Big Ten: Open as Underdogs in 6 of 7 Bowl Games

Penn State +10 v. USC
Ohio State +8 v. Texas
Michigan State +8.5 v. Georgia
Iowa -2.5 v. South Carolina
Northwestern +10.5 v. Missouri
Wisconsin +3 v. Florida State
Minnesota +10 v. Kansas

But lines are just for Vegas to make money. Much more is at stake in The Rivalry, Esq.'s bowl contest. Here, the winner will earn, non-insignificantly, a customized Obligatory Predictions Competition Trophy, as well as a feature on the site, and a year's worth of bragging rights on the SBN network.

Go here to prepare your bracket.

about 1 year ago Bama Hawkeye 4 comments 0 recs |

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I dont want to give away any pick strategy...

But I think that Wisky game will be damn close. I know Wisky only beat Cal Poly by 1 point, but Florida State’s offense is just completely impotent…

by grahamfiller on Dec 9, 2008 1:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Really? Weren't the highest scoring offense in the ACC?

Ranked 22nd overall in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency?

Rank in the top 30 in 3rd down conversion %?

Face one of the most difficult schedules in the nation (9 bowl teams, including 3 in the BCS)…

Tomahawk Nation: No-Holds-Barred Nole Analysis

by Bud Elliott on Dec 9, 2008 5:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I based my statement on:

The offensive performance against BC (3 picks, no run game)
The 3 point performance against Wake Forest
The 113.03 QB Rating of Ponder

I also view some of the FSU stats as inflated because of the 115 points scored against Western Carolina and Chattanooga…

Now…Do I think FSU improved? Of course, but the ACC’s plethora of 7-5 and 8-4 teams lead me to believe that FSU’s schedule wasn’t exactly the nation’s hardest either.

Also, I was making my prediction based on the fact that everyone thinks the Big 10 will get blown out tonight – and the Wisky game is a place where the Badgers could surprise everyone and actually not get blown out.

by grahamfiller10 on Dec 9, 2008 6:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

ACC best conference according to most of the computers.

Fair enough on Wake and BC, but those defenses are on par with the nation’s best. I have to believe that Wisconsin’s defense is worse than every ACC defense the Noles faced (avoided duke and uva). They might be a better defense than NC State.

The ACC produces more 1st round and overall NFL defensive talent than any other conference (from 2003-3008).

For the record, I took Penn State, Ohio State (middle opp), Iowa, Northwestern, and Minnesota to cover their respective games

FootballOutsiders called the Noles schedule the 2nd toughest in the nation (Miami).

Tomahawk Nation: No-Holds-Barred Nole Analysis

by Bud Elliott on Dec 9, 2008 6:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs