Week 6 has graced us with 5 conference games and 1 team playing a non-conference game. You have one job Indiana, don't screw it up. Since this is my first installment of Previews & Predictions, I'll give you an overview of how it will go. I'll preview each game, then provide a prediction for the outcome every Friday. Once we reach the end of the previews and predictions I'll provide a Game to Watch, a Game to Disregard, and a Dark Horse Game. Also I'll give you the outrageous predictions of the week. Here I'll pick a "totally not going to happen but it's fun to predict" score for each game.
Michigan at Rutgers, 7 PM. Line: Rutgers -2
The Wolverines, inflamed in a national controversy, take a visit to High Point Solutions Stadium to take on the Scarlet Knights. 4-1 (0-1) Rutgers comes into this week sitting pretty as their offense is clicking. QB Gary Nova last week became Rutgers's all time leading passer in passing touchdowns a factor that could be big this week against a struggling Michigan secondary that's given up 890 yards through the air and 7 pass touchdowns. Each Rutgers win has seen the Rutgers's O compile at least 31 points and a total of 1203 pass yards in those 4 wins. Yet, Michigan's defense is still better than the teams Rutgers has faced. Michigan (2-3, 0-1) limps along here as their offense can't seem to find a spark. The Wolverines, (if they can) should try and pound the ball on the ground as Rutgers has given up 692 yards to opposing rushers. Rutgers adds a W in this one, as Michigan can't shake off the negativity.
Prediction: Rutgers 27, Michigan 20
#17 Wisconsin at Northwestern, 3:30 PM. Line: Wisconsin -7.5
Northwestern (2-2, 1-0) welcomes the Badgers (3-1, 0-0) to Evanston for a game that should scare Wisconsin fans. Prone to slow starts, the Badgers, cannot have one this week. Northwestern, led by QB Trevor Siemian, has racked up 943 yards through the air but only 449 yards on the ground. They tore through Penn State but certainly face a better defense in this game. Wisconsin has only allowed 260 yards per game and only 14.5 points per game. Wisconsin's offense has stalled early but has pulled away late. Northwestern's defense has only given up 16.8 points and game and 364.3 yards a game but faces a Wisconsin rushing attack led by Melvin Gordon. We'll see just how good this Wildcats team is this week. If Wisconsin starts off quickly, they can wrap this up with a W but a slow start will give the Wildcats life.
Prediction: Wisconsin 34, Northwestern 23
North Texas at Indiana, 2:30 PM. Line: Indiana -13.5
The Hoosiers (2-2, 0-1) take on the North Texas (2-2) after having lost 37-15 to Maryland last week. Indiana is team of ups and downs. Their offense is middle of the pack and their defense is suspect. The Mean Green offense doesn't scare anyone and shouldn't be a problem. Indiana takes care of business.
Prediction: Indiana 45, North Texas 13
#20 Ohio State at Maryland, 12:00 PM. Line: Ohio State -7
The Buckeyes (3-1, 0-0) and J.T. Barret roll into Byrd Stadium to clash with the Terrapins (4-1, 1-0). J.T. Barret looks to lead Ohio State's high powered offense (521.3 yards per game and 21 touchdowns) passed Maryland's defense that's given up 434.8 yards a game. Ohio State's offense should out pace the Maryland defense but the Buckeyes's defense is suspect themselves. Ohio State has given up 315.5 yards per game with almost an even split in yards given up through the air and the ground.Maryland's offense has gained an average of 417.6 yards a game with most of the yards coming through the air. Ohio State better watch out this week. Still, they take it.
Prediction: Ohio State 48, Maryland 31
Purdue at Illinois, 12:00 PM. Line: Illinois -8.5
Coming off a week where both teams lost, only one of these teams will end their blues. This game features the battle for the Purdue Cannon. Illinois (3-2, 0-1) has given up the most points ad yards per game in the Big Ten but Purdue (2-3, 0-1) has gained the least amount of yards per game in the Big Ten. This could be the most boring game outside of Indiana and North Texas. Look for Illinois's slightly better offense to win in a shootout.
Prediction: Illinois 52, Purdue 48
#19 Nebraska at #10 Michigan State, 8:00 PM. Line: Michigan State -6.5
Ameer Abdullah and the undefeated Cornhuskers (5-0, 1-0) road trip up to Spartan Stadium to take on the Big Ten's best offense in Michigan State (3-1, 0-0). The #1 and #2 offenses in the Big Ten will rely on defense this week. Can Michigan State's rush defense which has only given up 78.3 yards a game hold off Abdullah. While staying strong for the most part against Oregon, the rush D has to keep Abdullah from the outside and open space to be successful. If Nebraska slows down on the gorund the air game is good enough to take advantage of MSU's young secondary. MSU has shown they're up to the task if they play smart. If MSU can cut down on mistakes on D they'll be able to hold off Nebraska's rush attack. Nebraska will have to hold off the best QB in the Big Ten in Connor Cook and the MSU air attack. For MSU to win they'll need to hit Nebraska on the ground who has given up and average of 108 yards per game. MSU's Langford, Williams, and Hill have the capability to gain 100 a piece and a balanced attack will give MSU and advantage in this one. Abdullah will get his points but MSU hangs on with a late score and a interception.
Prediction: Michigan State 31, Nebraska 28
The Game Rankings
Game to Watch: Nebraska at Michigan State
Game to Disregard: North Texas at Indiana
Dark Horse Game: Wisconsin at Northwestern
Outrageous Predictions:
Illinois 13, Purdue 10
North Texas 35, Indiana 31
Nebraska 45, MSU 13
Northwestern 27, Wisconsin 7
Maryland 45, Ohio State 23
Michigan 43, Rutgers 10
No comments:
Post a Comment