What's up the weekend

Wow, the conference race is already narrowing? After a pre-season of mostly yawns we quickly began to whittle down the teams with a chance to go to the Rose Bowl. Or did we? The 2 biggest games last weekend were the Penn State win over Illinois and the Wisconsin loss to Michigan.

Most people including myself felt the Illini-Nittany Lions game would impact the race and favored Penn State. VERY FEW people thought Wisconsin was going to lose to Michigan especially if they watched the first half. So now as a result of last week we have Ohio State and Penn State as clear favorites with Michigan State next, Northwestern as the Wildcat Wildcard and of course Wisconsin and Illinois looking for some losses by these 4 to get back into contention.

What about this week?

Well Illinois and Wisconsin have MUST win games. The Illini face Michigan in Ann Arbor and despite renewed optimism, a strong defense, a well conditioned team, I don't see Michigan avoiding more turnovers, I don't see them being able to contain Illinois offense as well as they did Wisconsin's so I see the Illini back on track.

Wisconsin faces Ohio State at home, in front of their crazy crowd at night! Unfortunately I don't think the crowd will make up for Ohio State's multi-threat offense (Pryor and Wells) and Wisconsin's bonehead offensive play calling. Unless Wells gets hurt in this game, it's the Buckeyes and the Badgers are out of the Rose Bowl race.

Michigan State can continue to prove they are NOT the Spartans of old by finishing off Iowa at home. The Hawkeyes have lost 2 games in a row they were winning and are not showing much heart..let alone matching the talent of the Spartans. MSU can probably get a lead on the ground then give Hoyer enough protection to pick apart the Hawkeyes..and Ferentz is clearly to most over paid coach in the conference.

Penn State should roll over Purdue. That said, the Boilermakers have given some teams a scare in the past including Oregon this year. They clearly have the ability to score points. They clearly have the ability to give up a lot of points..which is exactly what will happen Saturday...Nittany Lions continue to roll.

Indiana vs Minnesota. Loser of this game secures the chance to finish 11th in the conference as Michigan probably will win 3 conference games after all. I think the Hoosiers, despite flashes of brilliances on offense lose to the Golden Gophers