Big Ten Bloggers Pick’Em – Week 6

I can’t believe we’re nearing the halfway mark of this season.

So far, The BBC has been hanging out around the middle of the pack.  We did that last year, too.  But then a late-season burst helped us win the whole damn thing.  Maybe history can repeat itself?

Here’s the standings so far – Big Ten games are worth three points, non-conference games are 1 point.

Tied for 15th place….I’d better start making up some ground soon.  Here’s a good place to start;

Iowa at Michigan State -I haven’t been impressed at all with Iowa this year.  They had two blowout wins against elementary school lineups, one close win against a weak Iowa State, and two losses to a very average pair in Pitt and Northwestern.  Javon Ringer is for real and will be the best player Iowa has faced this year, maybe the best they will see the entire campaign.  My opinion on Michigan State is that they are not getting the recognition they deserve, and they are playing with a chip on their shoulder because of that.  I look for an old-fashioned curb-stomping in this game.

The BBC’s pick – Michigan State

Indiana at Minnesota – The Gophers are still in the hunt for a bowl game and they know it.  While they were still not much of a challenge for Ohio State this year, they did fare better than last season.  They’re improving.  But so is Indiana, and Minnesota doesn’t look like they are able to handle a mobile QB.  I think the X-factor in this game will be Kellen Lewis (which it always is for the Hoosiers).  Minny’s going to have to get their 6 wins against Northwestern and Iowa if they want in.

The BBC’s pick – Indiana

Penn State at Purdue – I’m not at all confident in Purdue’s capability of slowing down Penn State in thsi one, especially after a poor showing against Notre Dame.  But the Nittany Lions are about to enter their roughest portion of their schedule.  4 of 5 games on the road, including at Wisconsin, at Ohio State, and at home against Michigan.  The best chance the Boilers have here is to attack early and play on the chances that PSU is caught looking ahead to next week at Camp Randall.
The BBC’s Pick – Penn State

Illinois at Michigan – This might be the best game of the whole Big Ten season.  It also might be the worst.  Illinois still hasn’t shown anybody that they know how to play defense.  Michigan still hasn’t shown anybody that they know a game is comprised of four full quarters.  Both teams have a LOT to prove, Illinois trying to show that they do still belong among the top half of the conference, and Michigan trying to get back the respect they lost this season.

The BBC’s Pick – Illinois

Ohio State at Wisconsin – I’d be a LOT more scared about this game if Wisky hadn’t pulled their troops out of Michigan Stadium halfway into the game last week.  But I’m still nervous.  The Ohio State run defese (still holding teams under 90 yards per game) has to buckle down this weekend.  Force the Badgers to beat you through the air and take away their strength.  Wisconsin managed to shut down McGuffie last week, but let Threet run wild.  Sam McGuffie is no Beanie Wells, and Steven Threet is no LBiC.  I look for a tough day for Wisconsin’s running defense.

The BBC’s Pick – Ohio State

Just so you know, I have done well at the start of every Saturday.  The games I have lost are the late ones.  Pray that history does not repeat…..

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