Last of the Non Conference weeks!

I will save my Rant about the 4 non conference games each team schedules and Bye weeks later. This week Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois are all off this week.

Once again there are very few games of interest beyond following every game your favorite team plays. So here are my comments on a few

Ball State vs. Indiana. Ball State is better than most of us think and currently 2-0. Indiana had the week off last week and have had plenty of time to prepare. Call this one the battle of the QBs. Will long ball Nate Davis score more offense for Ball State than emerging star dual threat Hoosier QB Kellen Lewis? Indiana wins this one in a high scoring game

Central Mich vs Purdue. The Boilermakers needs to beat this competitive MAC team who has played Georgia, to show they aren't going to fade into the lower half of the Big Ten. The Oregon game showed they have the potential to play competitively. These 2 teams played in the Motor City Bowl last year and it was 51-48 Purdue. I predict a Purdue win with the total points being over 70 for sure.

Iowa vs. Pittsburgh. Iowa has played much better and a win over another BCS conference team would show me that this team could be 4-4 (8-4) in Big Ten play this season. Pitt hasn't looked good in either of its 2 games, losing to Bowling Green and letting Buffalo keep it close. Pitt has home field advantage which could keep it close, but the Big Ten needs this one! Iowa by a TD

Notre Dame at MSU. The Spartans are a much better offensive team than Michigan, there is no Irish home field advantage, no 1980 National Championship reunion. What the Irish do have is an improved offensive line and Clausen is improved. Ringer should be able to wear down the Irish defense and rack up more yards. This is a Spartan win by more than 10..HOWEVER a close game that requires Hoyer to lead the team back...I would be very nervous so State needs to make sure they don't fall beyond by more than a TD at any point of the game