This week should be an interesting one in the Big Ten Conference. Top 10 teams Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin all play on the road and there are seven games on tap.
November football is finally here and Ohio State is on the road to play Iowa. This the month when championship teams are made, bad weather sets in and upsets often happen. Speaking of upsets.
Thomas Scurlock absolutely smoked me last week in our predictions.
It’s not an upset for my buddy to beat me in Big Ten predictions, but he broke my three game winning streak predicting Ohio State games.
If that keeps up I guess I’ll have to fake an injury, possibly a sprained finger. Since I can only type with two, hurting just one of them could be a season ending injury.
Oh well, I’ll try to suck it up and get back on track this week. Here are our predictions for week 10 and I’ll let Tom get things started.
TS Here you go.
The Buckeyes took command in the Big Ten East last week after beating Penn State. I also took command in my battle against Charlie in our weekly Big Ten predictions.
Week 10 presents some tough games to calculate as the three best teams in the conference hit the road. Here are my score predictions:
Ohio State vs Iowa
Before the season, I believed Iowa would be the team with potential to beat the Buckeyes as this game was tucked between Penn State and Michigan State, I no longer think that is going to happen.
After two and half seasons, the Buckeyes found their soul in the win over Penn State last week. The talent was always there, but they finally rose above the small mistakes that plagued the team in big games recently.
The Hawkeyes lack the offensive talent to make this a game. It will be close in the first half, but Ohio State pulls away in the third quarter. Buckeyes win 48-14.
CL Right when I have finally convinced Tom that Ohio State has a really high-powered offense I’m going the other way, slightly. I think Iowa’s I formation offense will be able to chew up enough of the clock to keep the scoring down somewhat.
With the Hawkeyes actually using a fullback, something not often seen in college football today, it may take the Buckeye front seven some time to adjust to it. But I agree Ohio State will eventually pull away and win 41-13.
Penn State vs. Michigan State
TS The Spartans and Nittany Lions both lost close games last week raising the pressure to win this week to stay in the hunt with Ohio State to win the Big Ten East.
Rebounding from an emotional loss can be difficult, but Mark Dantonio and James Franklin will have their teams ready to play.
The difference in this game will be Saquon Barley’s ability to run the ball. He struggled last week against the Buckeyes. He’ll find the Spartans front a little easier and run for at least 150 yards and three touchdowns as Penn State cruises to a 35-17 win.
CL Upset alert? I am mixed on that, but I’ll take a chance because Ohio State gave Mark Dantonio a blueprint to slow Barkley down. Michigan State wins ugly, 20-17.
Wisconsin at Indiana
TS This will be a close game because the Hoosiers can’t buy wins right now largely due to their inability to run the ball and the Badgers can’t separate from mediocre competition because they can’t throw the ball consistently.
Wisconsin’s defense is better and that will be the difference. They get a turnover late in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Badgers 31-24.
CL Tough game to predict because you don’t know what to expect from Indiana. Having said that, I just think the Badgers have too much for the Hoosiers and will grind out a decisive win.
Wisconsin 38-17.
Maryland at Rutgers
TS Fourth place in the Big Ten East is at stake. The Terps rebounded last week beating Indiana in a shootout. The Scarlet Knights two-game winning streak was halted at Michigan.
This game comes down to running the ball and I think Ty Johnson will carry the Terps in a low scoring game. Maryland wins 24-20.
CL This could be a big game for Rutgers as far as recruiting the East coast. Since the Scarlet Knights are at home I’ll give them the edge. Rutgers wins 20-17.
Northwestern at Nebraska
TS The Cornhuskers narrowly averted disaster last week scoring a last second touchdown against Purdue keeping their hopes alive for making a bowl game.
The path does not get any easier this week as Northwestern comes into Lincoln riding a three-game winning streak.
Neither team is good, but Northwestern has the balance on both sides of the ball and Nebraksa’s ground game is awful. Wildcats win 20-16.
CL Mike Riley is coaching to keep his job and Nebraska is a tough place to play.
Cornhuskers 27-20.
More from Scarlet and Game
- Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
- Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes conference schedule is set
- Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
- How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
- Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
Minnesota at Michigan
The Little Brown Jug game. The Wolverines have dominated the series and there is little reason to think they won’t pound the Golden Gophers again. Wolverines win 35-10.
It may be even worse. Michigan wins 41-10.
Illinois at Purdue
TS The Fighting Illini actually showed some heart last week against Wisconsin. They are still awful.
The Boilermakers failed to knockout Nebraska giving up a late touchdown and dropping their third consecutive game.
Purdue is trying to salvage its season and make a bowl game. I think it rebounds and slaughters Illinois 41-20.
CL I’m not sure Illinois will get to 20. 42-13 Purdue.
Next: Picking against the spread week 10
There you have it, our week 10 predictions. Boy, one of my typing fingers is sore. Hope I don’t have to go on injured reserve for the rest of the season.