I'm up a little later than expected, so I figured I'd take the initiative and get on the OPC with a cup of coffee.  For those of you who took the time to do the math last week's scoreboard looks a little like the first quarter of a Missouri game.  Check this out:

Week 6 Franz v. Filler winner FRANZ

After six glorious weeks we're tied 3-3.

Crystal Ball Call (pick of the week): Vandy by 1 (PATERNOSGRANDAUGHTER).  This could be the greatest pick of all time.  1 point for Vanderbilt, 2 points for the spread, 2 points for the upset, and 2 points for the exact margin for a total of 7.  VANDY 14, AUBURN 13.  Runner up: OSU by 3 (LAKEERIEMONSTAR).  OSU 20, WISC 17.

What were you thinking?: Michigan by anything (BAMA HAWKEYE, LAKEERIEMONSTAR, PATERNOSGRANDAUGHTER).  Yeah I know they beat Wisconsin.  Big frickin' deal.

Franz enjoys a victory cigar in the wake of another week of supreme dominance.

Here are our Week 7 Picks:

1. No. 5 TEXAS v. No. 1 OKLAHOMA 12:00 p.m. EST, ABC

FILLER predicts OKLAHOMA by 16

(All Time Record: 57-40-5, UT). The "First Test" game. The monster recruiting classes of 2005 and 2006 are paying off in a big way for Oklahoma, the nation's #1 team. Eight Rivals100 recruits will get significant playing time for the Sooners, while five seniors pace the offensive line. Meanwhile, ESPN claimed tonight that Colt McCoy is better than Sam Bradford. Do they know something we don't?

FRANZ predicts OKLAHOMA by 10

Upset?  It's tempting, but I think the Sooners are simply the better team here.  This game comes down to the units: Oklahoma's bomber offense versus Texas' prude defense.  Oklahoma is fifth in the NCAA averaging 548 total yards of offense a game.  Texas has allowed only five touchdowns in as many games.  Tune in early for the biggest Red River Rivalry since 2004, and to see the Longhorns up a creek without a paddle.

2. IOWA at INDIANA 12:00 p.m. EST, Big Ten Network

 

FILLER predicts IOWA by 11

The "O-fer" game. One of these teams has to win a game in the Big 10. Shonne Greene is the best offensive player on the field, plus Iowa's defense has been solid in each of it's last three games (PPG allowed: 21, 22, 16).

FRANZ predicts IOWA by 7

Iowa held Javon Ringer to 91 yards last week.  Indiana is 7 and 51 when scoring less than 30.  Although both teams are riding a three-game slide the Hawkeyes have simply showed more promise in defeat -- they've lost three by a combined nine points.  Compare Indiana's 44 point spread and you see why IU is simply the sounder pick here.

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Back in August Graham (in a pure moment of unbridled hopefulness) put together an index of 11 Things he wanted to see this year in the Big 10. 

As we round the corner into the ides of October and the middle-point of the 2008 regular season I think it's time to revisit Mr. Filler's wish list in reverse chronological order. 

Filler want's Ohio State to show up for once if they travel west.  Franz would settle for a good place to drown the sorrows after the game.  Bobbie's Buckeye Bar seems to fit the bill landfill.

#11 - If Ohio State Makes it to a Bowl Game, I Would Appreciate if they Showed Up

Me too buddy.  The No. 12 Ohio State Buckeyes are 5-1 at present.  Although they face difficult tests, on the road against No. 23 Michigan State and at home against No. 6 Penn State, four of their remaining six conference opponents are unranked making it likely they'll clear the sixth game threshold to bowl eligibility.

Okay, so we're confident we'll see the scarlet land somewhere on the other side of December: where could that be, and will they show up?  I think last week's performance in Madison, Wisconsin is indicative of how Ohio State will perform throughout the rest of the conference slate.  With a wise beyond his years freshman firmly entrenched in the starting quarterback slot and enforcement north/south dimension to the power run, it looks like the Buckeyes are firing on all cylinders. 

The best case scenario sees the Bucks sweeping the remainder of the conference slate and landing in the (strangely foreign for the three time defending Big 10 Champions) Rose Bowl Game.  There, they're likely to run back into No. 8 USC.  Although the Buckeyes were soundly destroyed by the Trojans 35-3 in a September 13th disappointment, that team was without the run threat with Chris "Beanie" Wells sidelined, and a cohesive identity behind center.  If Jim Tressel is reacquainted with his Golaith, expect him to play more aggressive power football, wringing the washrag between the tackles.  Although it's too early to tell if the increased potency will have the Trojans confused -- et tu, Brute? -- I'm confident the Bucks will meet their burden of proof by "showing up" in Pasadena.

On the other hand, the worse case scenario for Ohio State involves them picking up anywhere from two to three additional losses, likely against Michigan State, Penn State, and (if we're really playing race to the bottom) arch nemesis Michigan.  Now, the 10-2 (9-3) Buckeyes finish third in conference and land a date to the Outback Bowl in Tampa, FL where they'll hit helmets with (goody, goody) the No. 4 finisher in the Southeastern Conference.  My pick here is this will mean a reunion with (oh sh*t) No. 11 Florida.  Although the Buckeyes are 0-9 against SEC foes and got blasted by the Gators in the 2006 BCS National Championship, I like the way this team lines up against Urban Meyer's swamp things.  Flordia lacks a discernable ground threat outside of their Heisman under center, giving the Ohio State defense the ability to play soft and put extra emphasis on the pass attack.  While I can't guarantee they'll stop the slide against southern gentry, I'm confident the Bucks will at least "show up" on the other side of December.

#10 - I Want Minnesota to Stop Embarrassing the Big 10.

Since it's hard to embarass one's conference from within, I'll take this to mean a representative showing in out of conference play.  Tim Brewster's sophomore Golden Gophers went 4-0 against MAC, Big Sky, and Sun Belt competition.  While it's not trophy case material, their 5-1 start (including 1-0 in the Big 10) is certainly redeeming.  Consider this wish granded.

From embarrassment to endorsement, Tim Brewster's Golden Gophers are on their way up.

#9 - I Want More Heartwarming Stories.

There's nothing more "heartwarming" than Joe Paterno's grandfather to granddaddy resurgence.  Although, I think what Graham was going for was a continued in house transformation for the Indiana Hoosiers.  Despite a promising 2-0 opening, the crimson and cream are curdling in the midst of a three game losing streak.  With Kellen Lewis struggling on and off the field this one doesn't look promising. 

#8 - I Want to Avoid a Repeat of the Monster 2007 Upsets

Said like a true Michigan fan.  Okay, here's where we're at.  Early 2008 saw the Big Ten go a respectable 31-9 in out of conference play.  Stacked up against the rest of the BCS universe, we're a competitve third. 

Courtesy: ACC Football Report

But this question really calls upon our ability to discern whether the Big 10 got doused by the underfooted challengers.  Here's the Big 10's record against 1A/FCS Competition:

Courtesy: ACC Football Report

Let's focus on the two losses.  Indiana lost to Ball State 42-20, and Michigan lost to Utah 25-23.  Ball State is undefeated and ranked 25th in the latest AP Poll.  Utah is undefeated and ranked 14th in the latest AP Poll.  Needless to say these were not "upsets" in the traditional sense of the word.  Since the Big 10 emerged from the cupcack chronicles unburnt, Graham gets his wish.

No more of this, at least for now.

#7 - I Want a Wide Receiver to get his Name in the Headlines.

Graham said it best when he identified that "[t]he problems for Big 10 wide receivers are two fold: First...[t]he attitude of run first, pass second does not lend itself to grooming WR's and many teams have moved in that direction.  Second, the best wide receivers according to CFN (Brian Robiskie of OSU, Andy Brodell of Iowa, Eric Decker, Jr of Minnesota, Derrick Williams of PSU, Arrelious Benn of Illinois) all play on teams that may not be able to nurture a breakout season for these talented players."

How right you are friend.  While Brian Robiskie leads the Buckeyes with 22 catches he's managed a meger 213 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Andy Brodell is runner up at Iowa: 20 for 278 and 2 touchdowns.  Derreck Williams has 19 receptions for 240 yards and 1 touchdown at Penn State, and Arrelious Benn has landed 25 receptions for 382 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Fighting Illini.  None of them have managed to break into the national consciousness. 

But what about Eric Decker, Jr.?  Not only does he lead the Big 10 with 50 receptions for 696 yards and 4 touchdowns, he's first in the nation.  That's got to get you some face time, right?

Wrong.  ESPN has made nary a mention of Mr. Decker's exploits.  This one's not looking good Graham.

(To be continued)