Week 7
We enter mid-season with a tight race for second. Scotty B is still tearing it up and probably wishing he had opened that off shore betting account for this season.
Still a long way to go.
Still a long way to go.
posted by Prowler at 10:26 AM
5 Comments:
Ok, Roche will go first:
Wisconsin +2 over Iowa
A&M -6 over Kansas State
Va Tech over Ga Tech
Nice *solid* job by the balance of the Road Warriors. Can anyone catch ScottyB?
Georgia (-9.5) vs Vandy:
The way things are going; who knows?
VA Tech (Pick) vs GT:
Quality defense vs a quality offense; who loses contain?
Navy (-8.0) vs SMU:
Go Mids; make it two in a row!
Renegades picks
Virginia Tech over
GA Tech
So. Cal -8 over
Notre Dame
So Carolina +17 over
Bama
This week, I brave the chilly weather and heads to the Midwest for a weekend of beer, brats, and the Big Ten. It’s time for Scotty B’s Big Ten Oktoberfest.
Michigan State (-12) v. Northwestern
Northwestern comes to East Lansing with a 4-2 record and an impressive QB in Mike Kafka, who already has thrown for 1,464 yards and five touchdowns. Statistically, the Wildcats and the 3-3 Spartans match up almost evenly. For example, in passing, Michigan State averages 284 yards per game to Northwestern’s 280, and the two teams score about the same number of points per game, Northwestern, 29.2; Michigan State, 30.2. However, Northwestern has been struggling of late; the Wildcats had their hands full with Perdue and won ugly against MAC cellar-dweller Miami last week, scoring a mere sixteen points. The Wildcat offense leans almost entirely on Kafka, and Michigan State’s pass defense is more formidable than that of, say, Miami. More good news for Coach D and the Spartans: QB Kirk Cousins and RB Larry Caper return to the line-up this week, which probably will make for a reinvigorated Michigan State offense.
Ohio State (-14) v. Perdue
Looking at the Buckeye offense, you’d never know this team was ranked 7th nationally and had a 5-1 record. Of 120 FCS teams, Ohio State now ranks 86th in terms of total yards (below Big Ten Indiana [80th] and Illinois [86th]) and 108th in passing. Last week, the offense generated a laughable 184 yards of total offense, eight first downs, and one offensive touchdown. The Buckeyes win behind their dominant defensive line (six sacks against Wisconsin), skilled defensive secondary, solid special teams, and amazing luck (Ohio State turned two interceptions into touchdowns against the Badgers). Against a Boilermaker defense that is weak against the run and allows more than 30 points a game, the Buckeye offense should—should, mind you—finally get going.
Indiana (+2.5) v. Illinois
This game is being played at night. Fans of both schools might prefer it to be played under cover of darkness. In September, experts predicted a respectable season for Illinois. Instead, they have a 1-4 record and a wretched offense that scores a downright embarrassing ten points per game against conference opponents. Earlier, Indiana seemed to be on the right track, taking Michigan down to the wire in a 36-33 loss. Against Virginia last week, however, the Hoosier offense collapsed, gaining only 82 rushing yards and scoring one touchdown. The defense failed, too, allowing the Cavaliers 47 points and 536 yards in total offense. The concern this week is the mobility of Illinois QB Juice Williams will allow Illinois to repeat Virginia’s accomplishment. Williams, however, operates behind an offensive line that reportedly offers only the thinnest of protection. Furthermore, the Hoosiers have scored 23.5 points per game against ranked opponents, and the Illini have allowed almost 30 points per game against Big Ten teams. With the game in Bloomington, I’ll give Indiana the edge.
Prowler's Picks
UCLA +6 vs. Cal
U La La +7.5 at WKU
A&M -6 at KSU
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