Don’t you hate it when somebody comes back and says, “I told you so.” I sure do. So that’s why I’ve decided to remind everyone how awesome my predictions were back in August. Yes, indeed, humility is my strong suit.
Thus far, I’ve nailed my record predictions for PSU (5-1), Nebraska (5-1), Michigan State (4-1, loss to ND and beat OSU), Iowa (4-2, loss to ISU and PSU), Michigan (6-0), and Wisconsin (6-0). But here is the feather in my cap so far: I predicted Ohio State at 3-3, calling each of the three losses.
As for near misses, I overestimated Purdue, Indiana, and Northwestern by 1 victory. I really missed on Minnesota, expecting them to win 3 by this point instead of just 1 game. For the second straight year, I sold Ron Zook short. Last year I predicted a ghastly 1-11 season, and we remember how that turned out. This year, ashamed to admit my mistake, I called for Illinois to be 4-2 at this point, not 6-0. That darn Zooker!
Okay, I admit, it’s a lot easier to predict the first few games which are so padded by cupcake games. I’m aware that my success rate may go down…but if it doesn’t, here are some thing to look for.
A late-season surge by Ohio State to finish out 8-4.
A November slump from Wisconsin to end up 10-2.
Michigan losing 4 of their last 6, the bloom to fall off Hoke’s rose.
The Cornhuskers to stumble through their inaugural season in the Big Ten 4-4 in conference.
Michigan State and Penn State to earn a spot in Indianapolis on December 3.
(In case you missed it back in August, below are the original predictions and links to each Big Ten team’s story.)
Legends
Michigan State 9-3, 6-2—Outback W over Mississippi State
Nebraska 8-4, 4-4—Gator W over Florida
Iowa 7-5, 4-4—Kraft Fight Hunger L to Stanford
Michigan 8-4, 4-4—Capital One W over South Carolina
Northwestern 6-6, 4-4—Insight L to Oklahoma State
Leaders
Penn State 10-2, 7-1—Rose L to Oregon
Wisconsin 10-2, 6-2—Fiesta W over Notre Dame
Illinois 7-5, 4-4—Meineke Car Care L to Texas Tech
Purdue 6-6, 3-5—Little Caesar’s W over Toledo
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