A super hectic week has forced me into a monster truck rally style smash of my two preview columns here on a Friday afternoon. Indiana, Michigan State, Northwestern and OSU are off. All times are central.
Game of the Week:
Michigan at Minnesota
The two UM’s face an emotional game for very different reasons. Michigan will be hitting the field for the first time since one of the most insane last second losses in football history. Minnesota of course will try and rally around interim coach Tracy Claeys after the stunning retirement of Jerry Kill. Oh yeah, both teams have some talent too.
- Saturday, 6:00 pm, ESPN
Sleeper:
Illinois at Penn State
Illinois battled Iowa and Wisconsin for the entire game in both. PSU has been very up and down and vulnerable at times – highlighted by the 6-point win over Army. The Illini are capable of pulling this upset. That would be something special and get their bowl hopes nearly locked down.
- Saturday, 11am, ESPN2
Don’t Forget:
Iowa vs Maryland
The Terps played OSU fairly well in Randy Edsall’s last game and then with interim Mike Locksley, they nearly knocked off Penn State. Iowa had the bye to help improve some of their health but they are still banged up and will be the rest of the year so a stumble becomes more and more likely as the injuries mount.
- Saturday, 2:30pm, ABC / ESPN2
Snoozer:
Rutgers at Wisconsin
The Knights couldn’t do anything at home against Ohio State. Newsflash, Wisconsin’s defense is even better statistically. Yikes.
- Saturday, 11am, BTN…Maybe RU fans should watch their basketball upset over the Badgers from last year instead. Relive the glory moment.
Upset Watch:
Right End – Purdue has just 1 league win under Darrell Hazell. I’m not saying a win over Nebraska will save him, but it is a step in the right direction. With Armrstrong out and Nebraska’s shaky season so far, I’m saying there is a chance.
- Saturday, 11am, ESPNU
Wrong End – Iowa and Penn State have already been warned.
Elsewhere:
N/A, I have already mentioned each game above.
Random Musing:
Happy Halloween! I’m going as Brad from Rocky Horror Picture Show. What are some of your costumes?
Gambling Guide:
Reminder: Hoosiers, Spartans, Willy the WIldcat and Brutus the Buckeye are at home playing uno this weekend.
Illinois at Penn State
PSU -5.0, Over / Under 43
I’ve gotten every bet with Penn State wrong this year so I’m just going to roll the dice and take the points since I genuinely believer Illinois has a shot at winning this game.
Iowa vs Maryland
UI -17.5, O/U 53.5
The last time we saw Iowa they smashed Northwestern 40-10. That was on the road and NU is by all measures a much better team than the Terps. This one is in Iowa City. I also hope Iowa comes out with some swagger with a top-10 ranking and that they remember last year’s meltdown in College Park that probably would make an all-time most embarrassing lost list for Kirk’s career (hmm, I smell funny column coming). Watch me regret this bet big time on Monday but I’ll take the Hawks to cover and the over.
Michigan at Minnesota
UM (Blue) -13, O/U 38
As emotional as the Gophers could be and rally around the terrible news, I don’t think you can gamble with your heart. The only teams to beat Michigan have done it with outstanding performances by their quarterback (Utah’s Wilson and MSU’s Cook). I don’t see Mitch Leidner having that type of game in him. I like the Wolverines to win big. I think they can put up 30-40 points alone. I’ll take the over then as a result.
Nebraska at Purdue
NU -7.5, O/U 53.5
I like Nebraska to win by 10+ but with Ryker Fife starting for the banged up Tommy Armstrong Jr., I think the up and down Cornhusker defense comes to the rescue in a lower scoring game that expected. 24-14 sounds like the score to me so I’ll snag the under, too.
Rutgers at Wisconsin
UW -19, O/U 51.5
I think Wisconsin posts a shutout, that’s how good their defense is. Not sure they get half a hundred, though. Bucky and under in this one.
Lightning Round:
Illinois/Penn State – Points
Iowa/Maryland – UI, Over
Michigan/Minnesota – UM (aa), Over
Nebraska/Purdue – NU, Under
Rutgers/Wisconsin – UW, Under
Big Ten and Counting 