Week 9 Notes and Predictions

Wow, there's only 5 weeks left of regular season college football. It always seems like the season passes by so much faster than we all want it to. No. 20 Michigan is traveling to Lincoln, Nebraska for the first time since 1911 (They've played each other bowls, but not in Lincoln since then). What makes the game even more tricky is the fact that it's going to be a night game. I have no issue with it being at night and it wasn't possible to foresee, but the Tigers will be hosting the Giants in Game 3 of the World Series in Detroit. How am I supposed to watch both games at the same time? The Tigers are down 2-0, but still...the momentum can still swing in Detroit's favor.

Anyway, undefeated Ohio State and banged up Braxton Miller are going to State College to play the surprisingly decent Penn State. Indiana is going to Illinois in a match-up of the Leaders Division Toilet Bowl. Michigan State will try to right the ship against Wisconsin--which will be no easy task...Wisconsin's offense is on a roll again. All of the Big Ten teams are playing this week, but not all of the teams have had their bye week yet. Northwestern will have theirs next week, and then OSU and MSU will have theirs the week after that with two games to go. Onto what this week will bring us:


Michigan  at Nebraska--As much attention that has been given to Nebraska's offense, keep in mind their defense isn't good at all--they're allowing almost 28 points per game, and Michigan's defense is allowing a hair over 16 (Most of those from the Alabama game).This will be the toughest defense Nebraska has faced so far, so I'm anticipating another monster game from Jake Ryan and Jordan Kovacs. Winner: Michigan

Ohio State at Penn State--Following the Buckeye's game against Purdue, Braxton Miller is rumored to show no ill effects from the injury he sustained last Saturday. PSU is also running their offense at a clip of 94 plays per game! And also averaging a winning margin of just over 20 pts during their winning streak. McGloin is vastly more improved this season with 14 TDs and 2 INTs. Who will win the Ineligible Bowl? I'm going with the team that has no losses. Winner: Ohio State

Michigan State at Wisconsin--Michigan State will be reeling from two straight losses, and offensively they have had not a good overall game since playing CMU in Week 2. Wisconsin on the other hand has improved and now are averaging over 200 rushing yards par game. State's defense can be stingy, but can they hold up against Montee Ball and James White? Winner: Wisconsin

Iowa at Northwestern--Needless to say, this is a game the Wildcats and Hawkeyes desperately need to stay relevant in the Legends Division. Northwestern started out the season 5-0, but are 1-2 in the last three games. Iowa has been hot or cold all year long--losing to Central Michigan, and then beating Michigan State.  If Kain Colter has a good game, that's how the Wildcats can win it. Winner: Northwestern

Purdue at Minnesota--Two middle of the road Big Ten teams are trying to stay alive here for bowl purposes.  The Gophers started off 4-0, but have lost 3 games in a row since, and Purdue seemed like they could win the Leaders Division up until a couple weeks ago when they were trounced by Michigan. Bottom line is that Minnesota hasn't won a Big Ten game so far, and I don't expect them to start now. Winner: Purdue

Indiana at Illinois--Both teams are 2-5, and both are just bad offensively. Indiana had the advantage of playing close against Michigan State and Ohio State, but fell just short. I thought they could turn things around against Navy, but they blew that one as well. Illinois in their 5 losses have been outscored by 208-59. Luckily the Illini are coming off of the bye week or it would be bigger than even that. Winner: Indiana

Notes:

• Hoke was quoted saying it was a possibility that Denard Robinson could return kicks. Now he was in that position just once this past week against Michigan State, but honestly I don't see it happening much more than once per game. When Michigan has players such as Jeremy Gallon, Drew Dileo, and Dennis Norfleet in the backfield doing that, then it's a mistake to have Robinson in there. Unless Brady is preparing him for doing that in the NFL?
• I've seen the stat--Michigan is 1-4 in the last 5 years after they play Michigan State. Can we just call in 1-1 and not pay attention to the RichRod coached years?
• Speaking of Rich, were you aware that in a year and half, Hoke already has more wins than Rich did in 3 years?
• Don't hype it too much, but I hear Jake Ryan is in consideration for Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten. Max Bullough out of Michigan State, and Michael Mauti from Penn State seem to be the only competition he has.