The Rutgers Scarlet Knights will try and stay on top in the Big East when they tangle with the Louisville Cardinals this upcoming Thursday night at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. The kick-off is slated for 8 p.m. and the game will be available on ESPN2.
The West Virginia Mountaineers continue their march towards a Big East title this Friday night when they invade the Carrier Dome to square-off against the Syracuse Orange in this conference matchup. Game time is set for 8 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
The Central Florida Knights will try and get back over .500 on the season when they square-off against the UAB Blazers this Thursday night in a Conference-USA East Division clash. The game is slated to kick-off at 8 p.m. and it will be available on ESPN3.com.
It’s a bit of a role reversal for Ohio State and Illinois so far this year. Ohio State has typically been the team at the top of the Big Ten standings, but this year it is Ron Zook’s Fighting Illini at the top of the standings.
Illinois is off to an impressive 6-0 start, and they are definitely a team that could contend for the Big Ten Leaders Division title.
Ohio State vs. Illinois
Memorial Stadium
Saturday October 15, 3:30 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from Bookmaker
Moneyline: Illinois (-170) Ohio State (+150)
College Football Spread: Illinois -3.5 (-110) Ohio State +3.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 44
Ohio State is coming off a heartbreaking loss to Nebraska. The Buckeyes aren’t up to their normal standards this year, but they are still a dangerous team.
Last week’s loss at Nebraska was a bitter pill to swallow for Ohio State fans. The Buckeyes controlled the first two and a half quarters, but they fell apart late in the game. Braxton Miller showed his ability, but when he went down with an injury the Buckeyes were completely lost on offense. How will Ohio State rebound from last week’s tough loss?
The Buckeyes expect Miller to be ready for this game, which is definitely great news for the offense. Additionally, running back Boom Herron will make his season debut in this one. Ohio State will now have three very good running backs who will share duties in the backfield. It’s the Buckeyes passing game that has been non-existent this year. DeVier Posey is still suspended and the Buckeyes receivers just aren’t very good this year. What about the Buckeyes defense? Ohio State’s defense is pretty good, but they aren’t as good as they have been the last few years. Nebraska seemed to wear down the Buckeyes defense last weekend. Ohio State is giving up 17.8 points per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Ron Zook was on the hot seat at the beginning of this season, but the Illini have really outperformed expectations so far this year. The Fighting Illini get to play Ohio State, Michigan, and Illinois all at home this year, which should be a big benefit to this team’s chances. Nathan Scheelhaase might not get the hype that some other quarterbacks do in the Big Ten, but he is one of the league’s best. Scheelhaase has progressed a great deal from last year, and he is now a complete quarterback. He has thrown for 1,238 yards and rushed for 347 yards this season. Troy Pollard and Donovonn Young have emerged as the Fighting Illini’s most dangerous tailbacks this year. A.J. Jenkins is having a major breakout season at the wide receiver spot. Jenkins already has 46 receptions and seven touchdowns in 2011.
Perhaps the biggest surprise has been the superb play of the Illinois defense. This is a defense that lost its two best players from a year ago, but they are still shutting down their opponents very nicely. Illinois ranks ninth in the country against the run, but they will be tested this week by a solid Ohio State running game. Ironically, Illinois gives up 17.8 points per game as well, the exact same average Ohio State gives up.
The Buckeyes have struggled of late, but they are certainly capable of winning this game. At the same time, Zook’s teams have been very good against Ohio State. In the end, I think the best play here is the under. Look for a low scoring game.
Free College Football Pick: Under 44
Score Prediction: Illinois 20 Ohio State 17
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Wisconsin 83 Indiana 20 is what the scoreboard read after last year’s meeting between these two. The Badgers absolutely annihilated the Hoosiers, and they set several Big Ten records in the process.
Indiana is just as bad as they were last year, and Wisconsin may even be better than last year.
Indiana vs. Wisconsin
Camp Randall Stadium
Saturday October 15, 12:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from Bookmaker
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Wisconsin -40 (-110) Indiana +40 (-110)
Over/Under: 60
Can we expect the same type of massive blowout in this matchup?
Kevin Wilson took over the Hoosiers football program in the offseason. Wilson has implemented a new faster paced offense, but it hasn’t done anything to help the team’s results as of yet. The quarterback spot has been a big question mark this year after Ben Chappell graduated at the end of 2010. Edward Wright-Baker started the year at quarterback, but he has missed the last few games with an ankle injury. Wright-Baker is expected back this weekend, but don’t be surprised if Tre Roberson gets some time under center as well. The Hoosiers really don’t have an established running back, and that really hurts this offense. The two main play makers for this offense are Demarlo Belcher and Kofi Hughes on the outside, and they need to get the ball more often.
Indiana’s defense has been terrible for several years in a row, and things really aren’t any different this season. Despite playing a weak schedule so far this year, the defense has given up 27 points per game. The front seven continually has a horrible time stopping the run, and that will be a real issue against the Badgers.
Wisconsin’s offense was only missing a quarterback as they headed into the offseason after last year’s Rose Bowl loss. Russell Wilson transferred in to the program and the Badgers picked up a Heisman Trophy type quarterback that has become the center of the team’s offense. The Badgers offensive line continues to be dominating, and the running game is as strong as ever. Now, the Badgers also have a solid passing game to go along with the running attack. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Wilson has the mobility to keep plays alive, and he also has the big arm to stretch the defense. Wisconsin is averaging 48 points per game so far this year. This is an offense without a weakness, and they are clearly one of the best in the country.
The Wisconsin defense has been much better than most expected them to be so far this season. Wisconsin is giving up just 10.2 points per game, and they rank seventh in the nation in total defense. Chris Borland has emerged as a leader for this defense. The Badgers secondary has been great against the pass this year. If Wisconsin’s defense continues to be dominant, the Badgers will be extremely difficult to beat this year.
It’s hard to imagine Wisconsin winning this one by 63 points like they did last year, but this game should get very ugly. I think the Badgers have a good chance of getting to 55 or 60 by themselves, so I like the over in this one.
Free College Football Pick: Over 60
Score Prediction: Wisconsin 56 Indiana 10
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The state of Michigan loves its football, but there is absolutely no love between Michigan and Michigan State fans. While Michigan’s primary rival is Ohio State, Michigan State is another major rival of the school.
Michigan State has beaten the Wolverines three straight times, but Brady Hoke has engineered an impressive turnaround at Michigan this year.
Michigan vs. Michigan State
Spartan Stadium
Saturday October 15, 12:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Michigan State (-125) Michigan (+105)
College Football Spread: Michigan State -1.5 (-110) Michigan +1.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 49
The tenth ranked Wolverines will invade East Lansing this Saturday.
The Michigan offense is terrific once again this year, even if it does look a little different than it did last year. Denard Robinson is averaging an impressive 7.1 yards per carry, which is slightly better than his average from last year. Fitzgerald Touissant has emerged as a solid tailback for the team, and that helps relieve a bit of the pressure that was on Robinson. The passing game still needs to improve quite a bit. Robinson has already thrown nine interceptions in just six games, and he is completing just 57% of his passes. The Wolverines are scoring 38 points per game.
The main reason for Michigan’s 6-0 start is the much improved play of the defense. This unit was the worst in school history last year, but they have been very good so far this season. Michigan has given up quite a few yards, but they have forced more turnovers than any other defense in the conference. The defense will get some much bigger tests in the next few weeks, and it will be interesting to see how they hold up.
Michigan State is coming off a year where they tied for the Big Ten title, but they embarrassed themselves against Alabama in the Capital One Bowl. Mark Dantonio’s team is trying to continue to improve and take that next step. Kirk Cousins is the senior under center for the Spartans. Cousins makes good decisions with the football and he knows the offense very well. B.J. Cunningham already has 38 receptions in just five games, and he is a big play threat on the outside. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Spartans are extremely deep in the backfield, but the offensive line has been dinged up this year. They’ll need to be able to run the ball well against the Wolverines front seven in this one.
Who would have thought that Michigan State would have the top ranked defense in the nation half way through the college football season? The Spartans are allowing just 173 yards per contest. Jerrell Worthy is a beast in the middle of the defensive line, and he often takes up two or three blockers.
The Spartans are second in the nation in pass defense and third in run defense, but those numbers will be tested this week.
I expect a very hard fought game this weekend between these intrastate rivals. Michigan is definitely on the way up, but I believe Michigan State is a solid value here at home.
Free College Football Pick: Michigan State -1.5
Score Prediction: Michigan State 27 Michigan 24
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The PAC-12’s Utah Utes, playing out of their new conference, will be in Heinz Field this Saturday afternoon for a tilt with the Big East’s Pittsburgh Panthers in a battle of two teams desperate for a win. The game is slated to get underway at 12 p.m. and it will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.
The Louisville Cardinals and the Cincinnati Bearcats finally open play in the Big East this upcoming Saturday afternoon when they face-off at Paul Brown Stadium in this conference clash. The kick-off is slated for 12 p.m. and the game will be available on ESPN3.com.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will look to extend their current winning streak to seven games this upcoming Saturday afternoon when they take-on the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium in an ACC Coastal Division clash.
Memorial Stadium in Lincoln will be rocking this Saturday night as the Cornhuskers host their first Big Ten Conference game. Last year this looked like it would be a matchup of two top ten teams, but Ohio State’s miserable offseason and poor play this year has diminished the expectations for this game to some degree.
Nebraska was smashed by Wisconsin last week, while Ohio State was terrible in a loss to Michigan State. Which team gets back on track this week?
Memorial Stadium
Saturday October 8, 8:00 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Nebraska (-425) Ohio State (+350)
College Football Spread: Nebraska -11 (-110) Ohio State +11 (-110)
Over/Under: 43.5
Ohio State was thoroughly dominated by Michigan State last weekend, despite the fact that the scoreboard read 10-7 at the end of the game. Ohio State scored with just a few seconds left in the game, and Michigan State blew several chances at busting the game wide open. Ohio State picked up just 178 total yards of offense, and 62 of those yards came on the final drive when Michigan State was playing a soft prevent defense. Ohio State has had two horribly ugly losses already this year, and the fans in Columbus are quickly losing patience with Luke Fickell.
Braxton Miller will start again in this one. Miller is a talented freshman quarterback, but he needs to work on his passing quite a bit. He is a dual-threat quarterback, but right now he relies too heavily on his legs. Boom Herron and DeVier Posey are out for this game after another one-game suspension, and that is a big blow to the offense. This team must start getting Jake Stoneburner involved in the offense. Defensively, Ohio State hasn’t been terrific, but they are pretty good. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
This is a unit that is allowing just 14.6 points per game so far this year.
Nebraska jumped out to a 14-7 lead last week against Wisconsin, but the Badgers proceeded to score 34 straight points and blow out the Huskers in the Big Ten opener for both teams. Taylor Martinez threw for 176 yards, but he also threw three critical interceptions. Nebraska has one of the best running games in the nation with Martinez and Rex Burkhead. Expect them to try to run it down Ohio State’s throat in this one. If Martinez can become a more consistent passer, it would certainly help this team stay balanced and keep the defense honest.
The Nebraska defense has been a major disappointment so far this year. This was a unit that was supposed to be one of the best in the nation, but they have struggled mightily. Nebraska ranks in the lower half in every single defensive category. The defensive front should be great, but they have allowed a lot of teams to run the ball well. As a whole, this defense is allowing 27.2 points per game.
Nebraska’s defense may have struggled to this point, but Ohio State’s offense is terrible and it should help make the Huskers defense look good. The Buckeyes defense isn’t bad, and they should make the Huskers work hard on offense.
Free College Football Pick: Under 43.5
Score Prediction: Nebraska 27 Ohio State 10
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Iowa has owned Penn State over the last few years. The Hawkeyes have won eight of the last nine meetings with the Nittany Lions. Glenn Carson, a linebacker at Penn State, managed to give Iowa a little bit of extra fuel for this one with his comments earlier this week.
Carson said, “Iowa is a wrestling school and Penn State is a football school, so we’ve got to take it to them.” Both of these teams are down quite a bit from where they were a couple years ago, but we should still expect a hard fought battle in Happy Valley on Saturday.
Beaver Stadium
Saturday October 8, 3:30 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from Bookmaker
Moneyline: Penn State (-165) Iowa (+145)
College Football Spread: Iowa +3.5 (-110) Penn State -3.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 46.5
The Hawkeyes dropped a triple overtime game at Iowa State earlier this year, but they did bounce back with wins over Pittsburgh and Louisiana-Monroe. James Vandenburg has been terrific for the Hawkeyes at quarterback this year. Vandenburg has thrown 10 touchdowns and just one interception, while completing 62.8% of his passes. Marvin McNutt is his favorite target on the outside, and he already has four touchdown receptions this season. The Iowa running game hasn’t gotten going very well. Marcus Coker is a solid runner, but Iowa is 69th out of 120 teams in rushing yards per game. The offensive line needs to do a better job opening up holes.
Iowa’s defense lost a ton of talent at the end of last season. This year’s unit doesn’t have near as many stars. The secondary should be one of the best in the league with Prater and Hyde at the corners, but Iowa has allowed 253 yards per game through the air. The defensive front has done a good job stopping the run, but they need to do better pressuring the quarterback.
Joe Paterno still can’t decide on a quarterback. Matt McGloin and Robert Bolden continue to share time under center. McGloin’s numbers are a little bit better, but neither quarterback has been particularly impressive. Derek Moye is one of the Big Ten’s best receivers, and the team needs to get him the football as often as possible. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Moye has 26 receptions and three touchdowns so far this year. Silas Redd has been the primary runner for Penn State this year. Redd is averaging a respectable 4.7 yards per carry. Stephfon Green, a talented runner, is expected to make his season debut this Saturday. The Nittany Lions offensive line has struggled quite a bit this year.
Penn State’s defense has been excellent so far this season. The Nittany Lions rank fifth in the nation in total defense and seventh in the nation in pass defense. Penn State does have a couple key injuries that are likely to hurt them quite a bit on this side of the ball this week. D’Anton Lynn, one of their best corners, will miss this game with a neck injury. Michael Mauti, the heart and soul of the defense, tore ligaments in his knee two weeks ago and he will miss the rest of the season.
Penn State’s offense just hasn’t gotten going this year. Iowa’s defense will stack the box and force the Nittany Lions to throw. Penn State has a very solid defense, and despite the injuries I expect them to play well here.
Free College Football Pick: Under 46.5
Score Prediction: Penn State 20 Iowa 17
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Ron Zook seems to be on the hot seat every year, but his Fighting Illini are off to a very impressive start in 2011. Illinois is unbeaten, and they certainly have been one of the bigger surprises in college football so far this year.
Indiana has a new coach in Kevin Wilson, but it has been the same problems so far this year for the Hoosiers football team. Can Indiana get off the mat at home against Illinois?
Memorial Stadium
Saturday October 8, 2:30 PM EST
NCAA Football Odds from JustBet
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Illinois -14.5 (-110) Indiana +14.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 53
Nathan Scheelhaase is one of the more underrated starting quarterbacks in college football right now. Scheelhaase is just a sophomore, but he has really raised his level of play this season. He is completing 69% of his passes compared to just 59% last year. Each game Scheelhaase is becoming more comfortable throwing the football, which makes him even more dangerous because of his dual-threat skills. Troy Pollard has emerged as a major threat in the backfield for Illinois. He is averaging 9.6 yards per carry in limited action this year. A.J. Jenkins is a star at the wide receiver spot, but Illinois lacks depth on the outside.
The Fighting Illini defense has been the real standout so far this year. After losing Martez Wilson and Cory Liuget most people thought this defense would suffer quite a bit this year. So far this year the Fighting Illini have been terrific against the run and solid against the pass. This is a defense that is allowing just 17.4 points per game. The defense will be without its second-leading tackler, Jonathan Brown, in this game. He is suspended for the game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Indiana has a real controversy at the quarterback position. Edward Wright-Baker and Dusty Kiel are locked in a battle to be the team’s signal caller. The biggest problem is that neither of them has been very good this year. This Hoosiers offense is much weaker than it was last year. In fact, they are averaging just 24 points per game this year. They need to find a way to get the ball to Demarlo Belcher more often.
The Indiana defense was a real problem last year, and that continues to be the case this season. The defense did play much better last week at home against Penn State, and they’ll look to build on that momentum in this one. The run defense has been the biggest issue for Indiana, as evidenced by the fact that they gave up 226 rushing yards against lowly North Texas. Can Indiana keep Illinois from running the ball down their throat?
Indiana’s defense has been significantly better at home, and Illinois has a very stout defense right now. I don’t expect either team to put up too many points in this one. Illinois should win this one, but I think the best play here is the under.
Free College Football Pick: Under 53
Score Prediction: Illinois 27 Indiana 14
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Both Minnesota and Purdue have had a forgettable season to this point. Purdue is 2-2, but they were thrashed by Notre Dame at home last week, and they lost at Rice earlier this year.
The Boston College Eagles will be looking for their first conference win of the season when they take on the Clemson Tigers in an ACC-Atlantic Division matchup this upcoming Saturday afternoon. The game is slated to kick-off at 3 p.m. and it will be available on ESPN3.com.
The Connecticut Huskies open-up their conference play in the Big East against the West Virginia Mountaineers this upcoming Saturday afternoon at Mountaineers Field in Morgantown. Kick-off is scheduled for 12 p.m. and the game will be available on ESPN3.com.
In 2011, the year that Brigham Young University broke away to be an FBS Independent, the Cougars have had an uninspiring campaign to date.
