Ohio State Football: Big Ten predictions for week 12
Will Ohio State play another stellar game and Wisconsin remain undefeated? Check out our predictions for Big Ten games in week 12 and see what you think.
Man I’m ticked! Not only did Thomas Scurlock smoke me on last week’s Big Ten predictions, he tied me on Ohio State games for the season. We are now 4-4-2.
I knew when I agreed to picking Big Ten games during Ohio State’s bye week it was a mistake as Tom is our Big Ten guy here at Scarlet And Game. I guess I should have asked for a Mulligan or two and a few strokes before we started.
But he had better enjoy drawing even on predicting Ohio State games because that’s about to change, and it won’t be pretty for Tom from here on out.
See, I already turned the tide and expect to get on a little roll as I already beat him in a debate on the merits of a 4 or 8 team playoff this week. I just used logic and reasoning while he rambled on, simply showing his emotions on the subject.
Now I will get the Ohio State prediction correct and hopefully pull off an upset on the other Big Ten games as well. Here we go, and as usual I’ll let Tom get things rolling.
TS I finally found my mojo last week correctly predicting the Big Ten games finishing 7-0. Ohio State’s blowout win over Michigan State was the highlight.
This week has been fun at Scarlet and Game. Charlie and I debated whether the College Football Playoff should have eight or four teams. Without a doubt it should be eight and I think a majority of the fans agree.
Now Charlie and I turn our sights on Week 12. The slate is average, but at least no team is playing Mercer or the Citadel.
I will take out Charlie again this week. Here we go:
Ohio State vs. Illinois
TS Given this is J.T. Barrett’s last home game , I suspect the team will come out focused, take control early, get a big lead and cruise to an easy win. Buckeyes win 55-14 and retain the Illibuck Trophy.
CL Urban Meyer doesn’t want to discuss the playoff situation but it has to be on everyone’s minds around the Ohio State football program, especially the players. A solid win won’t cut it with the Playoff Committee members so I think the Buckeyes will put the hammer down. Ohio State wins 59-10.
Michigan vs. Wisconsin
TS The game of the week in the Big Ten. Neither team can score so this will be a defensive slugfest.
That being the case, turnovers will determine the outcome. I think that favors Michigan. I am calling for the mild upset. Wolverines win 20-17.
CL Tough game to pick as the teams are pretty evenly matched. I also think it will be a fairly low scoring game. Since they have more to play for and are at home, I’ll go with the Badgers to win 24-20.
Maryland vs. Michigan State
TS The Terps are on the ropes. They need a win to salvage a potential bowl game.
The Spartans are licking their wounds after taking a beat down against the Buckeyes.
Michigan State is at home and clearly the better team. Brian Lewerke will get back on track and lead his team to a comfortable 38-18 win.
CL Who knows how Michigan State will respond from the devastating 45 point loss to Ohio State? A Mark Dantonio coached team has never been defeated so badly. I think there will be a hangover effect for the Spartans. I think Michigan State will still win but it will be close, say 27-20.
Minnesota vs. Northwestern
TS The Golden Gophers came through for me last week beating Nebraska. Their rushing attack finally showed up.
The Wildcats are riding a five-game winning streak beating Iowa and Michigan State along the way. They are getting better production from their offense than they were earlier in the year.
Minnesota needs this win to become bowl eligible because it plays Wisconsin next week. That motivation will keep the game tight, but won’t be enough for them to win the low-scoring game. Northwestern wins 24-20.
CL I believed in the Wildcats early on and they let me down. However, I didn’t jump off their bandwagon and I’m not about to do it now. Northwestern wins 30-17.
Nebraska vs. Penn State
TS Making the playoff is a longshot, but the Nittany Lions are still in the hunt. They stopped their two-game losing streak last week beating up on Rutgers.
The Cornhusker’s season and coach are both on life support. Neither one will make it.
Penn State wins 51-10.
CL Couldn’t agree with Tom any more. Penn State 48-13.
Purdue vs. Iowa
TS This is a must win game for the Boilermakers if they want to play in a bowl game. They’re an improved team, especially on defense, but have learned that consistently winning in the Big Ten requires a running game.
Iowa’s one-week bubble burst last week at Wisconsin. That loss sums up Kirk Ferentz. Good, but not great.
Hawkeyes struggle early, but take control in the fourth to win 34-21.
CL I am wondering which Iowa team will show up. I just have to believe the Hawkeyes will bounce back enough to win. Iowa 24-17.
Indiana vs. Rutgers
TS The Hoosiers opened the season with a decent performance against the Buckeyes and then beat a surprisingly good Virginia team. Everything afterwards has been a disaster.
The Scarlet Knights are having a pretty good season. They have been more competitive against the stronger teams and are beating the mediocre teams. That’s progress for Chris Ash in his second year.
I think this will be a close game, but Rutgers gets the win because it can run the ball and Indiana can’t. Scarlet Knights 31-30.
CL I was high on Indiana early in the season but not now. I have been very impressed with Rutgers of late. Therefore, I think the Scarlet Knights take care of business and win 27-17.