Michigan State @ Ohio State
Both of these defenses stink.
The Michigan State offense hasn’t cooled down at all from their astronomical start. Their rushing offense is the best Ohio State has faced since Week 2 against Oregon. Building off the run game, Michigan State should have trick play after trick play locked and loaded. Flea flickers, reverses, fake punt returns, etc. It’s easy to say Michigan State’s offense will be able to hang, but they should be able to scheme enough up to keep it close, especially if they can get Kenneth Walker going early.
But Ohio State’s offense is incredible. I firmly believe the Buckeyes are the only team in the country that can score 3+ touchdowns against Georgia. First in the country in points scored, first in the country in total yards, and Michigan State has a pass defense that would fit better in the middle of a corned beef sandwich.
PICK: Ohio State 42-31
Purdue @ Northwestern
The real Sickos Game of the Week (sorry but the Committee ran an unfair election and I am demanding a recount) is being played at Wrigley Field because sure, this game is going to have everything. Northwestern not being able to score, Purdue being able to score a lot on Northwestern, both teams on a single sideline, at least one player falling into the stands trying to catch a ball (this will be a Northwestern player for obvious reasons.)
PICK: Purdue 35-10
Rutgers @ Penn State
Rutgers is somehow one win away from being bowl eligible, while Penn State is vastly underperforming with only six wins with two weeks left.
Penn State has distractions coming from every direction, mainly the fact that their head coach refuses to denounce his involvement in any of the current head coaching searches. They’ve dropped four of their last five and their fans aren’t exactly rooting for Franklin’s success at this point.
Penn State’s passing offense is fine, mostly because Sean Clifford and Jahan Dotson are incredible. The offensive line isn’t, but the offense has found success before because of just how good Clifford and Dotson are.
Rutgers is going to try to run the ball and it just isn’t going to work. Penn State’s defense was able to completely shut down Michigan last week, Rutgers should be rather easy. If the offense has to come through the air, Rutgers isn’t going to be able to keep up.
PICK: Penn State 28-7.
Illinois @ Iowa
THE BIELEMA BOWL!
Sure, Bielema isn’t going to be coaching this game because of COVID protocols, but the excitement for this matchup is still here.
Illinois can only win when they run the ball 75% of the time. That’s the one constant in every single one of their wins this year: running decently, and the quarterback not shooting himself in the thigh with an airsoft gun. What Illinois can do is hold onto the ball. Iowa needs to generate takeaways and Illinois simply refuses to give it up.
Iowa though is what Illinois wants to be. They run the ball okay so far this season, but the last few games with Alex Padilla at quarterback have seen rushing lanes open up with a legit passing threat under center. Iowa’s going to do what Iowa does and find a way to win. It’s not going to be particularly pretty, but that’s fine. They’re Iowa.
PICK: Iowa 24-7
Michigan @ Maryland
Michigan isn’t quite in charge of their own destiny, but they’re playing like it. They continue to come up with win after win and the Playoff Committee keeps viewing them as the second-best team in the B1G. They aren’t doing anything new, but they’re sticking to what works. They’re going to be able to run the ball at will and Cade McNamara will hit a couple good passes.
Maryland is going to have to throw the ball to win. That’s their entire offense. They can’t run worth a lick. The problem? Ojabo and Hutchinson are going to murder Taulia. This is a nightmare matchup, one he’s been dreading the entire season. It’s going to be a long, long day.
PICK: Michigan 37-13
Nebraska @ Wisconsin
Nebraska has no pressure. This game doesn’t matter; Scott Frost isn’t coaching for his job, everyone who would be fired has been fired. They’re playing with house money for the rest of this season and by god they might end up lighting it ablaze. Their defense is built for a team like Wisconsin who only wants to run the ball. They can force Wisconsin into passing situations and keep this game close for four full quarters.
On the other hand, Wisconsin is on its 9th running back and by god this might be the best one. 17 year-old Braelon Allen is 6’2, 240 lbs of pure beef. He can do everything: he’s only two years removed from forcing a bear off his property with nothing but a stick of string cheese. He is the team: shut him down and its over for Wisconsin. Yes, Wisconsin’s run defense is elite, but they’ve lost games before because their offense hasn’t been able to get out of their own way.
That said, Nebraska is absolutely going to find a way to fuck this game up and lose by one score. I can feel it.
PICK: Wisconsin 17-13
Minnesota @ Indiana
Man, I don’t want to write about Indiana. They’re really, really bad. Minnesota isn’t great, but they can at least move the ball. Their offensive line is truly remarkable, and PJ Fleck is one of the great motivators in the sport. Even with the B1G West crown out of sight, they’re going to finish this season out strong and build on it for next year.
PICK: Minnesota 27-13
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