There could be a lot of great games this weekend in the Big Ten. Top teams playing each other, middle-but-rising teams taking on each other, struggling teams doing battle with each other. I honestly don’t know if there is a clear-cut winner in any game (maybe the Buckeyes-Boilermakers, but since the start of this century, I’m not willing to overlook Purdue).
Here’s my entries in this weekend’s Big Ten Bloggers Pick’Em;
Iowa at Indiana – I’ve been harsh all year on Iowa. From their administration’s cover-ups regarding sexual assault, to their coach’s willful ignorance about his players’ activity, to the players frequent dirty play and brushes with the law, I’ve been rough with the Hawkeyes. But I’m thinking that this week is the week where I finally ease up…..no, never mind. Fuck Iowa.
The BBC’s pick – Indiana
Toledo at Michigan – Do you have any idea how hard it is to NOT pick Toledo? Michigan has been erratic, unpredictable, and at times just plain awful. Just like John McCain. But Toledo has a really bad defense (allowing 35 points per game) and it’s even competitive in the MAC. I’m just not seeing any upset in this game. Plus, Michigan is pissed off after allowing 48 points last week and will be looking to beat somebody up over it. I think RichRod will run up the score in retaliation.
The BBC’s pick – Michigan
Minnesota at Illinois – Imagine the huge gush of popularity the Gophers would get by becoming bowl-eligible in just seven weeks of football. I’m convinced they’ll get there, but just not this week. Illinois has a nasty offense and can rack ‘em up against teams like Minnesota. The Gophers will get their points too, but I don’t see them keeping up with Juice Williams.
The BBC’s pick – Illinois
Michigan State at Northwestern – Going into this season, did ANYBODY think this would be a highlighted game? Well, it is. 5-1 Sparty visits 5-0 Northwestern. The fact that it’s in Evanston is going to play big. Michigan State has not performed well on the road yet this year, and they might be overlooking the Cats for next week’s Buckeye game. I may regret it, but I’m going with my gut feeling on this one anyway. Javon Ringer’s just too damn good, man.
The BBC’s pick – Michigan State
Purdue at Ohio State – The way Purdue slowed down Penn State last weekend is scary. They held the Lions 30 points under their average. If the Boilers had a decent kicker, they could have laid down a late onside kick and taken their chances. That game might be “the one that got away”, but this week won’t be. Buckeye fans are going to welcome home their heroes this week with a thunderous roar after their win at Wisconsin, and LeBron in Cleats/Beanie will showcase their talent like never before. Purdue has the 104th-best rushing defense in the NCAA. Yes, Kent State plays better rush D than the Boilers. Look for a combined 300 yards from LBiC and Beanie on the ground.
The BBC’s pick – Ohio State
Penn State at Wisconsin – The Lions are licking their chops at finishing off the still-warm corpse of the Badgers. Wisconsin is looking for respect in a suddenly-lost season. I think Penn State will underestimate the danger of this game. Wisky doesn’t lose three in a row, let alone back-to-back night games at home. And laugh if you must, the band will be fired up and the crowd will respond to their return. Camp Randall will be noisy and it’ll carry the Badgers.
The BBC’s pick – Wisconsin
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Quick note on Buckeye Hotspots – Buffalo Wild Wings still has fully responded, which is disappointing. Whether or not ownership wants to deal with this issue over a blog is beside the point, they still have a customer disrespected by management and they should have dealt with it by now. But in reality, they have a lot more to fix than a mere issue with me. The stories I’ve heard from fans of The BBC show that this is a pattern of mismanagement at the Belden Village location. I’m wary to over-use my blog to turn into a “let’s bash BW-3″ site, but I’ll have no problem reminding the 1,000 people daily who give this page hits that BW is no place for a Buckeye fan.
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