Monday, November 15, 2010

Games of the Week/Big Ten Rundown 12

The top three teams in the BCS all have bye weeks (has that ever happened before?), so there isn't anything too monumental going on. There are a few games that have BCS implications though so here they are.

#16 Virginia Tech (8-2) @ #24 Miami (7-3)
- Hmm... let's summarize the situation: Virginia Tech lost a heartbreaker to Boise State the first week of the season, then went on to lay an egg against an FCS team. They have won every game since that 0-2 start. Miami, on the other hand, has been one of the weirdest teams in college football to figure out. Losing on the road to Ohio State is respectable, but blowout losses to Florida State and Virginia (I know Miami almost came back, but it was an ass kicking) are slightly confusing. Both have had their moments this year where they haven't seemed worthy of much, but Virginia Tech has the consistency thing going for them so, yeah, I think they will beat down on Miami for sure. Not much more to really say about that one.

#8 Nebraska (9-1) @ #19 Texas A&M (7-3)
- I like Texas A&M a lot more now that I did heading into the season as they are starting to play complete games and playing much better defensively. Nebraska has an ailing QB and I'm sure the offense will suffer as a product of that, but I still have to go with the Cornhuskers to pull out the tough road win. I picked Nebraska to be 11-1 heading in the Big 12 Championship game at the beginning of the season so I need to back up my prediction.

#6 Stanford (9-1) @ California (5-5)
- There has to be an upset in the top ten, right? Stanford has been playing very good football all season long, but something has got to give here for the Cal Bears. They have played incredibly at home this season and really, truly, honestly should have beaten Oregon last weekend. I'll go ahead and say that Coach Tedford finds a way to rally the troops and take down the #2 team in the conference in Berkley.


Big Ten Rundown-

#9 Ohio State @ #20 Iowa- TBA

#7 Wisconsin (9-1, 5-1) @ Michigan (7-3, 3-3)
- It is a very rare occurrence, and I really do try to keep it to a minimum, but I will be rooting for the Michigan Wolverines this weekend. Look, I don't have to really HATE Michigan until after Saturday, so I am entitled to this one. If Wisconsin loses and Ohio State wins out, then by virtue of a higher BCS ranking than Michigan State (if they won out as well) the Buckeyes would head to Pasadena for the second year in a row. Chances of that happening: unlikely. Wisconsin is playing too well right now and Michigan is simply average. It'll be a decent game to watch for awhile, though.

Purdue (4-6, 2-4) @ #12 Michigan State (9-1, 5-1)
- Michigan State wins. Plain and simple. It is senior day in East Lansing so I really don't see a reason to pick Purdue. Next week's MSU-PSU game will be really fun to watch.

Illinois (5-5, 3-4) @ Northwestern (7-3, 3-3)
- It is being played at Wrigley Field, which will be the host of ESPN's College Gameday, so the atmosphere should be a lot of fun to be around. I love Northwestern's fight each and every season and their ability to pull off 8 or 9 win seasons with the smartest players in the conference. I'll go with brains over brawn in this one with Northwestern beating Illinois. Even if Illinois beats Fresno State to end the season I think that Ron Zook is a goner.

Penn State (6-4, 3-3) vs Indiana (4-6, 0-6)
- The game is being played at a neutral site, so that should add some intrigue for both sides involved. It really is unfair that Indiana is the only Big Ten team without a conference victory because facts are facts and Minnesota is a much worse football team that the Hoosiers. I want to give them a win badly, but they won't get it here. PSU will earn its seventh win of the season before taking on Michigan State in Happy Valley.

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