Monday, October 19, 2009

Games of the Week/Big Ten Rundown 8

#8 TCU @ #16 BYU-
The sad fact of it is that this is the national game of the week...and this week in college football is the typical let down week where no great games are scheduled. Hopefully some upsets occur...but moving on, I like TCU more than I do BYU. I have always like what coach Patterson has done down in Forth Worth and like the style of football that the Horned Frogs play more than the Cougars (or the Mormons). However, TCU is due for a loss and this is probably their only legit chance of failing on the national stage. BYU is more battle tested and should squeak this one out late in the fourth quarter. For the second year in the a row it should be a true classic.

Prediction:
BYU- 20
TCU- 16

#13 Penn State @ Michigan-
It is odd picking the winner of this game simply because I am still not a believer in Michigan's football team, yet I know that Michigan owns this series, especially in the Big House. I fully comprehend the Wolverine's progression from an awful team to an exciting team, but exciting and good aren't always necessarily the same thing. The defense isn't as strong as I expected, while the offense still hasn't had a completely dominating performance against a good defense. They will most certainly play a good defense this Saturday. Penn State will play their style of football and ultimately win this game, but big blue will hang around most of the day to put a scare into the Lions. If Michigan puts up more than 30 on this defense, than maybe I'll finally respect the Wolverine offense fully. I doubt it happens, though.

Prediction:
Penn State- 27
Michigan- 23

Oregon State @ #7 USC-
Yeah...it is that bad of a week. This isn't exactly game of the week material, albeit this was a game that sent shock waves throughout the country last September when the Beavers upset USC. The Trojans have had this game circled on their calendar, which means that they won't overlook their opponent and they will probably win. I don't see any reason to think differently. The last REAL test of the season for USC comes next week when they travel to Eugene to take on the red hot Oregon Ducks.

Prediction:
USC- 34
OSU- 14

Big Ten Rundown:

Minnesota (4-3) @ Ohio State (5-2) TBA
Penn State (6-1) over Michigan (5-2)
Iowa (7-0) over Michigan State (4-3) ...closer than the experts think.
Northwestern (4-3) over Indiana (4-3)
Purdue (2-5) over Illinois (1-5)

Projected Bowl Teams
Iowa (11-1) Co- Big Ten Champs
Ohio State (10-2) Co-Big Ten Champs
Penn State (10-2) two conference losses
Wisconsin (9-3) another Outback bowl
Michigan (8-4) could give Rich Rod first bowl win in Ann Arbor
Michigan State (7-5) Who knows
Northwestern (7-5) Who knows
Minnesota (6-6) Who knows

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