Week's Big Ten schedule
lacks exciting matchups
 There's
a scarcity of big games in the Top 25 this weekend, but the Texas-Colorado
matchup is intriguing and, therefore, our game of the week.
The Big Ten has a boring schedule also. Of the
three conference teams ranked in the Top 25, two — No. 10 Michigan
and No. 24 Purdue — have bye weeks.
Also, this week we introduce managing editor Erica
Sagon as our first female prognosticator of the season. Could this be
stop one on the Doug Healey farewell tour? Or will Healey remain unbeaten
for a fifth consecutive week? Let's see.
No. 14 Colorado (5-1, 3-0 Big XII North) at
No. 9 Texas (5-1, 2-1 Big XII South)
The Longhorns defeated Oklahoma State 45-17 last
week. Colorado beat Texas A&M 31-21.
Erica's Explanation: I must admit that I
was impressed after Colorado beat Kansas State and Texas A&M the
last two weeks. But what impresses me most about the Buffaloes is that
they had the audacity to name their second mascot Chip. Plus, Chip took
fifth at mascot nationals earlier this year. Way to go! Chip could probably
beat Texas coach Mack Brown, who is 3-7 against Top 15 opponents. Colorado
wins 40-31.
Doug's Decision: Texas may have lost 14-3
at home to No. 2 Oklahoma on Oct. 6, but the Sooners are arguably the
best team in college football. The Buffaloes have won five straight
games after losing the season opener 24-22 to No. 8 Fresno State. This
game will come down to who makes the big play, and it's gonna be Texas
at home. Sorry, Colorado fans. Michael Westbrook and Kordell Stewart
won't be there to save the day with a Hail Mary. Texas wins 21-17.
Indiana (1-4, 1-2 Big Ten) at Iowa (3-2, 1-2)
Last week Indiana lost at home to Illinois 35-14.
Iowa lost 31-28 at Michigan State.
Erica's Explanation: I'm not gonna lie,
I don't know a whole lot about football, but even I know Indiana sucks.
The Hawkeyes are playing at home where they're 3-0, which means they'll
score a lot of home runs and goals. Or is that baskets and birdies?
I can never remember. Iowa is sixth in the nation in total defense,
allowing 254.2 yards per game, so Iowa triumphs over offense-minded
Indiana 31-10.
Doug's Decision: Stop six on the Cam Cameron
farewell tour heads to Iowa this week. I'm not gonna belittle the Hoosiers
this week too much, but I will say that I'm glad they're in the Big
Ten because their game is about the only gimme each week. Well, besides
Penn State. They've had their one fluke victory. I guess it's time to
call it a season and start looking for a new coach, huh? Hawkeyes win
at home 34-27.
Wisconsin (4-3, 2-1) at Illinois (5-1, 2-1)
The Badgers upset Ohio State 20-17 on the road
last week. Illinois beat Indiana 35-14.
Erica's Explanation: Illinois? Blue and
orange uniforms? Ugh. Despite the fashion faux pas, Illinois is 5-1
for the first time since 1991. Under quarterback Kurt Kittner, the Fighting
Illini have proven that they can pass, but with 276 yards rushing against
Indiana last week, they seem to be sprucing up their running game too.
Now if they could only work on those uniforms. Illinois wins 28-20.
Doug's Decision: It's hard to say which
Wisconsin team will show up Saturday — the one that scored 20 unanswered
points to beat the Buckeyes on the road last week, or the one that got
stomped 63-32 by the awful Indiana Hoosiers two weeks ago. My gut says
that the Badgers will play like they did against the Hoosiers. The Fighting
Illini win 35-17.
Michigan State (3-1, 1-1) at Minnesota (1-4,
0-3)
Last week the Spartans beat Iowa 31-28 at home.
The Gophers lost at Northwestern 23-17.
Erica's Explanation: So earlier this week,
I bumped into Michigan State's T.J. Duckett at a party, but 6-foot-1,
252-pound running backs make me a little nervous, so I didn't say anything
to him. Some girl gushed over his 20 career touchdowns and season total
of 366 rushing yards in just four games. She totally took the words
right out of my mouth. I would have added that Michigan State leads
the nation in kickoff returns, with 328 yards and two touchdowns. Ol'
girl stole my thunder, just like Michigan State will steal the ball
from the Golden Gophers often in a 31-17 win.
Doug's Decision: After beating Louisiana
Lafayette 44-14 on Sept. 8, the Gophers have lost three games in a row.
It seems as if I say this every week, but I don’t think they've
recovered from their 35-28 overtime loss to the Boilers on Sept. 29.
If it weren't for last-second heroics by Northwestern, the Spartans
would be undefeated. The Michigan State players are used to playing
on AstroTurf, so look for them to win on the Gophers' home turf 28-25.
Penn State (0-4, 0-3) at No. 22 Northwestern
(4-1, 2-1)
The Nittany Lions didn’t play last week. Their
last game was a 20-0 loss to Michigan on Oct. 6. Northwestern beat Minnesota
23-17.
Erica's Explanation: Penn State coach Joe
Paterno is desperately trying to get his team, the only winless team
in the conference, a victory. The Nittany Lions are due for a win, and
Northwestern is due to be upset at home, but we're forgetting the most
important rule in college football — the team with the cutest mascot
wins. That Wildcat's infectious smile and fluffy paws will carry Northwestern
to a 28-10 win.
Doug's Decision: How awful is Penn State?
The Big Ten's worst offense only averages 7.8 points per game, while
the Nittany Lions' defense allows more than 200 yards rushing per game,
which isn't much better. Put Northwestern's offense, which ranks first
in the conference, against that sorry defense, and I smell a blowout.
Wildcats roll at home 45-10.
San Diego State (2-4) at Ohio State (3-2, 2-1)
This game was supposed to be played Sept. 15 but
was canceled in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It comes
at a good time for the Buckeyes, who lost 20-17 to Wisconsin last week
while the Aztecs got beat 31-3 by UNLV.
Erica's Explanation: In the words of my
13-year-old brother, Nathan, a football fanatic, "San Diego State's,
like, bad." Well, that's enough for me. Oh yeah, and Buckeye running
back Jonathan Wells has 480 yards and six touchdowns this season. He'll
have no trouble running over Aztec defender Akbar Gbaja-Biamila (what
a fun name!) as Ohio State wins 28-7.
Doug's Decision: Anyone in the Acres could
call this one. The Buckeyes fell asleep at the wheel last week, but
don’t count on that happening this week. Marshall Faulk put San
Diego State on the map, but even he couldn’t help the Aztecs against
the Buckeyes. Ohio State wins a laugher 42-17.
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