Week 8 Predictions and Notes

It's Friday now, and it's time to focus on one of the bigger games in college football this week, and not our Detroit Tigers going to the World Series (insert big smile here). Michigan currently holds an advantage over Michigan State by a record of 67-32-5 with the last 4 won by MSU. This year, that will change. The tide will turn.

I am confident that after Saturday's matchup that I can spend a year gloating over Sparty fans, and make them long for basketball season---in which we'll beat them there again. Michigan State still has a good defense, but their offense is woefully inept to the point where it's no longer reliable. Dantonio has painted himself into a corner this week by saying the media is at fault by goading him into making anti-Michigan comments. After this game, I'm sure that "evil" alter ego will emerge yet again.

Michigan State at Michigan--Critics might point out that Michigan's passing offense isn't stellar. Why does it need to be? Denard and the rest of the running backs average almost 233 rushing yards per game. As long as Robinson keeps the turnovers low, even as far as not having any, the Wolverines have their best chance in years to break the "other" streak. MSU will just hope to hang on. Winner: Michigan

Purdue at Ohio State --Braxton Miller's name is in contention for the Heisman trophy. I tend to think it would take some Herculean stats for that to happen, and playing against a faltering division rival could help that out. I wouldn't be surprised if we see some big plays from Miller to WR Devin Smith. Winner: Ohio State

Nebraska at Northwestern --This will be one to keep an eye on. Nebraska comes in at 4-2, and NW is 5-1. This will be the first tough opponent for the Wildcats, but they need a win to stay relevant in the Big Ten title hunt. If Nebraska can keep Kain Colter in check, then they'll leave Evanston with a good divisional win. Winner: Nebraska

Minnesota at Wisconsin--A toss up game. Really it is. Montee Ball seems to be back into prime running form and I think that gives the edge to the Badgers for this game. The Gophers run defense is pretty much in the middle of the pecking order, so that's the way I'm calling it. Winner: Wisconsin

Penn State at Iowa--Football is full of energetic wins, and after the overtime win that the Hawkeyes had against the Spartans last week, I think they spent it all. Both teams are 4-2, and Kinnick Stadium isn't the hard stadium to play in--just ask Central Michigan. Winner: Penn State

Indiana at Navy--I don't know a lot about the Midshipmen, but Indiana has played the Spartans and Ohio State to two very close losses. I think this is the week the Hoosiers break that cycle.  Their passing offense has improved greatly over the last couple weeks, and Navy's defense is nowhere near that of the Big Ten. Winner: Indiana

Notes:

• There will be multiple recruits at the Michigan-Michigan State game, including 5* RB Derrick Green and 4* Laquon Treadwell. Treadwell's visit will be unofficial, so it will not count against his official visit tally. Treadwell has narrowed his search down to 5 schools, 2 of which are Michigan and Michigan State. He likely won't give a verbal commit after the game, but it might sway him if Michigan wins to the maize and blue side
• Other recruits include WR Dominique Booth, TE Chance Sorrell, OL Nathaniel Devers, and Artavis Scott. 
• Shane Morris will also be in town with 14 other 2013 recruits. You will remember Morris was not able to finish his senior year of high school due to a case of mono, but his health seems to be on the upswing lately, and he is still a 5* quarterback. 
• Also speaking of commits, yes Michigan did lose verbal commit OL David Dawson. Now rumors are swirling he's heavily considering going south to Florida. I know it's Hoke's policy to request that once a player verbally commits to Michigan that he does not take any other visits, and that works for me. That player might not have been able to sign with Michigan, but if he wants to check out other places he should have done it before saying yes to Michigan.
• Congrats to Jake Ryan for earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. He has shown a lot of improvement this season, and it was expected of him after his surge late last year. Hopefully there will be more to come from this stud linebacker.
• A few days ago, a Columbus talk show radio host tweeted that he wished Desmond Howard would get fired or die, and even Kirk Herbstreit took umbrage to this. Now since then, he has been suspended for doing so, but that doesn't take away from the appalling act that was done. A person who has a voice over others, in the mainstream public is allowed to be biased--look at 97.1 The Ticket's own Mike Valenti..a fervent Spartan fan. However, when that person makes a statement like that publicly that would actually cause harm to someone, I'm saddened. Such things should never happen.