Around the Big Ten

[THE_WIZARD_]

riveting

[iam416]

If I ask politely, and promise to banish Dr. Strangelove to Madagascar, will you kindly STFU, GFY and drive off a cliff?

[THE_WIZARD_]

No, no and depends on my life insurance policy.

[froot loops]

Hoping beyond all hope that Tucker can drag this team to 6-6 and the outstanding Quick Lane Bowl. Nothing like Campius Martius during the holidays.

[iam416]

Much like CRD and Ohio State, I am starting to falter as we get deep into conference play. 1-4 in conference and 2-1 on wildcards brings me to 29-31-1 and 15-8. Gross. Oh well, let's see if we can't pick out some losers this week.

Penn State (+14') vs Ohio State. I would love for this game not to be an aggravating, annoying shitshow. But, it's at Happy Valley. So, it will be. Ohio State hasn't won by more than 13 at HV since Jim Tressel was the head coach. And CRD is no Jim Tressel. Unlike Sparty, Ohio State's offensive strengths play to Penn State's defensive strengths. Penn State is very good against the pass and modest against the run. But, Ohio State can't really run, so they'll likely bang their heads into the Penn State defense all game (ala Notre Dame). Penn State's offense isn't great, but it's still exponentially better than Iowa's. So, they will actually move the ball. It'll be an unpleasant start to the day that sees Ohio State barely escaping with a 30-24 win or something like that.

Rutgers (+14) at Minnesota. I'm not sure the Goofer has the offense to really lay it on anyone except Sparty. And it really seems like Schiano at least has Rutgers playing sound, talentless ball. The Rutgers offense is really gross, so that's a concern. But, if they can keep the Goofer under 30 I like the points. I'll say Minnesota wins 27-17.

nFw (+11) at Iowa. Most disgusting game of the year. Easily. I don't think Iowa can score more than 11. Maybe the defense gets a TD? I'll say Iowa wins 10-9. And, very honestly, I'd rather eat a pile of Wizard's cold wings listening to Buchanan explain Russia-Ukraine than watch this human rights violation of a game.

Illinois (-7') at Nebraska. I don't know how to actually say this, but UNL can leap into first in the West with a win. I mean, JFC. But, Bert smells blood. His boys run, they play defense and they don't pass. Just like he likes it. The epic Illinois-Purdue game is circled on his calendar and nothing is gonna get in the way of that localized armageddon. Illinois grinds the Huskerz to dust with a 23-10 win.

Michigan (-22) vs Michigan State. Ohio State beat Sparty by 29 in EL. HARBAUGH!!!! will easily top that at home. Personally, I'd use this game as a way to get JJ going because, well, Sparty's pass defense is abominable. Or he could just keep pounding Corum and Edwards. Either way. The only remotely interesting aspect of this game is whether Thorne is at least meh and whether Sparty's WRs can make some plays. I'll note, HARBAUGH!!! called Sparty's WRs the best in the conference. So, you know -- they probably are. But no matter how much Sparty scores, it won't matter....HARBAUGH!!!! 52-17.

BYE: Maryland, Indiana, Purdue, Wisconsin

West Virginia (+7') vs Texas Christian. I'm not a believer in TCU, at all. They may win, but I think it'll be close.
Notre Dame (+2') at Syracuse. I don't mind backing Notre Dame on the road against a "good" ACC team.
Southern California (-15) at Arizona. I don't think Arizona will stop USC.

[lineygoblue]

horrible

[THE_WIZARD_]

Seconded.

[WingsFan]

Talent's M/MSU game pick is strictly X and O's.

Can't think of a harder game to pick, MSU is clearly in M's head. All the intangibles that people outside of the area seem to ignore always point to Sparty's Superbowl. The weird stuff has been listed many times- Toss-up to me.

Michigan loses a nail bitter or will pull away in the second half to win comfortably.

[THE_WIZARD_]

Sand.Bag.On.Steroids.

Book it.

[Hannibal]

I can’t believe that Nebraska with that poo poo run defense is only a 7 point dog to Illinois, a team that has already beaten a couple of decent teams by more than 7 points.

[WingsFan]

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[Jeff Buchanan]

WingsFan, I know you have doubts. Go back and read my summations of mgo's (Allex Drain's) Fe FI Fo Film in the game thread and tell me why this joker is picking M to lose? Feelings Ball? In fact, go read Drain's FFFF articles in detail at mgo and after you look at the bad match-ups for MSU in this game, tell me how MSU is going to win this game in the Big House and under the lights.

Barring some kind of random event or set of events that disadvantage M, I just don't see MSU even staying close in this one as my half time and final score predictions attest, At KO, Sparty has a 9.8% chance of winning by virtue of random events. Don't let the facts get in the way of Feelings Ball.

https://www.espn.com/college-footbal...meId/401405125

[THE_WIZARD_]

I can’t believe that Nebraska with that poo poo run defense is only a 7 point dog to Illinois, a team that has already beaten a couple of decent teams by more than 7. Yards

I got Bert and laying the points for huge...book it...

[lineygoblue]

Penn State (+14') vs Ohio State. I would love for this game not to be an aggravating, annoying shitshow. But, it's at Happy Valley. So, it will be. Ohio State hasn't won by more than 13 at HV since Jim Tressel was the head coach. And CRD is no Jim Tressel. Unlike Sparty, Ohio State's offensive strengths play to Penn State's defensive strengths. Penn State is very good against the pass and modest against the run. But, Ohio State can't really run, so they'll likely bang their heads into the Penn State defense all game (ala Notre Dame). Penn State's offense isn't great, but it's still exponentially better than Iowa's. So, they will actually move the ball. It'll be an unpleasant start to the day that sees Ohio State barely escaping with a 30-24 win or something like that.

If OSU only beats PSU by 6 points, the CRD needs to be fired before he reaches the visitors locker room following the game. If he actually takes the best offense, the best QB, AND the best WR corps in CFB today, into HV, and only manages 30 points, something is SERIOUSLY wrong in Columbus. I realize OSU doesn't dominate on defense like they did under Meyer/Tressel, but they can hang points and lots of them on any team they play. And besides, OSU's defense isn't THAT bad.

I think CRD lays about 52 on the Nits. Maybe more. And the Nits aren't going to break 21.

[iam416]

They scored 33 on them last year….in Columbus.