Is a major upset brewing in Iowa City? Here are my Week 10 picks:
Wisconsin 31, Indiana 13
UW quarterback Scott Tolzien’s last road game was a disaster, but the offense scaled things back last week and pounded Purdue on the ground. IU has a respectable defense, but Wisconsin will run its offensive gameplan to near perfection for the second week in a row and limit its turnovers. Freshman-of-the-Year candidate Chris Borland comes up with another turnover and the UW defense continues to impress.
Iowa 21, Northwestern 20
Oh how badly I want to take the Kitty Cats in this game. But believe it or not, last week was the first time Iowa’s offense showed any resemblance of exposiveness when they put up 28 points in the fourth quarter on a good Indiana defense. Still, that had to more to do with IU imploding than Iowa exploding. NU always plays well against the Hawkeyes and they will hold a late lead. Unfortunately, Iowa has stolen the name “Cardiac” Hawks and will top the “Heartattack Cats” in the final moments of the game.
Michigan State 34, Western Michigan 21
If the Spartans lose this one then Mark Dantonio will have to answer some serious questions after already losing to Central Michigan earlier in the season at home.
Minnesota 28, Illinois 21
Interesting game after two stuggling offenses put up huge numbers last weekend. I’m taking the home team because QB Adam Weber proved last week that he will be OK without leading wide receiver Eric Decker, who was lost for the season.
Michigan 24, Purdue 17
Both teams looked AWFUL last week, but the Boilermakers looked especially bad in Madison, where I was camped out. Purdue wide receivers dropped seven passes against the Badgers! This one is an important game for the Wolverines and they are at home.
Penn State 20, Ohio State 13
I’m not too down on the Lions for struggling at Northwestern last week. That happens all the time when good teams go to Evanston. Penn State is at home and its defense will harass Tyrell Pryor all day long. The Nittany Lions are probably the better team and I just can’t see them losing this game at Beaver Stadium