Big Ten: Week Twelve Predictions - Trophy Week

After touting an undefeated week two weeks ago, I went 2-4 last week. I am still proud of my overall record this season. This is the last week for the Big Ten, so next week I will have to find some other “under the radar” games to pick. Anyway here are my picks for the final week of Big Ten play where there are plenty of trophies to be won. Western Michigan at Iowa - The Hawkeyes had a closer than expected win against Minnesota last week. This team really baffles me, one week they look like they have everything figured out. Then the next they take 3 steps backwards. Good thing for Iowa is that they are playing a Bronco team that is not very good. They have three wins and the best one is against Toledo. Western Michigan will have a tough time scoring against Iowa’s defense, and WMU is very turnover prone. Iowa will be able to muster up enough points to wins this one, but it could be closer than many Hawkeye fans would like. Iowa 24-13 Purdue at Indiana - Both the Boilermakers and the Hoosiers are coming off losses; Purdue lost to Michigan State and Indiana lost to Northwestern. Actually looking at their schedules, Indiana has lost 4 of their last 5 games, and Purdue has lost 4 of their last 6. There will be a lot of offensive fireworks in this game. Two of the top receivers in the Big Ten will be facing off, James Hardy for IU and Dorien Bryant for Purdue. I really like the feel good story that Indiana has become this season, but I believe that Purdue is a better overall team. The Boilermakers have scored more points, and given up less than a Hoosiers, and remember that Indiana did not play Michigan or Ohio State like Purdue did. Both teams will get into the 30’s, but in the end Purdue will take home the Old Oaken Bucket. Purdue 38-35 Northwestern at Illinois - This would be a perfect week for a let down for the Illini as they are coming off a huge upset of Ohio State. The Wildcats beat Indiana last week to become bowl eligible, but would like another win this week since up to 10 of the 11 teams in the Big Ten could be bowl eligible. Offensively, these teams are polar opposites. The Wildcats have a strong passing game while the Illini rely on a rushing attack by Rashard Mendenhall and their quarterback Juice Williams. Williams came under fire in the middle of the season for his lackluster passing skills, but he put it all together last week against Ohio State. I do not see Zook allowing his team to have a let down. This is an important game for the Illni also because with a win they could be heading to a New Year’s Day bowl. Possibly against Zook’s former team Florida. Illinois is clicking and there is nothing the Wildcats can do to stop them. Illinois takes home the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk. Illinois 30-14 Wisconsin at Minnesota - The winner of this game will get to take home Paul Bunyon's Axe. Buried under the huge upset of Ohio State was Wisconsin’s win at home against Michigan. Since their mid-season loss at Penn State, the Badgers have been a totally different team. Minnesota on the other hand has lost 9 in a row and is looking not to go winless in the Big Ten this year. The Gophers are last in the Big Ten in total defense and scoring defense. With or without PJ Hill, the Badgers should be able to take home the Axe for the fourth straight year. They have been playing well defensively and if they keep QB Adam Weber under control, the Badgers will cruise to victory. Wisconsin 41-17 Penn State at Michigan State - In only their 14th year in the Big Ten, Penn State plays Michigan State for the Land Grant Trophy. The Nittany Lions have won the last three meetings between the two schools. This year they enter the game amidst some more team problems. Chris Baker and Navarro Bowman will not be making the trip to East Lansing after being formally charged for their part in a fight at the HUB the night after the Iowa game. Baker’s loss will hurt because the Nittany Lions are already thin on the defensive lines because of injuries. Unfortunately for them they are playing a Michigan State team that loves to pound the ball down their opponent’s throats. They average over 200 yards per game on the ground, and it doesn’t help that Penn State’s defense has gotten worse as the season has progressed.. Ringer and Caulcrick will have big days against the Lions. For the Lions to win Morelli has to have a perfect day and the Lions must attack the Spartans, but for those who know Paterno he does anything but attack when playing on the road. Sparty gets a much needed seventh win. Michigan State 28-20 Ohio State at Michigan - When the Buckeyes and the Wolverines play, they don’t have a specific trophy which is awarded to the winner. More often or not they play for the biggest trophy in the Big Ten, the Big Ten Championship Trophy. Both teams are coming off heartbreaking losses, but that does not diminish the desire to win this game. It has been widely reported that this will be Lloyd Carr’s last regular season game, and the team and the home crowd would love to see him go out a winner. But Carr has had a hard time beating Tressel, going 1-5 against his foe from the South. I was all set to pick Michigan in this game, but what holds me back are the injuries to both Henne and Hart. Even if I knew Henne was not going to play but Hart was 100%, I would have picked the Wolverines, but we all know that isn’t true. This will be a great game, with a lot of passion on both sides of the ball. I think Ohio State’s defense is too tough for the banged up Wolverines’ offense and Ohio State will find ways to score on Michigan’s defense. I am sure Tressel watched tapes of all of Michigan’s losses and has the guts to game plan for them. Henne and Hart will both leave Michigan without ever beating the Buckeyes and Ohio State will book tickets to the Rose Bowl. Ohio State 27-10 Last Week: 2-4 (.333) Overall: 63-19 (.768)