By DOUG GRIFFITHS
ISL Assistant Editor
Now that we’ve ushered in the month of November, we can really start talking about the Big Ten race.
Can Michigan State remain undefeated in Big Ten play? It will get a huge test from Michigan in East Lansing in what could determine the Legends Division representative in next month’s Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis.
Nebraska can stay in the hunt for the Legends title if it beats Northwestern, which has yet to win a conference game this season, in Lincoln.
Meanwhile, Iowa will try to become bowl eligible by upsetting Wisconsin in Iowa City.
Illinois, which has lost three in a row, is running out of opportunities to get to six wins. It must win two of its remaining five regular-season games in order to be bowl eligible. A win tomorrow in Happy Valley would be huge for the Fighting Illini.
Minnesota has already won six games thanks to its upset win over Nebraska a week ago. Now the Golden Gophers hit the road for against IU, a game the Hoosiers must win to have a realistic shot at getting to six wins.
Ohio State, on the other hand, looks to stay in the national championship hunt with what should be a glorified scrimmage at Purdue.
As for me, I rebounded last week to post an 11-3 record to run my season total to 104-30 (77.6 percent).
So without further ado, IndySportsLegends helps you decide which conference contests you’ll want to keep an eye on and which ones aren’t DVR worthy on Saturday.
We also give you some games around the country you’ll want to closely follow.
Big Ten Game-Of-The-Week
• #23 Michigan (6-1 overall, 2-1 in the Big Ten) @ #24 Michigan State (7-1, 4-0)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
ABC
East Lansing, Mich. (Michigan Stadium 75,005)
Nothing like getting the month of November started in Big Ten Country with an intrastate rivalry like Michigan vs. Michigan State. Do you like the Spartans’ defense or the Wolverines’ offense more in this one? That’s what it will come down to. MSU’s D has just been so impressive all season. Lets go with the Green and White, 21-17.
Must-See TV
• Minnesota (6-2, 2-2) @ Indiana (3-4, 1-2)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
BTN
Bloomington, Ind. (Memorial Stadium 52,929)
One look at the Hoosiers’ remaining schedule and you’ll quickly come to the conclusion of just how vital this game is to IU’s bowl hopes. A loss and IU would have to not only beat Illinois and Purdue, but also knock off either Wisconsin or Ohio State – both road games – just to get to six wins. All of a sudden this game doesn’t look nearly as easy as it may have a few weeks back. That’s because the Gophers have beaten Northwestern and Nebraska in back-to-back weeks in Coach Jerry Kill’s absence. Still, I like IU in this one because I think its offense will be hard for Minnesota to stop. With that said, however, the Hoosiers better do a much better job stopping the run than they did against Navy or the Gophers will run all over the Cream and Crimson. IU, 31-28.
• Northwestern (4-4, 0-4) @ Nebraska (5-2, 2-1)
Saturday
3:30 p.m.
BTN
Lincoln, Neb. (Memorial Stadium 87,000)
A month ago this matchup looked like it had the makings for the Legends Division championship. Now, it’s a matchup that features a pair of reeling teams. Northwestern has absolutely fallen apart in Big Ten play, not seeming to be able to recover from its close home loss to Ohio State. Nebraska had won three in a row before getting upset at Minnesota a week ago. As a result, the heat is on once again for Huskers’ boss Bo Pelini. The Huskers still control their own destiny to the Big Ten title game, but they better get their act together in a hurry. Needless to say, a repeat performance of a couple years ago when the ‘Cats stunned NU in Lincoln would pretty much all hopes of returning to Indy and likely be the final nail in Pelini’s coffin. Lets go Big Red at home, 28-21.
• #22 Wisconsin (5-2, 3-1) @ Iowa (5-3, 2-2)
Saturday
Noon
ABC/ESPN2
Iowa City, Iowa (Kinnick Stadium 70, 585)
Although Wisconsin needs a ton of help to return to the Big Ten Championship Game, the Badgers are once again having a very good game. Keep in mind, this is a team that’s lost just two games – at Arizona State and at Ohio State – by a total of 9 points. Wisconsin has crushed Northwestern and Illinois in its last two games and should have little trouble with Iowa, although the Hawkeyes are having a good bounce-back year. This game does feature two of the Big Ten’s best defenses statistically, but whether the Hawkeyes are up to stopping the league’s best run offenses (nearly 300 yards per game) is up for debate. Go with the Badgers in this one, 24-14.
May Be Worth A Look-see
• Illinois (3-4, 0-3) @ Penn State (4-3, 1-2)
Saturday
Noon
ESPN
University Park, Pa. (Beaver Stadium 106,572)
The Illini have fallen. Can they get up? Not for at least a few more weeks. Illinois is still looking for its first Big Ten win in what seems like forever and won’t get it in Happy Valley. Illinois has been blown out in its last three games. Although Penn State isn’t of the caliber of Nebraska, Wisconsin and Michigan State – Illinois’ last three foes – the Nittany Lions have proven to be tough at home this season … just ask Michigan. Penn State prevails 27-14.
Big-Time Blowouts
#4 Ohio State (8-0, 4-0) @ Purdue (1-6, 0-3)
Saturday
Noon
BTN
West Lafayette, Ind. (Ross-Ade Stadium 62,500)
Purdue has had Ohio State’s number recently in Ross-Ade Stadium and nearly beat the Buckeyes in Columbus last season, but this one could be by far the most lopsided game in the Big Ten this season. It probably won’t be because Urban Meyer won’t want to embarrass former Buckeye assistant coach Darrell Hazell. This is one of the worst Purdue teams ever and will face the Big Ten’s best. This one will be almost to ugly to watch. All O-H-I-O, 42-0.
Country Classics?
#6 Miami (Fla.) (7-0, 3-0) @ #3 Florida State (7-0, 5-0) (8 p.m. ABC): Not only is this a battle for the Sunshine State, but it has huge BCS National Championship Game implications. With that said, FSU is a 21-point favorite and for good reason. The Seminoles have crushed nearly every opponent (their closest call was a 14-point decision against Boston College). Why? Because freshman QB Jameis Winston has been sensational. Miami, on the other hand, is fortunate to be undefeated at this juncture, having won three games by five points or less. Winston and Co. continue to roll, 38-14.
Georgia (4-3, 3-2) vs. Florida (4-3, 3-2) (3:30 p.m., CBS, Jacksonville, Fla.): So much for a great rivalry as this game pits two teams desperate for a victory after losing their last two. They still have a chance at the SEC East title. We’re going with the Dawgs, 33-28.
Tennessee (4-4, 1-3) @ #10 Missouri (7-1, 3-1) (7 p.m., ESPN): You might be surprised that this game made our list, but you have to be concerned about Missouri’s mindset after absolutely choking away the South Carolina game last week. If the Tigers have a hangover effect, look out. The Tigers probably won’t be as impressive as they were in their first seven, but won’t lose two in a row in Columbia. Mizzou, 28-10.
#11 Auburn (7-1, 3-1) @ Arkansas (3-5, 0-4) (6 p.m. ESPN2): Why this game makes the list is simple, there’s no love lost between Gus Malzahn and Bret Bielema. The two coaches exchanged words again this past week so who knows what may transpire come Saturday. Bielema was crying over Auburn sending a faulty game tape. Expect the Tigers to continue Bielema’s misery as his team loses for the sixth straight time, Auburn 31-17.
#12 Oklahoma State (6-1, 3-1) @ #15 Texas Tech (7-1, 4-1) (7 p.m. FOX): The Cowboys have bounced back after being stunned in Morgantown, W. Va., winning three straight. The Red Raiders, hope to get back on track after a tough loss in Norman, Okla. Texas Tech’s aerial attack will get it done, 34-27.
Bonus Picks:
Notre Dame 31, Navy 10
North Carolina 22, NC State 20
Army 30, Air Force 16
Georgia Tech 24, Pitt 23
TCU 20, West Virginia 17
(All times ET)
