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The Obligatory Predictions Competition - Week 10

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In the next 48 hours I have to sit for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam, and make my way from Columbus to State College for the OSU/PSU game.  Needless to say, I'm a bit crunched for time, so I'll keep my explanations short this week.  Don't worry though, the predictions remain spot on.  Or not.

1. No. 21 WISCONSIN at INDIANA, 12:00 p.m. EST (11/7), Big Ten Network

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GRAHAMFILLER10 predicts WISCONSIN by 10

Two choices here and I think you'll agree. Wisconsin by 17 - Their defense is peaking and Indiana won't be able to get up for this game after last weeks heartbreaker. Wisconsin by 7 - The talented wide receivers of Indiana have stepped up big all season and Tolzien has folded against big time rushers like Middleton and Kirlew. I'll cut it somewhere in the middle - Wisky has an effective downhill run game that's only been stopped by Ohio State and Iowa, but Bill Lynch's fiery personality drives his team to overperform against the Badgers

LAW BUCKEYE predicts WISCONSIN by 10

There's a reason Indiana keeps giving away big leads: while respectable, they're not a complete team.  Meanwhile, the Badgers have an honest shot at a 10-2 season.


2. PURDUE at MICHIGAN, 12:00 p.m. EST (11/7), Big Ten Network

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GRAHAMFILLER10 predicts MICHIGAN by 10

The hardest game to pick this week. Purdue looks like the better team of late...oh besides the shellacking v. Wisky when the team all but gave up by the 3rd quarter. Michigan is supposedly improved at quarterback...oh besides the three game struggle that Forcier is going through. Last year, Michigan's swoon looked to be ended in West Lafayette, until (former?) Boiler Justin Siller went nuts on the weak UM defense.

Let's look at the matchup. Has Purdue faced a spread run game like RichRods? Oregon ran for 193 yards at Autzen, actually sort of a low number, but the Boilers played inspired ball. Michigan has seen four teams with a large number of shotgun packages - and hasn't stopped a single one of them. But Cissoko is gone, their heavily toasted cornerback, so maybe we'll see improvement?

This from MGo -

As for Purdue, they picked up 140 yards last week, so there's a chance if we catch them on one of their bad Boiler days, but this is an offense designed to tear up the middle of the field with short passes and Michigan is uniquely positioned to not stop this sort of offense. The defense will remain terrible until 2010.


Be honest though - this game is all about cognitive dissonance. Your brain tells you that Michigan can't miss a bowl again or the world will implode. It implores you that the Wolverines are just a year away from 10-2. Well I'll be damned (music swells) if I just follow my head and heart here.

LAW BUCKEYE predicts MICHIGAN by 7

Just because the Wolverines struggled in October doesn't mean they can't re-gain their September swagger.  It won't be a perfect finale, but I think Michigan does what it needs to do down the stretch.

Star-divide

3. ILLINOIS at MINNESOTA, 12:00 p.m. EST (11/7), Big Ten Network

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GRAHAMFILLER10 predicts MINNESOTA by 14

Picking this game comes down to your confidence in last weeks bizarre results. Did Minnesota turn a corner offensively in their MSU victory? Will the Gophers line continue to pass block so well against an Illinois team that runs a similar 4-3 scheme as the Spartans? Was the Juice read option reborn against Michigan? Will the running holes show up for a second straight week?

I imagine the Illini going after Weber, bent on destroying whatever confidence he gained back from last weeks 416 yard performance. I see MarQueis Gray continuing to serve as a change of pace, giving balance and toughness to the Gophers offense. And I don't see Juice being able to run the ball like last week.

LAW BUCKEYE predicts MINNESOTA by 7

Yes, the Illini won big against the Wolverines last weekend.  What most forget is that they were an upheld review away from being in the hole 20-9.  Minnesota made some big strides last week in the offensive department.  If the Eric Weber that shows up Saturday looks anything like the Eric Weber that obliterated Michigan State, this one goes down smooth for the Golden Gophers.


4. NORTHWESTERN at No. 4 IOWA, 12:00 p.m. EST (11/7), ESPN

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GRAHAMFILLER10 predicts IOWA by 10

Bizarro Ricky Stanzi versus the talented Mr. Kafka. Although Northwestern has rolled up a huge number of yards behind the versatile Kafka, they cannot translate that success to points. I think you the reader should have two thoughts here - Should I view last weeks clusterf*** against Indiana as the wake up call that rallies the Hawkeyes? Or was it just another close game where Iowa proved it's inadequacy as a complete football team?

Pat Fitzgerald runs a spread that asks for quick passes and screens - Iowa will eat those up all day, as their zone pass defense only struggles against deeper routes like Indiana was running.

LAW BUCKEYE predicts IOWA by 14

Everyone wants to talk about how Iowa was down 24-14 heading into the fourth quarter of its latest lucky comeback.  I want to talk about how these Hawkeyes are good enough to overcome 5 interceptions, to put a team away late.  One of these weeks, Bama Hawkeye won't need a defibrillator.  This game is as good as any...


5. No. 16 OHIO STATE at No. 11 PENN STATE, 3:30 p.m. EST (11/7), ABC


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GRAHAMFILLER10 predicts PENN STATE by 7

Simple game to pick, deep analysis be damned. OSU doesn't have a big time run game nor do they have an intermediate passing game. They have Terrelle Pryor, who's struggled mightily and succeeded wildly...And you expect this talented conundrum to succeed in Happy Valley in the biggest game of his career?

LAW BUCKEYE predicts OHIO STATE by 7

Everything in my head tells me that the Buckeye offense will get snowplowed by the Penn State front 7.  A springy Sean Lee will play a game of "I Spy" with Terrelle Pryor, and the only reason this one stays close is the Buckeye defense locks the Nittany Lions down through two quarters.

Ohio State can't pass.  Ohio State can't kick.  But, what the hell.  Terrelle Pryor makes a statement on homecoming, and the youngest and hottest rivalry in the Big Ten gets that much more contentious.

1 recs  |  Comment 29 comments |

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This is the week that I break away from law buck

For good or ill….

Wisconsin by 10
Purdue by 7
Minnesota by 10
Iowa by 7
PSU by 10

by hmlee on Nov 5, 2009 4:04 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

The last time Purdue beat Michigan and Ohio State was 2000

They beat both in October on the way to the 2001 Rose Bowl.

A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance

HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog

by BoilerTMill on Nov 5, 2009 4:06 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Damn.

I missed that. There goes my playful paragraph.

The Rivalry, Esq.
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.

by Law Buckeye on Nov 5, 2009 4:10 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Horrible picks sure to go wrong ...

Wisky by 10
UM by 7
Minny by 7
Iowa by 13
JoePa by 7

Man looks in the abyss, there's nothing staring back at him. At that moment, man finds his character. And that is what keeps him out of the abyss. -- Lou Mannheim, Wall Street

by ChiSpartan on Nov 5, 2009 4:17 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I have no idea

at least last week I thought I knew. I was wrong, but this week…eww

Wisconsin by 14
Michigan by 3
Minnesota by 7
Iowa by 10
PSU by 3

It never gets to be easy

by chitownhawkeye on Nov 5, 2009 5:47 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

1) Wisconsin @ IU – Wisconsin by 14
2) Purdue @ Michigan – Purdue by 7
3) IL @ MN – IL by 3
4) jNW @ Iowa – Iowa by 3
5) tOSU @ PSU – PSU by 10

by txhawkeye on Nov 5, 2009 5:52 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Whisky by 13
Purdue by 3
Minne by 17
Iowa by 7
PSU by 3

by Yabbs on Nov 5, 2009 6:47 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Easy week

Badgers by 11
Michigan by 14
Minnesota by 8
Iowa by 13
Penn State by 8

http://www.rivalryesq.com/
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.

by Bama Hawkeye on Nov 5, 2009 7:12 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I will continue to bring unprecedented amounts of suck each and every week...

Wisky by 14
Purdue by 7
Minnesota by 10
Iowa by 7
PSU by 7

by Estrada on Nov 5, 2009 8:20 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I'm awful

Really, really awful. Here’s some more awful coming atcha…

Wisky by 10
Michigan by 6
Minny by 7
Iowa (sad face) by 10
Penn State by 7 (I don’t wanna push it)

Joe Paterno is my adopted grandfather.
Nittany Lion Love,
Meredith

by PaternosGranddaughter on Nov 5, 2009 8:33 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Wisconsin by 13 (Indiana is the anti-clutch)
Michigan by 7 (this game is going to be spectacularly unwatchable)
Minnesota by 10 (Bad Juice returns)
Iowa by 10 (because that’s just what they do)
Penn State by 4 (Pryor isn’t going to win in Happy Valley)

by SpartanDan on Nov 5, 2009 8:36 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Have you spent an hour studying for the MPRE? If so, that’s about twice as much as you need.

The Crimson Quarry, SB Nation's Indiana Hoosiers blog

by John M (The Crimson Quarry) on Nov 6, 2009 7:05 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Exactly.

Unless you turn out to be the dolt who fails it.

http://www.rivalryesq.com/
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.

by Bama Hawkeye on Nov 6, 2009 8:24 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Which I wasn't by the way.

http://www.rivalryesq.com/
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.

by Bama Hawkeye on Nov 6, 2009 8:24 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

ditto

But I studied a lot, I wanted to leave no doubt.

The Rivalry, Esq.
"Ricky Stanzi is to interceptions as Journey is to 80s rock ballads...inextricably linked."

by grahamfiller10 on Nov 6, 2009 9:41 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

quick question

which clients can I sleep with again?

The Rivalry, Esq.
"Ricky Stanzi is to interceptions as Journey is to 80s rock ballads...inextricably linked."

by grahamfiller10 on Nov 6, 2009 9:41 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

The hot ones.

http://www.rivalryesq.com/
The quintessential Big Ten smoking room.

by Bama Hawkeye on Nov 6, 2009 12:52 PM CST up reply actions   1 recs

Wisconsin by 14
Michigan by 10
Minnesota by 13
Iowa by 17
Penn State by 4

"I'm driven by greatness" - Derrick Williams

by HookMania on Nov 6, 2009 7:37 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Don't sweat the MPRE

Unless, of course, you are not an ethical person. I liked it so much I took it twice.

Sconnies by 14. Big power running game is one thing (and by no means not the only thing) that the Hoosiers cannot stop.
Purdue by 3. Hunch.
Minny by 7.
Iowa by 10.
Penn State by 4.

by hoosierdaddynow on Nov 6, 2009 9:41 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Week 10

Wisconsin by 20
Michigan by 13
Minnesota by 7
Iowa by 10
Penn State by 7

by JRose on Nov 6, 2009 9:58 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Come on, don't finish last

Badgers by 14
Michigan by 14
Minnesota by 14
Iowa by 14
Penn State by 14

Its a funny story actually.

by Wad on Nov 6, 2009 10:09 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Picks, Picks, Picks...

Wisconsin by 17
Purdue by 7
Minnesota by 21
Iowa by 3 (after a ricocheted pass off the goalposts, eight defenders, two Hawkeyes, and into the waiting hands of Tyler Sash with 1:01 left to play in the fourth quarter)
Penn Sccccchhhhttttaaaatttteeee by 6

They took the bar, the whole fucking bar!

by recoveringfratguy on Nov 6, 2009 10:19 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Ha! 3 points and tied for 4th! Good times.

Wisconsin @ Indiana: Wisky by 17.

Purdue @ MEESHIGAN: Michigan by 10.

Illinois @ Minnesota: Illinois by 4.

jNU @ Iowa: Iowa by 13.

OSU @ PSU: PSU by 16.

by imadirtyoldman on Nov 6, 2009 10:23 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Inching closer...

Wisconsin by 10
Michigan by 7
Minnesota by 7
Iowa by 14
Penn St. by 10

And Graham, I’ve been really busy with work and have been unable to finish up my 500 words. However, it is at the top of my to-do list and I will get it to you ASAP.

by burncruisin on Nov 6, 2009 2:31 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

awesome

I’m looking forward to your point by point discussion of why Terrelle Pryor has the best quarterback mechanics in the Big Ten.

The Rivalry, Esq.
"Ricky Stanzi is to interceptions as Journey is to 80s rock ballads...inextricably linked."

by grahamfiller10 on Nov 6, 2009 3:24 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

haha

I don’t even know how to respond to that sir.

by burncruisin on Nov 6, 2009 3:49 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

can't get any uglier than last week

Wisconsin by 10
Michigan by 7
Minnesota by 9
Iowa by 17
Penn State by 4

by SeattleHawkeye on Nov 6, 2009 5:36 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

yes it can.

It started with the Iowa loss and went all the way through the Big Ten. Wisky was the only one I got right.

by burncruisin on Nov 7, 2009 5:22 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Bringin' up the rear...

Wisc by 17
Mich by 3
Minn by 10
Iowa by 17
OSU by 3

Courting mediocrity since 1964.

by lakeeriemonstar on Nov 6, 2009 10:28 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

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