Game Day Predictions

 The weekend ahead in college football is filled with story lines and drama and I am sure it will not disappoint.  If the Big Ten Race was not already hot enough, the Penn State mess is only adding more fuel to the fire.  The scene in Happy Valley should be like nothing we have ever seen before.  Prior to this week, this game had massive implications on the Big Ten division races.  Add the Sandusky scandal and it is must see T.V.  Here are the five for this week….

Wisconsin @ Minnesota: Wisconsin will have no troubles on this road trip.  Minnesota has only held Paul Bunyan’s Axe 4 times over the last twenty years and the way these programs are heading, it might be another twenty before they hold it again.  ‘Money Ball’ is guaranteed to break the Big Ten record of 27 touch downs this game with Russell contributing to at least one of those scores.  The Gophers are ranked 103^rd in the nation for points against while the Badgers are ranked 4^th in the nation for points for.  Folks, this one could get ugly.  Wisconsin 51 – Minnesota 14

Nebraska @ Penn State:  We all know the major story line for this game.  Yet, unknown to many outside the Big Ten, this game has crucial implications on the Legends and Leaders divisions.  If Nebraska wins, it knocks Penn State out of the driver’s seat for the Leaders division (factoring a guaranteed lose at Camp Randall).  If Penn State wins, Nebraska is pretty much eliminated from the Legends division race.  Each team boasts dominant backs and Nebraska Quarterback, Taylor Martinez, does better with his feet then his arm so do not expect to see many balls thrown in the air tomorrow.  In general Penn State has struggled to put up points and has too many distractions therefore I do not see them pulling this one out. Nebraska 20 – Penn State 10

Michigan State @ Iowa: Alright Hawkeye fans, I picked you last week against a Michigan team and you didn’t fail me so I will pick you again this week.  I was back and forth on this game and think both teams will score right around twenty.  Yet all Big Ten teams have suffered on the road this year and Michigan State has a history of falling in Iowa City.  The Spartans have not won a game in Kinnick since 1989.  The game will come down to a few big plays such as costly turnover or a bad penalty. I expect to see Marcus Cocker have a big game as the Spartans have struggled against the run in the month of October.  Iowa 23 – Michigan State 21

Auburn @ Georgia:  There has arguably been no hotter team in college football lately than the Georgia Bulldogs.  With South Carolina losing last week, the Bulldogs have set themselves up for a collision course with LSU for the SEC championship game.  This is a fierce rivalry and Auburn is coming off a buy so I do not expect Georgia to win by more than two scores.  The Bulldog’s sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray has also been playing his best football lately throwing for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns in the last three games.  We will see him deliver key fourth quarter drives accompanied by key defensive stands to get the W for the Bulldogs.  Georgia 31 – Auburn 20    

Oregon @ Stanford: In last week’s marquee matchup, we saw a defensive bought; this week will be completely different.   Oregon and Stanford are two of the top five offensive juggernauts in the country.  I do not see either defense being able to slow down the opposition’s offense.  LaMichael James had over 200 yards in the three games leading up to his injury.  Last week, it seemed he finally got his legs back so I think we will see a similar performance out of him tomorrow.  Then there is Andrew Luck, need I say more.  It is nights like tomorrow in which Heisman Trophy winners are made and I think we see that out of Luck as he leads a late scoring drive clinching the victory for the Cardinal.  Stanford 41 – Oregon 37